Boots for Bonaire

[galvanni]

I've never seen the springs but have always had trouble getting my Aeris Velocities on - probably because my boots "just" fit in there snugly, so when I have to put them on in the water - it takes a while. I can see these springs being the cat's meow for that problem - plus dynamic adjustment from what I'm seeing.

As far as splits being gimmicky - I kind of expected that. I've just never done any research. I've used my Velocity fins for a lot of snorkeling before getting certified and I've never had a problem with fatigue or keeping up with my DMs that always seem to have splits. I just want something that fits and works and is not overly buoyant. The jet style fins seem too thick and overly weighted for travel - so I'm probably going to stay away from them.

I have an unstable knee - two ligaments completely torn - not just stretched from a head on collision with a car in my youth on my Yamaha sport bike which also bought me double compound fractures just above the ankle and my leg is bowed from not being set correctly. I can also bend my knee sideways a great degree. It's fun to show people at the bar, but if I get caught off guard like I did this summer at Dutch Springs with 80lbs of cr@p on me walking down that steep ramp and it folded over on me and I'm still in a bit of pain from that. I just got a prescription custom DonJoy sport brace made for skiing and motocross but I doubt I can wear that over a 3mm - it's fit perfect for my leg as is. So a hard boot regardless of whether or not you need it for foot pain to me seems like the obvious way to go in the long run. If for anything else - because a hard and high cut is probably going to be more stable for me to walk in under any conditions with all that weight on me - not just the ironshore of Bonaire.

 

[drrich2]

My wife, friend & I have been to Bonaire 3 times. They love their SeaSoft Sunrays, which they didn't have their first trip. Our 3'rd trip, I hurt my foot on the jagged ironshore at Oil Slick Leap (one of our favorite dive sites, but in a soft sole boot, you can do a number on your foot).

I just bought some Sunrays, size 13-14, even though I wear a size 15 (which is why I didn't buy any before). They fit snug but okay; only thing is, the medial section of my big toes might chafe. Gonna have to hope they don't.

Richard.

 

[deco_martini]

Sunrays are mean shoes. Love mine. I bought a size up of my fins used on ebay to fit them.

 

[DeputyDan]

My wife, friend & I have been to Bonaire 3 times. They love their SeaSoft Sunrays, which they didn't have their first trip. Our 3'rd trip, I hurt my foot on the jagged ironshore at Oil Slick Leap (one of our favorite dive sites, but in a soft sole boot, you can do a number on your foot).

I just bought some Sunrays, size 13-14, even though I wear a size 15 (which is why I didn't buy any before). They fit snug but okay; only thing is, the medial section of my big toes might chafe. Gonna have to hope they don't.

Richard.

Oil slick may be the sharpest coral of any "traditional" dive site on the island.

It appears to be much worse after the last hurricane. Which BTY didn't help the dive site at all!

 

[b1gcountry]

Are you reading that as an endorsement of a coral kicking or trying to argue that accidental contact never occurs?

Neither. I'm saying that if you ever actually kick a piece of living reef, you need to change your style of diving to make sure it doesn't happen again. Either dive smarter, or get better. This goes doubly so in Bonaire since there's no current, surge or swim throughs.

It appears to be much worse after the last hurricane. Which BTY didn't help the dive site at all!

That's a shame too. The shallows used to be really really cool. The little tidal caves are still full of stuff though. It's fun to sling a cylinder during high tide, and explore around in there a little.

Tom

 

[SubMariner]

Whatever brand shoes you take, if they are not hard soles you will be very sorry.

Yes!!!

We have been to Bonaire about 12 times. The first time we made the mistake of wearing softer-soled "slipper" type booties. The sharp coral marl cut through them in no time. :depressed:

While there are some sites where there is a sandy entrance (Bachelors or Windsock) in most instances you'll either be walking across a lot of unstable knife-edged coral marl to get into the water or wind up walking across some once you're actually in the shallows. Then there are always ladders or stairs that require a firm footing.

Go for the best booties you can find. You won't be sorry.

 

[deco_martini]

Neither. I'm saying that if you ever actually kick a piece of living reef, you need to change your style of diving to make sure it doesn't happen again.

Thanks for the address Mr. Lincoln. What makes you think I disagree with what you said?

Thank you for preaching something everyone already pretty much agrees with. Do you feel better for it?




Also, Oil Slick has a nice wooden platform now over the rock. I could see how without it, it would have been treacherous.

 

[b1gcountry]

Thanks for the address Mr. Lincoln. What makes you think I disagree with what you said?

Thank you for preaching something everyone already pretty much agrees with. Do you feel better for it?




Also, Oil Slick has a nice wooden platform now over the rock. I could see how without it, it would have been treacherous.

I wasn't addressing you directly, and I think Lincoln was a SOB.

If you're looking for a fight, pick someone else.

 

[gert7to3]

One complaint from the OP was about blisters. I would suggest that some lycra socks would be a good purchase. I use them all the time and they really do protect your feet from blisters or raw spots. They add little to the bulk of your foot, contain the toe cheese, so you boots don't stink up as quickly and ease the donning of your wetsuit.

Xs Scuba lycra Socks reviews and discounts, XS Scuba

or

Finis "Lycra skin Socks"

I use 1mm neoprene socks for cold water dives.

 

[b1gcountry]

+1 but I'm cheap, so I use something like this because I already own them:

Performance Team Racing Sock - Cycling Socks