sneakers with fins?

[Mr. 5000]

I have never tried it but is there any performance disadvantage (other than sand) caused by wearing sneakers instead of dive boots. I'm wondering if anyone has ever tried diving with a sneaker like the classic converse all star high tops?

 

[N2DeepInAz]

Well, I'm not sure if what I had on would classify as sneakers, but I have a pair of New Balance water shoes, which look like tennis shoes but are made to be entirely submursed in water.

I had worn them with me to a destination I though was going to be a cold water dive and had taken my drysuit as well which has built in boots.

The water was so warm I ended up wearing the NB shoes with a 3mm shorty that happened to be in my boat. I had to use them as I had forgotten to take my neoprene booties, but low and behold they worked as just as well if not better than the neo booties as I felt like they supported my foot a little better. I had to use mine out of a lack of options. Turns out that I liked them enough to do it again.

Best of luck to you!

 

[ptyx]

A lot of drysuit divers around there trade their rock boots (or equivalent) for Chuck Taylors. Durable, stylish, smaller foot pockets - I'd do it if it didn't require me to change my fins once more.

I've never tried for wetsuit diving, but if comfort isn't an issue it should work fine.

 

[Wayward Son]

I did it for years when I was a kid & we could afford wet suit boots.

 

[boulderjohn]

I know several people who do it, and they like it. (We are talking dry suit here.)

 

[TSandM]

I dove CTs with a wetsuit for quite a while. I used a good pair of polypro socks under them. They worked fine. I have also used them over dry suit socks. I'm amazed at how well the glue in the shoes holds up to being wet.

 

[skankpile]

I say do what you like...

I did it last weekend for the NewBraunfels trashfest and it made walking on the river bank and in shallows a whole lot easier and less squishy. I prefer it to the booties, but I grew up around the river so its kinda standard to me I guess (but I did not wear cut-offs).

 

[NC Wreck Diver]

I've dove with people who use Chuck Taylors instead of rock boots with their drysuits. They love them. I haven't tried it yet. I just use big wet suit booties.

 

[ringmod65]

High top monochrome black Chucks over neoprene drysuit sock, here.
Ditched the laces, and substituted some 1/8' bungee with cord-locks.
Chucks were a bit large for my Jets, but gave me an excuse to pick up a pair of Hollis F-1s, which I love.

 

[SDiverJim]

I have a pair of booties in which the sole is so thick and contoured it that they could pass as high top sneakers. I just received them so I have not dove in them.