The right shoes are just as important for water sports as the dry suit itself. The shoes do not have to be expensive but fulfill their purpose. To protect your feet and let yourself be worn comfortably, functional and simple shoes are usually sufficient.
In this article, you will learn why you should not be barefoot and what you should pay attention to when choosing footwear.
Why is footwear important for dry suits?
There are still many water sports enthusiasts who go barefoot into the water with their boat or board because it is more pleasant and lighter. The path to the water can be just as dangerous as what you can’t see under the water.
It is easy to step on a sharp stone or to cut yourself through glass panes. Even in the normal bathing area, sea urchins and other water inhabitants can lurk, which can cause injuries. The spines of a sea urchin, for example, can fester out of the foot for months.
If you are affected by it, that’s it with the trip to the water. That’s why you should wear shoes with firm soles, as it can always happen that you accidentally step on something sharp or pointed.
But injuries can not only occur in the water. On the boat, there may be screws or other pointed objects lying around that you can step on. Sturdy footwear is all the more important for unknown waters, as you do not know which animals live here and what is on the ground.
Do you also wear shoes for dry suits with booties?
When it comes to wet feet, you don’t need shoes for a dry suit with booties. However, as mentioned above, you should always wear sturdy shoes for safety reasons.
However, neoprene shoes are not recommended because they are cut on the skin. The dry suit with its feet automatically provides a few wrinkles that make the shoe tighter. However, this can be unpleasant for several hours.
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With a suit without a throw, boots are not particularly suitable, because the water runs into it, but does not come out again. Tight footwear is therefore not necessary for dry suits. Shoes with a rubber sole are more suitable for this, as you have more adhesion to the boat or the board. Rubber boots are also recommended, but it does not matter whether they are lined or unlined.
Whether a dry suit with or without booties is better depends on your preference. The only important thing is that you wear shoes with a non-slip sole.
Are socks or shoes better?
Sturdy and sturdy footwear protects you from small stones, broken glass, animals in the water and other dangers. Socks (such as .B SUP socks), on the other hand, do not protect you from sharp or sharp objects, but can help against cold and wetness in winter. In order to be well protected, you should rather use shoes instead of socks.
To prevent cold feet in winter, you can put on thick socks. Here socks with a higher insulation effect are recommended. You can wear neoprene socks over booties, which keep you warm and do not have a disturbing sole in the boat. If you should be on foot, you can pull Tevas over it.
What does the choice of footwear depend on?
In order to optimally protect yourself from the dangers outside and inside the water, you should pay attention to some criteria when choosing shoes:
The shoes should not be too big or too small
When running into the water, they should be insensitive and not rub
A non-slip sole is important to avoid falling off the board or boat
The footwear should have sufficient insulation in the area of the sole
The shoes should be suitable for water up to a minimum of 0 degrees
The shoes do not necessarily have to be expensive. However, you should rather rely on dense and stable footwear to protect yourself optimally.
When choosing the right footwear, of course, the season and activity play a big role. In summer, you don’t need to put on thick shoes. Here rubber boots or crocs are sufficient. In winter, on the other hand, you should use insulating and thick footwear, which also keep you warm and have a thick sole.
Result
One should not be too careless when it comes to choosing the right footwear. The right shoes make it extremely easier for you to do sports and protect you from the many small dangers that we are often not so aware of.
The matching shoes protect you from broken glass, stones or sharp and pointed objects in the water. Especially when running in, unexpected accidents often occur. But even on the boat it can happen that you accidentally step on objects that quickly mess up the trip.
Whether rubber boots, crocs or real boots. Important when choosing shoes are non-slip soles and sufficient insulation. Your shoes should fit your feet and also be suitable for colder water.
If you pay attention to these few criteria, nothing stands in the way of a successful trip.
