Diving "injury" - boot (or other) suggestions??

[ligersandtions]

Hi all! I have some issues with my fins/boots/ankles that I need some help figuring out. Here's a little background: I started diving with some split fins and slipper-style boots (Henderson, with a hard sole) and after a few dives in a single day, I noticed that to top of my ankle and back of my heel was getting rubbed raw. It was suggested that maybe I was pulling the straps too tight, so I started diving with them looser, but still tight enough to stay on my foot comfortably....same issue.

I now dive with Jet Fins and the same boots. I bought the fins with some home made spring straps that were really tight....I had the same problem as before, so I figured I needed to make some different, not so tight, spring straps. I did that and they were quite comfortable to pull on and off, however I had the exact same issue.

The issue happens on both feet, but is more predominant on my right foot (this foot is about a half size bigger than the other foot, so I suppose it makes sense). The majority of the issue is the rubbing of the top of my foot, but it does rub my Achilles tendon as well. My foot gets rubbed raw during the dive, stays that way for about a day or two, and then finally scabs over until it heals about a week later. In case you're curious what this looks like (and to prove I'm not blowing it out of proportion ), here's a (crappy camera phone) pic:

The boots do not have a seam where my foot gets rubbed, so that shouldn't be the issue....but I have no idea what is and how to fix it. The fins are not too big or too small....if I go smaller, my foot won't go into the pocket, and if I go bigger, the fin flops around on my foot. If anyone has any suggestions of boots to get, techniques to try, or anything else, I would really appreciate it. It's a huge pain, but it's not going to stop me from diving until my foot falls off....in which case, I'll still try to find another way to dive. But if I can avoid the misery of this, that would be awesome!

 

[Teamcasa]

Nichole, Get a pair of lycra dive socks and boots that have a rubber pad on top of the boot.

Like these

 

[RJP]

The fins are not too big or too small....if I go smaller, my foot won't go into the pocket, and if I go bigger, the fin flops around on my foot.

Possible that either your fins don't fit or your boot doesn't fit. In order to get the injury you show on your foot, your fin and/or boot must be abrading your skin. Something must be too big for your foot, allowing it to rub up and down on your foot as you kick.

Now of course your fin might fit on your boot, but your boot might be too big for your foot.

Also, as Dave points out a rubber topped boot will help as well.

As you've had the same problem with two different fins, I'm betting it's the boot that doesn't fit. But keep in mind: with the proper size boot your FINS might not fit anymore. Fins and boots need to work together.

 

[ligersandtions]

How exactly are boots supposed to fit? My big toe goes almost right to the end of the boot. However, maybe the ankle part of the boot is big, while the length of the boot that my foot fits into is the right size?

I'm wondering if a boot with a zipper up the side would be better since they appear to have thicker neoprene in the front. The reason I didn't go with that in the first place is that it looks like the zipper would cause rubbing....little did I know how bad these ones would be!

I was thinking maybe a thin sock underneath would help??? I was hoping Under Armour made socks out of their normal under armour material, but when I looked, it seemed as though they only had regular, cotton socks.

 

[lifes an ocean]

I would have to say, that it sounds like you need some new boots, and possibly fins. Soudns like from what I read the only common factor were the boots. Also, have you checked your fin and inside your boot for anything that would cause that. I don't mean a seam in the boot, but possible something like a grain of sand, or a stitch out of place. Also check on your fin in that area for anything. It is amazing how somehting that is small or seems so innocent can cause something like that over a distance of rubbing.

Nice sandles by the way.

 

[RJP]

How exactly are boots supposed to fit? My big toe goes almost right to the end of the boot.

Just like with regular shoes, fit is more than just "length" heel to toe.

Boots, like wetsuits, should be pretty tight all the way around the foot. Note they will be a lot looser wet than dry.

I actually wear a pair of relatively thick "dri-wick" socks with my wetsuit booties since mine are a bit looser than I would like. (I'm sort of a Goldilocks size: this one is too big...and this one is too small!)

 

[ligersandtions]

I would have to say, that it sounds like you need some new boots, and possibly fins. Soudns like from what I read the only common factor were the boots. Also, have you checked your fin and inside your boot for anything that would cause that. I don't mean a seam in the boot, but possible something like a grain of sand, or a stitch out of place. Also check on your fin in that area for anything. It is amazing how somehting that is small or seems so innocent can cause something like that over a distance of rubbing.

Nice sandles by the way.

I think the problem is with the boots....it's far too coincidental that it would happen with two different sets of fins. I've searched the boot for anything weird and can't come across anything. I've had this problem since my check-out dives. I can't remember if it was an issue on the first day, but I know it was an issue by the end of the second day, when we did four dives. At this point, the boots had never even touched sand....it had been in the pool, on a boat (in my bag), and in the ocean. This makes me think it's more a fit issue than an issue of debris or stitches coming out.

Just like with regular shoes, fit is more than just "length" heel to toe.

Boots, like wetsuits, should be pretty tight all the way around the foot. Note they will be a lot looser wet than dry.

I actually wear a pair of relatively thick "dri-wick" socks with my wetsuit booties since mine are a bit looser than I would like. (I'm sort of a Goldilocks size: this one is too big...and this one is too small!)

The boots seem to fit right length-wise, but they are a bit loose in the ankle area....this is probably what leads to the rubbing.

Who makes your dri-wick socks and where did you get them? I plan on getting new boots sooner rather than later, but if the socks will help, I may as well invest in a couple pairs of those as well! Thanks!

 

[Teamcasa]

I had the same problem with boots that did not zipper shut. The slip-on boots need to be big enough to pull on but that alone makes them to big after getting wet and stretching out. Get boots like I showed in my first post and the lycra dive sock like these.

Deep See: Part of the Aqua Lung Family of Brands

 

[RJP]

Who makes your dri-wick socks and where did you get them? I plan on getting new boots sooner rather than later, but if the socks will help, I may as well invest in a couple pairs of those as well! Thanks!

Several pairs, but anything of this type will do...

Smartwool Adrenaline:

Wigwam (in)Genius "Rebel Fusion"

To be honest, it's not just a "band aid" fix for ill fitting boots I actually PREFER to dive with these socks on. Doing 5-6 dives a day for a week in Bonaire or on a liveaboard I found my feet actually fared much better overall than if I just wore booties. Keeps your feet warmer for sure, and certainly less abrasion from the random bits of sand/shells/etc that you might get in your boot doing shore entries.

Of course the lycra socks that Dave shows is probably the better route, but I already owned several pairs of the socks I showed above!

 

[Charlie99]

I had similar sort of problems. The wear spot changed with changing of boots.

The solution was simple ..... a pair of socks. Initially I used some neoprene socks, but they can be difficult to put on so then I tried an ordinary pair of dress socks. That solved the problem also, and are a lot easier to put on.