Boots, Water Shoes, & Socks
Purpose
Boot, Shoe, or Sock - Which one do you need?
A neoprene boot or water shoe protects your feet from sharp coral, rocks, and rough boat decks, while the rubber sole provides grip on slippery surfaces. The neoprene provides meaningful thermal insulation even in warmer water. Boots and water shoes are designed for use with open-heel fins — they cannot be used with full-foot fins. A neoprene or lycra sock adds comfort when worn inside a full-foot fin and provides a thin layer of warmth and abrasion protection. Neoprene socks can also be worn inside boots for added warmth in very cold water.
Features
Thickness
For temperate or cold water diving, snorkeling, boating and water sports, a minimum 7mm thickness is required to keep your feet warm. For warmer, tropical water, anything from 2mm to 7mm is comfortable. Don't worry about having too warm of feet with a thicker boot, this is usually not an issue.
Sole Type
A hard rubber sole is essential for shore diving or any activity involving walking on rocky, coral, or boat surfaces. It protects the neoprene material and provides grip.
Toe Cap & Heel Stopper
Some boots and shoes will have extra rubber that will extend from the sole up the back of the heel or over the toe on the top. The rubber toe cap will provide extra durability to the shoe or boot, especially when constantly sliding your foot in and out of a fin. The rubber heel stopper will stop your fin strap from sliding down and off your foot if you place the strap above the heel stopper.
Comfort & Fit
Dive boots and water shoes should fit like a regular shoe — snug enough to prevent slipping, but not so tight that circulation is restricted which can cause your feet to get cold quickly. Some lycra and neoprene socks will be one-size-fits-all while others will have a distinct sole and fit more closely to your shoe size.
Care & Maintenance
Be sure to rinse your shoes, boots, and socks with clean, fresh water after each use to remove as much of the salt and chlorine as possible. This will help prolong the life of the neoprene material and the stitching holding them together.
Over time, neoprene items like boots, shoes, and socks will need a good washing to rid them of stinky odors. A good soaking and washing with some neoprene shampoo will usually do the trick. Be sure to adequately rinse them after with clean fresh water to get rid of the soapy residue.
Be sure to properly dry them inside and out before packing them away for storage.
