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#51828
 Most Durable and Rugged Scuba Booties
Greg - 9/28/2014 5:22 PM
Category: Equipment
Replies: 11
What is your opinion on the most durable and rugged scuba boots? I’m not just interested in using them for scuba diving, but also as water shoes when walking in rocky bottom creeks or lakes.

I have tried the cheap water shoes with the removable, thin layer on the inside...but those don’t work well and they are very uncomfortable. I have also tried the expensive Keen hybrid sandals/water shoes with a rubber cover around your toes...but those get small rocks in them very easily. So I’m thinking ankle height scuba booties might work as water shoes as well. The neoprene will cover my ankle and foot to keep the rocks out. And the thick rubber sole will allow me to easily walk along a rocky creek.
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Eric_R - 9/28/2014 5:30 PM
What kind of budget are we looking at? There’s so many out there.
#51828
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Greg - 9/28/2014 5:32 PM
Budget doesn’t matter if they provide what I’m looking for, and are durable and rugged. As an example, I paid $90 for the Keen shoes I mentioned.

I just noticed the Body Glove 3T Barefoot Gladiator Water Shoes, these look good:
swimoutlet.com/ProductDetails.asp?subscribe=Y&Pro...uWhcECFUVo7Aodl1sAYw

I wonder if they would work in fins also.
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m_grieco - 9/28/2014 8:28 PM
leisurepro.com/p-sstbs/seasoft-sunray-3-mm-low-cut-boots-with-zipper I wear there and have actually done a caving tour in Bonaire with them (these were all I wore) and they were great. I have had them 7 years now and they are still looking brand new (despite getting used often). I walked on rock boring urchins in Hawaii while shore diving there by the Mala pier, and the thick soles provided plenty of protection. They are not as high as other boots, but not super low either...come just above the ankle.
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BillParker - 9/29/2014 5:53 AM
I bought my Scubapro booties for my OW class in 2009 and after 241 dives I still use them. They look obviously used but they still work. I’ve used them to climb rocks and hike rough paths to get to lakes/quarries/cenotes and they are comfortable and don’t slip. I’d ask for another pair just like it if I lost them or they finally wore out.
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Rich-D-Fish - 9/29/2014 11:33 AM
I’m bummed to say that my favorites are not made any longer. The Henderson Insta Dry Booties. What made them the best was the fact that they did not use neoprene to construct them. They were just made of foam rubber. So they dried out very fast and never ever held any stink. The one and only drawback was that the seams came unglued after a year of use. But I quickly learned to how to re-glue the seams myself and I have gotten 5 years and 300+ dives out of mine. I only wish someone would make another non-neoprene boot in the future.
#51828
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Greg - 9/29/2014 1:26 PM
I decided to try the Seasoft Sunray low-cut boots. My local dive shop, Dive World in N. Austin TX, had them for $50. They slip on easily thanks to the smooth inside. They have thick soles with good traction. I’ll use them as water shoes a few times then let you know whether I still like them :)
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RichKeller - 9/30/2014 3:47 PM
I just used steel toe rubber boots over my wet or dry suit boots when I was commercial diving.

grainger.com/product/ONGUARD-Men-s-Ankle-Boots-WP...4ML47_AS01?$smthumb$

As for the wetsuit boots themselves I prefer Bare, they make the best wetsuit I have ever used and by used I mean abused.

leisurepro.com/p-breb7n/bare-7mm-boots-black

If you need good shoes for walking on rocks in warm water I would use Converse Chuck Taylor sneakers without the wetsuit boots. The soles are solid and the rest is just canvas so they dry fast without any damage.

converse.com/regular/chuck-taylor-classic-colors/M7650_090.html
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SoFLdivergirl - 11/29/2014 5:52 PM
I have used the Seasoft Sunray Low Cut Boots for 5 years now. Great to protect your feet. Hard soles. Plenty of room in the toes. They work great with my Scubapro split fins. Very durable and perfect for rocky, slippery entries such as in Bonaire. Wouldn’t use anything else. I do wear lycra socks with them as one spot on my left foot rubs my toe a little. Otherwise no complaints.
#51828
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Greg - 3/15/2015 8:09 AM
After using the Seasoft Sunray boots on a couple hiking/river trips...I have come to realize they are not designed for hiking at all. They are a rugged scuba boot, and that’s it. When hiking and walking through rivers, the water stays in the boot and makes it difficult and very uncomfortable to walk. Plus, the rubber sides of the boot are already starting to peel away from the neoprene.

I’m realizing it’s extremely hard to find a boot that can serve as a scuba boot, plus work well for short hiking trips through rivers. I’ve decided to use the Seasoft Sunrays for scuba only...and I’m going to give the Body Glove Gladiator 3 Toe water shoes a try for water/hiking shoes: bodyglove.com/shop/products/?55849/footwear/mens/...t-barefoot-gladiator