Studding Viking Drysuit Boots

[oldflounder]

I recently took a nasty slip onto my backside exiting on slimy ledge/rocks at a very low tide. It got me thinking about preventing this in the future. Has anyone tried studding their boots or using some kind of traction straps that would stay on with your fins on? I know they sell studs for chest waders and they have straps for them. Any ideas or experience with this???

 

[mrfixitchapman]

https://koldkutter.com/catalog/index.php?cPath=21_22&osCsid=f16a1005a534cab4eaad93f0870e2741

The 3/8" size will work wonders for your boots.

DC

 

[Insta-Gator]

Works on ice when backpacking. Might work on slime, but at least is can be removed if you don't like them.

 

[oldflounder]

Works on ice when backpacking. Might work on slime, but at least is can be removed if you don't like them.

Thanks Gary for the reply. I need grips that I can put my fins over when I enter the water. Being in a drysuit and full gear with a mask on I think it would be difficult to remove these when I go in, and stoy away somewhere. I fear that when I get to depth and pressure takes over and plays it's expansion/contraction games, these might get squished into the fins so that I won't be able to get them off when I exit. It is a possibility though if I can't find anything else.

 

[muddiver]

You could have the boots removed from your dry suit and have neoprene socks attached. Then you could wear Rock Boots or Converse All Stars (your choice of boot) like teh DUI suits typically come with.

 

[dave4868]

I need grips that I can put my fins over when I enter the water. Being in a drysuit and full gear with a mask on I think it would be difficult to remove these when I go in, and stoy away somewhere. I fear that when I get to depth and pressure takes over and plays it's expansion/contraction games, these might get squished into the fins so that I won't be able to get them off when I exit. It is a possibility though if I can't find anything else.

Great idea, oldflounder! Since I dive solo quite a bit, I've really avoided, as I've gotten older, the more slippery dive sites, which are often the most interesting! I'll definitely try your idea! Thanks!

I have a pair of DueNorth All Purpose Traction Aids that might work perfectly. They're great on ice.
The tungsten spikes extend only 1/8" and would be perfect for algae covered rocks, I think!

DueNorth by Sure Foot® Corporation - Products - Winter - DueNorth All Purpose Traction Aid



Since these stretchy rubber devices are fairly easy to put on and take off, I'll probably wear them over my Rockboots just when walking the slimy rocks to and from the water, stowing them during the dive. They can be tightly rolled up with the tungsten spikes on the inside. A little bag would further protect the spikes from causing any damage to gear. First, I'll practice donning and doffing while wearing diving gloves before fully committing myself....

Thanks again! You may have greatly improved my geriatric diving....

Dave C

 

[oldflounder]

I have been looking at this sitehttp://www.cabelas.com/product/Simms174-HardBite8482-Vibram-Boot-Studs/722581.uts?Ntk=AllProducts&searchPath=%2Fcatalog%2Fsearch.cmd%3Fform_state%3DsearchForm%26N%3D0%26fsch%3Dtrue%26Ntk%3DAllProducts%26Ntt%3Dstuds%26WTz_l%3DHeader%253BSearch-All%2BProducts%26x%3D15%26y%3D10&Ntt=studs&WTz_l=Header;Search-All Products

 

[oldflounder]

Whoops - I'll have to work on that - anyway Cabela's has some gear that might work also.

 

[dave4868]

Whoops - I'll have to work on that - anyway Cabela's has some gear that might work also.

The address just needed some editing....

http://www.cabelas.com/product/Simms174-HardBite8482-Vibram-Boot-Studs/722581.uts?Ntk=AllProducts&searchPath=%2Fcatalog%2

Dave C

 

[oldflounder]

Thank you Dave for correcting that -
I know my way around computers pretty good but I am still a little computer illiterate on some things.
Oh yes -in case you are wondering - I am that stupid diver that was seen falling at Nubble recently - at least I think I am - several of us fell that day in extremely low tide conditions on extremely slippery purple algae - even some tourists fell off the rocks up top I heard [though not into the water]. I've never seen it that slippery and I dive there a lot. It isn't my first time falling there and it won't be my last. One reason I like diving solo at Nubble is that if I get in trouble there are usually plenty of helpful tourists around. I don't like diving sites that are out in the middle of nowhere and there is no one around in case of a real emergency. He's right - I probably am a stupid diver - my kids tell me the same thing because of my age - but hey, I could have fallen down on the ski slopes while I was alone also!!!