Bought May 2014 · Price Paid: £75 GBP · Current Model: ~£125 GBP
Back in May 2014, I picked up a pair of Palm Nova launching boots — ordered from the UK because that’s usually where the sharper deals are, and the NZ range for this type of gear can be limited. I said I’d report back eventually, and 11 years and 6 months later, here it is.
First Impressions (2014)
Straight out of the box, the boots felt solid and comfortable, with a good grippy sole for ramps and shoreline launching.
But one thing stood out from day one:
👉 The top strap never quite tightened enough.
It did the job, but a little bit of slack always remained, and that occasionally let a splash sneak in during deeper launches.
11+ Years of Real-World Use
After more than a decade of kayak launching, saltwater, sand, mud, winter mornings and summer heat:
- They’re still in one piece.
- They stayed comfortable for walking and wading.
- The sole grip remained reliable, even on slimy ramps.
- No stitching failures, delamination, or major blowouts.
Eleven years of use gives a fair idea of their long-term durability, and they’ve held up far better than expected. They’ve softened with age — as neoprene always does — but they never quit.
Launching Habit That Helped
During launching I tuck my kayak trousers into the boots, and once I’m in the kayak, I pull them back out over the top.
This simple move stops paddle drip or small chop from finding its way down into the boots once underway.
Care Routine That Made a Big Difference
One of the main reasons they’ve lasted this long is simple:
👉 Rinse thoroughly with fresh water after every use, and let them dry properly.
No shortcuts.
This prevents salt from attacking the stitching, keeps the neoprene healthy, and lets the boots dry without going musty or stiff.
The Updated Model (Observed, Not Owned Yet)
The new Palm Nova sells for around £125 GBP, and the biggest improvement is obvious:
👉 A redesigned top strap with noticeably better adjustment.
That was the only weak point in the old pair, so it’s good to see the update. I haven’t bought the new version yet — I’ll make that call the moment I feel I’ve sprung a leak — but on appearance alone, the improvement is sensible and overdue.
Final Thoughts
After 11½ years, the original Palm Nova boots have proven to be:
- Durable
- Practical
- Comfortable
- Surprisingly long-lasting, given the conditions they’ve been used in
The updated strap design on the new model appears to fix the only real annoyance the original ever had.
A straightforward, real-world verdict:
These boots go the distance — especially if you look after them.
