Winter clothing

[Steve509926]

Originally Posted by mhill

Rock or Canyon boots are great with a dry suit, would also recommend a windproof jacket if your sitting still for a while.
Layers underneath or a Woolly Bear, no hoodies! Merino wool base layers are worth the investment too.

So what Rock or Canyon boots do you recommend without laces, as all the ones I've looked at (thinking of buying some) appear to have laces?

[mhill]

I have NortherDiver boots, had them 5/6 years and seem ok so far.

[Steve509926]

Originally Posted by mhill

I have NortherDiver boots, had them 5/6 years and seem ok so far.

These ones with the velcro fastening and buckles?


https://www.ndiver.com/safety-rock-swim-boots-2

[mhill]

Originally Posted by Steve509926

These ones with the velcro fastening and buckles?


https://www.ndiver.com/safety-rock-swim-boots-2

https://www.ndiver.com/freestyle-safety-boots-v2-2

These ones.

[Steve509926]

Originally Posted by mhill

https://www.ndiver.com/freestyle-safety-boots-v2-2

These ones.

IMO very heavy, serious "search & rescue" boots. A bit of overkill for my needs.

The Rock swim boots, light, very comfortable, more suitable for my needs in a sib, and the lace loops go neatly under the velcro ankle strap. Think I could easily wear these all day.

[Steve509926]

Double post

[Pikey Dave]

Originally Posted by mhill

Yes, laces are a snag risk & trip hazard and who wants to be bending over tying laces in a bulky kit, there is also the way wet laces that then dry always seem to be a total git to undo.



Definitely want them correctly fitting and secure but personal preference would not be for laces.



As above.

Fair enough. But tbh I haven’t encountered any of those problems, never even entered my head. My missus wears a pair of wetsuit bootees with the hard soles & zips up the side with her dry suit, & those work well too. All down to personal preference I guess.

[beamishken]

Originally Posted by Pikey Dave

Fair enough. But tbh I haven’t encountered any of those problems, never even entered my head. My missus wears a pair of wetsuit bootees with the hard soles & zips up the side with her dry suit, & those work well too. All down to personal preference I guess.

I wear scubapro lace up rock boots too I'd never given it a thought either tbh. I find anything with zips is a pita around salt water & velcro never seems very reliable for anything you want to stay tight

[Peter_C]

Originally Posted by mhill

Yes, laces are a snag risk & trip hazard and who wants to be bending over tying laces in a bulky kit, there is also the way wet laces that then dry always seem to be a total git to undo.

Sounds plausible for entrapment. I tend to tie my laces before putting the top of the drysuit on unless it is raining or really cold. Even still flexibility is easy in the correct sized drysuit. Gotta be able to reach those tanks valves! Well and put your fins on.

I too have never had an issue and although some use bungee for laces, it still has a loop. D.U.I one of the top USA drysuit manufacturers for the military, rescue, and civilian industries, has laces on their Rock Boots with a few improvements. https://www.divedui.com/collections/...cts/rock_boots Sure wouldn't be hard to sew on a couple pieces of Velcro.

The first class in GUE (GLobal Undersea Explorers training) is Fundamentals where not only are your scuba survival skills tested, your dive gear is scrutinized by the instructors for every clip, d-ring, and any other hazards. Two of our three person team had on Chuck Taylors with laces. GUE are some of the foremost cave divers and one of our instructors has set many records. He was tough on us in every way. Not a word about shoe laces though. *shrugs*

Fortunately there are many choices and each person can choose to do as they wish

[jeffstevens763@g]

As a commercial diver I wore lace up rock boots over my dry suit boots for years never got snagged ever but if your risk assessment is not for you fair enough