My regular sailing spot is Morton Bay and the combination of tender feet, sand, mud, shells, coffee rock and grit make boots a necessity - well at least for me. I've tried a number of brands - flying objects, balin,rip curl and while they all work OK on the board they fill up with grit and mud through drain holes and perferated neoprene and after a while become very uncomfortable to sail in. I read some reviews of the Atan boots, where the reviewers said they were the next best thing to sailing without boots on. On that recommendation I purchased Atan Sunfast 3mm round toe boot. Well after 2 sessions I have to agree. Firstly there are no straps, but the latex covered neoprene fits the foot really well. You forget you have them on.They are easy to get in and out of the footstraps.There is no pressure spots on the front of the toes, good grip on the board and best of all no sand, mud or grit in the boot. They come in various styles to suit different sailing conditions. The Sunfast is perfect for SE Qld. I thoroughly recommend you try a pair if you want to protect your feet but stillhave that barefoot feel on the board.
They sound good. I need to buy some booties for a windsurf trip on a reef area that's nasty on feet. Where do you get them?
The boots are made in France. I bought them online from 24-7 Boardsports out of the USA. I couldn't find someone who sold them in Australia. Getting the right size is really important. Figure out what your shoe size is in a European fitting and get the next size down. I.E I usually wear a 43 / 44. So I bought a 42 / 43 and they fit perfectly. I asked for their size recommendation by messanging them from their web page.
The web page URL is below
www.24-7boardsports.com/wetsuit-boots-shoes/
They were really helpful and delivery was about a week.
You can also get them from Isthmus Sailboards out of the UK. Check both out and see who does the best deal.
Thanks John,
Just bought some, have been looking for a good pair of boots that slide in and out of the straps easily for years!
I think they are the ones Guy Cribb recommends. I bought another brand as I bought local but when they die I might try these as the current split toe ones are a bit uncomfortable at times.
I have been using at atan boots for years.
I have had the split toe and round toe in 3mm surf style (cut below the ankle). The round toe is better. It doesn't roll around the foot and the leg rope does not get caught.
For winter in Melbourne I bought the 6mm high cut version but I found it too hot so I bought the high top 3mm instead.
they are perfect for windsurfing. Very easy to get in and out of the straps. I just got back from a week in Mauritius and they held up well on sharp coral.
you can only buy them online from overseas.
the down side is that they don't last as long because the bottom is latex instead of rubber. The good side is they give you a much better feel for the board.
Dont leave them lying around in the sun.
i would never go back to rubber boots.
john340 is spot on with sizing.
+1 for Atan boots. I have the 6mm version and these are the only boots that are warm enough for me during the winter (and I have tried a lot of different brands). Very comfortable and good board contact. They never last a season but the more durable ones were all more expensive, colder and have too mutch material between the feet and the board, so I keep buying new ones every time. These boots will take over the world without any serious marketing just because they are the best.
Hi All.
After reading the feedback I purchased a pair from 24-7 board sports. Unfortunately my order was mixed up with another one and they have sent me the wrong ones. They did recognise their mistake before the boots arrived and have dispatched the correct ones.
They have asked if I can try selling the ones the sent in the first instance.
They are the Atan madisson boot - size Euro 46 for
Price - 20 pounds. (less than half price)
let me know if you are keen and we can sort it out.
cheers
Troy
I bought a pair of the Atan Sunfasts one size smaller as recommended but found them to be too tight.
I have since bought a larger pair and love them - really comfortable and slide in and out of the straps no issues (I sail fanatic boards so straps are very ggod).
If anyone wants a new pair of Atan Sunfast boots, size 44 - 45 for $50 pm me.
Paul
Paul,
I'm glad you like the boots, I'm sorry if I gave you a bum steer on the size. The 42 / 43 is a size smaller for me as I usually wear size 44 shoes. They are a bit tight at the start of the session, but loosen up after about 15 minutes, after which I don't notice I'm wearing them.
Oh no worries John, sizes differ in shoes so I guessed what I would be and got it wrong - my bag, not yours.
Select to expand quoteAUS729 said...
I bought a pair of the Atan Sunfasts one size smaller as recommended but found them to be too tight.
I have since bought a larger pair and love them - really comfortable and slide in and out of the straps no issues (I sail fanatic boards so straps are very ggod).
If anyone wants a new pair of Atan Sunfast boots, size 44 - 45 for $50 pm me.
Paul
They are Sold 
