neoprene socks?

[rhwestfall]

Switching back and forth between a DS and a WS has in the past resulted in me switching fins (regular booties vs. rockboots meant different foot pockets so different fins). Anyhow, I was thinking that perhaps wearing a pair of neoprene socks would be a solution to allow me to use my rockboots with my WS, have some moderate insulation, and then keep with one set of fins. Anyone do this? Where did you find the neoprene socks?

(5 mm or 7 mm)

Thanks.

[krawlings]

I do not see why that would not work .I would used 5 mil socks .I have even herd of some divers use there heavy wool socks .I am luck the boots on my DS WILL ALLOW ME TO USE THE SAME FINS . When WS I ware 3mil socks and 5mil booties I think it would be just a layering thing

[scubacheeze]

I would give it a try for sure, I use the socks and they are great. I use a 5mm suit with 1mm socks and my feet still stay toasty, but I'm using freediving fins usually. In a fin with a heel strap instead of a full pocket you probably would want something a little thicker.

[mathauck0814]

My wife does this very same thing. Seems to work fine. The only down side is that her travel bag tends to weigh a little more than mine as she's packing heavier gear/bigger fins.

[rhwestfall]

I hear that, but if I was "traveling" more than just here in the Great Lakes region, like going to the Caribbean, Bonaire, etc., where lighter exposure protection is needed, I doubt I would be bringing my Turtles....


The only down side is that her travel bag tends to weigh a little more than mine as she's packing heavier gear/bigger fins.

[g1138]

Either try a freediving manufacturer for no-sole neoprene socks, or go to a custom wetsuit shop and have them make you a pair. They will probably be skin in, meaning you'll have to lube or use baby powder on dry feet to get in.

Heatwave is my go to for custom here in the Santa Cruz area. They ship out too; check their instructions for self measuring if you're interested.

[Kilili]

I last purchased Henderson microprene socks at scuba.com

[MAKO Spearguns]

Switching back and forth between a DS and a WS has in the past resulted in me switching fins (regular booties vs. rockboots meant different foot pockets so different fins). Anyhow, I was thinking that perhaps wearing a pair of neoprene socks would be a solution to allow me to use my rockboots with my WS, have some moderate insulation, and then keep with one set of fins. Anyone do this? Where did you find the neoprene socks?

(5 mm or 7 mm)

Thanks.

We offer a 3 mm neoprene sock, sorry nothing in 5 or 7 mm. The neoprene sock can often be worn under a typical 5 or 7 mm scuba boot and will provide an improvement in warm and often comfort as well.

Thse socks should be fine down to maybe 50-55 degrees for moderate time in the water, below those temps. some of our customers just double them up (wear two layers).

MAKO Freedive Socks (3.0 mm) (http://www.makospearguns.com/product-p/mfs.htm)

121957

[boulderjohn]

I had the same problem and went with the opposite solution.

I was tired of my rock boots and their inherent clumsiness. I found that if I bought an oversized pair of booties, I could wear them in place of the rock boots and get my feet into the smaller fins. I much prefer the feel I get without the rock boots.

[cmburch]

I am a Northern California Kelp Diver. I mainly freedive now. I use 4mm Argos Xtreme with my freedive fins. These socks keep me warm to 46F. I am a wimp to cold. I also use them for kayaking and boating. I do not normally hike to the water with them, but leave my tennis shoes in a plastic bag at the shore. I wear 12EEEE Nikes and use an XL Argos. So if you decide, talk to someone before purchasing for correct size since it looks like I should use an XXL which are way too large for me.

Argos Wetsuit Booties (http://www.neptonicsystems.com/argos.htm)

[Ayisha]

I wear neoprene socks with a wetsuit all the time here in the cold Great Lakes, and love them. But they're not soft booties like the picture above, they're actual neoprene socks. Many LDS' stock or can order neoprene socks which come in a long (calf) or short (ankle) style or you can also get them on the internet. I believe LeisurePro carries them.

One great thing about neoprene socks rather than wool is that neoprene socks dry really quickly and are great for travelling even on weekend trips. If you use wool socks, you'll need a pair at least for each day and they'll all usually still be wet when you travel back, which is a dead weight. One pair of neoprene socks keeps you much warmer and is all you need for any amount of travel.

[RonFrank]

I agree with John, ditch the rockboots and get a softboot to wear with the drysuit. Another option is to go with two sets of fins.

[AfterDark]

Switching back and forth between a DS and a WS has in the past resulted in me switching fins (regular booties vs. rockboots meant different foot pockets so different fins). Anyhow, I was thinking that perhaps wearing a pair of neoprene socks would be a solution to allow me to use my rockboots with my WS, have some moderate insulation, and then keep with one set of fins. Anyone do this? Where did you find the neoprene socks?

(5 mm or 7 mm)

Thanks.

That's what I do for the same reason. I use 1mm socks under 3mm soft sole booties; the water in NE, even in the summer isn't real warm. I really like the rockboots because of the amount of shore diving I do.

[mathauck0814]

I agree with John, ditch the rockboots and get a softboot to wear with the drysuit. Another option is to go with two sets of fins.

Would you make the same recommendation for people who primarily shore dive? I'm not a huge fan of rock boots, but I'm a broken leg and two surgeries removed from the advice you're extolling so I'm ... skeptical ...

[eelnoraa]

have you consider switching to turbo sole?

[cmburch]

As many already know by experience, it is not a good idea to purchase items off Internet if not familiar with the correct size. It may be best to try everything on first before buying. A 4mm sock may not fit well whereas a 2mm may. These socks were introduced as boots for watersports such as canoeing. Many California freedivers now use them. 4mm for NorCal and 2mm/4mm for SoCal. They may have them in a local kayak or rafting shop in your area.

argos steelth - Google Search (http://www.google.com/search?sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8&q=argos+steelth#hl=en&sclient=psy-ab&q=argos+xtreme+stealth&oq=argos+xtreme+stealth&aq=f&aqi=&aql=&gs_nf=1&gs_l=serp.3...7125.9298.2.9507.7.7.0.0.0.0.163.767 .2j5.7.0.69Ev0MM6_-E&pbx=1&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_qf.,cf.osb&fp=98d5445c5607bd30)

[TNRonin]

I'll be going the same route. I will be buying mine here.

TommyDSports.com | 5MM NEOPRENE SCUBA DIVING SOCKS (http://www.tommydsports.com/products/pages/SOCKS.htm)

Cheap enough to try and won't hurt if I'm wrong.

---------- Post added April 20th, 2012 at 11:50 AM ----------

Oh and I was told XL for 10.5 foot. HTH