Advice from the boss of WETTY on how to choose the right surf booties

The Boss’s Tips: How to Choose the Best Surf Boots

Choosing the right pair of surf boots can be a real headache. There are hundreds of models out there, from €20 to €150, and many of them are good — just not always for the right use.

So how do you find the best surf boots for your needs?
Here’s my advice as a surfer and founder of WETTY, to help you pick the perfect pair depending on your spot, your level, and the water temperature.

1. Water temperature comes first

The first thing to consider is your location and water temperature, which change a lot depending on the season and the spot.
The colder the water and the longer you surf, the thicker the neoprene should be.

• ?️ 13–18 °C → 3 mm: perfect for spring or autumn sessions.

• ❄️ 10–13 °C → 5 mm: ideal for winter on the Basque or Cornish coast.

• ? Below 10 °C → 7 mm: for icy water and long sessions in northern Europe.

? The neoprene thickness directly determines your warmth and comfort in the water.

2. Fit, support, and adjustment

A good pair of surf boots must fit tight.
Too loose and you’ll trap cold water; too tight and you’ll lose circulation.

At WETTY, we’ve designed different fits for every kind of foot:

• BAREFOOT & WARRIOR → for normal to wide feet.

• BAREFOOT XLARGE → for very wide feet.

• PROSERIE → for narrow feet or pro surfers looking for a super-tight, performance fit (like ski boots).

• ULTIMATE → adjustable thanks to its velcro strap, giving a perfect fit for all types of feet.

The goal: no movement inside, maximum control on the board.

3. Sole and grip: the key to real board feel

Rigid soles? Forget it. You’ll lose the feeling of your board, and your foot will stick at take-off.
That’s why our barefoot-feeling soles are made from SUPRATEX (a Kevlar-based fabric) and coated with natural latex for an unmatched grip on wax and traction pads.

? Our latest SUPRAGRIP sole, featured on the WARRIOR ULTRA and ULTIMATE, gives even more traction and a closer board connection.

4. Round toe or split toe? The WETTY choice

At WETTY, we made the deliberate choice to go 100 % round toe.
Why? Because after testing, we found that split-toe designs isolate the big toe, which gets cold faster and even turns white in cold water.

We redesigned our boot patterns so your foot stays locked in place without needing the split.
The result: the warmth of a round toe, with the precision of a split toe.

5. Your level and experience with surf boots

If you’re new to wearing boots:
➡️ Start with the BAREFOOT – super easy to put on, comfortable, and ideal for your first cold-water sessions.

Regular surfer?
➡️ Go for WARRIOR or ULTIMATE – both keep you warm in the heart of winter.

Performance-focused?
➡️ Choose PROSERIE or ULTIMATE – tighter fit, better response, pure barefoot feeling.

6. The Boss’s maintenance tips

A few simple habits will help your surf boots last longer:

• ? If they feel tight on the top of your foot, don’t worry — they’ll loosen slightly after the first session.

• ? Don’t size up: if the sole fits your foot length, that’s the right size.

• ? Wax the sole before your first surf — new latex can be slippery.

• ? Rinse with fresh water and dry in the shade, never in direct sunlight.

• ? Turn them inside out to help them dry faster and smell fresher.

• ? Skip the harsh cleaners — mild soap is enough. (Rule of thumb: don’t use anything on your boots that you wouldn’t use on your skin.)

Conclusion

Choosing the right surf boots means knowing what you need:
warmth, comfort, grip, or that barefoot feeling.

After more than 12 years of R&D, WETTY has built a full range of surf boots for every surfer — from easy comfort to elite performance — always with the same obsession: board feel and heat retention.

The right boot is the one you forget you’re wearing.