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Booties losing tack / grip

Created by thegreatsup thegreatsup  5 months ago, 1 Sep 2025
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thegreatsup
thegreatsup

564 posts

1 Sep 2025 5:51pm
Hi guys

I got some decent O'Neil booties a year or two ago. Haven't used heaps but have noticed that they seem
to be getting increasingly slippery on the board, to the point my feet just slipped straight off it in a turn. Super frustrating, the soles still
have plenty of tread and nodes.
Anyone else ever had this happen? It's winter and my feet are cold, but pointless having them if they're this slippery.
colas
colas

5370 posts

1 Sep 2025 8:56pm
FYI, the most grippy boots I ever had (Wettys) had a totally slick sole. But in latex.

They advised to just wax the soles before the first use. You may try it.
Hoppo3228
Hoppo3228

VIC

820 posts

1 Sep 2025 11:16pm
C'mon mate... harden up... just don't wear em.

I never do here in Vicco.
thegreatsup
thegreatsup

564 posts

2 Sep 2025 10:51am
Hah- I've had lifelong cold feet issues. Circulation maybe, but I don't want to ruin a sesh due to cold feet. It's probably 50/50 with numb toes where you can't feel the board vs slipping off.
I've had booties before and never had this, which is where my question comes from.
Hoppo3228
Hoppo3228

VIC

820 posts

2 Sep 2025 9:47pm
Only winding you up mate.

Colas' suggestion sounds like a plan... saves you buying another pair... Spring is here!
Tardy
Tardy

5292 posts

3 Sep 2025 10:38am
when rubber gets old it hardens ,so buy a new pair or try wax maybe .
have you given your pad a good scrub lately .? sun block , body oil builds up after a while .EXCEL split toe are thin and very flexible try them ..

I never wear boots ,because I hate the feeling of not being able to dig my toes in .
colas
colas

5370 posts

3 Sep 2025 2:10pm
Select to expand quote
Tardy said..
I never wear boots ,because I hate the feeling of not being able to dig my toes in .




You should try boots with thin latex soles.
As close to barefoot as possible.And they are gentle on the board pads, preserving them.

The only ones I know are French ones (Wetty and Atan)
www.wettywetsuit.com/gb/barefoot-3mm-comfort/178-24461-wetty-surf-boots-barefoot-black-111111114.html#/117-us_size-11/131-thickness-3mm
www.atan.fr/en/produit/boots-surfing-windsurfing-kitesurfing-diving-atan-madisson/

But the vans may be similar?

www.vans.com/en-us/p/all-weather-5015/surf-boot-hi-split-toe-3mm-VN0A5KY9BKA

The drawback is that they wear out quickly if you walk often on rocks.
thegreatsup
thegreatsup

564 posts

3 Sep 2025 7:12pm
Thanks guys. I was wondering about whether I could try and sand the base of the booties, or some other trick.
I'm not sure i'd want to wax them and then get wax on the board pad,
Kisutch
Kisutch

450 posts

8 Sep 2025 6:23am
Just wax your deck pad to compensate
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