Wetsuit boots for winter SUPing

[SG50SUP]

Any one try Wetsox?  Apparently they are mfg right here in NJ, so I have some on order.
https://www.wetsox.com/

Would love to have these but they don't ship to Europe.  I use O'neill Mutant 6/5/4mm Split Toe boots under my Supskin. While they're comfy for cold paddle trainings, they can be a pain to get in and out of. Care to ship me a WETSOX Bean?

[supthecreek]

Area 10 said:
"Stop messing about and get 8mm Xcel round toe boots, and learn how to take them off"

My lower back has injuries, that I have held together for decades, by picking my battles.
After a long winter session, I am tired and wrong move may tweak something.

In my 50 years taking boots off, I have seriously strained my lower back and activated my herniated disc's, way too many times....
so I made the switch to zippered dive boots and am 1000% happier.

Unzip, stand up, slip out.... totally hands free.
I smiled today as I slid them off

I vastly prefer zippered boots, because they me MY needs.
My feet never get cold.
My coldest session in these boots?
      -5 degrees F (-20 C)

We are all different, so our solutions need not all be the same.

[JimK]

+1 to Creek. He turned me on to these Neosport zippered boots and they are the best warm, easy to get on/off, great grip, durable
I don't have any back issues just lazy

We offer the ZONER DISCOUNT on them too

Feel free to contact me PM or call 484 515 5758

JimK
Extreme Windsurfing

[yugi]

^^ Judging from your photos winter paddling, and knowing you're on surf-style SUPs which are much colder for feet [in water]: I'm listening.

Area 10, sounds like you are not changing in your vehicle! ...

You don't have water coming out when you take your booties off?

[mrbig]

Course I do. That's why I change in a trash bag inside with the heat on high.

[Area 10]

Area 10 said:
"Stop messing about and get 8mm Xcel round toe boots, and learn how to take them off"

My lower back has injuries, that I have held together for decades, by picking my battles.
After a long winter session, I am tired and wrong move may tweak something.

In my 50 years taking boots off, I have seriously strained my lower back and activated my herniated disc's, way too many times....
so I made the switch to zippered dive boots and am 1000% happier.

Unzip, stand up, slip out.... totally hands free.
I smiled today as I slid them off

I vastly prefer zippered boots, because they me MY needs.
My feet never get cold.
My coldest session in these boots?
      -5 degrees F (-20 C)

We are all different, so our solutions need not all be the same.

That comment wasn't aimed at you, but at Board Stiff, who was looking for boots to use for SUP surfing in freezing water and was wondering if he should buy zipped ones. As I'm sure you'll agree, boots with zips aren't great for surfing because they can never be quite as waterproof when fully immersed getting tossed around as a boot without a zip. And from what Board Stiff said he was already able to use normal boots so I presume has no back issues necessitating zipped boots. So I'm sorry if I offended you, and I am also sorry you have back woes, but I wasn't talking to you. I should have made it more clear who I was speaking to by eg. quoting him when I replied or using his name. But I was in a hurry so didn't, I'm afraid. Apologies again.

[supthecreek]

Area 10, No offense taken... I just feel that it's important to have alternative solutions considered.

About warmth....I totally disagree, Zipper Booties ARE great for surfing. I have worn both types for years.
I want people to understand that there are different choices out there, that they may not have considered.... because they are not part of the established surfing norm.
Many people have similar back issues when battling booties, and these really change the game.

boardstiff and I share the same New England waters.
I surf 5mm Zipper boots in super cold conditions all winter and have for years. I don't get cold surfing in them...
But....
For flat-water I use oversized Explorer Boots with 2 pair of heavy wool socks, because no wetsuit boot keeps my feet warm when encased in ice for hours... the Tall Explorers keep my feet dry and the heavy wool socks (x2) give me the separation from the ice. Like wearing good snow boots, in fact, I use them as snow boots.

I am a "keep it simple" kind of guy. Somewhere around 65 years old, I looked at every way to make wetsuits easy.

Now, while my buddies struggle to put their super high tech wetsuit gear on... I casually slip into mine... every part is designed for easy on/off and warm

My suits are all dive suits with FULL back zippers.... NOT the 3/4 Zips in surf suits.  They look & feel exactly like surf suits but cost less than $150, but mostly because they open up to easily accommodate my semi frozen shoulders.

When I buy a brand new suit... the 1st thing I do is cut the entire water-dam (flush guard) out of the back... again, for easy entry and the zipper won't get stuck on it.
My hood is attached to a thick rash guard. I cut the sleeves off for easy entry and freedom of movement.... it adds overall warmth to my suits by adding chest and back material.
My gloves all have the water-dams ripped out of the wrist area, so no more fighting with them... they slip on like butter.
Then the Zippered booties.
Suit is on AND off in seconds.... with no contortions or pulled muscles.
When you get older or injured... it all adds up 

[Bean]

My suits are all dive suits with FULL back zippers.... NOT the 3/4 Zips in surf suits.

Sorry to run off on a little tangent but here is something that I have often thought about.  The traditional (diving) wetsuits that we wore in the 70's with front zips, were uncomfortable for prone paddling back in the day.  But, for those of us who now only SUP surf, a front zip might be just the thing.  In addition to easy on and off, imagine the benefit being able to pull the front zip down a few inches to regulate the temp for instance.