Sewing Booties?

[Drifter136]

Hey All, this is my first post here on the forums. How's it going? I wasn't sure whether to post this question in here or in the exposure forum. I'm going through my NAUI training right now, and I recently got new fins and booties.

They are 5mm soft soled booties. One of the times, while in the pool, the zippers on both booties came half unzipped. I have seen that some booties have a velcro strip to keep the zipper from coming undone

I'd like to sew a velcro strip onto my booties, but was concerned whether the needle holes would cause too much water transfer or if it would be a non-issue. Does any place sell the sealing (iron-on) strips that cover all the seams of a wetsuit? Thanks for any help.

 

[SteveAD]

total non issue.

just think about how much water transfer you get at the top of the boot

 

[Bobbin-along]

The few stitch holes are a minor issue to the gaping holes in the zipper teeth. Using a proper needle (Size 90 or 100) for neoprene and all nylon thread with a med-large stitch size you will be fine. Remember to lock the stitch after you have stitched it.

 

[spectrum]

I wouldn't give the needle passages a second thought. It's the second layer behind your wetsuit as it is. In fact I'm getting ready to do the same thing for an upcoming warm water trip and got when in the pool since it is a PITA. If it really bothers you brush a few coats of wetsuit cement on the back side of the stitches and let it dry thoroughly but I would not bother.

I use black nylon upholstery thread and pull the needle to the center of the thread length so I get a two ply stitch. I have doing this for lots of gear stuff and it has worked great. What you don't want is any thread that can rot.

Pete

 

[Drifter136]

Thanks everyone for the helpful replies. Glad to know it's a non-issue. Looks like I'll be working on them as soon as I get some velcro.