Socks Option

[JamieG]

I have decided on a Trilaminate Predator drysuit and have the option of getting socks instead of the normal built in boots. (Going for a measure up next week)

I've never had this before on a suit and was wondering if its the best option?

Having done a search on here I can see that there are a few options that go with socks such as Rock Boots, Converse boots and Wetsuit boots.

Just wondering what benefit I would have from getting the socks and seperate boots option, other than no air migration to my feet and if they are a better option than the standard built in boots?

Why do things change and move on - its only leads to complication for people like me.

[Clare Gledhill]

Hello Jamie

Socks are a good option. the boots that now come with predator suits are a little stiff and don't allow really good ankle rotation so the sock option seems slightly better. Cons? Well you have to rememebr to pack your wetsuit boots to wear over the top

[JamieG]

Thanks Clare, Having looked at your web site earlier I notice your not a fan of Rock Boots - so I take it the Converse or wetsuit boot option would be the better choice to go over socks?

[Clare Gledhill]

Rock boots suit a very limited number of divers - mainly those who mountaineer to get to the dive site

I'm a DUI dealer - but can't recommend the rock boot option on their suits either. I'm not familiar with a converse boot - but the softest option around the ankle is normally the best.

[JamieG]

Converse

Seem a good option or its the wetsuit boots.

[vid]

the other reason i had for getting socks, was it's easier to dry - you can turn the leg & sock completely inside out

i do have dui rock boots, personally i like the high cut - but the preference may be affected by the cut of the drysuit leg/sock too - so it's worth trying a few different boots - and don't forget waterski-ing / watersport boots - which a couple of folk on YD favoured

also get some rubber fin retainers to wear with your socks - helps eliminate the last bits of air

the only disadvantages of socks (assuming you don't forget the boots) is (1) the extra faff factor to put them on and (2) if the sock is made from neoprene which is too thick, they can feel a bit floaty to start with (but you soon get used to it, like most bits of kit)


HTH

vid

[JamieG]

Originally Posted by vid

the other reason i had for getting socks, was it's easier to dry - you can turn the leg & sock completely inside out

i do have dui rock boots, personally i like the high cut - but the preference may be affected by the cut of the drysuit leg/sock too - so it's worth trying a few different boots - and don't forget waterski-ing / watersport boots - which a couple of folk on YD favoured

also get some rubber fin retainers to wear with your socks - helps eliminate the last bits of air

the only disadvantages of socks (assuming you don't forget the boots) is (1) the extra faff factor to put them on and (2) if the sock is made from neoprene which is too thick, they can feel a bit floaty to start with (but you soon get used to it, like most bits of kit)


HTH

vid

Thanks for that, looks like socks are the way forward then.

[Woz]

I've got some Seac Sub rockboots and they seem quite flexible, if a bit colder than Cuban Helled Dancing Wellies.

[thehuntsman81]

I have DUI rock boots and wouldn't go back to fitted boots.

Upsides are ankle support and comfort, which is great especially if tramping some distance to your dive site but also great when climbing back onto boats with heavy twin sets. Further your fins feel perfectly connected to your feet and very little energy is wasted whilst finning.

Downside is cold feet! The socks compress badly and I have to wear 2 pairs of socks plus a pair of weezle undersocks and even with all this my feet still turn to ice blocks! I just live with it but it can become painful after more than an hour in 6deg water!

Tried the wetsuit boot option first due to finances but they are not great. Zip kept bursting open and there isn't a great deal of support. False economy in my mind.
DUI aren't the only option either. Whites also do a rock boot which I would have possibly gone for rather than DUI, but at the time I needed boots fast and I could get the DUI ones in my jumbo size the next day.

At the end of the day if you don't get on with the socks/booties, it won't break the bank to have the socks cut off and boots fitted?

[applepie]

i love my socky wockies with rock boots (whites).

i never got cold feet before with them then again, I have got pretty thick soles on my rock boots. I usually just wear my normal socks/whatever i happen to be wearing or go bare feet!

much more comfortable compared to my previous wellies style boots, i have found that on my boots not doing up all the laces makes it a nicer feel. so if you do get a pair, sounds weird but try different lacing combinations.

i dont have floaty feet from them or any excess trapped air. in fact i like being able to move an air bubble to my feet and pin it there by bending my knees.

I have tried a few other boots but prefer the whites one the most, although it cost alot!

only downside I found so far beside the cost of the boot? cleaning the boots, i sometimes get seaweed/sand/grit getting trapped in the mesh like parts of the boot. then again this only happened once or twice so far.

forgetting them isnt an issue since it either lives with my drysuit bag or in my dive kit box.