Buy Orca Bay for sailing and boating
Orca Bay is a British sailing apparel brand that has specialised in deck shoes and sailing boots for sailors, motor boaters and watersports enthusiasts since the 1980s. At watersportsonline.com you'll find the Orca Bay range with men's deck shoes Largs and Squamish in brown and dark blue, women's deck shoes Lagoon in blue and brown, and unisex sailing boots Solent grey and Storm in brown and black.
Deck shoe or sailing boot: which one?
| Model | Type | Gender | Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Largs | Classic deck shoe | Men | Day sailing, deck, dry conditions |
| Squamish | Deck shoe with grip | Men | Allround deck, light rain, better grip |
| Lagoon | Deck shoe women | Women | Comfort on deck and in marina |
| Solent grey | Mid-height sailing boot | Unisex | Shoulder season, mid-wet weather |
| Storm brown / black | Tall sailing boot | Unisex | Autumn, winter, cold and wet, regattas |
A deck shoe is for the deck and the step to shore: light sole, grip on wet wood and gelcoat, and comfortable under shorts. A sailing boot keeps water out up to knee height and is meant for rain, autumn and winter sailing, and long days on open water or in cold harbours.
British leather and sole construction
Orca Bay uses full-grain leather uppers, tanned stitching and a marine rubber sole with fine diamond grooves. That groove is designed to channel water away and prevent slipping on a wet gelcoat deck. The men's Largs and Squamish models are classically laced, the Lagoon women's variant has a comparable lace closure with an adjusted last. The Storm and Solent sailing boots have an inner lining that retains warmth and dries quickly. Have a look at the broader sailing boot collection, the men's deck shoes and the women's deck shoes from other brands.
Frequently asked questions about Orca Bay
Which Orca Bay model suits summer sailing?
For warm days on open water or in marinas most sailors choose an open deck shoe like the Largs or Squamish men's or the Lagoon women's. These models are light, ventilate through the leather upper and give direct grip on deck. In rainy summer weather or on a wetter deck, shift to the Squamish for the slightly deeper sole groove, or pick the mid-height Solent sailing boot. For pure summer conditions without spray, the Largs in brown or dark blue is the classic choice.
How do I size an Orca Bay sailing boot?
Orca Bay sailing boots run slightly wider than a normal shoe, designed to be worn with thick wool socks or thermal liner socks. Rule of thumb: order your usual shoe size if you wear normal or thin socks, and go half a size up if you'll permanently wear thick thermal socks while sailing. Put the boot on standing up, with the heel touched down first, and pull the shaft over the trouser leg to stay dry from spray. The Storm boot has an adjustable upper-cuff strap to tighten the shaft snugly around the calf.
What is the difference between Largs and Squamish?
The Largs is a traditional deck shoe with a flatter sole and light rubber stipple grip, focused on dry deck and walking on shore. The Squamish has a slightly deeper sole groove with more water channelling, so it still grips on lightly wet deck. Visually both are laced leather deck shoes, but the Squamish has a sturdier toe construction and a marginally higher instep. For dry summer sailing the Largs is enough. For regatta sessions, rain or deck work, go for the Squamish.
How do I maintain Orca Bay leather?
Rinse salt off with fresh water after every saltwater session and let the shoe or boot dry slowly, not next to a heater or on a radiator. Direct dry heat dries out the leather and causes cracking. Treat the leather a few times per season with a neutral leather balm or beeswax waterproofing such as Nikwax Waterproofing Wax. Store the shoes dry with shoe trees or stuffed with newspaper to keep their shape. With the Storm sailing boot, fold the inner lining outward to let it dry.
In stock? Order before 17:00 and it ships the same day. Otherwise, as soon as possible. Not sure about the right size or model? Our specialists in Joure are happy to help.
