7mm Booties.. Preference

drylocks are the titz in 7mm coldest I have ever surfed in my life was when it was about 34 water and -10 outside with about 3 feet of snow. the water was letting off steam even though it was almost at the freezing point because the land/water temp difference. this was in scandanavia and it was very cold with clothes on but when I was in the water the 7m kept my feet toasty. no joke. I use only drylock stuff now especially 7m mittens but there so hard to get on when one hand is mitted up and the other isn't, someone needs to invent something for that

 

Sorry to be a Debby downer- but I had a pair and they leaked like sieve.

I got a pair now- idk who makes them , but they got that fuzzy red lining, almost like fleece. Super warm. I think billabong or something- they where Cheap. Look for the kind with the fleece type lining.

I'm also not a fan of the whole neoprene dipped things. Had a pair of gloves like that and they where always cold- my theory is that all the water in your arms runs down there and is trapped and your hands cant keep the water warm. Gloves always seem to work better that are made out of plain neoprene without the slick coating. Guessing the same for boots. That coating works good on areas like chest/back for wind.

Just my personal feeling about these issues...

 

yes, still got them. I used them one season thru winter- boots I had ten years ago where warmer, now I use them between my 3mil and my new 7mil. They are probably like 4 years old now- so maybe they improved the design.

I would look more so for the lining of the material- that fleece like lining is super warm compared to reg neoprene. and get the rounded, not split toe. that goes for the suite too- get the suite with the fleece like lining, at least in the torso and chest areas. so much more warmer cause it wicks just the right about of moisture away.

 

7mm. Xcel booties are the warmest I've ever owned. Never tried the dipped kind, but the reg drylock are real warm...down to upper 30s water no prob.

 

also- don't get them too tight fit, when your toes are jammed up front they get colder quicker.

 

Good point about the toes in booties that are too tight up front.

My feet are my Achilles Heel in surfing. They get cold, I start thinking about how cold they are, I surf lousy, they get numb, I surf even worse. I'm one of those guys who, when walking out into the winter Atlantic & it's 40-45 degrees, is grinning for two reasons: one, I'm going surfing, and two, my feet are toasty.

Have the 7mm Excel Drylock booties. Second pair. They have been good to me for two seasons. Approx 25 sessions per winter, approx 50 in toto? Then, they started to leak. I take very good care of my gear, yah, I'm one of those guys. Fresh water rinsing, air dry or bootie dryer (one of the finer inventions IMHO).

At this point I'm ready to try another brand. Patagonia, perhaps. Expensive, I get it. But, the Patagonia spring suit I own is far & away better quality than any of the 4 Excel wetsuites that I use. My Excel suites are fraying at the wrist cuffs, for example, after 2 seasons. And, Excel suites take on copious amounts of ocean, even the Drylocks: my suite weighs a solid 25 lbs more after a sesh from water weight. And, the Drylocks are heavier than the 'standard' Excel suites to begin with (mo' different composition, denser).

OK, that's it, back to hatin'

 

once i acquire some guap i'm gonna be looking for some new winter booties, so this thread will help. keep goin budz

 

Honestly, I'm getting old... $70 for booties? That don't last 2 seasons? And I'm talking all the major brands. I used to be able to buy a new spring suit for close to that.

 

The disposable society. That, and America is one very freakin expensive place to live & consume goods.

Walked out of Trader Joe's with a paper bag of groceries (one bag) & a $65 receipt. Depressing, man. Totally effing depressing.

 

anyone have any experience with Patagonia boots? I really respect their company, goal, and ethics the most about saving the enviorment. plus I use a lot of their gear for climbing and hiking

 

Ditto on Patagonia's approach. ^

I own a Patagonia spring suit. Fantastic piece of gear; wears well doesn't rip or tear, fits right (XXL for 6'2, 215), keeps me as warm as my 3/2 Excel, actually.

After 2 years of much use, the long pull for the back zipper came off somewhere & disappeared; I sent it in to Patagonia & they repaired it to new for no charge; cost me only freight to send it to them ($11.00 UPS); they paid shipping to send it back to me.

Fan for life.

Like their board shorts, too. Durable & has the side pocket with zipper, hallelujah, not that useless Velcro crap.

 

I did dipped ones two winters ago and they started to split at the big toe crease.

I have regular 7 mil boots and the only downer is that the material on the footing that in my imagination resembles wet insulation starts to pile up. First between your big toe and 2nd toe, and then it travels to the ball of your foot. And then it feels like here's a dull tiny round rock in your boot. Does anyone know what I'm talking about?

Still warm though.

 

Here in NE use the Excel 5mm dry locks until december then break out the Patagonia 7mm wool lined; toasty. Also have full toe which I prefer

 

how do the patagonias hold up?

 

Have had them two seasons and no issues.

 

I'm interested as well in the Patagonia booties and gloves. I have seen them and like the company as well... Seems like they would be really warm and durable

For those of you (like myself) who don't wanna bust out the cash for 70 boots- I present to you- seshday.com proabably my fav site, besides swellinfo.com that is...

 

Also Patagonia usually has a sale in Spring 50-75% off winter boots and gloves. Great time to load up on quality gear at reasonable price.