PAGE 14 • SPRING 2005 THE JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN SAILING ASSOCIATION
AMERICAN
SAILING
R ASSOCIA TION
ASA MEMBER PRODUCT REVIEWS
look like strands of blue spaghetti with
the chicken pox. These bumpy laces
ensure that once your laces are tied, they
will hold a knot even when wet. Under
the hood, we find a neoprene lining
around the ankle-area providing wetsuit-
like warmth and elasticity that allow
these lightweight shoes to slip on and off
like a pair of bedroom slippers. Wet or
dry they are the most comfortable pair of
boat shoes I have ever worn and felt great
from the moment I slipped them on.
Although slippers are comfortable, I’m
not sure I’d want to sail in a pair all day
and in every type of weather. This is
where I found the Solo Vela’s to be a
compromise between form and function.
Although I only tested the shoes under
sunny Santa Barbara skies in light winds,
Y
our feet will not be flying solo in their quest to if I were engaged in more demanding sailing or more
stay dry while donning Timberland’s stylish Solo extreme conditions, I would prefer a beefier shoe with
Vela sailing-inspired shoes. Why “sailing- more cushion under foot, more arch support, and more
inspired” and not sailing shoe? I can only imagine it’s lateral support. Many times I found that despite the sole
because the Solo Velas are like no boat shoe you’ve sticking to the deck, my foot would slip around inside
ever worn. They fit like slippers but resemble the the shoe. This contributed to an occasional unstable
offspring of a saddle oxford father and tennis shoe feeling under foot. However, as an alternative to sandals,
mother. They’re equally at home complementing a bare feet, or for light to medium sailing the Solo Vela’s
pair of shorts as a pair of slacks, allowing you to would fit the bill for any level of sailor.
transition seamlessly from dock to dinner.
The shoes are well constructed using double stitching in
The shoes are designed with a number of innovative many places, full-grain leather, thick mesh, and durable
features to shed water and facilitate quick drying rubber. At $65 the Solo Velas are less expensive than
while keeping your feet warm and cozy. The instep comparable shoes in the marine sports category so you
of the Solo Vela is dotted by a matrix of pea-sized could always add a pair to your sea chest for those warm
water drainage ports allowing excess water to pour weather days or when you just want your feet to stand
out with each step. The uppers are made mostly out from the crowd.
of mesh, allowing your feet to breathe and
accelerating evaporation. Overlaying the mesh
For more information about Timberland Solo Vela sailing
down the center and sides of the shoe is a layer
inspired shoes as well as their complete line of marine shoes
of blue leather, which not only adds structural
check out their website www.timberland.com or call them at
support but also sets these shoes apart in
888/802-9947.
looks from your “dime a dozen” boat shoe. A Brian von Dedenroth never learned to sail as a kid, despite
layer of clear rubber on the back of the shoe growing up within sight of the Channel Islands. While attending
provides the dual benefit of structural college in San Diego, he talked his way into a great summer job
support but sheds water like a galosh. teaching kids, of all things, how to sail. With the help of an
These shoes are designed to stick to a introductory sailing book and free access to the club’s fleet of
deck thanks to non-marking rubber soles Hobie 16’s and Capri 22’s, he taught himself enough in one
which are criss-crossed by a series of week to pass for a basic sailing instructor. It was the best
wavy channels that shed excess water homework assignment he has ever had. Since that quick intro,
under foot. My best attempts to slip he has dedicated more time to refining his sailing skills through
on a wet deck with wet shoes were ASA, racing, and sailing recreationally in California, Mexico,
thwarted every time. To top it all and Hawaii.Brian currently splits his teaching time between
off, the shoes are equipped with clubs in Marina del Rey and the Santa Barbara Sailing Center.
nautical laces which basically
R
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