how to modify boots

[Buttertoes]

Hey all, my surf friend has very small feet. To get boots that fit her foot, they are tight on the ankle/calf. This isn't so bad with spring boots, but 8mm winter boots cut off circulation to the point that she is beached until the water warms up!

There is no-one around who will tailor neoprene. Neither a wetsuit maker or a shoe repair place. She figures that it's either chop them up and try it herself, or give up on winter surfing.

We figured that if the boot was cut along the seam that goes up the achilles and a triangle of neoprene glued and/or stitched in place to widen it, that should work. I've repaired tears but nothing like this before.

Does anyone have any suggestions or experience doing this? We could use some help before hacking up these brand new boots! PS she tried leaving the cuffs rolled over pop bottles. Stretching didn't help.

this is them:
http://www.google.ca/imgres?client=safa ... CDcQhBwwAA

[dtc]

Can't really help but your thoughts seem to be the best method. I would check whether having the neoprene triangle inside or outside the boot is more comfortable - either way there will be seams of some kind (ie where the new piece of neoprene ends) that may rub on the foot/ankle.

Maybe instead cut the seam and put a big piece on the outside, glued on well (this piece can be quite big with a lot of overlap, you can stitch it on as well if you want) and then carefully cut a smaller piece for the inside that exactly matches the gap created and glue it in (gluing to the new outside bit). That will minimise any bump as the inside of the boot should still be the same height all the way around - no 8mm difference created - while the outside has an extra bit. (does that make sense?)

[jaffa1949]

Great reply, please be aware that most neoprene glues are like contact cement and contain pretty nasty chemicals so do all your stuff with a mask and in a well ventilated area.

[Buttertoes]

Thanks! We are about 3/4 done. I'll let you know how it goes

[billie_morini]

Very interested in your results. Prior to seeing you're 3/4 done, I'd have suggested booties for children or teenagers. I don't know much about them, but saw some that are 7mm thick.

[surf patrol]

Photos of the finished product please.

[jaffa1949]

A brand name is afoot!!!! A mighty ad campaign..........
"BUTTERTOES' BOOTIES."
Our sox rox, no need to feel the blues down to your toes. With Buttertoes' they won't be froze!
Finest prevention for popsicle toes.

[Buttertoes]

Lol!! Yes, career alternative #1
Until people see pictures of the festival of glue, that is... Hard to be neat with that stuff!

I think these are essentially kids boots- with ankles that were too tight on my wrist! We were surprised how much neoprene we had to add (my friend got a damaged old suit free with a board, so it met some scissors)

They still need some stitching and probably have some tape put on over top. Don't care so much if they're beautiful, but hopefully they are functional!

[Buttertoes]

A pic of the glue-mess of the boots! They work like a charm! The ocean was around 1 Celsius today and she said her toes remained toasty

[dtc]

wow, they look impressive. I'm just envisaging what it would have looked like had I done it (in which case your friend would be waiting until summer to surf).

Was out surfing the other day. 1ft waves but the water temp was 21C and the air temp about 23C (it was early morning), so that was nice. No booties required (no wetsuit probably, but Im too old to risk being cold).

[Buttertoes]

Oh that sounds wonderful Dtc... In a short while my husband and I'll be renting a board somewhere wetsuits aren't needed too! can't wait!!

To live somewhere warm must be the best

[billie_morini]

Buttertoes,
the result is impressive. So glad it works! Thank you very much for providing photos and prose!
billie