March 2003
By John Francis

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Most of us don't need the thickest, stiffest dive boots, but most of us need more than thin tropical booties. A good compromise for diving the middle latitudes on both coasts is the 5mm bootie: not too thick, not too thin, but, as Goldilocks would say, "Just right." (Though some companies call the same thickness "6mm" because they measure the lining too, or because the neoprene itself varies in manufacture.)

• STIFF SOLE. To "flatten" what you step on: stones, ladder rungs, deck hardware, your buddy's regulator, etc.

• ARCH SUPPORT. To protect your feet from the unaccustomed amount of weight you're carrying.

• HEEL COUNTER. It's the cup cradling your heel so your foot doesn't roll, twisting your ankle. It should be stiff.

• FOREFOOT RAILS. The sole should project upward on each side of your foot so your foot can't slide sideways off the sole.

• EXTRAS. A cushy inner sole. Fin strap tabs (to keep your fins on; the tab also helps you get the boot off when you push against it with your opposite toe). A Velcro tab to keep the zipper closed.

We queried everyone we know who sells dive booties. Sixteen companies responded with 20 booties in the 5 to 6mm range.Why this bother over mere booties? Dive booties have grown up, both in features and in price, from the days when it was a neoprene sock with another layer of neoprene glued to the bottom. Now the best have thick soles with no-slip patterns, arch support, heel stabilization and more. They are, in fact, athletic shoes with athletic-shoe prices.

Overkill? Triumph of marketing over common sense? Maybe not. The fact is, the old-fashioned bootie was cheap but not such a bargain. Its thin sole gave your foot very little protection or comfort, especially from rocks. It easily slipped around your foot like a loose gym sock, making it dangerous to walk across a heaving boat deck. Its flat bottom gave no support to your arch while carrying 50 pounds or more of dive gear. If you ever dive from beaches or rocks or from the smaller, rougher dive boats, you'll want modern dive boots.

What to Look For

To Zip or Not?

The latest trend is zipperless boots, made possible by using one of the various high-stretch neoprenes of which the first was "Hyperstretch" from Henderson. Pro: You get rid of the zipper, which collects sand, breaks its teeth and tends to come open mid-dive. Con: The boot may not grip your foot as securely, especially around the ankle.

Incidentally, all the boots with zippers we tested had gussets across the zipper opening to keep water out, so leaking is not an issue. Some (as noted) had Velcro tabs to keep the zippers closed.

Finding Fit

Being more bulky, some of these dive boots may not fit into your fins, so take them with you and check before buying. That said, you want a snug fit between foot and boot, and between boot and fin. Any sloppiness at either point will reduce your finning efficiency, thereby wasting energy and air. The waste is more than you might think.

Boots in Review

Bare Ice Boot

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| Bare Ice Boot|
The Ice Boot has a very stiff heel counter, which cups your heel so you are unlikely to twist an ankle. The heel counter also protects the back of the boot (and back of your foot) from the pressure of the fin strap, and has molded into it a tab to keep the fin strap from sliding off. The stiff sole molding extends upward all around to keep your forefoot where it belongs. The forefoot is covered with two layers of rubber, which stiffen it for more foot control and also fight chafing from the fin pocket. Arch support is adequate, not excellent, and the inner sole could be cushioned better. But overall, this boot does a good job of protecting your foot. $49.95
Henderson Hyperstretch Zipperless Boot

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| Henderson Hyperstretch Zipperless Boot|
This is one of several new boots without a zipper. Because Hyperstretch is so, well, stretchy, you don't really need one. It also makes walking unusually comfortable because the ankle flexes so easily. Get a snug fit, however. Going down one size from your usual size might work better. The Zipperless also has an exceptionally stiff sole and heel counter and good arch support. The inner sole is only moderately soft, but there's an air-bubble "spring" under the heel like some high-end athletic shoes. $55.95
Mares Avanti

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| Mares Avanti|
The Avanti has a very stiff sole and heel counter, and exceptional arch support. Together with adequate forefoot "rails," your foot is both well-controlled and well-protected. Grooves in the sole under the ball of your foot let the boot flex when you walk without compromising sole stiffness. Nice touches include a fin strap tab, a zipper pull and a finger loop behind the ankle. An intelligently designed boot that tied for top score (with Henderson, Scubapro and Seasoft). $69.95
Scubapro Molded Sole Boot

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| Scubapro Molded Sole Boot|
This boot scored "Excellent" or "Good" in all respects. The sole is stiff, and the heel counter and forefoot "rails" keep your foot well under control. Arch support is pretty good, and the inner sole is cushier than average. Aggressive lugs on the sole and heel of the boot will give traction climbing down the bluff to the beach. $69
Seasoft Ti Pro and Stealth

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| Seasoft Ti Pro (top) and Stealth (bottom) |
These two boots earned almost perfect scores, only lacking some cushiness in the inner soles compared to old-fashioned booties with spongy soles and other defects. These soles are stiff, with prominent lugs on the bottoms. Heel and forefoot control are excellent, as is the arch support. As with shoes, heels are raised slightly over the sole, helping shift your weight onto the balls of your feet where it belongs. The Stealth model differs from the Ti Pro in having more rubber in the sole, a higher internal arch support and a shorter zipper. Of course, it's all black. Nice touches in both models include fin strap tabs and Velcro zipper locks. $79.99 for the Ti Pro and $99.99 for the Stealth {mospagebreak} ACTION PLUS Heavy-Duty Zipper Boot with Titanium

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| Action Plus Heavy-Duty Zipper Boot with Titanium|
Good heel control and fair forefoot control, but no arch support. Stiffness only fair. $45
AKONA AKBT162 Molded Sole Boot

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| Akona AKBT162 Molded Sole Boot|
A stiff sole and good arch support, but only fair heel and forefoot control. Nevertheless, it just missed "Testers' Choice." $47
AKONA AKBT262 Deluxe Boot

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| AKONA AKBT262 Deluxe Boot|
A cushy insole, but only a little heel support. No arch support or forefoot control. $47
AKONA AKBT362 Standard Boot

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| AKONA AKBT362 Standard Boot|
The vulcanized sole is thicker than the old-fashioned bootie. Otherwise, little difference. $34
CRESSI-SUB Otter

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| CRESSI-SUB Otter|
A sock-like bootie with a somewhat thicker sole. $40.80
H2ODYSSEY Ultrasole

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| H2Odyssey Ultrasole|
A fairly stiff sole, good heel control; little arch support or forefoot control. $49
INTERNATIONAL DIVERS Felt Sole Bootie

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| INTERNATIONAL DIVERS Felt Sole Bootie|
Good sole stiffness, heel support and decent forefoot control, but no arch support. Felt sole is said to grip rocks. $34.99
OCEAN REEF Key Largo Boot

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| OCEAN REEF Key Largo Boot|
Good forefoot control thanks to a unique instep strap. Little heel control or arch support. $67
OCEANIC Expedition

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| OCEANIC Expedition|
A soft sole, no arch support, but excellent heel counter. With fin strap tab and zipper lock. $49.95
OCEANIC Venture

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| OCEANIC Venture|
The vulcanized rubber sole curves up around the edges to provide a hint of support, but basically an old-fashioned bootie. $39.95
O'NEILL FX-5 Dive Boot

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| O'NEILL FX-5 Dive Boot|
Ye ol' bootie with a fin strap tab. $44.95
PROMATE Pacifica

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| PROMATE Pacifica|
A soft sole with good heel and forefoot control. $39.95
TILOS SuperStretch Alligator Boot

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| TILOS SuperStretch Alligator Boot|
A floppy sock in a stretchy no-zipper design. $50
TUSA Imprex DB-3600Z Dive Boot

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| TUSA Imprex DB-3600Z Dive Boot|
Good stiffness, heel counter, forefoot control, arch support. $58