Boots and Shoes

Dive boots do two jobs: they protect your feet on the walk in, and they give an open-heel fin something to hold on to. Water shoes cover the rest, from slipways and boat decks to rocky shores. We stock boots and shoes from Aqualung, Beaver, DynamicNord, Fourth Element, Scubapro, Tusa and Waterproof, in soft and hard-soled styles. Size them with the fins and socks you actually dive in.

Neoprene dive boot with a moulded grip sole on wet sand

Expert advice
Talk to divers who use the kit we sell.
Servicing and repairs
Regulators, cylinders, drysuits, BCDs and computer batteries.
Rutland dive centre
A real shop in Oakham, with training and pool sessions.
UK delivery
Posted across the UK. Ask about lead times on special orders.

At Dive Rutland we know the right footwear makes a difference both underwater and on the walk down to it. Choosing dive boots or water shoes is not only about comfort: it affects safety, performance, and how much you enjoy your time in the water. Here is how to work out which is right for you.

Consider your activities

Think about the type of diving or water activity you will be doing. Are you exploring UK lakes, diving in cold water, snorkelling on coral reefs, or walking along rocky beaches? Different activities call for different features, from insulation to sole grip, so the footwear needs to suit the environment you are actually in.

Water temperature and conditions

Water temperature and conditions play a large part in the choice. For cold-water diving, a thicker insulated boot offers more insulation than a thin one. In warmer water or on tropical trips, lightweight flexible boots or water shoes give comfort and freedom of movement. Hard surfaces, slippery rocks and boat decks all call for soles with good traction.

Fit matters

A well-fitting boot or water shoe is essential. Try different sizes and styles, and wear the socks or drysuit you intend to dive in so the fit is realistic. Look for snugness without pressure points, and make sure the footwear stays secure when you are kicking or walking on uneven ground. Sizing varies between manufacturers, so check the manufacturer specification rather than assuming your usual size carries across brands.

Sole grip and protection

Slip-resistant soles matter, especially on wet surfaces or sharp terrain. Reinforced toes, heel protection, drainage holes and ankle support can all add to safety and comfort. We stock boots and shoes chosen for grip and durability rather than for how they look on a shelf.

What we stock

Dive boots and water shoes from Aqualung, Beaver, DynamicNord, Fourth Element, Scubapro, Tusa and Waterproof, in soft and hard-soled styles, including rock boots for drysuits with soft socks. If you are pairing boots with open-heel fins, bring the fins in or tell us the model, because the two are sized together.

Choosing dive boots or water shoes does not have to be complicated. Work out what you will be doing, what conditions you will face, and how the footwear fits, and you will be ready to enjoy every moment in and around the water. Our team are always happy to help you pick the right pair.

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Frequently asked questions

It depends on the fin. Open-heel fins are designed to be worn with a boot, and the boot is part of how the fin fits, so the two should be chosen together. Full-foot fins are worn on a bare foot and are not designed to take a boot. If you already own fins, bring them in or tell us the model, and size the boot with the fin rather than on its own.

Sizing varies between manufacturers, so check the manufacturer specification rather than assuming your shoe size carries across brands. Try boots on with the socks you actually dive in, and with your fins if you have them. A boot should be snug without cramping your toes, and it should not lift off the heel when you walk, because that movement will be worse when you are finning.

A dive boot is built to work with an open-heel fin and to give insulation and protection for diving, usually with a higher cut and a sole meant for walking over rough ground to the water. A water shoe is lighter and lower cut, designed for slipways, boat decks, beaches and rocky shores rather than for finning. Plenty of divers own both and use them for different parts of the same day.

If your drysuit has soft neoprene or fabric socks rather than an attached hard boot, then yes, you will need a rock boot worn over the sock to walk in and to hold the fin. Sizing has to allow for the sock and whatever undersuit layer runs into it, so a rock boot is usually larger than your normal shoe size. Tell us which suit you dive and we will help you get the sizing right.