For drying booties, I use a ski boot dryer and it works great. Also, for drying wetsuits indoors, hang it up and blow a fan on it for a few hours, then turn inside out for another hour.
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Gear Aid odor eliminator has made a huge difference to my booties. Doesnât help as much if they are already funky, but using regularly from near new on a couple pairs of booties has kept the funk away entirely.
Boot drier is great if power is available and noise not an issue. I find the Surf Logic wetsuit hanger helps the booties dry quicker and more thoroughly when a dryer isnât an option.
I just get a new pair of Oâneil Ninjas once a season @ âŹ25 really soft, pretty grippy for a while, normally getting slick after 60-80 sessions but so cheap that it doesnât really matter. 5mm are warm enough for the 7 degree water 4-5 degree air we have in the winter. I really choose these as they are basically split toe socks and are the stand out best to use with straps. Very easy to put on, not much protection in the sole for rocky shores.
I have been using the Cressi Isla 7mm boots for years. Even with iced up conditions my feet have never even remotely begun to become even cool. Never needed hot water. They are cheap and have lasted for years still looking new. I think they are like $40Cad on amazon.
I use Baby soap as it doesnât have detergent in it. Add a few drops before I head out in the boots and it helps keep them not smelling like a rotting carcass.
I think they can stink worse than hockey equipment! Lol
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Can confirm, vans are incredibly slippery. I do like my billabong 5mm boots though!
Second solites
what is everyone doing for gloves that work for parawing?
Yesterdayâs session hands were cold and everything was getting tangled on my current gloves.
I havenât used them with parawing yet, but the Oneill 1.5mm gloves are the best Iâve used unless it gets really cold. Cant stand thick gloves with a wing and expect its the same with parawing.
Can I just say (I think I say this annually), that booties are just the absolute biggest vibe kill for prone foiling. Like I can barely face it. Not only is the water full of crap from the onshore winds, but the popup with boots is just a nightmare. No doubt it will adjust, but itâs so painful.
I donât notice them winging or SUP, but for prone itâs just terrible. (nice Solite 3mm to boot!)
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Yup, the dreaded foot drag. Iâve no solution, but for prone, or even with a Foil Drive it causes so much frustration.
game changer
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Say more? Which one to get?
Also is anyone making good gloves? I have a reasonable pair of Xcel gloves, but the cuff is so short that any time you fall your suit slides off it and then it turns into a balloon. Are these people not testing this stuff?
Baffling how bad wetsuit design is. Xcel also uses a magentic zip closure, which rusts to pieces after 1 season, honestly baffling from a top consumer wetsuit brand.
Is any surf brand doing a long cuff?
wetty 5mm surf boots warrior red all winter in the uk no cold feet ever