Select to expand quoteStretchy said..
This thread motivated me to give it another try. I ordered a pair of FCS booties. There are a few good options out there, but I went with these because I'm hoping that having 2 straps will make them more secure. I m normally size 10.5 or 11, so I went for size10, which seems to be a nice snug fit.
Ps: it's not a lawn shot, but maybe someone can comment on my grout? 
Tried these boots today in 25+kts and choppy conditions. A very good test of board control and I had no issues at all. I'm a convert!
www.getfyf.com/products/fyf I've used free your feet dyneema socks as a compromise. Didn't like any rubber boots but have tried a few over the decades. These socks are great when you have good grip on the board, they feel almost like bare feet but do get caught a bit with the split toes and wear a bit faster than I had hoped for the price.
I hate wearing boots but they help with board grip.
Just seen these - for those who hate boots and got no grip on the board. Called Nakefit
encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSOTHX0WR_LQiIV2XD5v-ih33IMwkIty0JO_OXYZmeyx8174uRaow
A soul for your soul
So ive tried both split toe n round. Give me the split toe ANY day. Round skwirms around too much under load. Might be ok for just cruisin around. But when push comes to shove. Its SPLIT TOE all the way.
Select to expand quoteStretchy said..
This thread motivated me to give it another try. I ordered a pair of FCS booties. There are a few good options out there, but I went with these because I'm hoping that having 2 straps will make them more secure. I m normally size 10.5 or 11, so I went for size10, which seems to be a nice snug fit.
Ps: it's not a lawn shot, but maybe someone can comment on my grout?
The issue I have with warm water booties is the low ankle cut, that is the height of the bootie. The low cut creates a gap between the ankle joint and the back of the heal, which catches sand (stirred up as you walk out in the shallow water) as you walk out to launch your board. The photo above shows this beautifully.
Sand in your booties creates a great rubber/sand/skin interface, particularly when there is pressure from you foot straps - great skin wear!
I've had to go back to using my O'Neil ninja booties to prevent this happening.
The bootie height needs to be increased by 20-30mm in my view so that it covers the ankle joint more and eliminates the recess gap between your ankle joint and heal.
Another thought I had was cutting the bottom out of a beer stubby holder and slipping this over your ankle joint, putting your booties on, then tightening the toggle. Sort of acts as a bootie "extender"
Anyone one else got any ideas on solving this problem?
Select to expand quotealexcrg said..
Possibly the greatest question of our era. Personally, I think there's nothing more comfortable than a perfectly fitting split toe booty. However, if the booty is either slightly too big or small, the results may not be pretty.
I love split toe . I have some for summer and bought a winter version.. They were so hard to get on I went for the next size up.. As they are roomier the hard ridge between the toes rubs me and is so painful I can't wear them..
I might try some leucoplast between the toes to see if that can protect things..
Select to expand quoteMastbender said..Stretchy said..
I would like to wear them to protect my feet, but I just can't tolerate the loss of control. Feels like driving a car with a pool noodle on the steering wheel 
I've never understood that opinion, as echoed by many of my friends, I find it like driving a car while wearing shoes, no big deal.
If you sail in cold water with rocky shores, they are awesome and take no time to get used to.
Many of my friends are always complaining about their sore feet, I hate sore feet, and being sore will give you a loss of sensitivity where you need it.
Plus in winter numb feet are useless..
I was wondering for winter how feasable some thin lycra / wetsuit socks would be under my splitoe summer booties? I'm not sure if the fit would be too tight though?
^^^ So a sock inside a split toe? Hhmmmm... thatd be like wearing socks with thongs. Thought that was a Vicco trait not NSW. No way would i wear it. Not on your life. Thatd be SOOOOO uncomfortable, even if it is lycra.
For the $$ invested i wish the manufacturers would make the soles a bit more wear resistant. Jumping all over a RB n rarely in the straps has me wearing thru the Big toe n ball of both boots in about 8months.
Select to expand quoteolskool said..
For the $$ invested i wish the manufacturers would make the soles a bit more wear resistant. Jumping all over a RB n rarely in the straps has me wearing thru the Big toe n ball of both boots in about 8months.
Agree, either the big toe gets a hole in it or the non slip pattern wears away
Select to expand quoteolskool said..
^^^ So a sock inside a split toe? Hhmmmm... thatd be like wearing socks with thongs. Thought that was a Vicco trait not NSW. No way would i wear it. Not on your life. Thatd be SOOOOO uncomfortable, even if it is lycra.
Were way more refined nowadays . Its socks in Crocks now. I definitely rock with socks in suede Crocks 
Nobody gets how cool i am .
Imax1, i knew you'd chime in! Socks n crocs eh.? Well thats definately a step in the right direction. Now you must get rid of that terry towelling hat. Before you migrate north.
Hate booties but couldn't feel the footstraps in winter so got a pair of Neil Pryde 3mm split toe booties.
Pleasantly surprised, very comfortable and warm as. I just hate adjusting straps.
Select to expand quoteImax1 said..olskool said..
^^^ So a sock inside a split toe? Hhmmmm... thatd be like wearing socks with thongs. Thought that was a Vicco trait not NSW. No way would i wear it. Not on your life. Thatd be SOOOOO uncomfortable, even if it is lycra.
Were way more refined nowadays . Its socks in Crocks now. I definitely rock with socks in suede Crocks Nobody gets how cool i am .
I get how cool you are Max . You're not alone though, I'm a super cool socks in crocks dude too when I go camping. I'm not sure why the other guys roll their eyes at me and look the other way, I guess they're envious 
Still loving my split toe booties, it's about the foot protection for me. I understand the issue with sand in booties, but hasn't been an issues with this set so far
Stretchy
I need to buy a new set for a Gnaraloo trip even though I hate booties
Wondering you you get on with yours as the strap buckle appears to be exactly where the footstrap would be?
Select to expand quoteMark _australia said..
Stretchy
I need to buy a new set for a Gnaraloo trip even though I hate booties
Wondering you you get on with yours as the strap buckle appears to be exactly where the footstrap would be?
Hi Mark. I haven't really noticed it.
I liked the idea of 2 boot straps, because previous attempts at booties, I have not liked the forward movement of my foot within the bootie. Split toe helps with that too of course. This model seems pretty good so far and I have not noticed any interference of the boot strap with the foot strap when sailing. I have got my foot stuck a few times gybing, but that happens to me barefoot too. I think I tend to have my footstraps too tight.
^ On the 'foot stuck' issue. Wont ride my RBs without booties. But shortboardin i hate them. Need to get in n out of straps quicker. Neoprene against neoprene = grip. Could just be me....
I wear boots almost all the time. Obviously in winter for the cold, but also in summer to avoid burned feet walking across the sand. All year round to avoid injuries from rocks and shells and stuff. They don't stop urchin spines but they do reduce them a bit.
I hate split toe boots. You have thick neoprene all round the boot then crappy thin stuff between the toes. It splits in no time at all. Hidden split is the best compromise.
I wear boots surfing and with and without straps. The grip is far superior. I think the "lack of sensitivity" argument is a bit thin. What exactly is it you can't feel through your boots? Are you reading braille with your tootsies?
The best boots I have ever owned are the NP Surf low cut. The ankle is high enough to close around the wetsuit leg and to keep out sand and shells that splash into the boot. There's nothing worse than having shell grit inside your boots. The low cut boots dry much quicker and don't get stinky like high cut ones do.
A tip, with a low cut boot if you stand flat footed in a shore break your boots will fill with sand and grit. If you jump off the bottom as the wave hits then the sand doesn't get in. You might look like a little kid hopping up and down in the waves but at least you'll have comfy feet.https://www.npsurf.com/collections/booties/products/origin-lc-round
9
I've always had split toe either NP or superfreak but for $55 they wear out in 6mnth so tried these round toe Quicksilver Synchro from BCF for $40 easy to get on, feel really good, and wearing well, so far?
www.bcf.com.au/p/quiksilver-mens-syncro-1mm-reef-walker-aqua-shoes/M53774208.html?dwvar_M53774208_color=Black&cgid=BCF061015
Select to expand quoteKJ said..Stretchy said..
This thread motivated me to give it another try. I ordered a pair of FCS booties. There are a few good options out there, but I went with these because I'm hoping that having 2 straps will make them more secure. I m normally size 10.5 or 11, so I went for size10, which seems to be a nice snug fit.
Ps: it's not a lawn shot, but maybe someone can comment on my grout?
The issue I have with warm water booties is the low ankle cut, that is the height of the bootie. The low cut creates a gap between the ankle joint and the back of the heal, which catches sand (stirred up as you walk out in the shallow water) as you walk out to launch your board. The photo above shows this beautifully.
Sand in your booties creates a great rubber/sand/skin interface, particularly when there is pressure from you foot straps - great skin wear!
I've had to go back to using my O'Neil ninja booties to prevent this happening.
The bootie height needs to be increased by 20-30mm in my view so that it covers the ankle joint more and eliminates the recess gap between your ankle joint and heal.
Another thought I had was cutting the bottom out of a beer stubby holder and slipping this over your ankle joint, putting your booties on, then tightening the toggle. Sort of acts as a bootie "extender"
Anyone one else got any ideas on solving this problem?
I found the same problem with low cut boots. Sand gets in. My solution is to wear O'Neil ninja boots year round. They are thin, supple, yet warm enough for winter. I dry them inside out and they dry quickly. They wear out quickly, but who cares at that price?
I wear Ronstan split toe sailing boots that look just like split toe but have a separator next to big toe. Comfortable, good fit, Velcro strap to keep firm on foot, very soft and supple sole with great grip.
Only problem ive had is that as mentioned with various boots above, sand and mud gets in around the ankles if walking around in sediment on sea bed and they would be susceptible to cuts if used around a lot of oyster shells.
overall though, I haven't worn anything else that comes close to these for feel and ease of slipping into straps.
i rarely go barefooot anymore, too much risk of nasty nicks and cuts at most locations.
Ive bought mine from Bob Fussell Sails at Warner's Bay NSW for $40 I think, so you may be able to get for a little cheaper than list price.
