12 Best Dive Boots 2023 | Snorkel & Scuba Dive Boots Review
You don’t have to be an expert diver to know that walking on sharp rocks and coral reefs with your bare feet is not a fun time (and neither is losing your feet to hypothermia). That is where dive boots come in. However, not all diving shoes are created equally.
Some diving boots have soft soles, which are great for comfort, while others have hard bottoms, which are great for walking on sharp and hot surfaces (like sand). There are high-cut dive boots for increased ankle support when carrying heavy gear (like a scuba BCD) or low-cut dive boots for those divers who enjoy a more natural feel.
With all these different choices, choosing the right diving shoe can be tough. Luckily, these honest diving boots reviews show you everything you need to know before making a purchase.
There are 3 parts to this article:
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QUICK LOOK
Click on the dive boots names in green below to view any of the 12 best dive boots on amazon.
(Don’t forget, you can jump to the Info Section to find out about what to look for in dive boots or check out the Diving Squad Dive Boots Reviews where we take a detailed look at each dive boot)
A) BUDGET / BEGINNER Dive Boots
#1 – Most Budget-friendly Dive Boots: Sarhlio Dive Boots
#2 – Best Beginners Dive Boots: Promate Dive Walker
#3 – Best Low-Cut Boots: Mares 2mm Dive Boot
#4 – Best Warm Water Dive Boots: Cressi Minorca
B) MID RANGE Dive Boots:
#5 – Best Scuba Boots(Top Pick): Mares Classic 5mm
#6 – Best Cold Water Dive Boots: Cressi Isla
#7 – Best Value for Money Dive Boots: Akona Standard
#8 – Best High-Cut Dive Boots: BPS Storm
C) HIGH-END Dive Boots:
#9 – Best Intermediate Dive Boots: Neo Sport Premium
#10 – Most Versatile Dive Boots: Tilos TruFit
#11 – Most Durable Dive Boots: SEAC Pro
#12 – Most Protective Dive Boots: Mares Trilastic
Best Dive Boots Reviews
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a) BUDGET: Best Dive Boots Reviews
Click the green text below to jump to the Diving Squad Review for that dive boot!
#1 – Most Budget-friendly Dive Boots: Sarhlio Dive Boots
#2 – Best Beginners Dive Boots: Promate Dive Walker
#3 – Best Low-Cut Boots: Mares 2mm Dive Boot
#4 – Best Warm Water Dive Boots: Cressi Minorca
(Jump to the Info Section to read about What to Look for in Dive Boots).
The Sarhlio dive boots are the most cost-effective pair of boots on this list, making them the ideal dive shoes for beginners of the sport. Due to their 3mm thickness, they are good for dives in tropical waters (like the Red Sea).
Sarhlio dive boots are made from ethically sourced materials that are ROHS certified and free of BPA plastics. They are low-cut boots, which are great for snorkeling with your open-heeled or full-foot snorkeling fins.
PROS:
- Budget-friendly
- Good thickness for warm water
- Low-cut style for increased movement
CONS:
- No ankle support
The Promate Dive Walker Lite diving boots are the ultimate beginner’s boots. They are affordable and comfortable thanks to the 3mm neoprene material used in the shoes. Due to their thickness, these boots are best used in tropical water dives.
They have a high-grade zipper that allows you to put on and remove the dive boots easily. They are also designed in a way that there is a curved lip at the heel, which fits tightly against fin straps.
PROS:
- Affordable
- Lightweight
- 3mm thickness great for warm waters
- Soft soles are good for wide feet
CONS:
- Not good for cold waters
#3 Best Low-cut Boots
If you’re someone who spends a lot of time chasing the perfect wave, then this is the surfer boot for you. The Mares 2mm dive boot is a lightweight shoe that is perfect for traveling.
These diving booties have soft rubber soles that are comfortable but still provide protection from the hot sand or sharp rocks upon entry to the beach. It is also the ideal thickness to provide warmth while still being able to feel the board’s movements underneath your feet.
The Mares 2mm Diving Boot is low-cut, which gives you even more freedom of movement.
PROS:
- Great for surfing
- Lightweight and easy to travel with
- Natural feel low-cut design
CONS:
- Not thick enough for cold water
- No ankle support
Another pair of superstar products from the Cressi team are the Minorca diving boots. These are ideal for warm water dives because they are only available in a thickness of 3mm. They are also good for travel because of their lightweight nature.
The soft soles of these boots make them super comfortable for all feet types and sizes. The Cressi Minorca is not just built for comfort; the heel and toe are reinforced with rubber for those extra-harsh surfaces.
These are high-cut diving boots, making this the perfect pair of boots to match with your best scuba gear because your ankle will be supported.
PROS:
- Lightweight
- Good for warm water
- Comfortable soft sole
- Ankle support
CONS:
- Not suitable for cold water
b) MID RANGE: Dive Boots Reviews
Click the green text below to jump to the Diving Squad Review for that dive boot!
#5 – Best Scuba Boots(Top Pick): Mares Classic 5mm
#6 – Best Cold Water Dive Boots: Cressi Isla
#7 – Best Value For Money Dive Boots: Akona Standard
#8 – Best High-Cut Dive Boots: BPS Storm
(Jump to the Info Section to read about What to Look for in Dive Boots).
The Mares Classic 5mm Dive Boots are the perfect partners for your scuba fins. Made from 5mm neoprene rubber, these soft sole boots are designed with comfort in mind. The contoured heal allows for a snug fit when putting on your open-heel scuba fins.
When it comes to scuba diving, you want to ensure that your boots have good ankle support. The Mares Classic 5mm Dive Boots are high-cut, which ensures that you have adequate protection when carrying heavy scuba gear.
PROS:
- Contoured heel for fin straps
- Soft soles for a more comfortable fit
- Provides ankle support
- Vulcanized rubber on soles
CONS:
- Zipper can sometimes jam
- 5mm could be too thick for very warm waters
The Cressi Isla boots are good boots for scuba diving and snorkeling in cold waters. Choose between two thickness options – 5mm or 7mm – depending on the water temperatures you are using them for.
The high-cut style and built-in fin strap holder make this shoe the perfect companion for your scuba fins. There is a YKK zipper from the soles to the ankles, making them easy to slip on and off.
PROS:
- Great for cold water dives
- Variety of thicknesses
- Premium YKK Zipper
- Good ankle support
CONS:
- Sizes can be tricky
- Drainage holes cause some heat loss
The Akona Standard dive boots offer everything you need from a diving shoe at an entry-level price. While they are not suitable for cold water dives, they are excellent for warm waters and the tropics.
They are designed to be high-cut, offering ankle support for walking with your scuba gear. They are made from 2-way nylon neoprene fabrics for improved movement and maximum comfort. The seams are glued and blind stitched to create a perfect water seal for warmth.
PROS:
- Great for beginners
- Ankle support
- Good for warm water dives
CONS:
- Not suitable for cold waters
The Bullet Point Surf company created the perfect high-cut dive boot. It is fitted with a durable zipper and velcro straps to keep the surface area of the boot to a minimum for water entry. This is one of the most functional high-cut boots out there.
They are made from 3mm thick neoprene materials, making them perfect for warm water dives. The shoes also feature soft vulcanized rubber soles for maximum comfortability. The BPS Storm will keep your feet warm, safe from sharp edges, and let you move through the water with ease.
PROS:
- Velcro straps
- Vulcanized rubber soles
- Ankle support
CONS:
- Only one thickness option
- Not suitable for cold water
c) HIGH END Dive Boots
Click the green text below to jump to the Diving Squad Review for that dive boot!
#9 – Best Intermediate Dive Boot: Neo Sport Premium
#10 – Most Versatile Dive Boots: Tilos Trufit
#11– Most Durable Dive Boots: SEAC Pro
#12 – Most Protective Dive Boots: Mares Trilastic
(Jump to the Info Section to read about What to Look for in Dive Boots).
Neo Sport has come out with one of the best all-around dive boots on the market. It is affordable, comes in a variety of thicknesses, and boasts a puncture-resistant sole for maximum durability.
You can choose between 3mm, 5mm, and 7mm diving boots, all made with premium neoprene for a comfortable fit.
Neo Sport Premium wetsuit boots come with a heavy-duty zipper that is perfect for quickly slipping your booties on and off. Moreover, the water entry barrier behind the zipper helps prevent water from leaking into the boots.
PROS:
- Puncture-resistant sole
- Comes in multiple thicknesses
- Heavy-duty zipper
- Ankle support
CONS:
- Sizes can be confusing
The Tilos TruFit dive boots come in a variety of thicknesses and styles, depending on the level of protection that you want. Choose between the 3mm, 5mm, and 7mm diving shoes, subject to the water temperatures of where you want to dive.
The TruFit shoes also come in different styles based on their features, like the titanium boot, with a titanium top to seal the boot to your wetsuit. Or the thermoflare option, which offers an even tighter fit for increased warmth.
PROS:
- Lots of different styles and features
- Great for cold or warm water dives
CONS:
- Shoes are slightly narrow
The SEAC Pro HD dive booties are a pair of ultra-durable shoes, thanks to their impenetrable hard sole that also provides excellent grip. These boots are also great for colder waters because of their standard 6mm thickness.
These shoes boast excellent arch support and a heel air bubble that helps reduce stress. Thanks to the reinforced hook-and-loop closure on the side of the boot, you can dive knowing your boot will remain closed the entire time. They are also great to use with scuba fins due to the added heel lug – a raised piece of rubber that functions as a hook for the fin strap.
PROS:
- Ultra-durable
- Arch Support
- Heel lug for fin straps
- Impenetrable hard bottoms
CONS:
- Heavy pair of boots
- Too hot for tropical dives
The Mares Trilastic dive boots are for those divers that want to be fully protected around the soles of their feet. Thanks to the vulcanized rubber on the toe and heel areas, these hard-sole dive shoes are ideal for intense edges and serrated surfaces.
The Mares Trilastic dive boots are finished with a zipper that extends from the sole to the ankle, which means you can take the boots off and put them on with ease. They are high-cut boots, perfect for scuba diving, with a heel lug to fit snugly into your fin strap.
PROS:
- Vulcanized Rubber on toe and heel
- Hard soles
- Great protection from sharp edges
- Ankle support
CONS:
- Expensive
- Heavy
What to Look for in Dive Boots
Whether you’re a professional diver looking for the ultimate pair of boots or a beginner starting out, you will want these features in your dive shoes.
FEATURES TO LOOK FOR:
Hard Vs Soft Sole
All shoes have soles, and diving shoes are no different. They can either have hard or soft soles.
Hard soles are for robust boots where you need protection over comfort. An example of a time when you need hard soles is for beach entries where the sand is scorching hot.
Soft soles are for shoes that favor comfort over protection. These soles are more likely to stretch and mold to the shape of your foot – perfect for those with wide feet.
Thickness
All shoes have soles, and diving shoes are no different. They can either have hard or soft soles.
Hard soles are for robust boots where you need protection over comfort. An example of a time when you need hard soles is for beach entries where the sand is scorching hot.
Soft soles are for shoes that favor comfort over protection. These soles are more likely to stretch and mold to the shape of your foot – perfect for those with wide feet.
Note: The thickness of your dive boot will affect how snug your scuba fins fit.
Heel Lug
The best dive boots have heel lugs or contoured heels that allow for a more snug fit with your scuba fins. This helps the straps of the scuba fin not to come off while entering the water.
Diving Squad Debriefing
If you have ever received a cut while diving in tropical waters, then you will know how easily you can get a painful bacterial infection. To prevent this from happening, you need a good dive boot that protects you from cuts and abrasions.
And if you have ever taken a dive in freezing waters, then you will know how important it is to keep your feet warm. A pair of thick diving boots can be a lifesaver in this regard.
We are constantly updating our posts and checking out new gear so that the information you read reflects the latest product knowledge. So rest assure – these products are the best of the best.
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Written by:
Jo Richards
