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Just picked up a Pinnacle Black Ice drysuit from TJ. Now I need boots...or something, anyway.
It comes with neoprene socks (3mm). I need something to use and dont love rock boots. What are you guys using? Some have suggested Chuck Taylors, some Rock Boots, some wetsuit booties.
What ideas have you got?
thanks
bob
My DUI came w/rock boots. My BARE came w/molded boots. In your case, I'd go w/rock boots.
My old TLS-350 came with Rock Boots. I used them once and started using scuba booties instead, two sizes bigger than I wear on bare feet. It's worked for ten years...
Problem ends up that with a size 13 normally I have to put a 15/16 on to fit over the socks. Then it becomes tough to get them into the fin.
Thinking Rock boots :( might be the best idea. Or Some Chuck Taylors.
Or cut off the socks and have Gamble start over. Just wanting some ideas.
Wetsuit booties.
Reversing Bob's situation above, my new DR905 has the molded 9/10 boots and they are bit sloppy on my 9 1/2 shoe size feet, even with thick socks. Because of the loose fit, I feel like my fins aren't as efficient as they might be with a snugger fit. They also don't provide good support over uneven ground. I was thinking of a boot to sock conversion with rock boots or high top tennis shoes. Has anyone heard about or done that yet?
Wetsuit booties is the same idea Sludge had. Same issue as when he said it is my sizing.
I was just looking for a silver bullet...but it may not be out there. I guess I will probably use booties/chucks for a while then dump the socks and get some booties put on by Gamble once I can justify the cost.
And I JUST figured out a good pair of drysuit booties last year that I had Gamble put on my old drysuit...the 3rd pair of boots in 12 years. Dang!
I use a scubapro wetsuit boot with my Black Ice. I didn't like the pinnacle wetsuit boot.
wetsuit boots
My wetsuit boots are more comfortable but my Cons are more sturdy with more support.
Or cut off your toes.Quote:
Originally Posted by floridabob
I use neoprene wetsuit booties most of the time - the type with a substantial rubber sole. If I'm going to be doing much rock scrambling I use the DUI rock boots that came with the suit. They are nearly worn out, and soon I'll replace them with canvas high top sneakers. A buddy has some military type "OTB" boots which are very nice, but expensive.
Mike
I had "sloppy" boots on my DC suit when I got it. They said size 10, but must have been measured with some kind of super sock on. I really felt like I was loosing kick power and fine control in tight stuff. Also, the boots held a surprising amount of trapped gas and I had to always avoid going feet up lest I later have to tuck into a ball and empty the extra gas from the boots.
I had Gamble put socks on my suit. I went and tried them on, too. I forget what brand they are, but they are flexible and fit very snug. I bought some Chucks to go over the socks and have been happy ever since. No more floaty, sloppy boots.
Of course, having the socks means you have to add one more thing to your list of stuff not to forget. Due to forgetfulness, I've done one dive with running shoes stretched out over the socks and another dive in just the socks!
I have used chuck t.s before in the military but the soles are just to thick. I'd go with rock boots
More support from a rockboot might make sense on the surface but they surely dont allow your ankles the freedom of movement needed for certain fin kicks. Rockboots will also fit tighter in the fin compared to buying a wetsuit boot with a real thin sole. I believe Gamble can install turbo soles which is a real nice alternative by the looks of them. Its basically a sock with a glued on tennis or boat deck sole. http://www.dui-online.com/acc_rb.htm
Just ordered some $15 boots. I'll see how they work. The lack of movement has been my concern in the rock boots and the Chucks.
If these boots don't work then its gonna be off with the toes.
Or maybe some soles on my socks. Or something.
I use cheap water shoes. Something like this:
http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs...4&ci_sku=11918
I like them. They have no ankle support which might prevent full ankle articulation with kicks, but have nice soles on them for rocky shore entries.
Ari
Go with the Chuck Taylors, I've had the same pair for 4 years probably 200 dives on them. Cheap and easy to replace. My budddy is 7' tall and has a foot the size of a boat he finds his online.
When I got my current drysuit (a Fusion) I went from molded nboots in my old suit to drysocks with a boot. I used the White's EVO 3 due to previous negative experiences with DUI rock boots. I like the snugger fit of a dry sock and boot arrangagement and I am reminded just how much this is the case everytime I revert back to my old suit which I kept as a back up. In my opinion, it allows a lot more control of the fin as well as greater efficiency. It also eliminates any "squeeze" you would otherwise feel with a molded boot.Quote:
Originally Posted by mikemega
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The EVO 3s have proven to be much more durable and have much better support than DUI Rockboots and I have no boot related issues carrying heavy loads comparatively long distances over rough terrain with them. Wet suit boots are a bit more flexible in the water but most of the "too stiff" with boots can be addressed with care to not lace them too tightly. Wet suits boots tend to allow your foot to slip/move inside waking topside, especially when wet and many due not have soles that provide enough prtection and support. There is no great fix for either problem.
I am a bit biased though as several years ago I injured a foot walking over ripo-rap with doubles on with a wet suit boot over a dry sock. With a better constructed boot, the injury would not have happended, so I am more than happy to accept a larger fin and slightly less flexibility in the water for the increased all terrain capability and protection above water.
I use OTB's. They can be found on the internet for about the same price as DUI Rock Boots. I have used Rock Boots in the past and have not been happy with them. I have also had Turbo Soles and hated them. I tried wet suit booties but they sucked for ankle support and rough terrain getting into remote sites.
The tread is much better on the OTB's and they have good ankle support. The toe has an upper sole like a climbing shoe and they can get you buy on an easy climb or descent at difficult sites. They have three inserts that allow you to adjust the fit and firmness of the sole. They also have drains in the bottom of the shoe so you don't carry water in them when you are on land. I have a very wide foot and the Rock Boots always pinched my feet or were way too long. Three years with the OTB's and they don't show any wear. Rock Boots would last me a year to a year and a half.
The one down side of the OTB's is that the heel is very grippy and will turn your fins down if it brushes the ceiling in tight cave. I solved this issue by filing the heel down so it has a bit of a curve & won't grip the ceiling so easily.
If you have narrow feet the OTB's are not so good. My better half tried them and they came off her feet in the water. She has very narrow feet and could not adjust them tight enough to work.
Bobby
My first TLS-350 came with Rock Boots. I wear a size 8 shoe, so I got size 8. The socks were huge. I guess you're supposed to wear thick underbooties with them or something. I sent the suit back and got size 6 socks, and they fit my feet snugly. So with a size 10 Scubapro Deck Sole bootie, they have worked fine.
Last yeat I got a new TLS-350 and I got Turbo Soles. Size 6 again. I hated them. Even though they fit, they were terribly sloppy on my feet. So I got some "fin keepers" and they work GREAT! The only issue I have now is I'm foot-heavy when I scooter, because there's no longer two layers of buoyant neoprene on my feet.
So when my suit was recalled last month I had to decide which way I'd go when they make me a new suit. I studied on it for the longest while and decided I'd go back to the Rock Boot/bootie system. But I wore my old suit last week since my new suit is in California. As tough as it is to bend over to put the fin keepers on the Turbo Soles, it's even tougher to pull the neosocks off at the end of the dive. So when Faith called me Friday I suddenly changed my mind again and told her to go with the Turbo Soles.
I know this thread is a little old, but has anyone tried the DUI Turbo Sole? I hate the rock boots, and would rather just go with a 1 piece deal anyway. Maybe Gamble is my best bet?
MY old DUI came with turbo soles and I had Gamble take them off and put the socks on and wore a dive bootie just to see if I liked them brfore getting a new suit. I hated them. I had trouble getting the suit off, had to ask for help, plus had to get new fins to fit right. I also lost the ability to adjust my trim. The booties didn't allow any air to get to my feet. With the new suit I went back to the turo soles and am very happy. My suit is custom and I insisted on correct sizing of the turbo soles as they usually make them to big.Quote:
Originally Posted by Slüdge
I use 5 mil hard sole dive booties with my drysuit. I have a neutral fin and the neoprene lets me be slightly positive in the feet without having to control the air space around my foot. I had hard soles in my last drysuit and didn't like them at all.
I use a pair of converse shoe. They support well even in uneven ground, they last forever and they are cheap.
Plus they look nice!!!!
I've used wetsuit booties, Whites boots, Bare boots, Converse CTs, and McGill water shoes. I would caution anyone who is cave diving NOT to consider the water shoes -- they are not secure enough, and you CAN kick them off, and losing a fin 1500 feet back in Twin is not a good thing to do.
In my experience, a light wetsuit bootie or the TurboSoles allow the use of the smallest foot pocket in a fin. The Converse are close, and the diving rock boots have much thicker soles and require a bigger fin. Using the Bare boots I have with my new Fusion, I have to use the Dive Rite fins I have, because the foot pocket in my Jets is too small for them.
I liked the TurboSoles, although they are not the best in any category. The sole isn't really thick enough to be a lot of protection against rubble, if you have to walk on it. There is no ankle support. They do develop leaks. But they are easy to get into, warm, and with finkeepers and the velcro ankle straps, very secure. They are easy to repair. I may yet put them on the new suit, too.
I ended up having Gamble put on some boots for me after using wet suit booties for a bit. No comparison. Boots are head and shoulders better than booties.
I have the Turbo soles on my DUI,love how they fit,but it feels like walking on ice with them....my rear has hit the ground more than once because of slipping
I have a pair of the Bare drysuit boots, they do ok, I like the velcro closure around the top. Although I was wanting a more aggresive sole. I'll probably just get some lightweight hikers next time.