There's no single “best UK sailing boot”, it depends on how and where you sail. For coastal cruising and club racing in the UK's changeable weather, a mid-height, fully waterproof boot with a warm lining covers most conditions. Offshore sailors and those doing winter passages are better served by a tall, insulated Gore-Tex boot, while dinghy sailors are best in a low-cut neoprene or wetsuit boot that drains quickly.

Good quality sailing boots use a specially designed, razor-cut or siped sole to grip wet, angled decking, and are usually also non-marking so they won't leave scuff marks on deck. This is worth checking on any budget boot, as a standard rubber wellington sole isn't necessarily designed for a moving, wet deck in the same way a dedicated sailing boot is.

Sailing boots should be snug enough to stay secure when you're moving around a wet deck, but roomy enough to wear a technical sock without pinching your toes. A boot that's too tight will restrict circulation, which actually makes cold feet worse, not better, while a boot that's too loose can rub or come off in the water.

Rinse boots in fresh water after every sail, particularly after time in saltwater, and leave them to dry naturally away from direct heat, which can crack rubber and dry out leather.

Leather sailing boots should be reproofed periodically with a dedicated leather waterproofing treatment to maintain their water resistance.

Removable insoles should be taken out to dry separately to prevent odour building up inside the boot.

Yes, most sailing boots, particularly rubber, wellington-style and leather boots, are perfectly comfortable for walking on a pontoon, dock or marina, and many leather styles are designed to double up as everyday countryside or dog-walking boots. Dedicated neoprene and wetsuit boots are more purpose-built for time in and around the water and are less suited to extended walking on hard ground.

While a standard wellington boot will keep your feet dry, sailing wellington boots are purpose-built for the marine environment, with non-marking, high-grip soles designed for a wet, heeling deck, quicker-drying linings, and reinforced areas at the toe and heel that take more punishment on a boat than they would on land.

Rubber and neoprene sailing boots are generally comfortable straight out of the box, but leather sailing boots, like any leather footwear, benefit from a short break-in period. Wear them for a few shorter trips before relying on them for a long passage, and treat the leather promptly, as it helps the boot mould to your foot while maintaining its waterproofing.

Not all waterproof sailing boots perform equally, when comparing boots, look for:

• A high, adjustable cuff or drawcord – Stops water pouring in over the top of the boot in heavy spray or rain, particularly important on tall offshore boots.
• A one-piece or sealed-seam construction – Every stitched seam is a potential weak point, so boots with fewer seams or taped/sealed seams generally perform better in sustained wet weather.
• A waterproof/breathable membrane – Found in the best Gore-Tex sailing boots, this keeps water out while letting moisture escape, rather than trapping it inside.
• A gusseted or reinforced tongue – Prevents water working its way in around the laces on lace-up styles.
• Quality of the sole bond – Where the sole meets the upper is a common failure point on lower quality boots, so a reinforced, glued-and-stitched sole will outlast a simply glued one.