they are not flippers of any kind, but kind of look like a pair of thick rubber socks??
2006-07-12 04:16:00 · 12 answers · asked by lily 2 in Sports ➔ Swimming & Diving
There's three different kinds of shoes you could be talking about:
- sand shoes, those plastic-mesh thingsthat let the water in but keep the sand out (in theory!) - useless for diving
- neoprene socks, which some snorkellers/divers wear under full-foot "slipper" fins to reduce chafing (a pair of thick woolly socks also works!)
- neoprene booties, which are for the "serious" divers with the open-heel, rigid foot-pocket-with-strap fins (don't try wearing normal socks with these fins!)
If you're going to be boat-diving, you can use the neoprene socks with either fin-type, but I wouldn't recommend them if you're going to have to walk anywhere (like, over a rocky beach) wearing dive gear. Where are you going for a holiday? (If e.g. Dahab - get boots, or you'll regret it!)
Best bet to buy new is a dive store - yes, they'll be more expensive than one of these budget warehouses, but they'll have a better selection, and be able to offer better advice on fit and suitability. (Decathlon salemen generally know everything about selling, but F-all about diving). Check your local telephone directory and dive magazines (or you could try the PADI website) for divestores near you.
If you're on a tight budget, eBay's not a bad idea - there's a whole section for dive gear, and quite often you find some good stuff in there (and for boots, well, they're not life-support equipment, so you don't need a lot of foreknowledge to buy a pair secondhand).
I've been a PADI Instructor for seven years, and seen too many eager novices turning up for their OWD courses with completely inadequate (usually budget-bought) kit. Exploding masks and snapping fins everywhere, and that was before we even got in the water! Don't let that happen to you!
I wish you all the best for your diving holiday.
2006-07-12 06:43:04 · answer #1 · answered by tjs282 6 · 2⤊ 3⤋
Don't try anything else than neoprene booties. In an regular dive shop you can find really good ones for less than 30 € which you surely will appreciate on a rocky beach. You can also try the second hand sales on the websites of dives schools and dive clubs.
2006-07-14 07:10:39 · answer #2 · answered by Monique A 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They are neoprene booties, and this is a great time of year to get them, as most places are selling out their summer stock. Check some of the larger chains -- Lobelaws, Target, KMart, Wallmart etc. You should find them there. If you go to a dive shop, you'll get good stuff, but it will be expensive!
2006-07-12 17:33:34 · answer #3 · answered by old lady 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I went to Jamaica last year and needed a pair. I picked up a pair from Primark for £3! Bargain! They didnt look too bad either! They have got them in their stores again this summer.
2006-07-12 11:19:54 · answer #4 · answered by clare_bell_uk 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
go to walmart, kmart, target. Remeber you get what you pay for. A good pair will have running shoe type bottoms and can run as much as $85.
2006-07-13 14:08:45 · answer #5 · answered by Divemaster 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have some...I got mine at Sports Authority, but you can probably get them at Walmart or Target during the summertime in their shoe department. =) Have fun!
2006-07-12 11:19:23 · answer #6 · answered by aloneinga 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Don use shoes, that is the cheapest way
2006-07-12 11:21:36 · answer #7 · answered by a_ebnlhaitham 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
check out wal-mart, target, or winners (i don't know if y'all have a winners store in the USA)
2006-07-12 11:19:40 · answer #8 · answered by ami 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
check target
2006-07-12 11:18:59 · answer #9 · answered by bobsled 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
they remind me of slippers
2006-07-12 11:22:37 · answer #10 · answered by sharky 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋