Constantly inundated with claims that new products are completely original as well as bigger and better than ever before, I'm usually sceptical of pitches like this. And with all that WOW styling Timberland's Eurus Class 1 Low's were no exception, reckoning to be the most advanced boat shoe yet - until we split fact from fiction and got a pair in for a MainSail Gear Review.
The Eurus Class 1 Low boat shoes are part of the new Timberland Outdoor Performance range - a hype which aims to give people shoes that work as well on water as they do on land. Yes, well. It's specifically designed to "suit all of the demands of a competitive sailor" - everything from the multi-directional siped outsole to the removable tri-zone to stop your laces from getting caught is tailored to suit you needs. But at £80 RRP are they worth the spend?
Their design incorporates a combination of waterproof leather and a breathable air mesh upper to give fantastic drainage. If water gets into the shoes, it's channelled to the front of the foot-bed, where holes at the lowest point allow it to escape - no chance for your feet to fester. Inside, the Agile IQ sock, which is constructed from anti-microbial mesh, keeps your foot firmly in place, removing the need for conventional socks (Aussies and ex-Rhodesians take note). They're comfortable to wear even when wet, offering support in all the right places, though initially just a little rough next to the skin.
Not one for open shoes on a boat, I was delighted with the reinforced toe bumper. From experience; there's nothing worse than clipping your toe on a winch as you step back into the cock pit. The grip was far superior to my normal deck shoes as well. The outsole gives good traction and won't mark the deck.
But it always intrigues me why sailing and outdoors companies make light-coloured footwear. Have they never heard of mud and water? The first time the Timberland Eurus got wet; dark marks appeared on the leather. These faded as the shoes dried, but were still slightly visible - not what you expect on first use. Also, though the drainage was good, it took longer than expected for the insole to dry. The only other complaint is that even with the removable tri-zone, some of the material still seemed to get caught on things. A cleaner slip-on design might have been better.
|
A nice extra to take on a warm flotilla cruise or a day of dinghy sailing - but you might require a more serious protection in the good old British Isles. Very lightweight, they don't take up much room in your luggage - less than other types. But they are more expensive than some other sailing shoes and their complex design could prove dangerous if really snagged on deck hardware. For now I'm sticking to my deck shoes. |
For more information on Timberland visit www.timberland.com
