The Best Dive Boots For Every Dive Condition

While not as important as your Dive Mask, BCD, or Scuba Regulator, your dive boots’ are easily overlooked as an important piece of scuba gear.  

Dive boots are designed to keep your feet warm and protect them from scratches, cuts, and blisters. But, the wrong pair can cause painful rubbing against your heels and toes, making for a terrible dive.

The best dive boots should feel secure, provide reinforcement, and most of all, be comfortable while carrying all your heavy dive equipment. They should also be durable and a last a long time. 

In this article, we are going to help you find the best scuba diving boots for your diving needs by providing a comparison table of our top ten picks, as well as a buying guide to help make your choice much easier.

Dive Boots Reviews

Below you will find reviews of the best dive boots we’ve come across.  The dive boots that are best for you will generally be determined by your personal preference and the type of diving you will be doing.

For instance, diving in colder water will require ticker boots than if you were diving the in tropic.  Also, if you’re planning on doing a lot of shore diving then you should opt for dive boots with thicker soles. 

Best Warm Water Dive Boots

If you planning on diving in warm water your dive boots don’t have to be very thick, a 3mm thick boots should be more than enough. Since you will be carrying around less dive equipment as well, heavy ankle support is generally not required and a low-cut pair of boots will work just fine. 

Best Temperate Water Dive Boots

Diving in temperate water generally requires dive boots around 5mm thick. You should go for a high-top as these provide better ankle support for heavier dive equipment. 

Best Cold Water Dive Boots

If you planning on diving in water temperatures between 10°C / 50°F and 18°C / 64°F, the best dive boots would be thicker than 5mm.

How To Choose The Best Dive Boots For Your Scuba Fins

If you are planning to dive with open-heel dive fins, having the right dive boots will let you dive more efficiently and comfortably. But, before you go ahead and buy just any boots, there are a few things you need to know before making your choice.

Dive Boots Size: Getting a proper fit

Your dive boots should fit snugly, without pinching, similar to your shoes. They are also sized similarly to your shoe size, so when shopping for new boots you should buy based on your current shoe size. If they’re too big, you can have less control over your Scuba Fins and excess water can enter the boots resulting in cold feet. Too small and they can be a painful distraction.

Choosing A Dive Boots: Thickness

The first thing you must do is determine how thick your dive boots must be. They are generally made from the same material as your wetsuits and come in pretty much the same thickness.

Generally, the thickness of your boots is determined by the type of diving you will be doing. For instance, if you are diving in tropical waters, then you will require booties with thinner material, about 3mm should do it. But, if you are diving in cold water, then you will defiantly need a dive boot 5mm and above.

The general rule of thumb is to wear the same thickness dive booties as your wetsuit.

Sole: Thickness and Grip

The type of sole will also be determined by the type of diving you intend to do. If you generally dive from a dive boat,  then a thin sole would be sufficient.

However, If you will be doing a lot of shore diving,  then you will need to buy dive booties with a thick sole to help you walk over sharp rocks and obstacles that would penetrate thinner soles.

No matter how thick the sole is, a proper grip is important. Grooves and patterns at the bottom of the boots prevent slipping, especially on wet dive boats. 

Cut: The Length Of The Boots

The cut of the dive boots is also very important as well.  If you’re going to be diving in warm water then a low to mid-top would be sufficient. For cold water diving, you will defiantly need the added protection of a high top. The high top also provides additional ankle support, which is well-needed when walking with all that heavy scuba equipment.

Closure: Sizzpers and Seams

Your scuba boots can be fastened in many ways, the more popular are zippers, velcro straps,  or simple slip-on.

Zipper fasteners make putting on your boots very simple but can leak water inside the boots without a zipper well or gasket. This can make them less effective in cold water.

Velcro straps and tabs keep your boots warmer and also allow you to adjust the fit to your liking.

Slip-on boots make putting on and taking off your boots very simple and can provide a comfortable and snug fit. However, they are generally found on low to mid-top boots making them ideal for warm water.

Caring For Your Dive Boots

Your dive boots require very minimal maintenance. It is pretty similar to how you would care for your wetsuit. Simply rinse and soak them in fresh water for a few minutes.  Allow them to dry thoroughly, then store them in a clean dry place out of direct sunlight.