Recommendations for thick-soled wetsuit booties for rough terrain shorediving?

[afieldofblue]

Hello all,

as a follow-up to this thread here: wetsuit season is just around the corner and I'm looking for thicker-soled booties than my current Seac-5mm, as some shore dives entries in these parts involve walking over sharpish rocks.

There's always the option of glueing-on sole reinforcements as suggested in the drysuit booties thread, but I'm also interested in commercially available solutions I could use with my wetsuit fins, size XL OMS Slipstreams.

Any recommendations? How do Converse-like booties like Poseidon boots fare for instance? I'm thinking they might be too thick for XL-Slipstreams (US 10.5 feet)

I've heard of Aqualung Superzips and Waterproof B2 booties, as well as Henderson Molded Sole Gripper boots (which are probably impossible to find in Japan...) for instance - is anyone using these without supersizing their fins?

thanks!
b

 

[OTF]

Look at sailing "dinghy boots". A bit more expensive but sturdier and better constructed than most dive boots. Something like the Gill Edge maybe.

Bare makes some dive boots that look relatively sturdy from the pictures.

 

[Pressurehead]

Another vote for Aqualung Superzip in the cooler months on rocks like you posted above, just bought another pair just in case Aqualung stop making them.

 

[happy-diver]

Fairdinkum all rubbish boots for those rocks bite the bullet get the right heavy soled scuba boot plenty out there

I must have 10 pairs
Some ankle support
And, buy bigger fins

Deep Six, has a pocket that will fit a hoof, and then the horse, and then the rider, and maybe then, even the float

 

[Tracy]

These are what I wear with a wetsuit. I have the same in low tops that I use on the boat deck.
I have been using them for years and they hold up very well.

 

[Pressurehead]

get the right heavy soled scuba boot plenty out there

I must have 10 pairs
Some ankle support

I agree with this, and I have about the same number of them.

I tried being cheap and bought other styles and brands and they were rubbish , being not up to the task or build quality.
Now I only use 2 styles of boots on rocks [as in the top photo] and crushed coral, Aqualung Super Zip or Enth Degree for very rough ground , as in the shot above.
Being old and lazy I also want them easy on and off, not fighting to get them off wet and on dry.

Edit: And a pair of Scubapro boots [ not cheap ] were also rubbish and not up to the task, which was sad, they looked nice, but having a face like a slapped arse, who cares how you look, right?

 

[Ontwreckdiver]

PRO HD, SEAC SUB B2B Platform

PRO HD, SEAC SUB B2B Platform

b2b.seacusa.com

 

[afieldofblue]

Thank you all - I found a really good deal on Aqualung Super Zip Ergos here in Japan - model is older than the ones above, and they have a 8mm-thick sole, so not as thick as the Superzip Ergo Elite (10mm), which are not sold here, but still reasonable.

I'll give these a spin, and if they're not up to the task aim for more robust ones, with a fin pocket upgrade if need be.

 

[happy-diver]

Here's the thing after hours of power and miles of smiles suffering 300 plus pounds over those razor rocks

There's no slicing or dicing but you need a firm sole so the sharp bits dont poke into the soles of your feet

So with these bzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

OOps!

I found a really good deal on Aqualung Super Zip Ergos here in Japan

Walking with 8mm rubber on really sharp pointy rocks the rubber collapses over the point into the foot
ooh ah ooh ah, and bruises foot, ooh ah ah ooh ah and other things, like walking on stones in bare feet
but different


For a sole that still fits the fin a hybrid is required where a plastic mix gives the stiffness impenetrability

Now I got a what must be a brilliant deal, full price paid, two pairs, and they've been pointy rock tested

Bewdiful

Bewdifuller!

 

[afieldofblue]

it's this model:

Tusa is Japanese, so should be easy to find here (foot size non-withstanding). Will look into it

cheers