Booties - really?

[knyfe]

I never thought that this would get to a topic but over the 20 years of kiting - booties are the least durable parts of my equipment. I typically go through more than 1 set a season. I tried all mayor brands by now and some are a little less worse than others. None are good. Mostly I have a hole in the sole. Others fall apart somewhere else. My distance from car to the spot is a 2 -3 min walk. That can’t be it.

The soles they put on are super duper thin. I get the idea of getting a good feel but this is just nuts. As a TT and foils rider I don’t need thaaat much feeling on my toes.

Am I the only one who would like to get more durable boots / goods ? G

[grigorib]

Opposite here. Hate thick sole, feeling like “having sex while wearing a raincoat” in thick booties, dreading moment when my booties wear out and I won’t know which ones to get as replacement. Only wear mine for warmth and rarely for reef (when in La Ventana)

[Janus]

.. no problems here.. maybe it’s you.. The way you walk?..

[jyka]

Search something what is made for diving. I'm using these: https://www.sukellustukku.fi/media/cata ... 634-cp.jpg
The soil is so thick and hard it will protect from sea urchin spikes and they are also nice to walk on a rocky beach

I don't care about the feeling, twintip pads are so thick anyway.

[Bain]

Promotion booties have always served me well.
http://stores.wetsuit.com/low-top-round ... black-t47/

[zerogee_ca]

I can't stand boots for kitewave or kitefoiling, even the thin soled ones. I can't stand riding strapless with them. I had the OR Coldfire boots. They were the best. I will be replacing them with some Mystic boots this season. I will hold off as long as I can bare before using boots, so they last years. For protection against zebra mussels I will throw on some Swiss Sox. Luckily, the zebras have appeared to eat themselves out of house and home, so the Sox have lasted too. They stay in the gear bag awaiting the next zebra explosion.

[Faxie]

Get some slippers for the walk.

[matth]

Get some slippers for the walk.

Exactly!! or just were your sneakers to the launch spot and switch to thin booties.

[fluidity]

Hate wearing boots and only wear them if I need protection from sharp rocks underfoot.

[Peter_Frank]

I can't stand boots for kitewave or kitefoiling, even the thin soled ones. I can't stand riding strapless with them. I had the OR Coldfire boots. They were the best. I will be replacing them with some Mystic boots this season. I will hold off as long as I can bare before using boots, so they last years. For protection against zebra mussels I will throw on some Swiss Sox. Luckily, the zebras have appeared to eat themselves out of house and home, so the Sox have lasted too. They stay in the gear bag awaiting the next zebra explosion.

Precisely, they are an unwanted must for winter conditions, and ruin the feel, so as thin as possible thanks

Don't walk on land with good booties (good is IMO max 2 or 3 mm ones) , then you will destroy them fast.


Two options:

Use some clogs when rigging or packing, and only put your booties on when going out.
Can be cold though, and a nuisance in many ways, you might also get sand inside.

So my preferred way, is using oversize Crocs (not clogs), they don't cost much, and you can keep warm and walk on the shore all the time, just leave them where you go out.
If winter most use a low cost thermal full suit on land and in breaks anyways, to stay warm or driving home, so just leave the Crocs under your suit when out, and they don't blow away.

Works great with Crocs for bootie protection

Peter