Keeping my toes warm in an Irish climate is something I put quite a lot of thought into. Lets face it - numb feet are not conducive to having a good time on the water - and while i’m not quite the Imelda Marcos of neoprene footwear - I definitely have a boot for every occasion.
At Surfdock we have a huge range of different wetsuit boot options. With the price of boots ranging from around the €35 mark to nearly €100 - what exactly are the differences and what should you be looking out for in a good pair of neoprene boots. We’ve looked at the range of O’Neill wetsuit boots to show you what differentiates a basic boot from one that will keep you warm for extended sessions in deep winter.
O’Neill Epic 5mm Round Toe Boot
The Epic is our bestselling all-year-round wetsuit boot in the shop. Available in all sizes from UK4 to UK13 this unisex boot offers a fit for everyone.
Key features are:
- 5mm neoprene
- Glued and blindstitched construction
- Robust sole
Who is it for:
This is the go-to boot for anyone who is looking for an entry level boot that is both comfortable and durable. It works well for both surfing and wind sports - with the lack of any tightening straps making it very easy to get in and out of footstraps.
O’Neill Mutant 6/5/4 Internal Split Toe Boot
The Mutant boot offers different panels of neoprene thickness combining flexibility and warmth. The internal split toe is a great take on the split toe without losing warmth on the outside by separating out the toes. The sole is soft to give a barefoot feel.
Key features are:
- 6mm, 5mm and 4mm neoprene
- Sealed glued and blindstitched construction
- Internal taped seams
- Fluid Flex Firewall Lining
- Loop at the heel to pull boot on and off
Compared to the Epic boot, the seams will let less water through and the softer sole offers better balance. The boot is easier to put on thanks to the loop on the heel and the thicker neoprene panels and inner lining will give more warmth.
Who is it for:
A great choice for surfers, paddleboarders, windsurfers and kitesurfers who like a split toe without wanting to compromise warmth. This boot will definitely keep you warm throughout the coldest months.
O’Neill Psycho Tech 5mm Round Toe Boot
The Psycho Tech top of the range boot from O’Neill offering great warmth while retaining flexibility. Tried and tested by the Surfdock Team it gives a great feeling on the board. The Technobutter 3 sealed seams and lining offer great heat retention. The heel loop makes it easy to pull on and off and the strap over the arch secures it properly in place.
- Key Features:
- 5mm neoprene
- Fluid seam weld exterior (which means that the glued and blindstitched seams have been covered to minimise water getting in)
- Technobutter 3 and TB3X Taped Internal Seams
- Arch Strap
- Heel Loop
Who is it for:
If you are looking for a premium boot for your cold water surfing, windsurfing or wingfoiling adventures, this is the boot we would recommend to give you excellent warmth and comfort. A 5mm in this boot will work for most people through the whole winter.
This boot is also available in split toe or 7mm.
I have to say the 7mm is a boot I really love. In February/March nothing beats having warm feet after 4 hours in the water.
Final thoughts
Another one of my favourites is the O’Neill 3mm Ninja Heat boot which is great for surfing around now (middle of November) and for windsports running later into the year. The 3mm Ninja is more like a split toe sock, so has a very soft sole to offer real barefoot feel on the board. It is really ideal for winging and windsurfing where you want to be able to get in and out of foot straps easily. There is a point somewhere after Christmas where I have to move to a more conventional thicker boot but this year O’Neill are launching a 5mm version of the Ninja sock so I am looking forward to trying those.
