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Gear: Booties
This important piece of equipment is often one of the first pieces bought. Because you will be carrying your equipment, walking around the dive site, and potentially walking over rocks, you need to make sure that your bootie is up to the task.
Shamus' Patented Bootie Fitting Technique
- Try several different sizes and styles; each style's sizes are cut differently. A 10 is not always a 10.
- The bootie should be comfortable, tight without pinching or constricting movement.
- It should feel more like a sock, close fitting over your entire foot.
As with all of our other equipment, we're now off to the pool...
- Water causes things to loosen sometimes, we need to make sure the bootie doesn't shift when wet.
- Make sure that your fin fits over your bootie. You do not want it too loose or too tight.
- Ensure that the fin strap does not create a flap of neoprene behind your heel. (You will know what I mean if it happens to you.) That extra material can cause blisters.
- Check to make sure you have a full range of motion in your feet and ankles.
- Practice some flutter kicks to make sure the booties and fins work well together without rubbing or scraping.
Other things to consider:
- Booties come in a variety of thicknesses, from warm water 3mm to cold water 6.5mm. Choose the bootie that is right for the type of diving you will be doing.
- Booties come in short 'ankle' length and longer 'crew' length. Ankle length booties are better in warmer water.
- Several styles are available without zippers. No zippers is good for colder diving.
- There are several different types of soles. Make sure you have enough protection on the bottom of your feet if you plan on walking on rocks.
Care and feeding:
- Rinse your booties in clean, fresh water after every use.
- Use a 'stink remover' like Sink the Stink or Mirazyme to keep your booties smelling good.
- You can wash your booites in the washing machine (with some Mirazyme or Slosh cleaner) on the delicate cycle...Don't put them in the dryer though!
- Use Zip Care to lubricate your zippers (if you have them) every few dives.
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