Dokcks"L"iders...OUCH!!!!!

D

David M

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I have about 3/4 left on the soles of my Sperry's. The damn things have become STOS (Slicker Than Owl Sh!t) on any surface to include rough concrete.

Is there any way to get them sticky again or do I need to risk a broken tailbone or donate them to the Dem.....never mind.

I'm tired of walking like my 87 YO Mom to preclude a trip in the ambulance.

TIA.
 
Sand the bottoms with 60 or 80 grit paper using a orbital sander. That is what I do.
 
I scrape mine on rough concrete, but it only lasts about a day.
 
quote:
Originally posted by KiDa

I have about 3/4 left on the soles of my Sperry's. The damn things have become STOS (Slicker Than Owl Sh!t) on any surface to include rough concrete.

Is there any way to get them sticky again or do I need to risk a broken tailbone or donate them to the Dem.....never mind.

I'm tired of walking like my 87 YO Mom to preclude a trip in the ambulance.

TIA.

Click to expand...


Have you considered donating them to charity and buying a new pair?
 
THe way things are going if he donates those slicksters someone's likely to sue him when they fall !
shocked+emoticon.gif
 
Have this problem with sailing shoes all the time... hit them with the sander like Bill suggested... That will bring 'em back a bit.
 
Sorta like bald tires in the rain. you know their dangerous. Don't be so cheap, get a new pair.

Note: I've got a LOT longer life out of Rockports.
 
quote:
Originally posted by OLD HOUSEBOATER

Sorta like bald tires in the rain. you know their dangerous. Don't be so cheap, get a new pair.

Note: I've got a LOT longer life out of Rockports.

Click to expand...


Bald tires in the rain ROCK...Bald tires are well beyond their expected life expectancy. However, these ARE a new pair. I really would not care if the soles were thread bare and the tops were held to the soles with Duck Tape (Yes I have. Used to drive my ex nuts!) but there is at least 3/4 of the sole remaining on the shoes. This is the second pair to which this has happened.

I remember years ago when the original Topsider/no sock look came into vogue the soles wore out fast on the street forcing Sperry to issue a statement that the soles were MEANT for boats, not streets. These are not boat shoes per se. The soles are about 3/4" thick when new and not much thinner now.
 
quote:
Originally posted by OLD HOUSEBOATER

Sorta like bald tires in the rain. you know their dangerous. Don't be so cheap, get a new pair.

Note: I've got a LOT longer life out of Rockports.

Click to expand...


I only wear my sailing shoes when racing. So the shoes themselves hold up really well. But the soles do lose their "tack" after awhile. The sander works well.
 
those soles seem to age more quickly that years ago, sanding etc doesn’t change the fact that the rubber gets hard and slick. IMO they are just not the same as the old topsiders. Many stores sell old stock and that makes the problems worse.
 
"However, these ARE a new pair. I really would not care if the soles were thread bare and the tops were held to the soles with Duck Tape (Yes I have. Used to drive my ex nuts!) but there is at least 3/4 of the sole remaining on the shoes. This is the second pair to which this has happened.

So be a hard head and go skidding on your a$$. My kids didn't listen either.
 
they may be new to you but old stock. In any event They ain't the old topsiders.
 
my sebago docksiders to the same thing...The tops (suede ones and traditional brown leathers) are totally fine, no splits and they are molded oh so just right. It's just those damn soles get hard as crap after a few years. I've done the 80grit sandpaper but it doesn't last at all.
 
Hey-You guys are lucky to be able to buy deck shoes. I have short fat feet, size 7EEE. Since I bought my last pair I can't find them any place, brick & mortar
or online that sells them.
Ron
 
Wear them till they are STES (slicker than eel snot), then replace them. Keep them on the boat so you will have something to throw at boaters who throw a huge wake at you while you are on the hook or in a no wake zone.
 
If the soles are still close to 3/4"(!) thick, you should be able to set a utility knife on the shallowest-cut settting _(~1/8"?) and, using a straight edge , cut a new set of sipes. Just keep it verry shallow in case it's only close to that thickness near the outer edges. This actually does help for those who can't bear to give up on broken-in boat hoof coverings.

Alternately, an even application of cold-roofing cement should keep them tacky, ...at least in warm weather. :D
 
i've found that some chemicals like acetone make the problem worse. the only solution i've found is to dump them and get a fresh pair.
 
quote:
Originally posted by vic33004

i've found that some chemicals like acetone make the problem worse. the only solution i've found is to dump them and get a fresh pair.

Click to expand...


+1... compared to the price of an emergency room visit, they're cheap.
 
For those RINO's quick to spend my money, I have issues with getting about 6 months out of a set of shoes at $60-$70 a whack.

I'm going to try the sandpaper and utility knife. I'll let you know how it works. I may let you know from the ER, but I'll let you know.
 
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