I apologise if this has been covered recently. I just want your opinions on what booties would be better
www.longreefsurf.com.au/lrss/our-online-shop/wetsuits/neoprene-booties/adults-/o-neill-superfreak-tropical-split-toe-wetsuit-neoprene-booties.html
which have been recommended on an old post or something like these
www.longreefsurf.com.au/lrss/our-online-shop/wetsuits/neoprene-booties/adults-/oneill-ninja-3mm-neoprene-booties.html
Thanks in advance
ive got the superfreak ones and im not a fan.
Used them surfing in indo this year and will be changing them for sure.
I use the supafreak st booties in the first link. Took me a while to get the footstraps adjusted right but now ok.
20 year's ago I never wore booties, but now don't know how I ever coped without them, especially on the SE side of Wello.
These are my favorites.
Really comfortable and everyone always points at me when I wear them so I must look pretty stylish in them.I got my mummy to sow the bows on cause they looked a little gay without them.
Hope this helps.
But seriously,,,I second Doggy on the west booties.
I tried a few others that people recommended but hated them.
I think it comes down to your foot shape,,some feel good and others dont.
The problem is , they might feel good in the shop, but after 2 hours in the water they start to hurt,,squash your toes,etc.
So its really hard to know which ones suit your foot shape till you give them a good go.
Be warned that the "experts" don't recommend booties, unless you're sailing in arctic conditions.
I personally went through the booties phase and came out with the following observations.
a) They can lock you in so tight that you can injure your ankles much worse when you fall off.
b) Your feel of the board, compared to barefoot, is significantly reduced.
c) The soles can wear out pretty quickly, plus the booties also smooth out the deck pads. This means that when you go barefoot, you have reduced grip.
Just some points from my experience.
Cheers
Oh, I thought he wanted them for reef cut protection not for warmth.
If its for warmth, Id sugest a pair of HTFU. You live in Queersland, no need for warm booties. LOL
You live in Queersland, no need for warm booties. LOL
if I were to get some new ones I would go for the 1.5mm o'neil indo st or similar that doesn't have the grip on the side of the little toe.
Recently got O'Neill Psycho ST boots:
shopau.oneill.com
Possibly the best made 'surf style' booties I have owned (have had many pairs of O'Neill and Rip Curl booties before) but still not as well made as my previous Neil Pryde side zipper booties which lasted many many seasons (apparently not available in oz anymore). Only prob with the Psycho boots is that the upper velcro is too short and both have come undone whilst sailing. Also full rubber sole unlike other boots which have neoprene mid section.
I mainly want them for when a wade into the water at manly or similar where there are sharp rocks all around the bank and i want them to be comfortable so i dont have to rake them off once out sailing.
Highly recommend West "Indo" booties. They have a split toe so never get sore toenails from these like other ones i used in the past. After cutting my foot badly on a razor fish/shell a few years ago I wear them all the time now.
They are on the long reef website you listed. But most shops should be able to get West brand booties in.
Thanks heaps, ill give them a go. My last question is what shop in Brisbane area would have them. i had a quick look on the Internet but didn't find anything.
I just wear sailing booties short ones.$40 odd.Velcro over the top of the foot and ripple sole. The latest models have a thicker sole than previously which is a pain as you have to make the footstraps bigger but everytime I go without booties I cut myself..
I did notice yesterday I fell off and my foot was still caught in the strap due to the bootie. Wouldn't sail without them though! Great for warmth in midwinter too.
Hi aussiex saw some at surf fx on the goldcoast and at the billabong factory outlet, got some myself from there cheap, hope it helps. I have just stopped wearing them and found it better but for learning they help in the begining
Never could get used to the split toes - they cramp my style (whatever that is).
I never use boots unless I have to, when the bottom is dangerous.
To that effect, I'd rather wear them to take off, tie the boots at nearest buoy out there, then do the actual sailing bare foot. Much more fun this way.
I have been using a pair of Billabong Tropical internal split toe booties for the past 2 years. They are the best sailing shoes I have ever had by far.
1. They have a very thin but tough sole. Good feel of the board and I hardly have to adjust the straps from bare foot size.
2. They are not too warm to wear in summer.
3. They are warm enough to be used on all but the very coldest days in winter.
4. The split toe supports the forefoot so the load is distributed and the big toe does not immediately tear a hole and poke out. (It did eventually but not too bad and still usable)
5. This is the thing I really like. The split toe is enclosed. It makes the forefoot stronger and more supportive and does not allow the straps to get in between the big toe and the others. It also makes the thin boot warmer.
The only thing wrong with these boots is that I can't yet find a new pair. It's very hard to find any shops that sell them........
There is a Neil Pryde tropical boot that is very similar with an enclosed split toe. Unfortunately, none of the NP shops seem to have any in my size left in stock. I might have to buy them by mail order through the internet from the UK!!
wow thanks mate. i posted this question hoping it would make it easier for me to find a pair, but it hasn't. U guys have given me a few to choose from. THANKS!!!!
If you want barefoot feeling get the Atan Mistral's!
Plush liner, super flexible and a latex sole.
