How To Choose The Best Pair Of Boots For A Wetsuit
purchasing some wetsuit boots
There are a few key things to think about while searching for a new pair of wetsuit boots to make sure you’re getting the best fit for you and your wetsuit.
It is simple to ignore the various elements that go into the ideal pair of wetsuit booties, regardless of whether you are searching for your very first pair or an experienced wearer. We’ll provide you a list of critical elements and the various things you should consider below, including the best type for you, how to use them with your ideal wetsuit, how tightly they should fit, and most importantly, how to maintain them.
What varieties of wetsuit boots are there?
Whether you’re looking for men’s wetsuit boots or women’s wetsuit boots, it really just boils down to personal preference. If at all feasible, we highly suggest trying on many pairs to find the style that feels most comfortable to you.
However, the various kinds of booties can be divided into two primary groups if that’s not enough or you’re looking for further information:
Split Toe Boots for Wetsuits
They are perfect for usage when you need that more grip and a nice barefoot feel, frequently making them a preferred choice for competitive use because the split is located around the wearer’s big toe and allows for a considerably larger range of motion.
Here are some more wetsuit boots.
Split Toe Boots for Wetsuits
thick boots for wetsuits in chilly climates
Wetsuit boots with a round toe and an internal split.
Wetsuit boots with a round toe
Round toe wetsuit boots frequently offer a larger range of options, such as the choice between a more fashionable latex-dipped boot and your standard wetsuit material (neoprene). In order to come as close to the feeling of surfing barefoot as possible, the increased protection provided by the latex-dipped boots allows you to select a thinner version than your standard boot.
Here are some more wetsuit boots.
What wetsuit boot thickness is ideal?
This option is rather simple because the boots normally come in three different thicknesses. Choosing between 3mm, 5mm, and 7mm neoprene boots comes down to two factors:
Temperature:
The main determining factor in choosing the right pair of boots for you will be the water’s temperature; typically, if the water is going to be above 10 C (50 F), 3mm will be more than enough and will give you the best overall feeling; however, if you have colder feet, there is nothing stopping you from buying a thicker boot to keep those all-important feet warm.
If the weather is below 10°C (50°F), we advise choosing the thicker 5mm or even 7mm option to keep you warm and let you to concentrate on your kiteboarding or surfing rather than how cold your feet are.
Your favoured style
Although there are general guidelines for the ideal thickness for each location, it ultimately depends on how you feel in it because no two people are the same. If you suffer from chilly feet, you might want to choose a size larger. On the other hand, if you’d rather give up a little bit of warmth for greater manoeuvrability, a thinner option might be right for you.
How to choose the proper wetsuit boot size
Just like in real life, different wetsuit brands use different sizing stencils when making their boots, so even though their sizes typically increase in increments of 1 for UK sizing or 2 for EU sizing, their actual sizes and fits can still vary from brand to brand. It is definitely worthwhile checking the fit of a few different brands before making the leap and buying a pair.
Remember that any air pockets in your boots will eventually fill with water, so while trying them on, make sure they fit snugly without being too snug. This is the goldilocks zone because you don’t want your boots to be too snug. The last thing you want is to choose a pair of boots that are too tight and have to end your day early due to uncomfortable boots.
The best boots are those with one or more straps since you can adjust how tight you want your boots to be and they will assist stop extra water from leaking in at the top and bloating inside your boots.
The easiest way to determine which boots will fit you and enable you to surf at your best is to take a quick stroll around the store.
How to put on wetsuit boots properly
No matter whatever boots you choose, if you are wearing them improperly, they will likely be uncomfortable and fill with water. To avoid this, check over our recommendations and make sure you are wearing your boots appropriately.
The first step is to put on your wetsuit. Because wetsuits are so tight, it will be very challenging to get your boots all the way through your wetsuit legs if you put them on first.
Once you’ve put on your wetsuit, you should take off any straps or tighteners from your boots and roll them as far down as possible (much like you would a sock). This will give you a better grip on your boots and allow you to slide them over your heel without breaking them.
In order to avoid your boots from overfilling with water once you’ve put them on, roll the legs of your wetsuit up once you’ve got them on, allowing your boots to fit under your wetsuit. Then, roll the legs back down over your boots, and you’re ready to go.
The proper method for donning wetsuit boots
How to maintain the quality of your wetsuit boots
After choosing the ideal pair of boots, you want to keep them that way. However, improper use of your boots might spoil their ideal feel, forcing you to look for a new pair of boots right away. Here is our advise on how to properly care for your boots.
Taking Off Your Boot
Despite how tempting it might be, you should refrain from yanking on your boots when taking them off. Similar to how you put them on, the best way to take them off is to slightly roll down the top so you can slip both of your thumbs behind either side of your heel and use them to peel the boot over your foot and off.
Drying wetsuit boots
The first step, which may seem simple, is to hang them upside down and allow the water to trickle down and out of the shoe. Fortunately, this is a nice and easy thing to do. The second thing you can do to assist your boots dry faster and stop them from smelling damp is to put something inside of them to hold them open while air circulates within, drying the boots more quickly.
washing boots for wetsuits
A short wash can change everything if your boots are starting to smell or look a little worse for wear. Grab some baby shampoo or wetsuit shampoo, clean them inside and out (you can use a small bristles brush if necessary), and then let them air out as we said above.
You can also assist prevent unpleasant odours by giving your boots a short wash or flush with cold, fresh water after each usage.
If you’re still unsure, you may check through our carefully chosen selection of wetsuit boots to help you make the best decision. We hope that our information has assisted you in your quest to find the ideal pair of wetsuit boots.