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+--- Thread: New Tubin' Booties (/showthread.php?tid=406016)
New Tubin' Booties - TubeDude - 04-06-2008
[cool][#0000ff]We have had a few discussions on footwear to go between neoprene waders and fins. As I have said on most of these discussions, I have been using some velcro wraparound neoprene booties I got from Cabelas a long time ago, and have not been able to find an acceptable replacement. Now, maybe I have.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]My problem has been that I have size 13 feet, and when I add a couple of pairs of heavy socks during cold weather, the total package I need to stuff in my booties is kinda large. Regular dive booties and flats boots seldom come in sizes larger than about size 13...and that size 13 is often for the small people of the "offshore" countries in which they were made.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Recently, I found several online dive shops that listed some larger sizes. However, with most of them, they want over $50 for a pair of "regular" sizes and another $10 for anything larger. I have kept looking.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]A couple of weeks ago I worked my way down through the long list of available booties from [url "http://www.scuba.com/"]http://www.scuba.com/[/url] and found several models in size 15 and 16. One was a "low cut" at an attractive price of $24.95...with no surcharges for the larger size. I ordered a pair of size 15.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Got them last week. They looked well made, but simple. Thin neoprene foot pocket and fairly light but solid soles. Plenty adequate for protecting waders without adding too much bulk. Kinda one step above the cheapie surf shoes. Only one problem. The opening to insert the foot was small...too small to get it over a well-stuffed wader foot. So....I used the scissors to cut about a 4" slit down the top surface. Bingo. I could now easily slip the neoprene "moccasins" over my fat feet and they would still slip comfortably into the fins.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Tried them out for several hours on Friday. Totally tight fit without slipping. There is a bit of a heel bump to help hold on the fin straps. And, when I came in, I was able to slip them off very easily too. Now I need to keep using them for awhile and see how they hold up over time. I will be switching to my breathables soon, and shedding a layer of heavy socks. Then I will see how they adapt to different "loads".[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Oh yeah, I also bought a pair of size 13's for fishing "wet" after the water warms up.[/#0000ff]
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Re: [TubeDude] New Tubin' Booties - road - 04-07-2008
Boy TD we do think alike. I have been shopping for exactly the same thing. Even at the same place. I was wondering about the low riders and how well they might/might not work.
Glad to hear they are working outwell for ya. Them for 40 bucks and more are out of my price range!! They did have a pair for 20 bucks in the low tops. I guess I'll take the plinge and replace the old dive bootie. I needed a pair for going wet also. The old pair is fine over my waders but I hate putting my bare foot in them.
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