Advice on boots

[Sirto]

I would like to buy a pair of dive boots and would appreciate suggestions. My diving is all warm water with a 3mm shorty. I had a pair of short boots but they were a problem due to the fin straps rubbing above the heal so I am going to get a tall boot.

I'm thinking about the Oceanic Venture http://www.scubadiving.com/gear/gear_bags_and_accessories/5mm_dive_boots/4/
but I wonder whether the sole would provide sufficient protection for walking over sharp rocks on beach dives. Also, the top/front of this boot is only neoprene. Will this wear out quickly due to rubbing inside the fin pocket?

An alternate is the Tusa Imprex boot http://www.scubadiving.com/gear/gear_bags_and_accessories/5mm_dive_boots/5/ but would this be too stiff?

Should I go with a zipper on the boot or not? Do they have a tendency to break or jam?

Any thoughts or suggestions would be appreciated

 

[ScubaScott]

My suggestion would be to go to a dive shop and try some on, and ask these smae questions there. That way you can try them on for proper fit (sizes do range between companies), and you'll be able to judge yourself if they are suitable for your type of diving....

SS

 

[Ishie]

I love my Henderson Hyperstretch boot. I have the 7 mm, but I'm sure they come in thinner material. They have rubber protection up the front of the foot and on the back of the heel to prevent rubbing with open heel fins. They also have a very thick sole. The first use I had for the boots before I could take them diving was using them to crawdad in a shallow creek bed. I was able to walk among sharp slippery rocks without a problem, and the soles have great grabbing power.

Ishie

 

[Bob3]

I agree with Scott, there's nothing quite as good as trying the critters on, if you have access to a shop. Be sure to bring your fins along!
The "protected toes" may make a bootie uncomfortable in the fin, if the toes start to wear a trip to the hardware store for some tool handle dip (Plasti-Dip) & you can paint your own toe protectors on.

 

[Sirto]

I love my Henderson Hyperstretch boot. I have the 7 mm, but I'm sure they come in thinner material. They have rubber protection up the front of the foot and on the back of the heel to prevent rubbing with open heel fins. They also have a very thick sole. The first use I had for the boots before I could take them diving was using them to crawdad in a shallow creek bed. I was able to walk among sharp slippery rocks without a problem, and the soles have great grabbing power.

Ishie

Are they easy to get on when wet?

 

[RonFrank]

This is one item that you REALLY want to try on for a couple reasons.

First, a hard sole boot may NOT fit your current Open Heel fin, depending upon how big the sole is...

Second - size...

Pony up the extra $15 for the LDS pricing, and go get them there.

I got the soft sole zip up kind. Zip up's are easier to remove, and the soft soles will take a bit of a beating. If you hike over sharp rock on a regular basis, I'd go with a harder sole. I like the tall bootie.

Ron

 

[redacted]

This is one item that you REALLY want to try on for a couple reasons.

First, a hard sole boot may NOT fit your current Open Heel fin, depending upon how big the sole is...

Second - size...

Pony up the extra $15 for the LDS pricing, and go get them there.

Ron

If you know the booties you want and sizing is the only unknown, you can order from the internet in a couple sizes and return all but the best fitting pair and still save. If you are really unsure then the LDS is probably the place to go. But do your price research first as I suspect you will find price differences much greater than $15.00. I'd have no problem shopping the LDS to determine style and size and then paying a fair and reasonable price. And I would be very surprised if that were the marked price.

Other may see that as taking unfair advantage of the LDS.

 

[Damselfish]

Also, the top/front of this boot is only neoprene. Will this wear out quickly due to rubbing inside the fin pocket?

All my booties have been neoprene only on top and I've never had a problem with them wearing out there.

 

[Ishie]

Are they easy to get on when wet?

Mine are, yes. Which is nice because the only negative thing I can say about them is that the 7 mm ones take FOREVER to dry.

Ishie