Kiteforum.com

I agree with OzBungy about the sand issue. If you're in an area with lots of soft sand or silt, it will work it's way into the toes and is incredibly annoying and often painful. I stopped wearing them to kite, and then ended up tossing them out after they started to wear out. I give them a thumbs down for kiting.

I since found these and give these a thumbs up... "SEA TO SUMMIT ULTRA FLEX WATER BOOTIES" can be found online at americankiteboarding.com and probably elsewhere. That's where I bought them.

OzBungy wrote: ↑

Sat Jan 05, 2019 12:59 pm

5 Fingers are absolute crap for kitesurfing. The soles are too stiff so they don't fit nicely into straps or pads.

They don't come up far enough on your ankle so sand and shell grit get in. It is extremely painful when it works down between your toes.

I am perfectly happy with any of the standard surf booties available. They work fine. I like a low cut boot with a fairly high ankle so I can tuck my wetsuit in and cinch the craw cord snug. That keeps sand and stuff out and stops water running up the leg of the wetsuit.

I avoid boots with drain holes. The holes let in sand. I also avoid split toes because the fabric tears. You can get hidden split, or hard joined splits that last fairly well.

Tried them out in Hood River.. A) They looked ridiculous, in fact I think once word got out I was wearing them pretty much the whole town turned out to fall about laughing as I walked back from the sand bar. Then they arrested me for crime against fashion on the water.

B)They became painful between the toes that I don't normally wear 'fingered' socks, I use Splitties from Oneil but had forgotten to bring them with me.

So, I binned them, once I got out of jail.

I've used Oneil the rest of the time if I can't go barefoot.

Do you ride with boardies on top of wettie?

No one is laughing when I do 360 or 720 with a grab.

Sand is not an issue, it drains off...

downunder wrote: ↑

Thu Jan 10, 2019 4:24 am

Do you ride with boardies on top of wettie?

No one is laughing when I do 360 or 720 with a grab.

Sand is not an issue, it drains off...

Kind of, got one of those harnesses built into boardies which sort of legitimises it, but out there, no, it was summer so riding commando.

Budgy Smuggler

Thanks for all the feedback and insights, lots of good considerations.

airsurfer wrote: ↑

Sat Jan 05, 2019 5:58 am

I haven't tried the Vibram but when I have to wear foot protection I like these Ion Ballistic toes 2.0 ES they're light and segmented and the closest I've found to barefoot feel with good protection from the reef etc...theyve held up well considering the abuse

Airsurfer - do Ion's stay on ok if you step up to your knees in muck?

Digdawg wrote: ↑

Fri Jan 11, 2019 5:06 pm

Thanks for all the feedback and insights, lots of good considerations.

airsurfer wrote: ↑

Sat Jan 05, 2019 5:58 am

I haven't tried the Vibram but when I have to wear foot protection I like these Ion Ballistic toes 2.0 ES they're light and segmented and the closest I've found to barefoot feel with good protection from the reef etc...theyve held up well considering the abuse

Airsurfer - do Ion's stay on ok if you step up to your knees in muck?

they can be made very tight i have narrow feet so its usually an issue for me. but you most likely will get some sand and silt in there it usually easy to flush out but you may want to try a lycra sock or something thats easy to pull off once riding. Ion do make a high cut boot version of toes which i have as but it's not as flexible but it does protect your ankles from cuts and definitely wont come off

airsurfer wrote: ↑

Fri Jan 11, 2019 5:14 pm

Digdawg wrote: ↑

Fri Jan 11, 2019 5:06 pm

Thanks for all the feedback and insights, lots of good considerations.

airsurfer wrote: ↑

Sat Jan 05, 2019 5:58 am

I haven't tried the Vibram but when I have to wear foot protection I like these Ion Ballistic toes 2.0 ES they're light and segmented and the closest I've found to barefoot feel with good protection from the reef etc...theyve held up well considering the abuse

Airsurfer - do Ion's stay on ok if you step up to your knees in muck?

they can be made very tight i have narrow feet so its usually an issue for me. but you most likely will get some sand and silt in there it usually easy to flush out but you may want to try a lycra sock or something thats easy to pull off once riding. Ion do make a high cut boot version of toes which i have as but it's not as flexible but it does protect your ankles from cuts and definitely wont come off

Thanks, I guess I'll need to try a pair on - I have super wide feet. Maybe that's part of my problem with getting a good fit between booties and foot straps.

I have a pair of NP Mission's. They are the all around best of what I've tried, but I really would like a better feel between me and bindings when I jump. Downunder might be right - subjective from person to person. Maybe I need to give the custom moldable Solite's a go. DaYodaPart - how do the Solite's compare to the NP's? I had a pair from a company called Darkfin. They were a little tight (because of my gorilla feet I guess), and the protection was just barely enough. But they did great for bare foot like feel. Ripped out in about 4 sessions, again mabye due to my gorilla like feet

So I certainly need new booties. I want booties that drain well as it's not super cold where I ride and I hate the feeling of your feet being submerged in water. Any recommendations?

I also have one waterproof model . I like the feeling . The main drawback is that it takes long8er to put your foot inside. I do not use them so I can sell the 5-finger if interested. My feet is small, size is 41.