Surfboard Footwear

george · Since 13 May 2012 33 Posts

Just wondering what booties you've worn that perhaps cause less denting of your board. I've seen some kayaking booties, or the O'Neill Freak Sneaks that appear to have more of a 'runner' type sole. I wonder if giving up some 'feel' for some ding protection is worth it, if in fact these type of boots do spread out the pressure more, and lessen damage to ones beloved board. Maybe the firmer sole material is worse?

Presently using a surf bootie, 5 and 7mm, and the bottoms also seem to wear out pretty fast with kiting.

Thanks a lot.

George

stevo911_ · Since 21 Aug 2011 9 Posts Victoria Kook

I've been wearing the Vibram Flows (neoprene) good protection from rocky/shelly/barnacle strewn beaches, my fave footwear I've tried so far, but I doubt they'd provide much more ding protection?
I suspect running an EVA deck pad in lieu of wax is probably the best solution.

ShiverMeTimbers · Since 26 Feb 2013 381 Posts Gig Harbor Obsessed

is your board fiberglass? denting is gonna happen. You could try a heavier glass schedule (6 oz vs. 4 oz) and/or different cloth (e, s, or volan) on your next board - or a different, more dense blank. You could also put another patch of glass on your current board, which will add some weight but keep you from denting it as much. A traction pad may help, but probably isn't the best option.

I don't think different booties are going to give you the protection you're seeking, and if you have a more cushiony sole than you'd probably loose some board feel. Dunno, just my opinion, FWIW. Good luck!

george · Since 13 May 2012 33 Posts

I have to say I'm not a big fan of a front pad on the boards I have. The one pad I've used is the black pad that comes with a Slingshot. I've taken it off and use wax up front and enjoy this more. Is there a thinner pad perhaps that can still give some protection? NSI's clear grip pad seems to be too thin for ding protection, but do others think this would be a decent compromise? The other board I have is more fragile than the bamboo SS Tyrant, and this is more the board I want to protect.

Thanks for the replies stevo911_ and ShiverMeTimbers. Sounds like changing footwear is not the solution I'm seeking.

Definitely want to keep as much of a surfing connection to the board as possible, and I guess there's no other way to prevent eventual sacrificing of a lighter board.

George

stevo911_ · Since 21 Aug 2011 9 Posts Victoria Kook

As a followup to shivermetimbers comment about a deck patch:
If you're not worried about modifying the board, take it to a surf shop and get them to glass a deck patch onto it. S glass is more resilient than E (S is for structural, E is for electronics, which is what it was originally designed for, S is more expensive than E, hence why you have to pay a premium for it to be used on most boards).

A patch on the bias will add quite a bit of impact resistance without really effecting the flex, as long as it's just a patch/ they don't wrap the rails. (The fibers in the cloth normally run tip to tail and rail to rail, a diagonal layer will make a big difference).
A 4oz patch wouldn't add much in the way of weight to the board either. Epoxy resin will make a stronger deck patch than poly (Lots of misinformation on this, you're looking for mechanical bond strength, epoxy bonds stronger on both poly & epoxy)

Carbon patches do a very good job of dispersing the load because carbon is much stiffer, the flipside being carbon is much stiffer, so it can have an impact on the flex (typically it's put under the glass too, not sure if it matters if it's on the outside)

***this is just for pressure dings from driving upwind/busting through chop, if you're jumping all bets are off

george · Since 13 May 2012 33 Posts

Stevo911_ thanks. I will give the patch a go, and depending on what the builder thinks, glass or carbon. No jumping, just riding along!

George

DROCK999 · Since 31 May 2007 852 Posts Left Coast Opinionated

GIT YOU SOME NIKE 360 AIR MAX'S, it's like landing on clouds