Gill is a name that’s synonymous with quality when it comes to sailing kit, and its new Pursuit Trainer is a fine example. This shoe has been created not only for active use in, on or around water but also to offer exceptional comfort and good grip. Reasons to buy: Long-lasting | Variety of colour and material options | Hand-stitched | Non-marking anti-slip soles

With more and more specialist sailing clothing companies not only understanding the needs of those involved in high octane sailing, but also investing in huge amounts of research and development, these super-light sailing trainers are becoming more and more popular.This Australian company’s kit tends to be at the top end of the price range, but that hasn’t stopped it from drawing plenty of advocates. Chatham has more than 30 years of shoemaking under its belt and so confident is the company of its Pippa II G2 women’s leather boat shoes that each pair comes with a two-year manufacturer’s warranty.

The Tribord range at Decathlon has impressed the Yachting Monthly team in other tests – notably their coastal waterproofs. These leather boat shoes are developed for inshore sailing in dry weather conditions. The moulded insole and outsole both have fast drainage and there’s extra toe protection to reduce risk of injury. The Regatta Shoe has a non-slip rubber outsole that provides excellent grip and is shaped to improve side protection. To do this, they have strategically placed drainage ports on the waterline to help speed drying, vent holes in the uppers to ensure breathable comfort, and moulded wave-siping incorporated into the outsoles to provide sure-footed traction in all conditions.Reasons to avoid: Developed for dry weather conditions, may not be suitable for more intense conditions The Sperrin Winter Boat Shoe is Chatham’s twist on its classic boat shoe, featuring three eyelet laces, contrast stitching detail, side laces and a heavy cleated sole for additional traction on slippery pontoons. It’s constructed to be long-lasting and made from unique hot-stuff buffed leather conditioned with oils and waxes. Reasons to avoid: Expensive | The insole only covers 2/3rds of the foot (leaving toes and ball of foot on leather) Specifications: Sizes: 5.5 up | Colors: Dark Petrol Blue, Lunar Grey | Material: Synthetic Leather / Mesh

The shoes are fully laced all round to ensure a good, snug fit, and feature anti-rubbing protective strips and non-slip and micro-grooved natural rubber outsoles. Specifications: UK sizes: 6.5-12.5 | Colors: Choice of four | Material: Synthetic textile and mesh upper / EVA midsole / HellyGrip rubber outsoleReasons to buy: Good all-round support | Sole spring poron insole – offers cushion | Breathability and anti-bacterial | Robust eyelets | Available in UK sizes 6-15 Reasons to buy: Waterproof and lightweight | Good breathability sheds moisture | Rubberised sole provides increased traction | flexibility and comfort Crocs men’s Classic Boat Shoe is designed to be waterproof and lightweight thanks to the Croslite foam construction.