How should booties fit?

[fatrabbitbrain]

I've read the forums, and the general consensus says that booties should be pretty tight. I went to a local shop today to try on a couple of sizes and this is what I found...

Rip Curl Size 9 - These booties fit pretty comfortably and there was a bit of extra space around the heel and big toe.

Rip Curl Size 8 - These booties were a tad tight especially on my big toe. They caused a bit of discomfort.

A size 8 1/2 would probably be perfect. Which size should I go for? Will the booties stretch once they get wet?

[PapaW]

Try some other makes as they differ in cut. You will find one that fits nicely. and not being ripcurl it wil prob be cheaper too.

[fatrabbitbrain]

What do you mean by nice though? The size 8's aren't that bad when dry. Will they swell up in the water?

[PapaW]

if there is space its very likly to fill with water yes. Also you have o rember that neopreane expans slightly when wet.

But do try other boots...

[k mac]

i reccomend the alder boot,some guy was tellin me he had the alder boots over the ripcurl ones,

[fatrabbitbrain]

Hmm.. so how do your boots fit? Tight or comfortable?

[sizzlesmo]

This post is way too old to be commenting on but neither one of you even remotely answered his question.

In case others stumble upon this after doing a google search on how booties should fit...

Go with the 8 1/2. Booties that are too snug, especially around the big toe, will make your foot go numb in cold water. And by cold I mean 45 degrees Fahrenheit and colder. Booties that are too big also suck. But I know one thing, if you're booties are really snug and your toes are not numb within 30 minutes of paddling out, you most likely do not need to be wearing booties.

[zebroo]

Hmm, again just in case any one stumble upon this.. I surf in the North Sea all year round and from experience very snug boots are definitely warmer than not so snug!! Plus there's nothing worse than surfing with boots filled with water.

[Buttertoes]

disregard my previous indecision I've made up my mind and am going up a size. After wearing these ones around the house for a few hours my feet HURT! Water balloons or not, can't risk painful and cold toes.

[IB_Surfer]

sorry, missed this post before.

I wear size 11.5, but my booties are size 10 because if not my feet slide around INSIDE my booties and a bunch of water gets inside of them. I found the Xcells drylocs to be way tight, and the Oneal Psycho where good, but the best fit was a little cheaper, the oneal heat, I guess since it's made a little thinner it just felt more confortable.

By the way, they do expand in the water, but the best way to tell what's best for you is by trial and error, like the rest of us did.

[Buttertoes]

Math Teacher, I found the same thing with the drylocks. The same size infiniti are significantly bigger, and are the ones I ended up buying.

edited to add- after a couple of trips I noticed that I'm getting some water up the leg cuffs wearing my drylock suit with the infiniti boots. Wonder if it would have been different with drylock boots... I'm still plenty warm though