Are Rock Boots necessary with neoprene socks?

[rob.mwpropane]

I once grabbed two fins out of my suv for a boat dive not realizing I had one large and one xl. Not until we were tied in to the wreck did I discover this. My otter suit (which is for sale cheap) has neoprene booties. I dived with one rockboot with the xl fin and one large fin on the neoprene sock. People laughed, I adjusted my kick, the dive went fine.
Made sure after that to always check which fins I was grabbing.

You're not the only one... I was wondering why the hell one foot was so damn tight!

 

[Boarderguy]

I once grabbed two fins out of my suv for a boat dive not realizing I had one large and one xl. Not until we were tied in to the wreck did I discover this. My otter suit (which is for sale cheap) has neoprene booties. I dived with one rockboot with the xl fin and one large fin on the neoprene sock. People laughed, I adjusted my kick, the dive went fine.
Made sure after that to always check which fins I was grabbing.

You're not the only one... I was wonder why the hell one foot was so damn tight!

This is why you get your fins in different colors for different sizes.
Yellow = XL
Red = reg/large
Pink = small (wife)
Black = look carefully because there's no guarantee

 

[rob.mwpropane]

This is why you get your fins in different colors for different sizes.
Yellow = XL
Red = reg/large
Pink = small (wife)
Black = look carefully because there's no guarantee

Lol... I have black. Just ~ 17 pairs of black. (well.. mostly black

I actually almost screwed up on a boat Sun and had 2 different fins, both the same size, but the adjustment screws were in different spots and I never moved mine. Almost the same scenario.

I need to mark them already

 

[boulderjohn]

A friend of mine wears Salomon water shoes and think's they're great.

 

[covediver]

After diving a drysuit for 20 years, I conclude that some kind of foundation is needed for stability in walking and sock protection. walking around in socks, especially if they are a bit large is cumbersome at best and could increase a stumbling hazard. Some have suggested Chuck Taylor or some other boot. This apporach works for the folks I know who use them. Another neoprene bootie can also be used. I suggest that whatever alternative you chose you test it waering full gear before actually going diving with it.

 

[-JD-]

Depending on your DS, low or mid-height shoes can allow a balloon around the ankles which can cause floaty feet. Depends on how high and how form-fitting the socks are.

If you want to give the Altama mids that @rob.mwpropane was talking about a try, Botach has some size/colors starting at $40 Botach®
The mids allowed my fabric, not neoprene, socks to balloon on my Fusion so I ordered the new high version recently, but haven't had a chance to try them yet. I now wear mids with thin neoprene socks for warm-water wet travel.

 

[happy-diver]

Fourth Element Amphibian Boots are quite chunky​

 

[Brett Hatch]

Rock boots are totally overkill. I would recommend bringing your drysuit to a local dive shop, put it on, and try on a bunch of wetsuit booties. Pick the cheapest one that fits comfortably. The thick neoprene sock plus a thin merino sock, makes it difficult to size correctly.

For example, my bare foot fits fine in a size 10 Deep6 3mm booty. With my drysuit sock, I can barely get on the same booty in size 12, and once I get it on, it feels floppy at the toe. I guess this is because the neoprene sock widens your foot more than it lengthens it (proportionally). Point is, buying booties online for the thick neoprene socks is a bit of a dice roll, better to buy that particular item in-person.

 

[mje113]

I really enjoy these. They're low cut like sneakers, but heavy duty grip. They were a little tight so I took the soles out and now they're perfect. I have a wide size 13 foot (but obviously they come in different sizes). I would look around, you can find better pricing. I've seen them for ~ $70 elsewhere.

Ok, I didn't get them for $70, but I did have a couple pair of different sizes arrive today and I am delighted. I'm a pretty exact 9, and with a 4E socks + my nicely fitting crushed neoprene socks, I fit pretty perfectly in a 10 Wide. I may also take the footbeds out as it adds a bit of room.

The thing I really love is they aren't too big that I can probably use them as normal footwear for traveling. If I wanted to go on a hike I could see wearing these instead of the flip flops that is usually the only footwear I bring on trips.

 

[rob.mwpropane]

Ok, I didn't get them for $70, but I did have a couple pair of different sizes arrive today and I am delighted. I'm a pretty exact 9, and with a 4E socks + my nicely fitting crushed neoprene socks, I fit pretty perfectly in a 10 Wide. I may also take the footbeds out as it adds a bit of room.

The thing I really love is they aren't too big that I can probably use them as normal footwear for traveling. If I wanted to go on a hike I could see wearing these instead of the flip flops that is usually the only footwear I bring on trips.

They're awesome in the water. I've had mine for a few months and they seem like they'll hold up for a long time. They look brand new.

Not sure I'd hike in them. Any "looseness" will equate to blisters.. better off getting dedicated shoes.. but that's just me.