Don’t you just hate it when you buy a product, only to realize that the accessories aren’t included? Well many people have wondered this about wetsuits: do they come with built-in dive booties or some kind of foot cover?
There are no wetsuits that cover your feet. Even a “full” wetsuit covers everything else except your head, hands, and feet. If you want your feet covered, you can wear dive booties or water shoes to keep your feet warm and protect you from sharp nasties on the seafloor and shore.
In this article, we will go over why wetsuits don’t have feet, and why this is not something you should be concerned about.
Why don’t wetsuits come with feet?
It’s not that wetsuits can’t come with feet, it’s just that it’s more practical to have a foot opening because: a) it’s easier to fit your feet through with the plastic bag trick, b) you can wear dive booties and fins after putting the wetsuit on, and c) sometimes you want to be in your bare feet. The dive booties and fins will also fit your feet much better than if the wetsuit had foot coverings built into them.
What should I look for in a decent pair of dive booties?
When shopping for a good pair of dive booties, there are several factors you should consider:
- Material: Most dive booties are made from neoprene, which provides both warmth and protection. Look for a high-quality, durable neoprene that can stand up to wear and tear.
- Thickness: The thickness of the booties will depend on the water temperature. Generally, warmer water (above 75°F/24°C) requires 2-3mm booties, temperate water (between 50-75°F/10-24°C) needs 5-7mm booties, and cold water (below 50°F/10°C) requires 7mm booties or thicker.
- Sole Type: The sole of the bootie can be hard or soft. Hard soles offer more protection and are ideal for rocky or rough surfaces. Soft soles, on the other hand, are more comfortable and suitable for sandy areas or boat diving.
- Fit: They should be snug but not too tight. Your toes should have a little wiggle room. One way to tell is that you should still be able to squeeze a finger into the dive booties.
- Design: There are different designs of booties – high cut, low cut, and those designed for specific types of fins (open heel vs. full foot). High cut booties are warmer and provide more ankle support while low cut booties are easier to put on and take off.
- Zip vs. No Zip: Some booties have a zipper on the side to make them easier to put on and take off. However, zippers can fail over time, so non-zipper booties may last longer.
- Seams: Look for booties with sealed and taped seams. This will keep the water out and keep your feet warmer.
- Durability: Dive booties go through a lot, so they should be made to last. Look for booties with reinforced heels, toes, and soles.
- Comfort: Last but not least, the booties should be comfortable. Try them on before buying, if possible, and walk around a bit.
With all these factors in mind, I ask you: how could a wetsuit with built-in feet possibly compare to a dedicated pair of booties? Even just getting the right fit would be a massive headache.
If it isn’t obvious by now, you don’t want wetsuits to have feet because it would do more harm than good, and the wetsuit manufacturers know that too, so that is why you won’t find a wetsuit with feet.
