Booties suck

[Brian]

It's been cold lately in HB and I went out today in my booties. I've had them for almost 10 years and worn them maybe 5 or 6 times when I lived in Sydney. I can unequivocally say that I HATE having to wear them! It was difficult to just throw them on and feel normal. My popup was affected and it was difficult to be as confident in my foot placement as I usually am. Do you surfers that frequent colder lineups get frustrated with them?

[LostAtSea]

Just used to them I guess. Ive rarely surfed without them.

Id love to surf in board shorts and a rashie. I imagine its way better. Ill probably never know because Im a broke surfer from Canada with a marijuana charge against me from 30 years ago (I was a dumb kid who got caught) and not allowed in the USA because of it. Cant afford a week in Mexi for my wife and kids and wont go without them.

So...yeah...booties for me.

[oldmansurfer]

JJ.....Ask Obama to pardon you

[waikikikichan]

I hope you're still not using a Nokia phone. 10 year old boots ? Technology has changed so much for wetsuits as they have in phones. The new boots don't feel like you're wearing "army boots". Is your boots hidden split toe or just round in the inside ? It makes a difference in performance.

[Big H]

I have to use them when I surf reefs at lower tides....no choice other than a LOOOOONNNNGGG walk home......that being said, i don't like them, but found that if I wear a size smaller than I would order for street shoes that it isn't that bad....I use a split toe 1.5mm boot here in warm water....still, nothing like skin to surface contact____baby......

[Brian]

Just took a look at my booties and they are split toe O'niel Superfreaks, 3mm thick. Maybe a little too thick for socal? Honestly the booties feel a little too tight, it kept feeling like my heel wasn't properly sitting at the bottom of them. JJ that's unfortunate about the mj charge, hopefully soon it will be legal over here and you'll be fine!

[billie_morini]

Well, Brian. I hate to surf wearing anything. It's not just booties I'd like to dispense.

[pmcaero]

Yeah, booties stink.

(after a session)

[pmcaero]

Just took a look at my booties and they are split toe

I had split toe booties at first and found them hard to get on and off. I got round toe and they work better for me.

[jaffa1949]

Well, Brian. I hate to surf wearing anything.

Are there beaches where that is legal and do they have wax rash in strange places first aid available

[OlegLupusov]

It's a matter of habit! After a while, you get used and start to enjoy the booties. The connection with the board is better and you may spare some wax. The ankle is more stable. No need to look for your flip-flops on the beach. The reefs don't look that evil anymore.

[Brian]

I'm debating whether I wear them again today. Water is still chilly, surfline reporting 56-58. What temps do you guys usually use your booties in?

[BoMan]

I wear 3mm round toe booties all the time. They help with...
* Getting over the rocky bottom at my break
* Popping into a good stance without a lot of adjustment
* Cross steppping with confidence
* Staying on the board when it gets rough

I agree with BigH that it helps to wear a size smaller than your street shoes. Less water in the boot means less weight to drag your popup and the tight fit gives a better feel for balance.

[Brian]

Just got out of the water after about 2 hrs in the drink. I have to admit, it felt a lot better this time. I caught some real nice waves and it clearly is a case of just getting used to change (change is the bane of my existence).

[RinkyDink]

It's a matter of habit! After a while, you get used and start to enjoy the booties. The connection with the board is better and you may spare some wax. The ankle is more stable. No need to look for your flip-flops on the beach. The reefs don't look that evil anymore.

I thought I was the only one who thought my grip on the board was better with booties. I actually prefer surfing with booties for all the reasons you mentioned. I even prefer surfing in a wetsuit (gives me a sense of security I guess). Wish I had gotten a back zip, though. Anyway, I'm going to be in the tropics of Central America this summer and I'm going to try and get some waves. I want to wear booties, but I'm not sure what kind of warm water booties I should get. If anybody has a recommendation I'd appreciate it. I currently surf with 3mm O'Neill Heat round toe booties that I really like (I prefer the round toe booties, but I could go either way).

[DreamSurf]

O neil water shoes work perfectly. They are slim and protective. You dont need to wear the official ankle high booties. I hate them. Just buy hottuna or o neill proper water shoes. They are slim and bendable flexibale. And they are also protective.

They arent made for surfing yet strangely they are the best for surfing and cost only 19.99 euro

[Alex44]

I've been surfing in cold french winter for a few years with 5mm booties split toe by xcel and honestly I loved it !
Better contact with the board, never get cut on the reef anymore, and they are just amazingly warm ! Of course being bare foot is better (except for the reef) but I'm the kind of guy with cold feet, and it's simply impossible for me to surf as soon as my feet get cold.

On another hand, I've tried countless gloves in winter, and never manage to find any good one. They all break easily, get water in no matter what, and are extremely exhausting for your arms. After one hour it always feel they are useless. Plus the fact that you can lose them occasionally.

So for me, booties are cool and necessary but GLOVES SUCK ! haha

[RinkyDink]

O neil water shoes work perfectly. They are slim and protective. You dont need to wear the official ankle high booties. I hate them. Just buy hottuna or o neill proper water shoes. They are slim and bendable flexibale. And they are also protective.

They arent made for surfing yet strangely they are the best for surfing and cost only 19.99 euro

I'll definitely check them out. Thanks.

[RinkyDink]

I've been surfing in cold french winter for a few years with 5mm booties split toe by xcel and honestly I loved it !
Better contact with the board, never get cut on the reef anymore, and they are just amazingly warm ! Of course being bare foot is better (except for the reef) but I'm the kind of guy with cold feet, and it's simply impossible for me to surf as soon as my feet get cold.

On another hand, I've tried countless gloves in winter, and never manage to find any good one. They all break easily, get water in no matter what, and are extremely exhausting for your arms. After one hour it always feel they are useless. Plus the fact that you can lose them occasionally.

So for me, booties are cool and necessary but GLOVES SUCK ! haha

I was out the other day and everybody in the lineup had their bare hands in their armpits. I was so glad I brought my new gloves. I have the opposite problem from you. If my hands get really cold, they become useless. I discovered that after one session where my hands were so cold I couldn't grip my keys to take them out of my wetsuit pocket. I even had trouble holding onto my keys to open my car door. I'm not crazy about wearing gloves, but they're just one of those pieces of equipment I need.

[BoMan]

Well, Brian. I hate to surf wearing anything. It's not just booties I'd like to dispense.

When Bille lived in NorCal, he must have surfed the Channel.