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Grubs Bowline 5.0 Bootie Product Review
“Our latest product combines superior insulation, waterproof protection, and excellent grip in an ankle height design, making it perfect for those who prefer the comfort of a shorter boot without sacrificing quality”, says the bootmaker, Grubs, in describing its latest offering, the ‘Grubs Bowline 5.0 Bootie’.
Well, how did this new footwear fair in our subjective test of this new product? From an aesthetic point of view, this new footwear from Grubs certainly boasts a contemporary look and its styling would no doubt be worthy of adorning the most noble of feet afloat and ashore! Furthermore, upon close examination, the ankle-length bootie’s makeup speaks quality, being devoid of any discernible imperfections or manufacturing flaws.
Design and Versatility
The Grubs footwear concept too is strong, available in a variety of colours, the Bowline 5.0 Bootie lends itself to a wide range of activities and pastimes. These include the Grubs’ foremost suitability for activities on deck and being a product that looks shipshape for when going ashore, as well as being an ideal choice of footwear for gardeners or when embarking on gentle rambles in the countryside. Whilst the Grubs Aqua-Grip sole is non-marking and designed for reliable traction as deck boots or dockside footwear, its crossover performance in muddy, wet, and slippery conditions is only lessened by the fact the boot’s sole is not designed with deep treads.
Comfort and Construction
In terms of its internal makeup, the Grub’s Superdri™ lining helps to keep one’s feet dry and fresh throughout the day and in terms of comfort, the boot scores highly thanks to its INSU-FOAM ULTRA construction, which offers an outstanding degree of stretch, comfort, and warmth. Though not offering any pronounced heel as such, the boot does give a pleasing degree of cushioning underfoot and provides a reasonable amount of support to the ankle too, as such we found the boots very comfortable to wear. We did find them slightly wide, so if you have a more narrow foot, we would recommend chunky socks for a snug fit.
Environmental Credentials
Lastly, the Grub’s green credentials are noteworthy in our view. Each pair of boots is packed and presented in attractive lightweight shoeboxes made of recycled materials, which in turn, are recyclable too. The marketing print on the boxes is minimal and all inks used are water-based and nontoxic. Rubber and plastic waste in the construction process is kept to an absolute minimum and according to Grubs, 100% of the waste rubber in production is recycled into the next rubber batch – resulting in an average 20% recycled content in the boots. Nylon and Polyester face fabric is stripped and returned for recycling too. The base yarn is made from 20% recycled plastics, and all transportation packaging is reused. All this means these boots truly tick the sustainable footwear box.
Conclusion
It’s clear therefore, that as a company, much thought has gone into the product’s footwear attributes. Well done, Grubs! Overall, a very likeable product and one that scores well in our view.
See the whole range at Grubs Boot Official Website
Key Features of Grubs Bowline 5.0 Bootie
Performance Features
- Superior insulation via INSU-FOAM ULTRA construction
- Waterproof protection with Superdri™ lining for dry, fresh feet
- Non-marking Aqua-Grip sole for reliable traction on deck surfaces
- Ankle-height design balancing mobility with protection
- Outstanding stretch and comfort for all-day wear
Design Elements
- Contemporary styling suitable for both nautical and land activities
- Available in multiple colour options
- Quality construction with no discernible manufacturing flaws
- Reasonable ankle support despite shorter boot height
- Pleasing degree of underfoot cushioning
Environmental Credentials
- Packaging made from recycled and recyclable materials
- Water-based, non-toxic inks used for packaging
- Minimal rubber and plastic waste during manufacturing
- 20% recycled content in boots (from production waste rubber)
- Base yarn contains 20% recycled plastics
- Reused transportation packaging
Best Applications
- Deck and dockside activities
- Light countryside rambles
- Gardening work
- Casual everyday wear in wet conditions
- Shore excursions when boating
Price: RRP £79.95
Hugo Montgomery-Swan
Editor | Powerboat & RIB
Powerboat & RIB
This content was created by the Powerboat & RIB editorial team.
