Drysuit Boots?

[rob.mwpropane]

I have ordered a set of REI paddle booties as both @tbone1004 and @stuartv suggested, but I wanted to see what other people use. (REI is having a sale right now for 25% off, total was $50 after taxes).

I really like the Santi boots that my buddy has that are like little kids shoes with the velcro, bun man they're expensive!

What does everyone else use? How have they held up? Maybe I'm not looking in the right places but it doesn't seem like there is a lot of choices out there?

 

[drakcheslav]

I use a set of cheap Decahtlon hiking boots.

NH100, Mid Hiking Boots, Men’s

Our Hiking Range Designers Have Developed These Eco-responsible Nh100 Mid Boots For Hiking In The Countryside, In Forests, Or Along The Coast, In Dry Weather.

www.decathlon.com

Super cheap (sub 20eur), roomy enough when you take out the insole, fairly comfortable for trekking to the shore.

I have trilaminate boots on my suit, but I use 1cm longer footbed, so it has room for the sock, since it's not as tight fitting as a neoprene sock.

They're not as bulky as a regular rock boot, I can somewheat fit in my L sized scubapro fins, but I'd be more comfortable with a size up.

They dry quicker than my neoprene booties.

 

[lexvil]

Use whatever will fit your feet and fins, some of the better ones I’ve used are DUI, Hollis and pinnacle (who makes Hollis) I have some of those mil boots that the chairman likes and they work but a little floaty. I also use converse which are really nice in the fins they fit.

I always pull the laces and put in minimal thin bungee, you aren’t going to war of climbing mountains so they don’t have to be so tight, same with the fin strap they don’t have to crush your boot into the fin.

 

[-JD-]

Check out Altama Maritime Assaults. They have low, mid, and now high versions. And they have wide sizes!

I use mids as travel shoes & warm water boots with lycra or 3mm neoprene socks.

I also have a larger pair of mids that I used with my AL Fusion. They were great, but a little too short due to the specific construction of the Fusion (socks could bloom a little around the ankle over the top of the mids.) When I can get back to local DS diving, I'll be getting a set of the highs.

If 10.5W mids would work for you, you are welcome to try them.

 

[rob.mwpropane]

Use whatever will fit your feet and fins, some of the better ones I’ve used are DUI, Hollis and pinnacle (who makes Hollis) I have some of those mil boots that the chairman likes and they work but a little floaty. I also use converse which are really nice in the fins they fit.

I always pull the laces and put in minimal thin bungee, you aren’t going to war of climbing mountains so they don’t have to be so tight, same with the fin strap they don’t have to crush your boot into the fin.

That's a great idea about pulling the laces and replacing with bungee.

I use F1's pretty much all the time, so I'll have to find something that fits those.

Check out Altima Maritime Assaults. They have low, mid, and now high versions. And they have wide sizes!

I use mids as travel shoes & warm water boots with lycra or 3mm neoprene socks.

I also have a larger pair of mids that I used with my AL Fusion. They were great, but a little too short due to the specific construction of the Fusion (socks could bloom a little around the ankle over the top of the mids.) When I can get back to local DS diving, I'll be getting a set of the highs.

If 10.5W mids would work for you, you are welcome to try them.

I have a buddy that I'm hopefully diving with this week that has a pair he's willing to let me try. I am a size 12 with regular shoes so I guess a 13 would work for thick socks?

 

[-JD-]

My warm-waters are 9Ws (snug, but comfortable with 3mm neo socks). So they run pretty true on size.

DS ones are 10.5Ws. So I went up 1.5 to accommodate the shell-sock, base/liner sock, and thick sock. I believe I also tried (dry) a 3mm neo sock OVER the shell, then the boot, and that worked OK. Devil will be in the particular details of your kit.

I get mine through LA Police Gear. They run occasional 20% of Altama specials.

 

[rob.mwpropane]

My warm-waters are 9Ws (snug, but comfortable with 3mm neo socks). So they run pretty true on size.

DS ones are 10.5Ws. So I went up 1.5 to accommodate the shell-sock, base/liner sock, and thick sock. I believe I also tried (dry) a 3mm neo sock OVER the shell, then the boot, and that worked OK. Devil will be in the particular details of your kit.

I get mine through LA Police Gear. They run occasional 20% of Altama specials.

Yeah, they're def on my list to try.. my buddy says a lot of people in FL rave about them.

I wear 11.5 or a 12 in regular shoe. My feet are wide so my toes usually have a little room but the sides are right (in a 12). I'm hoping a 13 would be right.

My current suit with attached boots is a 14... with 2 heavy duty socks I fill that out no problem.

 

[Beau Holden]

When I had my Pinnacle dry suit with socks, I used a cheap pair of converse sneakers that worked great. Usually just bought them at the Goodwill or thrift store.

 

[rob.mwpropane]

When I had my Pinnacle dry suit with socks, I used a cheap pair of converse sneakers that worked great. Usually just bought them at the Goodwill or thrift store.

What do you think about a pair of those with bungee for the laces?

Does anyone know where to get the clip that's on the laces in this pic? What would you call that.. a slider?

 

[Beau Holden]

What do you think about a pair of those with bungee for the laces?

These look fine. If it was me I would go with some nylon string (rope) that would just fit thru the eyes.

With the converse sneakers, If I spent more than $10.00 every couple of years for boots (hard sole sneakers) that was a lot. But takes just me. Plus you get to choose the color, lol.