Dive boots are an underrated piece of scuba diving gear. They have a lot of influence on how comfortable and safe you are underwater. It prevents cuts from pieces of sharp rock and makes walking through the entry point of a shore dive much more comfortable and will help you with your buoyancy control.
Not only will boots help you avoid marine life injuries, but they will also help keep your feet warm and cosy.
Although dive boots are not the most essential piece of scuba diving equipment, they do make the entire experience more enjoyable.
10 Best Dive Boots for Diving
There are many different kinds of dive boots and as with any scuba dive gear, the fit is extremely important. Fortunately, there is a slight stretch in the material so finding the right size that doesn’t cause any chafing is, in some ways, easier than finding a good pair of regular shoes.
Check out our recommendations for the best dive boots available this year and read up on the elements that make for the perfect fit in our quick buying guide.
1. Top Pick: Mares with 2mm Anti-Slip Rubber Sole
| Sole Type | Soft |
| Cut | Low |
| Thickness | 2 mm |
| Available Sizes | 4 – 14 (Men’s), 5 – 15 (Women’s) |
These simple slip-on unisex dive boots are from Mares, one of the most popular scuba gear brands. This pair has hundreds of rave reviews online so you can trust that this is yet another top quality product from Mares. The rubberized heel makes them perfect for wearing with fins but are just as comfortable when walking during a shore dive.
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The bottom is quite thick so it offers plenty of protection from painful sea urchins while still being very lightweight. One thing to note is that it has a slightly looser fit so many customers recommend buying one size smaller than your regular size.
2. Best Non-Slip for Fins: Cressi Ibiza 3mm
| Sole Type | Soft |
| Cut | Low |
| Thickness | 3 mm |
| Available Sizes | 5 – 14 (Men’s), 5 – 14+ (Women’s) |
These Cressie dive boots are a wonderfully versatile design that works just as well for scuba diving as it does for other water sports. However, its ingenious star element is the small ridge at the back of the heel that prevents fin straps on open heel fins from sliding down.
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Unlike many other designs, there is a consistent non-slip pattern on the sole so you can expect ultimate grip on slippery rock surfaces. It is also made with a strong neoprene material that is still super elastic for an amazing comfortable snug fit. This design has a large fit and good elasticity so reviewers recommend buying one size smaller than your regular.
3. Best for Cool Waters: Mares 5mm High Cut
| Sole Type | Soft |
| Cut | High |
| Thickness | 5 mm |
| Available Sizes | 4 – 15 (Men’s), 5 – 14+ (Women’s) |
Just like with your scuba diving suit, you will want a thicker dive boot when going on an underwater adventure in cooler waters. These Mares booties are perfect for that – it is a high cut design with a double neoprene lining measuring 5 mm thick.
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Besides the thicker neoprene layers, it also has a thicker reinforced heel which adds protection to the area at greatest risk of wear and tear. There is also a zipper on the outer side so that putting them on is just as easy as with a low cut design.
4. Best Hard Sole Dive Boots: SEAC Pro HD
| Sole Type | Hard |
| Cut | High |
| Thickness | 6 mm |
| Available Sizes | XX-Small – XX-Larger (Unisex) |
This hard sole design is perfect for the professional diver frequenting cooler waters between 50° – 60° Fahrenheit. The super thick hard sole protects you from any sharp underground while the 6mm thick neoprene acts as a great barrier for the cold.
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The watertight zipper on the inner side has a hook-and-loop closure so you won’t risk the zipper sliding down during the dive. It is also a wise choice for those logging in lots of hours since it has excellent arch support with an air bubble at the heel to reduce stress.
Although it has a sturdy design, it still gives enough flexibility and comfort in an open-heel fin. Also, double-check the size chart since it doesn’t follow regular US sizing.
5. Warmest Dive Boots: Cressi Isla
| Sole Type | Hard |
| Cut | High |
| Thickness | 5 -7 mm |
| Available Sizes | 5 – 13 (Men’s), 6 – 14 (Women’s) |
Designed for watersports in cold water, these booties do an excellent job of keeping your feet warm in temperatures under 62 degrees Fahrenheit. You have the choice between 5 mm and 7 mm thick neoprene with equal elasticity at both thicknesses.
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Cressi recommends this model for extreme sports like canyoning because it has a thick hard sole with good grip, perfect for protection and comfort on sharp rocks. The sole to ankle inner zipper has a flap that prevents water seepage while also preventing the zipper from sliding down.
There is a boss on the heel that helps keep the fin strap in place. Cressi claims the boots run small so consider buying one size up.
6. Most Durable: ScubaPro Delta
| Sole Type | Soft |
| Cut | High / Low |
| Thickness | 3 – 5 mm |
| Available Sizes | 4 – 11 (Unisex) |
ScubaPro is one of the most trusted scuba diving gear brands because its owner is a PADI certified Master Diver himself. In other words, you can trust that careful trust has been put into the fit, comfort, and durability of each and every design.
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The Delta comes in two models; 3 mm low cut dive shoes and 5 mm high cut dive boots. Both have built-in arch support, a fin strip holder and an anti-slip tread with non-marking sole. The high cut version has a long zipper with added velcro to prevent slipping.
7. Best Fit for Women: Aqualung Ellie Ergo Boot
| Sole Type | Soft |
| Cut | High |
| Thickness | 5 mm |
| Available Sizes | 5 – 10 (Women’s) |
The Aqualung Ellie boot is one of the best investments a female scuba diver can make. It has a lifetime warranty for sole delamination and a 1-year limited warranty – not to mention its excellent fit. These high cut dive boots purposefully don’t have a zipper for maximum water resistance which naturally keeps your feet warmer for longer.
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However, getting into them is no issue since the neoprene above the ankle is very elastic which also makes it a snug and comfortable fit for women’s calves. Also, it has the anatomically correct Ergo footbed and outsole plus an extra layer of protection on the instep, outsole, and toe for maximum durability.
8. Best Fit for Men: Aqualung Echozip Ergo Boot
| Sole Type | Soft |
| Cut | High |
| Thickness | 6.5 mm |
| Available Sizes | 5 – 13 (Men’s) |
Many dive gear manufacturers create unisex pieces so when a manufacturer specifies the sex on a product, you know that there are a lot of design details specifically for a better fit. That is the case with these men’s Echozip Ergo dive boots.
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The Ergo footbed shape is anatomically correct with an asymmetric toe and instep. The design is extra durable thanks to the heel cap, non-corrosive zipper, and vulcanized rubber outsole.
9. Best for Travel: Phantom Aquatics 3 MM
| Sole Type | Soft |
| Cut | Low |
| Thickness | 3 mm |
| Available Sizes | 5 – 12 (Men’s & Women’s) |
Packing all your personal dive gear adds a lot of bulk to your luggage so the occasional recreational scuba diver would do well to choose an easily packed model that is super lightweight. A great contender is this cool design by Phantom Aquatics made of 3 mm thick nylon neoprene with a rubber sole suitable for all kinds of water sports.
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The non-slip sole is very thick with excellent grip and a flat surface in the instep arch for more freedom of movement. The outsole reaches up at the heel which is also useful in keeping the fin strap in place. These dive shoes run very largely. Reviewers recommend getting 2 sizes smaller than your regular size.
10. Most Durable: O’Neill Men’s Tropical Booties
| Sole Type | Soft |
| Cut | Low |
| Thickness | 3 mm |
| Available Sizes | 6 – 13 (Men’s) |
Some wear and tear is normal for any neoprene scuba diving equipment but these dive boots will last you longer than the average pair. Besides the stretchy 3mm neoprene there is an extra layer of protection from the toes to the upper arch and along the back of the heel.
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The design ends a little higher than a low cut but not as high as the average high cut booties. However, it stays in place nicely due to the thicker rim just above the ankle and slips on easily, especially when pulling it up with the small flap. Note that this model runs small. Consider buying a pair that is 1 – 2 sizes bigger than your regular shoe size.
Dive Boots Buying Guide
Buying scuba diving boots is quite different from buying regular shoes. They are sports equipment so there are specific design elements that are very important for functionality, safety and fit.
These are the top tips you need to know when buying new scuba diving booties.
Thickness
Just like wetsuits, dive boots have different neoprene thicknesses, usually ranging between 2mm to 7mm. The same general rules about choosing the right thickness for a dive suit also apply to the booties.
In other words, match the dive boot thickness to the thickness of your dive suit. 2 – 5 mm is sufficient for warm water dives above 62° Fahrenheit while a minimum of 5 mm is recommended for cold water dives with temperatures below 62° Fahrenheit.
Type of Sole
There are 2 sole types; a hard sole and a soft sole. As their name suggests, a hard sole is stiffer while a soft sole is more flexible. Most models will fit in an open sole fin but there is some personal preference to it.
Cold water divers might prefer hard soles for the extra insulation and added buoyancy of the weight. Shore divers and those scuba diving in sharp rocky formations might also prefer a hard sole.
Thinner soles are preferred for boat diving because they are easier to slip on and off. They are more lightweight and so great for scuba diving vacations.
Boot Cut
There are two main design types; one with a low cut and one with a high cut. This cut is not there for the aesthetics, it serves as a way to preserve body heat.
That is why most thinner warm water booties have a low cut while thicker cold water booties generally reach higher up the calf. High cut dive boots fold over the leg bottoms of a dive suit which further prevents water from seeping in.
For ease of stepping in and out, high cut boots usually have a zipper. Make sure that it is watertight and has a zipper lock to prevent water from sneaking in.
Fit & Sizing
Dive boots should feel snug, just like a dive suit. However, you still want enough stretch so that you are more flexible in the water and can get a better grip when stepping on slipper rock formations.
Because of the tighter fit, it is unlikely that your regular shoe size is the same as your scuba diving boots size. Be sure to check the reviews of a product for hints on whether the model runs larger or smaller or better yet, check the brand’s sizing chart whenever available.
Maintenance and Care
You can expect some wear and tear but slow it down by always taking the correct neoprene cleaning and deodorizing steps. Just like a dive suit, they should be rinsed and soaked in freshwater and dried away from direct sunlight.
Certain manufacturers offer a warranty on the sole and/or other parts. This is always a welcome element of customer service.
