fin socks vs reef booties

evans · Post by **evans** » Sun Oct 11, 2009 10:32 am

hey paul, i think i surfed with you at impossibles this summer! you're still there? no fair. keep pullin in!
pat

Kev · Post by **Kev** » Sun Oct 11, 2009 10:57 am

Paul wrote:Kev: I don't have the skill or the resoures to sew my own socks.

although I do use a sewing machine to make a fresh set
most repairs and the odd sole change has been done by hand ... a bit time consuming but a little time while watching TV and it's done
the fin packets are definitely worth a try
I'll see if I can put a template up

mark ricketts · Post by **mark ricketts** » Sun Oct 11, 2009 1:05 pm

I just put some fin socks on a shoe and coat the bottom with Shoe Goo - the stuff you can re-sole running shoes with. You just use it on the bit that is exposed past the flipper. the stuff hardens into a foot shape on the bottom and is non-slip and the rest of the sock stays soft.
never had a reef cut wearing them but I tend to be a wuss about coral anyway and try to avoid it. :)

Doc Turbo · Post by **Doc Turbo** » Mon Oct 12, 2009 1:37 am

Paul wrote:Doc: I gotta head on back to reality I just a couple of days, but with any kind of luck I'll get my 2 contracts in this winter, and the dream life style will continue next summer.
I'm glad you found the right fit for your foot. What brand of booties did you go with?

Latest bootie is the Rip Curl Core 2 mm, split toe.

However you think about it the Fin Sock with shoe goo has to be a good one, that might be my next project indeed, it has to be tough enough to withstand some long walks across the rocks, roads, and dirt as well.

I have lost too many sandals to the locals, so just wear the booties .

We just had two days of classic west java left hand point, overhead, 4 to 5 hours in water each day, rides minimum 150 meters to well long paddles of maybe 300 meters. Not a lot barrels, but one of the best sessions this year! A great tune up.

Hope you can drop by here next year. Or Sumbawa....

problem is not many fins socks or neopreme here in Jakarta.

Kev · Post by **Kev** » Mon Oct 12, 2009 1:33 pm

Shoe Goo !! ??

never seen it before
I found a sports store near me that stocks it
so I'm off today to get some

excellent

KenM · Post by **KenM** » Mon Oct 12, 2009 2:28 pm

Aqua seal costs a bit more but bonds better to the neoprene than shoegoo.

jimithesaint · Post by **jimithesaint** » Mon Oct 12, 2009 7:13 pm

Not trying to drive this too far off topic, but I am having trouble finding good booties/fin socks for winter water here on the East Coast ( 45-54 degree)
I have good booties 5, and 7 MM but the soles and toe boxes create a really tight fit with fins - even when I go up 2 sizes in fins. The tight squeeze sets up cramps.
Any suggestions from people surfing cold water ?

Thanks
Jimi

KenM · Post by **KenM** » Mon Oct 12, 2009 7:19 pm

Jimi, H2Odyssey make fin booties in 5mil, they work great here north of the Golden Gate, water sometimes gets down into the upper 40s

southpeakbrad · Post by **southpeakbrad** » Mon Oct 12, 2009 7:51 pm

Ken, do those H2odyssey boots leak any? Or, if not much, how long before they do begin to leak? Thanks, Brad

KenM · Post by **KenM** » Tue Oct 13, 2009 7:45 am

They do leak but just a bit, in fact, they need to leak a bit. I tried sealing a pair one time with wetsuit glue, they didn't leak but they filled up with water that came in at the ankle so I had to put a small drain hole in.

TC · Post by TC » Tue Oct 13, 2009 10:27 am

I have a pair of the H2O 5 mil fin socks and they do leek as Ken has mentioned. They are comfortable but do have a tendency to fill up a little and they are not as warm as my 3 mil XCEL booties where (split toe could not do it gave them away), anyway I was wondering if any one has tired the Body glove 10 oz polypro sox under their booties for extra warmth ? http://www.bodyglove.com/store/products ... ct_id=9725 I wear a long sleeve polypro rash guard under my 4/3 and it adds considerable warmth. Any feedback? Cheers TC

Kev · Post by **Kev** » Tue Oct 13, 2009 2:42 pm

KenM wrote:Aqua seal costs a bit more but bonds better to the neoprene than shoegoo.

yep I use the Aquaseal for basic repairs etc

I have used the basic tube like above
the second pack with the small bottle, I think, is a Cure Accelerator ... never used it

and would get expensive when used over areas
have used it to help on worn kneepads
they also have a membrane paint but I've never used it ... or seen it to buy across the counter
100% Acrylic
ELASTOMERIC HIGH BUILD
MEMBRANE PAINT
whatever that means

just got some ShoeGoo in both Black and Clear
saw a dried sample on the counter
much much harder than the AquaSeal
will let you know how things work out

poorboy0007 · Post by **poorboy0007** » Tue Oct 20, 2009 10:40 pm

I found a guy online that make custom seam-sealed (very important in the long cold day of Vic Winter) soft booties. $65 a pair any size. Warmest booties I have every had! Great workmanshipo and a pleasure to deal with. his email is rubberknite@westnet.com.au

sf_firestarter · Post by **sf_firestarter** » Thu Oct 22, 2009 1:48 pm

skansand wrote:my favorite has been h20 odyssey deluxe socks , but they stopped making them in my size this year!

a heel patch would make those socks very legit!

I second this rec and add a bit of seal cement and they'll last at least a season no problem.

However, I'm a bit perplexed by the question. Didn't you say in INDO? Why would you be wearing fin socks anyway? Here in NorCal I could see in the winter but in INDO? Am I missing something?

Shelfbreak · Post by **Shelfbreak** » Thu Oct 22, 2009 4:34 pm

Main reason is to offer some protection from the coral.

I have found this thread quite helpful. Never wear booties under fins/flippers here but do use them when surfing over coral.

I wear split toe boots which are comfortable and have a tough sole but they are thicker overall necessitating the purchase of larger set of flippers. This thread has some good advice which might allow me to use my preferred flippers.