Choosing the right pair of scuba boots helps in a more comfortable dive. You don’t have to worry about your feet swimming inside the shoes or them getting chaffed. Before buying fins, you should buy a pair of scuba diving boots to ensure that the fins fit you accurately.
But how should scuba boots fit? Generally, scuba diving shoes are similar to regular shoes in size and fit similarly. However, choosing half a size larger than your normal shoe size is advised. If the boots are loose, you can add 2mm or 3mm socks made of Neoprene. This would add some warmth to your feet and make the shoe fit more snugly in your feet.
Let’s get to know more about the size and fitting information of scuba diving boots.
What Shoes Should Scuba Divers Wear When Diving?
Shoes that Scuba divers wear to scuba dive are often called boots or wetsuit boots. These boots provide divers with warmth, protection, and comfort. However, these dive boots are to be worn with fins that are open-heeled because the boots consist of an adjustable strap for holding the fin in its place.
What Is The Thickness Of Scuba Boots?
You can pick how thick you want your scuba boots to be. Similar to a wetsuit, diving boots are also made of Neoprene, ranging in thickness from 2 mm to 7 mm. Though it is not required, your diving boots should be the same thickness as your diving wetsuit.
This would help in determining the kind of diving you would do. For example, a 2-5 mm thickness is excellent for diving in warm waters, but if you are a cold-water diver, you need your shoes to be thicker than 5mm.
What Is The Size And Fitting For Scuba Boots?
To find the perfect fit, begin with your regular shoe size. Unfortunately, sizes for scuba diving boots are always quoted in mens’ only sizes. So, if you are a female diver, you can subtract 1 from the men’s size to find your perfect fit. For example, a woman’s size 8 means a man’s size 7.
Scuba diving boots are similar to regular shoe sizes, fitting similarly. It shouldn’t be too loose nor too tight, causing your toes to curl up at the end of the boot. Look at this video to know how to pick up perfect-fit diving boots.
How To Care For Your Scuba Diving Boots?
Here are a few essential tips for caring for your diving boots:
Soak and rinse – After the dive, soak your scuba diving bootie for at least 15 minutes using a wetsuit shampoo. Rinse them with fresh water because salty water makes the shoes lose their flexibility.
Store properly – Do not shove your shoes inside the drawer just like that, or crumble them up. Not storing the shoes properly will crease them up, altering their insulating properties. However, do not keep your boots in direct sunlight as well.
Takeaway
Hopefully, this information about your scuba diving boots will make it easier for you at the time of purchasing. Just make sure that your scuba diving shoes are not too tight because they already have a thick rubber layer to provide extra support and strength. Therefore, choosing half a size larger boots is essential.
