Question about bodyboard fins (for feet) and boots

[Bub]

I wear a men's size 8 1/2 shoe. I'd like to pick up some body boarding fins/flippers (whatever you call them). What size should I be looking for if I order off of the web (or should I try on at a surf shop first)? I'm

Second question: How would you couple wearing surf boots (for cold water) with bodyboarding fins? Do you even combine those 2? I'm confused about how that all works out. Can anyone educate me on to do this...I'm a little clueless? Thanks!

[isaluteyou]

Try them on in a shop first. Not all fins fit alike having owned about 5-6 different pairs back in my bodyboarding days. As a general rule you want them very very snug but not way too tight. Most of them will have a little stretch in them.

Also make sure you get some fin teathers. You wont really need them until you actually do if you know what i mean. (had a few heavy duckdives where the rushing water just pulled them right off at least with teathers you wont lose them.

As for booties i cant really help as i never wore them but i imagine you may need a different size fin to comensate for the extra width. Im sure PW can help you on this front.

Also choose fins wisely if you plan on just staying prone then a wider fin and stiffer one will provide more thrust. For DK you want smaller fins.

Happy Days

[PapaW]

Couldn't have said it better myself.

boot wise get socks....

Like these... http://www.westcoastsurf.co.uk/cgi-bin/ ... y_Code=WA2

ther fit inside fins perfectly unlike ridged shaped boots. you'll be able to find them a most surf stores. Saying this.. If you will be wearing booties most of the time then you want to get them first and take them to the shop where your trying on fins.

If its just to stop fin rub and not because of water temp then use just a notmal everyday sock. That usually does the trick of avoiding pizza foot!

[Bub]

Couldn't have said it better myself.

boot wise get socks....

Like these... http://www.westcoastsurf.co.uk/cgi-bin/ ... y_Code=WA2

ther fit inside fins perfectly unlike ridged shaped boots. you'll be able to find them a most surf stores. Saying this.. If you will be wearing booties most of the time then you want to get them first and take them to the shop where your trying on fins.

If its just to stop fin rub and not because of water temp then use just a notmal everyday sock. That usually does the trick of avoiding pizza foot!

Thanks for the advice. I'll call some surf shops in the area to see if they sell wetsocks and bodyboarding fins. If they sell both I'm in luck. And also the teathers...those sound essential, especially since most of the fins are $30-$40 U.S. After wetsocks/fins/teathers, it sounds like I'll have about $100+ in acccesories invested. My begginer/intermidiate Morey Baja bodyboard I got for X-mas was only $60. Costs sure add up quickly but once you have the basic equip. covered, its a fairly low cost sport.!

[PapaW]

Thats for sure

You might also what to check out http://www.ebodyboarding.com

Everything you'd ever need set up and run by former pro and his former pro wife.