Have had a number of pairs of O'Neill Psychofreak split toe wetsuit booties over the years but the latest incarnation of these that I have only used a few times are pretty uncomfortable for me around the toe area (never had any issues with the previous Psychofreak booties I had in the same size).

Are there any other high cut wetsuit booties on the OZ market like these that others are using and would recommend?

Love my booties

www.xcelwetsuits.com/shop/product/mens-accessories/drylock-split-toe-3mm?color=GUM

I think surfstich sell them online

I am very happy with the Rip Curl Flashbomb 3mm Split-Toe Boots from 2014-2015 (pic below). The split feature is internal, which I think provides extra protection against toe front collisions.
They have made slight changes on the 2016 version, hopefully not for worse!

Before the Rip Curl's I used Neil Pryde 5000 and 3000 series (standard tip), but I feel they don't protect as much. I have also noticed that Neil Pryde offers split-toe options but haven't tried them.

I should also say that the reason why I wear booties is to protection purposes. I had several injuries in the past when sailing with bare feet (metatarsal bones and toe joints), and the booties have been very efficient in preventing further damage.

I've had several pairs of the rip curl ones mentioned above. wqrm and comfortable. The rubber under the front big toes eventually wears out, but thin there, but the excess water now drains out. I too wear for protection, broken toes from jams and twists. They do need washing out every time.

I used booties for the first time on Saturday. Neil Pryde 3mm 3000 internal split toe. I was pleasantly surprised, easy to get in and out of straps. Kept my feet from going numb and nice to walk around after not feeling like you are walking on stumps.
Mate got some Billabong Furnace? I think and he liked them as well. Lots of guys seem to have Oneil Superfreaks.

Have always worn booties due to wildlife at the local...two best ive found are tbe Xcel and O'Neil. Both warm and comfortable

Thanks for the replies. Anyone know of a shop in Perth that stocks the Xcel booties, or the Rip Curl Flashbomb booties? Might also drop into Windsurfing Perth to see if they have any of the NP booties (used a pair for many years before I changed to O'Neill and they lasted really well).

I wear boots for protection rather than warmth. I wanted a boot that didn't fill up with sand, grit or mud and fell like I don't have them on. After trying 3 or 4 brands, I've finally settled on Atan latex coated neoprene boots. I'm on to my second pair. they are made in France. You can get them on line from a UK and USA on-line retailer. There are different models to cater for different needs.
- high top or low cut
- different thickness
- round or camel toe

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John340 said..
I wear boots for protection rather than warmth. I wanted a boot that didn't fill up with sand, grit or mud and fell like I don't have them on. After trying 3 or 4 brands, I've finally settled on Atan latex coated neoprene boots. I'm on to my second pair. they are made in France. You can get them on line from a UK and USA on-line retailer. There are different models to cater for different needs.
- high top or low cut
- different thickness
- round or camel toe

I heard they end up stinking really bad because of the latex and take ages to dry. True?

Latex and camel toes? Where is this thread going?

+1 for Atan. They look like crap, but are the most comfortable on the market (and I have tried a lot of brands including some very expensive ones). Closest to the bare feet feeling you can get with boots.

These are my favorite Gill booties. The tops are short enough that they work well even when I wear boardshorts. They are very comfy from when it's really cold out to even in warm temps. I like using them in warm temps too so I don't cut my feet on rocks and objects when launching and coming in from the water. Bottom line is, everytime I go windsurfing, I wear them. They also are not too bulky, and fit well in the footstraps.

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MrCranky said..

John340 said..
I wear boots for protection rather than warmth. I wanted a boot that didn't fill up with sand, grit or mud and fell like I don't have them on. After trying 3 or 4 brands, I've finally settled on Atan latex coated neoprene boots. I'm on to my second pair. they are made in France. You can get them on line from a UK and USA on-line retailer. There are different models to cater for different needs.
- high top or low cut
- different thickness
- round or camel toe

I heard they end up stinking really bad because of the latex and take ages to dry. True?

Not in my experience, I rinse them after use and leave them to dry out in the shade for 24hrs, before putting them back in the van for the next session.

I been using these for last few weeks and they are amazing grip underneath and enough to grip well on Footstrap as you pull your toes up. Designed by a kitesurfer ( come on they can do some good things)

The wear and tear is minimal and should get great life out of them. They basically suck to shape of foot nice tight fit and individual toes don't even notice wearing them.

This was a kick-starter program I backed in August last year. Well worth the punt

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izymiester said..


I been using these for last few weeks and they are amazing grip underneath and enough to grip well on Footstrap as you pull your toes up. Designed by a kitesurfer ( come on they can do some good things)

The wear and tear is minimal and should get great life out of them. They basically suck to shape of foot nice tight fit and individual toes don't even notice wearing them.

This was a kick-starter program I backed in August last year. Well worth the punt

Izy, what are they like rolling up under your feet?
I have a pair ATAN from the UK, that are great, but have a tendency to role a double up right under the foot as you slide into the strap, and is a right royal pain in the coit.

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mineral1 said...

izymiester said..


I been using these for last few weeks and they are amazing grip underneath and enough to grip well on Footstrap as you pull your toes up. Designed by a kitesurfer ( come on they can do some good things)

The wear and tear is minimal and should get great life out of them. They basically suck to shape of foot nice tight fit and individual toes don't even notice wearing them.

This was a kick-starter program I backed in August last year. Well worth the punt

Izy, what are they like rolling up under your feet?
I have a pair ATAN from the UK, that are great, but have a tendency to role a double up right under the foot as you slide into the strap, and is a right royal pain in the coit.

Nah they are great a good fit at first like the toes seem weird as you out them on but it just seems to suck to your foot no rolling up or slipping down Etc. I gave someone else a test and he said they were great so not just my foot tested

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John340 said..
I wear boots for protection rather than warmth. I wanted a boot that didn't fill up with sand, grit or mud and fell like I don't have them on. After trying 3 or 4 brands, I've finally settled on Atan latex coated neoprene boots. I'm on to my second pair. they are made in France. You can get them on line from a UK and USA on-line retailer. There are different models to cater for different needs.
- high top or low cut
- different thickness
- round or camel toe

I think they are the ones Guy Cribb recommends for best feel.

+1 for O'Neill Superfreak booties

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izymiester said..


I been using these for last few weeks and they are amazing grip underneath and enough to grip well on Footstrap as you pull your toes up. Designed by a kitesurfer ( come on they can do some good things)

The wear and tear is minimal and should get great life out of them. They basically suck to shape of foot nice tight fit and individual toes don't even notice wearing them.

This was a kick-starter program I backed in August last year. Well worth the punt

They look really interesting Izy. Where can you get them?

A few thoughts, I wear them for protection not warmth. I started with some thicker ones with nice thick soles but they needed to fit looser or their stiffness would jam my toes. Unfortunately being looser they were too wide and would fill up with sand and water like clown shoes. So I tried the vibram 5 fingers but they filled with sand. I have settled on thin 1.5 mm booties than can be worn very tight, I have size 14 shoes yet use size 11.5 booties. They do not fill up with water or sand however the thin soles do not provide full protection but nothing in life is perfect.

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sboardcrazy said..

John340 said..
I wear boots for protection rather than warmth. I wanted a boot that didn't fill up with sand, grit or mud and fell like I don't have them on. After trying 3 or 4 brands, I've finally settled on Atan latex coated neoprene boots. I'm on to my second pair. they are made in France. You can get them on line from a UK and USA on-line retailer. There are different models to cater for different needs.
- high top or low cut
- different thickness
- round or camel toe

I think they are the ones Guy Cribb recommends for best feel.

The only "feel"n that is important is not to feel cold. Any other type of 'feel' is very over rated!

I've only been windsurfing for a couple of years. I wore booties from the beginning, but stopped at the start of last season. Everything became much easier. It's probably just a coincidence with me improving in general. I have had some nasty cuts on my feet since. And the last time I was out my feet were so cold, I lost all feeling in them after 20 minutes. They felt like stumps. I think I'll start wearing them again.

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mr love said...

izymiester said..


I been using these for last few weeks and they are amazing grip underneath and enough to grip well on Footstrap as you pull your toes up. Designed by a kitesurfer ( come on they can do some good things)

The wear and tear is minimal and should get great life out of them. They basically suck to shape of foot nice tight fit and individual toes don't even notice wearing them.

This was a kick-starter program I backed in August last year. Well worth the punt

They look really interesting Izy. Where can you get them?

I ordered them online

FYF.io

Have both short sock and long sock. Recommend both. Used short sock the other day and it was freezing feet were fine. Really good feel for feet and board straps still. Booties are pointless unless avoiding the icy cold waters like I sailed Jersey 12 degrees!

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izymiester said..

mr love said...

izymiester said..


I been using these for last few weeks and they are amazing grip underneath and enough to grip well on Footstrap as you pull your toes up. Designed by a kitesurfer ( come on they can do some good things)

The wear and tear is minimal and should get great life out of them. They basically suck to shape of foot nice tight fit and individual toes don't even notice wearing them.

This was a kick-starter program I backed in August last year. Well worth the punt

They look really interesting Izy. Where can you get them?

I ordered them online

FYF.io

Have both short sock and long sock. Recommend both. Used short sock the other day and it was freezing feet were fine. Really good feel for feet and board straps still. Booties are pointless unless avoiding the icy cold waters like I sailed Jersey 12 degrees!

Any good against spiky things....urchins, cobbers and stingrays

Love my Oneills lots of pairs and no complaints

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stroppo said...
Love my Oneills lots of pairs and no complaints

Which O'Neill boots are you referring to Stroppo? (Have had many pairs that fitted great but my latest ones are pretty uncomfortable!!!!)

The low cut super freak are the ones I use!

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kato said...

izymiester said..

mr love said...

izymiester said..


I been using these for last few weeks and they are amazing grip underneath and enough to grip well on Footstrap as you pull your toes up. Designed by a kitesurfer ( come on they can do some good things)

The wear and tear is minimal and should get great life out of them. They basically suck to shape of foot nice tight fit and individual toes don't even notice wearing them.

This was a kick-starter program I backed in August last year. Well worth the punt

They look really interesting Izy. Where can you get them?

I ordered them online

FYF.io

Have both short sock and long sock. Recommend both. Used short sock the other day and it was freezing feet were fine. Really good feel for feet and board straps still. Booties are pointless unless avoiding the icy cold waters like I sailed Jersey 12 degrees!

Any good against spiky things....urchins, cobbers and stingrays

They say that their not puncture proof but would definitely work well enough. I mean if you stand on a spike it's gonna go through most things.

Here is a few photos

Thanks Izy, Definitely going to give them a shot. Might need to start a new GPSTC Team..."The Hobbits"

Anyone know of a shop in Perth that has good stock of different brands of high cut booties (I.e. O'Neill, Rip Curl, Xcel, etc) for me to try on?

Not Perth or WA but SC Sailboards in QLD sent some NP boots over within a week. And they fit well too. I'll try them tomorrow in Augusta.