Best First Pair of Boots?

[jgoldman46]

I am looking for dive boots (size 9 mens) that I can wear in 70 degrees and above, and also for snorkeling because I plan to wear them with my regular open heel fins when I snorkel. I have worn 5mm before and is currently what I am looking for but if there are anything in the 6mm or even 7mm range I could go thicker but not thinner. I will be in a 7mm wetsuit and also want something that has a firmer sole so I don't step on sea urchins or sharp rocks but nothing crazy thick that's like a boot sole. Looking to spend under 75$ but it is footwear so if something is closer to $100 and definitely worth it, it would still be an option. Thanks!

 

[EricSm]

I am looking for dive boots (size 9 mens) that I can wear in 70 degrees and above, and also for snorkeling because I plan to wear them with my regular open heel fins when I snorkel. I have worn 5mm before and is currently what I am looking for but if there are anything in the 6mm or even 7mm range I could go thicker but not thinner. I will be in a 7mm wetsuit and also want something that has a firmer sole so I don't step on sea urchins or sharp rocks but nothing crazy thick that's like a boot sole. Looking to spend under 75$ but it is footwear so if something is closer to $100 and definitely worth it, it would still be an option. Thanks!

I have a pair of Scubapro Delta booties. I think they come in 3mm, 5mm and 6.5mm. I don't think what make or model of booties makes as much difference as using some thin socks under them. We were doing 2 x 90 minute dives on rebreathers without the little silk or nylon socks. All of had toes like raw meat regardless of what make/model of bootie until we all started wearing thin socks under the booties. I was wearing smartwool ankle socks as soon as chafing got bad to finish off the trip. Now none of the hang I dive with wear booties without dive socks. One guy still has scars all over the tops of his toes over a year later from not wearing dive socks of some kind.
For rockboots (basically shoes to wear with a drysuit) I love the Men's Altama Maritime Assault Mid Boots. You can find them in several places including Amazon and sell for just under or over $100. I run them through the clothes washer and air dry them.

 

[Ontwreckdiver]

I am looking for but if there are anything in the 6mm or even 7mm range I could go thicker but not thinner. I will be in a 7mm wetsuit and also want something that has a firmer sole so I don't step on sea urchins or sharp rocks but nothing crazy thick that's like a boot sole.

PRO HD, SEAC SUB B2B Platform

PRO HD, SEAC SUB B2B Platform

b2b.seacusa.com

 

[jgoldman46]

I have a pair of Scubapro Delta booties. I think they come in 3mm, 5mm and 6.5mm. I don't think what make or model of booties makes as much difference as using some thin socks under them. We were doing 2 x 90 minute dives on rebreathers without the little silk or nylon socks. All of had toes like raw meat regardless of what make/model of bootie until we all started wearing thin socks under the booties. I was wearing smartwool ankle socks as soon as chafing got bad to finish off the trip. Now none of the hang I dive with wear booties without dive socks. One guy still has scars all over the tops of his toes over a year later from not wearing dive socks of some kind.
For rockboots (basically shoes to wear with a drysuit) I love the Men's Altama Maritime Assault Mid Boots. You can find them in several places including Amazon and sell for just under or over $100. I run them through the clothes washer and air dry them.

Thanks! I'll be sure to wear thin socks under them!

 

[jgoldman46]

PRO HD, SEAC SUB B2B Platform

PRO HD, SEAC SUB B2B Platform

b2b.seacusa.com

I was looking at SEAC but they don't have actual shoe sizes only S M L XL, is there a chart or something, I don't want to have to trial and error buy and return yk

 

[happy-diver]

something that has a firmer sole so I don't step on sea urchins or sharp rocks

See this mate

I have a pair of Scubapro Delta booties. I think they come in 3mm, 5mm and 6.5mm. I don't think what make or model of booties makes as much difference as using some thin socks under them.

Yeah but the delta boots have a soft sole just waiting for pointy rocks to push up into your foot

Where these Tabatas have a firm sole, for anti pointy rock foot pushing, with a low profile for fit

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TUSA 5mm Hard Sole Imprex Dive Boots DB-0109​

 

[Ontwreckdiver]

I was looking at SEAC but they don't have actual shoe sizes only S M L XL, is there a chart or something, I don't want to have to trial and error buy and return yk

There's a size chart on their website, it's metric though. I got a size large and it fits a 8.5 to 9.5 US size.
There are reviews on Amazon that refer to size also.

 

[fred32176]

I use aqua lung manta (5mm) boots. They are very comfortable and have a nice hard sole. Whatever boots you decide on, make sure they work with your fins. As you get thicker boots especially with hard soles you may have to go to a larger fin to accommodate the boots.

 

[USdiver1]

I am looking for dive boots that I can wear in 70 degrees and above, and also for snorkeling because I plan to wear them with my regular open heel fins when I snorkel. I want something that has a firmer sole so I don't step on sea urchins or sharp rocks but nothing crazy thick that's like a boot sole. Thanks!

Your style of kicking will have an impact on the correct boots, as you mentioned in your initial request, these will be boots for both scuba diving and snorkeling. I assume the flutter kick will be your predominant means of propulsion. I have a couple of different boots [5mm] from Aqualung, one is great for flutter kicking, one is not, and is much more suited for frog kicking. These are the EchoZip Ergo [Flutter] and the SuperZip Ergo [Frog].

Here they are:

The EchoZips are much more flexible at the ankle which helps with the flutter kick as you can extend your food without hurting your heal [Achilles tendon]. Highly recommended for flutter kicking. The SuperZips are reinforced with rubber and are basically armor for your feet, but they are not flexible around the ankles and you will notice that if you flutter kick in them.

Just a bit of advice from an old mossback whose been diving for nearly 50 years.

 

[34109411]

I am looking for dive boots (size 9 mens) that I can wear in 70 degrees and above, and also for snorkeling because I plan to wear them with my regular open heel fins when I snorkel. I have worn 5mm before and is currently what I am looking for but if there are anything in the 6mm or even 7mm range I could go thicker but not thinner. I will be in a 7mm wetsuit and also want something that has a firmer sole so I don't step on sea urchins or sharp rocks but nothing crazy thick that's like a boot sole. Looking to spend under 75$ but it is footwear so if something is closer to $100 and definitely worth it, it would still be an option. Thanks!

there is plenty out there just pick up one. mares, bares, cressi and so on. most importantly it should be comfortable and fit you well.