Hi all,
I've seen the Vans booties in a shop yesterday and liked the way they are done. Not too big and bulky yet not too thin and fragile.
I m about to buy a pair but I wonder if anyone have some experience on them? I m specifically worried about the ability to curl up the toes VS the stiffness of the rubber dipped neoprene...
I hate booties but I am going to guess a trendy skate shoe brand would not have done a great job and the markup will be large
Edit just looked and they look great but pricey
no top closure to prevent water ingress at ankle though?
Just get Solites, I promise they are worth the price. Only bootie that is warm enough (in 5mm) for Canadian winters while still fitting in my barefoot strap settings.
I like the Atan 6.5 mm ones in the winter time. As close to barefoot as one can get when it is around freezing temperatures: 
A bit of duck tape around the ankle helps to keep water out of the lower part of the wetsuit.
Thanks for your answers but seems like no one ever tried the Vans boots.
I m looking for the 3mm. That s enough for Brittany.
I ve never seen solite in real life. Would be curious to see them.
A tan are the best for warm and feel. By far, that's for sure. I've been using the mistral 3.5mm for years. Main problem is that their sole wear off very quickly on the anti-slip of our windsurf boards.
Second problem is the sizing going double by double. But that's not the main issue.
See....there is no definitive answer on a good bootie. I've got 2 types , thin and crap and thicker and crap. I hate booties.
The Atan in 3mm usually last me about two to three seasons I think. Then sometimes one of my big toes will wear through, but I think that mostly comes from wear on the inside while being in the straps, rather then rubbing against the anti-slip of the board. After that it is usually time to replace them anyway, before they start to smell too bad....
PS. I used to prefer not using shoes, until I cut my foot badly once and then had to stay off the water for the rest of that summer.
Select to expand quoteSurferKris said..
The Atan in 3mm usually last me about two to three seasons I think. Then sometimes one of my big toes will wear through, but I think that mostly comes from wear on the inside while being in the straps, rather then rubbing against the anti-slip of the board. After that it is usually time to replace them anyway, before they start to smell too bad....
PS. I used to prefer not using shoes, until I cut my foot badly once and then had to stay off the water for the rest of that summer.
I've used Atan Midi split toe boots for 10 years. The only other brand that gets close is the Ion Plasma with the internal split toe. I only got 1 to 2 seasons out of a pair when GPS sailing. Now I'm foiling I'm still on my first pair after more than 2. Obviously the full EVA deck pad on my foil board is easier on boots than the non slip on my Fanatic slalom boards.
Boot performance is significantly improved when fitted correctly. I usually wear 43/44 in street shoes. For both the Atan and Ion I used the next size down (40/41) as a firm fit it best and they stretch a little over time.
I've been using the Rip Curl Flashbomb 3mm Hidden Split Toe Booties for many many years and I've got no complaints. Best to go a size smaller than your normal shoe size otherwise they'll be a sloppy fit:
www.ripcurl.com/au/flashbomb-3mm-hidden-split-toe-booties-wbo1hf.html?754=1408&577=1003&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAiA34S7BhAtEiwACZzv4f6uEjPipfETzOWolN7CiEBDXnDDO4FKTuKc-NKcGTef-Cik9sEL8xoCSlcQAvD_BwE
I hate boots as well, but I need them for entering the waters. But I take them off and clip them on my harness. Anyone using something more sophisticated than a carabiner hook in the harness???
Select to expand quoteHaawaii said..
I hate boots as well, but I need them for entering the waters. But I take them off and clip them on my harness. Anyone using something more sophisticated than a carabiner hook in the harness???
I used to cross a sharp reef many years ago with broken glass on it with booties on then take them off and jip them up in a dakine mast protector velcroed to mast,,someone still makes them as I have seen them on net
I am using the vans boots 3mm
pros: very nice fit, very warm, very good board feeling
cons: expensive, don't last very long, worn out after a season
