Well I pulled out the winter booties and had my first session on my strapless board.Cant say that im impressed with the lack off feel I have under foot for my board.I wished I hadn't put deck pads on the board,just wax.Any one got any good ideas for dealing with this,apart from putting straps back on??
why can't you take the pads off and wax the board? or ditch the booties- vic water is not that cold
+1 for ditch the booties. The water is not even cold yet anyway, you might be in some strife for July and August. Otherwise you could try waxing your pads.
Whatever the outcome - if it's cold enough to numb your feet your not gonna feel the board at all... I like booties when its cold, i hate being cold..
Once you have slipped on the booties it really doesn't matter if the board is waxed, padded, velcro'ed (sp??) or anything else - you wont have any tactile feel for the board - and that sucks!
Over the past 10 years Ive worked out that if I need to feel the board - well just suck it up and deal with the cold! - you wont loose a digit but it will be painful!
I haven't been able to find a 'warm' bootie that wont kill the sensation without wearing out in no time - sounds like a condom don't it LOL
If I'm riding the twinny and my pegs are jambed in the straps then sensation aint so important so booties are a chance - but strapless on a SB ? - I doubt there is a solution to your dilemma!!
Booties give much better grip than bare feet. I've never understood the lack of feel complaint. Exactly what are you feeling with the soles of your feet that you need to feel to be able to ride a kiteboard? Are you reading the board bumps as Braille?
Select to expand quoteflemboyant said..
I wear skateshoes on a surfboard.. try it. you wont go back
Crocs work better for me.
haha I did a scientific test of this today on a waxed board, and I can confirm booties are cheating! cheating never felt so good...
I even reapplied the softest of wax which would melt at the thought of sun, and booties were still the go. I think I'll keep wearing them til I'm back in board shorts 
That's it, im going to try waxing the soles of my booties.Will imform all on the outcome.cheers all for the feed back....
I have just got some lighter booties that are very flexible. Hot neoprene dipped. Much better feel but they will be less durable on reefs etc.
Hey Peter.Are they your winter booties???If so what brand are they and where did you get them from ???They sound like what im after..cheers
Select to expand quoteflemboyant said..
I wear skateshoes on a surfboard.. try it. you wont go back
Really?
Two points -
1. Try the 1mm or 1.5mm booties, they thinner they are the more feel you have. The thinner ones seem also to have a thinner rubber sole so the effect is two fold. A bali style boot will feeel better but will be colder. The ones I have bought for Gnaraloo low tide and Sumbawa are definitely are OK in good size waves.(but will never be as good as bare feet).
2. I saw about a year ago in a kite mag that someone (UK based) was developing a kevlar sock stylee boot to deal with this exact problem. I have searched the web a couple of times since and never found the product for sale. Having gotten stitches in both feet from fin gashes and plenty of cuts from the G Spot and S spot i really wanted to try these. If anyone finds them please put up a post. they would also be of assistence when getting back into the water with a cut
I like to use my climbing boots when it's cold, they are warm and have good grip. And if its really windy I attach my crampons which really helps with staying attached to the board. :)
Select to expand quotedoonut said...
Vibram 5 fingers, gloves for feet type things for toes not fingers?
I wore a pair of these whilst kiting in Peru, more for getting in And out of the water not for the water temp
Select to expand quotedoonut said..
Vibram 5 fingers, gloves for feet type things for toes not fingers?
Not good for kiting. No warmth and sand gets inside them easily
Also note that ripcurl have 2mm hot dip neoprene booties
