Boots

[oreocookie]

I'm going to Bonaire in August and have been reading trip reports and questions on here for a while. I've noticed that what keeps coming up is: have hard soled boots. Ok, but what exactly constitutes a hard sole?

I currently have a pair of these: Aqua Lung - Professional Diving Equipment

Should I consider getting something like Tusa Imprex 3MM Dive Slipper or Bare Velocity 3mm HD Tropic Boot before I go? Both are available at one of the lds around here.

 

[Bas Noij]

The boot you have looks fine for Bonaire but it is obviously hard to judge from that picture alone. I'd go with it and if you find them to be too thin you can easily pick up a pair of the TUSA slippers (my Bonaire boot of choice) at almost any dive shop on the island. They are not going to be much more than in the US so it's a good fall back scenario.

 

[Waterskier1]

These are what I wear. Quite inexpensive yet have a firm sole. There are two reasons you need a thick/firm sole. First is to keep the sea eurchants from poking through. Second, and more important to me, is to maintain firm footing on the irregular and slippery rubble (coral rocks) during entry and exit. Many of these "rocks" are smaller than your foot, and it can easily slip off or you can loose your balance. Since Bonaire is all about shore diving, it makes sense to me to invest in an inexpensive boot/shoe to make the most of diving there. You can also wear these around as beach shoes or even replacement tennis shoes.

 

[akirawut]

When I was down there I had a real hard sole, I would say harder than a normal shoe. The woman has something like those boots you linked, a thick heavy sole, a lot more than a water shoe, but not really hard. She was fine.

We didn't find most of the entries all that bad.

 

[Kilili]

Cannot tell from photo. Find some place with rocks 2-3 inches, like in a garden. Put on your boots and walk about. How does it feel? If soles seem too thin for this, get something thicker. I'm guessing however you will do ok with what you have. Look like pretty solid cold water boots.

Far more awkward and difficult is walking on large rocks, 8 in and up, like Tulambem in Bali, where thick, solid soles are really needed.

Boots are really only a factor in Bonaire for the shore dives, and then not all places.

 

[kyjellyfish]

I would also recommend wearing some lycra sock liners under your booties. After a week of diving everyday my toes/ankles were chafed and blistered beyond belief.

Have a nice trip - Bonaire was awesome and look forward to going back!

 

[akirawut]

I would also recommend wearing some lycra sock liners under your booties. After a week of diving everyday my toes/ankles were chafed and blistered beyond belief.

Have a nice trip - Bonaire was awesome and look forward to going back!

Properly fitting boots and fins should be all you need to prevent this, they shouldn't really be moving around on you.