Introduction
Do you want to know what are the best dive boots on the market? You’ve come to the right place!
Scuba dive boots or booties can be seen as a simple and non-important piece of gear while diving. While they’re not as important as a dive mask or a regulator, a bad fitting boot can ruin your dive with the uncomfortable pain of it rubbing against your toes and heel and we have all been there. So we have taken our time to check out some of the best dive boots on the market which we have reviewed for you so you can be assured you are picking the best.
We’ve already talked about the best way to choose scuba gear such as scuba masks, wetsuits, Dive knives and more. This article will help you find the best scuba boots on the market according to your needs and for any water sports.
Here at activescuba we like keeping things simple. Just think about what type of diving you plan to use the booties for and how much you want to invest. Then go and check out the models that fill those needs best.
Remember that it’s about finding what you need rather than buying the most expensive dive boot.
What our choice was
Mares 2mm Neoprene Rubber Sole Boot
A look ahead
How To Choose The Best Dive Boots – Buying Guide
High Cut Or Low Cut
Much like any boot you will buy, you have an option of high cut and low cut. The main difference between the two is that one offers more ankle protection. If you are carrying a lot of scuba equipment, and you have a long way to go, then a high-cut boot will be the way to go. The high cut will give you more ankle protection, and you have less risk of twisting your ankle or straining it when you are on the move. If you are not walking very far with your scuba equipment, then a low-cut boot is fine.
When you are thinking about low cut vs. high cut, you also want to think about the comfort of the boot. A higher-cut boot will have more contact with your body. This may offer extra support and could keep the boot in place, but it could also cause more friction and rub against your ankle. A low-cut boot will also be smaller and lighter. If you need to pack up your gear for transport, or are worried about the weight of the boots, then a low-cut boot is the way to go.
Hard Sole Or Soft Sole
A hard sole and a soft sole are exactly what you would imagine. One has a hard sole, and the other has a soft sole. If you are diving near the shore and you want to protect your feet, then it is likely that you are walking across the beach, or another area, to get to the water. When you get to the water, you are going to be walking through it, possible over rocks. For this type of scuba diving, you are best off with a hard sole to protect your feet, these can sometimes have a rubber sole.
If you are taking a boat out to deeper waters, where there is minimal chance of stepping on rocks or other surfaces which could damage your foot, then a soft sole will be fine. Soft soles are more flexible than hard soles. They give a more comfortable fit, and they are also great if you have wide feet or feet with an unusual shape and still keep feet warm.
Size
The size of your diving boot is very important, if you want to keep your feet comfortable. Possible the most important factor when you are making your choice. If you get a boot which is too small, then it is going to be constrictive and uncomfortable. If you buy a boot which is too big, then it may be loose and chafe you. It may also fall off in the water, and you can lose it completely.
When you are buying the best dive boots, you should ensure that you know your size. If you do not, then you can visit a diving store and try some on. They should be the same size as your shoe size, but the sizes can vary. The diving boot sizes also do not come in half sizes. So, if you fit a shoe which is a half size, then you should round up. It is also hard to find women’s diving boots. Often women will buy men’s dicing boots. If this is the case, then you should round down by a size or two.
Your diving boot should fit comfortably and should not be too loose or too tight. If you have diving fins, open heel or normal, then you should always account for that when you are choosing your diving boots. Make sure that the diving fins are compatible with the boots you are buying.
Arch Support
When you wear shoes, you may wear ones which come with additional arch support or you may add arch support to your shoes. If this is the case, then you should look for dive boots with good arch support to keep your feet supported. You will not be doing as much walking as you would do in your regular shoes, but you will be carrying more weight.
Many dive boots come with arch support, if you need that extra support. You do not want to get into the water with sore feet. If you want to use your own arch support, then you should consult a medical professional to ensure that you have the best arch support for diving and that the arch supports will fit with the diving boot. You may have to order one size up if you are adding supports to the sole.
Heel Counter
The part at the back of the boot is known as the heel counter. This is the stiff part which is responsible for protecting your heel and your ankle. The counter at the back of the boot should be solid. When you step, it is your heel which touches down first and takes the initial weight. If you step on anything jagged, then you want the heel support to take the brunt of the damage and impact.
The other thing that the heel counter should do is protect your ankle from rolling. When you are walking, the heel support should give enough support to your ankle, that if you do land on the ground awkwardly, your ankle should not roll to the side. It is fine if you stumble, and you may even hurt yourself, but if you roll your ankle, you can damage yourself enough that your scuba trip could be over before it even started. As well as ensuring your ankle does not roll, the heel support should also take a lot of the stress off of your ankle.
Good dive boots will have great heel support which will ensure you are not subjected to any stress or strain.
Forefoot Rails
Forefoot rails will stop your foot from sliding around inside of your dive booties. If you have a more open boot, then they will stop your foot from sliding off of the sole completely. The raise run around the edge of the sole and come up to surround the foot. Look for high-quality materials which are going to last for a long time.
Extras
The more you pay, the more you will get. Generally, this is true, but if you shop around, you can find a lot of extras and features, without having to pay a premium for them. So, what else should you be looking for in a diving boot?
Many dive boots will come with fin straps. If you are combining your diving boots or dive booties with a pair of fins, then you will want to make sure that they are compatible with the fins. You also want to find straps which are high-quality, durable, and tough. You do not want the straps to fail when you are in the water. They should hold the fins tight.
You may also look for extra comfort in the form of a cushioned sole. If you are walking over rocks, even with the hardest sole, you can still feel it in your foot. Look for a diving boot with a gel or a foam sole. Comfort is your number one priority, and if you have problems with the underside of your feet, then a cushioned sole is the way to go.
One recommendation from us is to look for a pair of boots which have a velcro fastener over the zip (if the boot has a zip). You want a zip which is easy to use, and one which goes up and down easily, but you do not want that same zip to go down when you are in the water. A velcro strap will seal across the zip and stop it from going down when you do not want it to.
Decide on what you need in a dive boot, and then make your choice based on those requirements.
Mares 2mm Neoprene Rubber Sole Boot
Click Here to check it out
Cressi Neoprene Adult Anti-Slip Sole Boots
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Mares Classic 3mm Dive Boot
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SEAC Super-Stretch Hard Sole Dive Boots Booties
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Neo Sport Premium Neoprene Men & Women Wetsuit Boots
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Aqua Lung 5mm Ergo Scuba Diving Boots
Click Here to check it out
Conclusion
In conclusion, these are some of the top things to consider when choosing the ideal dive boots. You will need to consider the weight aspect. Comfort is an absolute necessity. While you also need to look at if you need a high cut or a low cut. Take time to consider what sort of sole you need as well. Follow the above tips, and you won’t get disappointed or feel that your money hasn’t been spent in the wrong way. For our pick on the above dive boots, well one stood out for us and that was the Mare’s 2mm boot. They were easy to take on & off, they had a good neoprene thickness which keep your feet warm in cold water, they are lightweight & very comfortable.
Click here to take a look at it yourself
