Best winter bootie setup?

Chipotle · Since 26 Mar 2011 70 Posts

This will be my first winter kiting the PNW. I have a 6/5/4, but no idea what to do for the feet. Are split toed booties the best? Or are standard booties with hyperflex (or similar) neoprene socks warmer? I'm sure there are a lot of opinions; what works for you?

Aeolus · Fri Nov 04, 11 6:07 am

I'm going to put a vote in for split toe. When dancing around on a surfboard the lateral control is nice I think. Locked into straps I think you have more options.

broadbandito · Since 26 Apr 2005 342 Posts CSO headwaters WheatHead

Your best winter booty will be warm yet comfortable with the cold so she can assist with your kiting adventures. Laughing

Nak · Fri Nov 04, 11 8:27 am

The Atan "Hot Mistral" and the "Mistral". Very, very flexible and comfortable, feels more like a sock than a bootie. It's not neoprene, it's a silicone skin around a high tech insulator. It's so comfortable at first you think your foot might slip around inside it. No foot movement inside it though, at all. It kind of vacuum sucks on to your foot. Very, very warm. In the very worst conditions, my feet stay not just warm, but toasty warm in the Hot Mistral.

For the Oregon coast, you probably would only need the Mistral. When I wear my 5/3 wetsuit, at most I need the Mistral. When I switch over to my Drysuit, I switch to the Hot Mistrals. Although realistically, I could probably delay using the Hot a bit. But it's so comfortable, why bother waiting?

The Mistral is 3mm and the Hot is 5 or 6, but you can't really judge the Mistrals by their thickness, as the Hot is more flexible and comfortable than 3 mil neoprene, by a lot.

Both Mistrals eliminate the need for a split toe design. Just so flexible that you don't need it.

Hard to find in the US; I had to order mine from the UK. By now, maybe you can find them here.

I have no interest or connection to Atan, other than being a huge fan of the Mistrals. I hate cold feet. My only wish is that Atan would make a glove similar to the Mistral.

permagrin · Since 04 Sep 2007 17 Posts Hood River

LOVE my O'Neill Mutant Split Toe 3mm for the Gorge and the coast!

Warm, yet the thin bottom and split toe let me grip the board for both kiting and surfing. The close but non-constricting fit reduces water turnover and the pull tab on the heel helps in peeling them off. The split toe takes a minute to get used to but then is super comfy.

I wear them all winter long with my 5/4/3 Mod and they are easy to find at your local shop.

SpaceRacer · Since 04 Nov 2007 434 Posts Obsessed

Good post. Not wanting to hijack post but while we are on the subject, what about gloves? What do you swear by? My fingertips are always the most cold when winter water kiting.

Paul

Knot Kracker · Since 02 Jul 2008 130 Posts Clackamas River Stoked

The Gloves I use are the O'neill Psycho 3mm fluid seam weld. They have great gripping and I have used them as cold as the water gets without freezing. In the past I have used drysuit gloves and mittens, but neither they never gave me the amount of finger control to work with lines or knife.

The boots are a split toe Ocean Rodeo Coldfire Technology 5mm. They don't slip on the board and absolutely keep my toes toasty.

See John at Windance and he'll help you out.

Wind Slither · Since 04 Mar 2005 2620 Posts The 503 METAL

Another thing to consider is how easily you can get your booties on and off.

Besides the hassle/fatigue factor, one of my last pairs was in fine shape when the back just above the heel ripped out from pulling them on.

I got a pair of Hot Points and they go on/off real easy. They also have the internal split toe which I kind of like. The problem with the external split is that I always get a tear/leak in between the toes.

Justsmile · Since 20 Jul 2009 1530 Posts Not Portland XTreme Poster

My excel booties tore on the back at some stitching as I put them on. warm but now have added ventilation and draining that I did not need!!

Gman · Since 11 Feb 2006 4911 Posts Portland Unstrapped

if you dont have to jam them in straps - toasty

http://www.cleanlinesurf.com/products/Hotline-Reflex-7mm-Split-Toe-Boots.html

stringy · Since 23 Jun 2006 1735 Posts vancouver XTreme Poster

Justsmile · Since 20 Jul 2009 1530 Posts Not Portland XTreme Poster

also keeps the raisin hands from forming!!!!