The selection of surf shoes is huge. But why do I need surf shoes at all, how do I find the right ones and which are the best?
What many people don’t know: There are 4 characteristics by which you can recognize good neoprene shoes.
Save up to 70% of time when choosing the right surf shoes with this comparison. Avoid buying mistakes!
In this article you will find out:
- 6 of the most popular reef and winter booties reviewed.
- 2 reasons why surf shoes are a good idea.
- 4 features by which you can recognize good surf shoes [incl. Checklist].
- 4 tips for the correct care of neoprene shoes.
You’re guaranteed to find the right neoprene shoes!
The top 3 neoprene shoes for reef spots and cold water reviewed
Don’t fancy trying out countless surf shoes in the store?
In our surf shoe comparison, we have compared some of our favorites based on various purchase criteria.
As a result, you will find our top 3 reef booties and top 3 winter booties for men and women in a direct comparison:
Top 3 surf shoes for reef spots [Vergleich]
Neoprene: 100% chloroprene rubber
- cut slightly higher than other Reef booties for more support and control
- Split toe on the sole closed from the outside to prevent entanglement
- thin material for hot days, with Velcro buckle on the instep/heel and ankle cord
Neoprene: 100% chloroprene rubber (breathable Airprene-E 3 neoprene)
- low cut for high flexibility and good board feel
- Mesh water flow panels, ventilation slits, Velcro buckle on instep/ankle and ankle cord, pull-on aid
- Coral-resistant but very flexible and sensitive sole
Neoprene: 100% chloroprene rubber
- extra low cut, pronounced deep toe for maximum board feel
- Velcro buckle on the instep/ankle and ankle cord
- Ventilation slits, extra “traction pad” trim on the sides and heel for optimum power transmission during advanced maneuvers
Top 3 surf shoes for cold water [Vergleich]
Neoprene: 100% Limestone chloroprene rubber
Lining: ThermoCarbon (fibers made from recycled plastic and bamboo charcoal)
- High cut, with Velcro buckle over the instep for a good fit, strap to help you put them on
- excellent protection against the cold thanks to Round Toe and quick-drying Thermo Light lining
- light weight, hard-wearing sole with good grip
Neoprene: 85% Yulex™ FSC-certified natural rubber and 15% chlorine-free synthetic rubber;
Lining: 95% polyester (51% recycled) and 5% elastane;
Outer material: 88% recycled polyester and 12% elastane
- High cut, fits perfectly, very good protection against the cold thanks to quick-drying micro-mesh lining
- Supratex sole with Tatex rubber contact points for very good grip and high flexibility
- skin-friendly, environmentally friendly: up to 70% less CO2 emissions than conventional neoprene
Neoprene: 100% chloroprene rubber
- High cut, internal split toe, with Velcro buckles over the instep/heel and on the lower calf
- fluffy and quick-drying thanks to Rip Curl Flash Dry material, completely sealed inside with Flash Lining
- Rough sole with good grip
Note: The right size of surf shoes is crucial so that our respective recommendation fits you like a glove in the end.
Other well-known brands and manufacturers are: Quicksilver, Roxy, Billabong, Ion, FCS and Empty.
How can you tell if the surf shoe fits?
You should attach importance to the following characteristics:
- Does the shoe fit snugly without the toes curling?
- Is there a thin, robust and non-slip sole?
- Are there tabs on the heel to help you put them on?
- Is the material quick-drying?
- Are split toes available?
By the way: If you’re looking for a nice gift for a surfer but don’t know their preferred bootie model and size, we have a few other great gift ideas here.
Discover in the following buying guide which important features are important for surf shoes and how they affect surfing behavior.
2 reasons why surf shoes are a good idea
When we dream of surfing, we first think of board shorts, bikinis – and bare feet. Of course, with bare feet you feel particularly close to your beloved surfboard.
However, there are 2 reasons why wearing surf shoes is a good idea:
- They keep you warm.
- They protect against injuries caused by sharp-edged reefs or sea urchins, for example.
Choosing the right neoprene shoes now depends on the reason why you decide to buy them.
Did you know? If you value a barefoot feeling, neoprene socks could be a good alternative to neoprene shoes!
#1) You also want to surf in colder water
Feet hanging out in the water while surfing. This can quickly become uncomfortable at temperatures below 15 degrees at the latest.
The solution:
Shoes made of thicker neoprene (from 3mm) keep your feet warm – and not just in the depths of winter.
Even at a water temperature of 15 or 16 degrees, wearing surf booties can significantly extend the duration of a surf session!
Anyone who has ever tried to stand on a wave with frozen, numb toes knows what we’re talking about.
Whether you’re a tough coldwater surfer or a sensitive frostbite: add a pair of winter booties to your wetsuit and your feet will stay warm and protected in the water.
#2) You want to surf reef spots
Surfing on rocky ground means walking short and long distances over hard rock edges or rough volcanic rock. When you watch some surfers doing this egg dance into the lineup, it hurts just to watch!
The rather thin reef booties (1-2 mm) protect you from painful entries and exits, as well as from nasty reef cuts caused by rock edges or razor-sharp coral reefs.
Cuts often become infected and can end a surf trip abruptly or at least shorten it considerably. Reef booties are a great way to avoid this.
You are also better protected from unpleasant encounters with sea urchins, jellyfish or petermales with this type of surf shoe.
Buying guide: What to consider when buying surf shoes?
Whether for men, women or children, surf shoes are available in many variations and price ranges.
The most important criteria when buying neoprene shoes are:
To make it easier for you to choose the right surf shoes, we will show you the most important features you should look out for below.
Thickness: Between 2 and 7 millimeters
Which thickness you choose depends on:
- the water temperature,
- the weather,
- Your personal sensitivity to cold.
As a rule of thumb:
The thicker the neoprene, the warmer BUT also the less feel you have for your surfboard.
The following table gives you an initial indication of which material thicknesses are suitable for which water temperatures.
| Degree | Recommendation |
|---|---|
| < 7 °C | Winter booties 6mm, 7mm, 8mm |
| 7-14 °C | Winter booties 3mm, 4mm, 5mm |
| 14-18 °C | Reef booties 1mm – 2mm or winter booties 3mm |
| > 18 °C | Reef booties 1mm – 2mm |
Reef booties are quite thin with a material thickness of 1mm – 2mm and are suitable for warm waters.
The following applies to winter boots: For water temperatures below 8°, surf shoes with a thickness of at least 7mm are recommended. For temperatures between 7° and 14°, shoes around 5mm are suitable.
Shape: Split or round toe?
A split-toe model is recommended for good support, a comfortable fit and sufficient flexibility.
With the split toe, the big toe has its own ‘compartment’. The best:
In our experience, split-toes provide more board feel when reviewed against round-toe neoprene shoes.
Separate toes do not make sense for winter booties, as they have a poorer warming effect. There is therefore a risk that the big toe will cool down more quickly.
This means:
Real winter surfers choose thick winter surf shoes with a round toe (all toes together). In winter, one thing is more important than the perfect board feel: warm feet!
Well-known surf brands such as Billabong have recognized the split-toe trend. They now also offer winter booties that have a round-toe shape on the outside but have an extra compartment for the big toe on the inside.
The advantage: if the toe compartment is connected to the outside of the bootie, you won’t get caught with your leash between your toes.
The combination doesn’t come close to the original split toe, but at least your feet stay warm.
What shape should I choose if my second toe is longer than my big toe?
Attention: People whose second metatarsal bone is longer than the big toe (= so-called Morton’s toe) prefer the round-toe shape. If you still want to wear Spli-Toe with this toe shape, you should definitely try the shoes on in the store beforehand and test their comfort.
Material: what matters in a surf shoe
Surf shoes are made of neoprene (chloroprene rubber), a synthetic rubber based on petroleum or limestone. Neoprene is a particularly suitable material as it has a heat-insulating effect.
Are there surf shoes made from sustainable materials?
Only the manufacturer Patagonia has so far produced (mostly) sustainable surf clothing.
Neoprene from Patagonia consists of 85 percent plant-based bio-rubber from FSC-certified production. The remaining 15 percent is also made of synthetic material.
In addition, a surf shoe usually has a thin hard rubber sole. The sole must fulfill 2 purposes:
- It must be strong enough to withstand contact with sharp-edged reefs, rocks or the spines of sea urchins.
- At the same time, the sole must be flexible and non-slip enough to still have a good feel for the surfboard.
Not an easy task. Many surfers don’t like the restricted board feel on their feet and therefore prefer to do without the additional protection altogether.
Quite a few surfers believe that they even have a better grip with surf booties than without!
For Reef booties, we recommend the Rip Curl Reefer with non-slip rubber sole for better grip. When it comes to winter booties, the Rip Curl FlashBomb with Hidden Split-Toe shines with good grip.
There are differences in the material, especially in the lining of winter booties. Depending on the lining, the shoe has different properties in terms of:
- Heating effect
- Ability to dry quickly
- and flexibility of the shoe.
The test of various linings shows that most linings have a good warming effect and flexibility. The Rip Curl FlashBomb with Hidden Split Toe is recommended for those who value a very quick-drying lining .
Size: How to avoid buying mistakes
Above all, surf shoes must fit well.
The size of surf shoes usually corresponds to your normal shoe size.
If you are between two sizes, choose one size smaller.
The surf boots should fit as tightly as climbing shoes, without the toes being clawed or pulled in or pushed over each other.
The most important thing:
As with the wetsuit, a tight fit that feels a little too tight in the dry is just right.
Under no circumstances should the shoes be too big!
A poor fit usually means a lot of water gets in and you lose your feel for the surfboard.
If the booties slip, you will also quickly get unpleasant blisters or open sores.
Anyone who surfs a lot knows:
Open sores and wounds that are constantly exposed to salt water heal very poorly.
Proper care of surf shoes
If you want your surf shoes to last a long time, you should take good care of them.
The same applies to the wetsuit:
- Wash your surf shoes thoroughly with fresh water after use.
- Avoid bad odors by drying your surf shoes well after use.
- Be careful when drying! Never expose neoprene shoes to direct UV rays for too long.
- Use Shoe-Goo to repair tears and small holes quickly and easily.
If you follow these 4 tips, your surf shoes can last for several years, even with regular use.
Now it’s up to you
Now you have all the information you need to find the perfect surf shoe and enjoy it for a long time.
Which surf shoe have you chosen or do you still have a question? No matter what, we would be delighted to receive a short comment from you. Stay loose and share the love.
By the way, do you already know our 10 tips for learning to surf? You’re guaranteed to ride every wave!
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