Picking a bootie for spring season

[dansadler3]

What's up everyone, quick question. I'm planning to start my surfing in a couple weeks. I'm on the east coast (Jersey) and the water should be around 55 by then. Looking for a good pair of booties to wear, but I've read the forums and can't seem to make a decision. I see the majority seem to hate the high calf booties and recommend either reef shoes or socks. I'm thinking 5mm for that water, but am open to suggestions. Any brand or other recommendations, such as low/high/thickness would be much appreciated. Thanks again!

[billie_morini]

Dan,
No, you do not need a 5 mm bootie! I regularly where a 1 to 2 mm boot in temperatures less than 55 F. I once lived at the Jersey shore and used to regularly swim far into the sea. Got picked up 3 times by the federal Coast Guard. They were pissed because I swam so far out I was in shipping channels.

Anyway, I started using using a light bootie in NorCal where the water temps are noticeably lower than the Jersey shore. Down here in the Central Coast (Santa barbar), these booties are almost too much. But then, I am kind of warm blooded and enjoy cold water. In my next post, I will show you what booties I have been using in California for many years.

[billie_morini]

Dan, this may be all you need. Been using this for close to 10 years in water on par and colder than you will experience in Jersey.

[waikikikichan]

I've never seen a 5mm reef shoe or sock. I have seen reef shoes in 1.5mm. Booties are 5mm.
Make sure you try them on before you buy. Loose will get looser when it fills up with water. Too tight and you toes/arch hurts. I like hidden split toe for better feel.

[billie_morini]

Dan,
FYI: the booties in my photo above are 3 mm thick. The first of the two websites below identifies a vendor that you can buy them from. The second of the two websites below provides customer reviews.

http://www.wetsuitwearhouse.com/PROD/MWBOXFOI.html#.WRAI8fkrJEY
http://www.wetsuitwearhouse.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen=REVIEWS&Product_Code=MWBOXFOI&Store_Code=WW

I wore mine today and continue to enjoy them.
billie

[Oldie]

In those temperatures I wear 3mm booties. I have the 3mm Xcel Infinity Split Toe. Try them in the shop as sizes vary a lot between brand and model, i.e. Rip Curl seems to be much smaller than the size would indicate.

[RinkyDink]

This is the best bootie I've used so far. When they wear out I'll probably buy another pair. I like the round toe.

https://www.amazon.com/ONeill-Wetsuits- ... nd+toe+3mm

[OlegLupusov]

RinkyDink,

I have been using the same one. Mine got wasted within three years. Why do you like them so much? How long have you been using them?

[RinkyDink]

RinkyDink,

I have been using the same one. Mine got wasted within three years. Why do you like them so much? How long have you been using them?

I think I might have bought them in September. I used to have a split toe boot that I bought when I restarted surfing. I wore that pair out because I was dragging my foot along the deck of my board in my early popups. Eventually my toes made a hole through the neoprene. I also didn't really like the split toe because I had to kind of futz around with it to get it on. Anyway, I like my latest pair because the toe box is covered with rubber so I'm hoping that will prevent my toes from making holes through that area. To be honest though, I'm not that fussed about booties. If and when they wear out, I just replace them for $30 or $40. So far though, I like the pair I have and they seem to be holding up so I'm going to stick with them.

[OlegLupusov]

You can see my toes through mine:) so, the rubber layer is not a panacea
And, I haven't used them that much. Only in winter and during rare trips to rocky bottoms

[RinkyDink]

You can see my toes through mine:) so, the rubber layer is not a panacea
And, I haven't used them that much. Only in winter and during rare trips to rocky bottoms

Mine seem to be holding up. I think the rubber is just the right thickness. It's not too stiff and yet it seems to be just right in protecting my feet from the rocky bottoms I surf along. The problem with buying surfing gear is that it's hard to find reliable reviews on things. You pretty much have to go by word of mouth. If you've had your pair for three years and they're still comfortable and working, then I'd say you won.