NEOPRENE BOOTS

When the water gets colder the first thing to add to your wetsuit are neoprene booties. Lets take a look at the booties and what to look for when buying them.

Neoprene boots are the first thing you put on when the water gets to cold for just your wetsuti. Again, most of the things we wrote about neoprene in our wetsuit guide apply here. So when buying neoprene boots you must like in wetsuits consider:

• the type and thickness of neoprene in neoprene boots: There is not much to tell here about the type of neoprene, again flexible neoprene is better as it hugs the feet better. It is also much easier to put on and off neoprene boots that are made of flexible neoprene. The thickness on neoprene in neoprene boots can be between 1mm and 7mm.
• how are neoprene boots stitched: stitching on neoprene boots influences how much water can get into the boots through the stitches. Again, blindstitch and liquid taped stitches are the best, liquid taping on neoprene boots is now standard in all high end neoprene boots. If you want more detailed description of stitches, read our wetsuit guide.

Neoprene boots specific info

We have two types of neoprene boots:

• reef walkers – these are really thin (0,5 – 1mm) and low cut neoprene boots that are made to protect your feet from rocks and coral when surfing in summer
• winter neoprene boots – this are thick (2 – 7mm) and are made for protection from the cold.

Besides the general things we mentioned above also look for neoprene boots with:

• tight fit – if wetsuit booties are to big, they will fill with water more and your foot can slide in them, so you’ve got less control. But unlike with gloves, do not go to far. If neoprene boots are to tight you will slow the blood circulation and your feet will be cold. Also look for neoprene boots with a strap across your feet, so you can secure them better.
• neoprene boots length – how far up your leg neoprene boots reach? Shorter neoprene boots can slip from under your wetsuit and get filled with water. So the longer the better, if neoprene boots have a strap to tighten them around your ankle even better.
• split toe – this is a personal preference, some people get annoyed when neoprene boots have separate toe but performance wise it is a good thing. Neoprene boots with split toe will prevent you feet from moving within the boot, so you do not slip.

That’s it, maybe just one more beginner tip – put your neoprene boots under your wetsuit. Sounds funny, but you can see people do all sorts of things.

Related posts:

1. WETSUIT GLOVES
2. Wetsuit guides
3. BUYING USED WETSUITS
4. MY FIRST WETSUIT
5. HOW TO PUT ON A WETSUIT