The 10 best Dive Boots in 2024

By Julius
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Dragonfly sitting on dive boots

When diving and snorkeling, we want to wear the best dive boots that keep us warm and our feet well protected from the environment. With so many options to pick from, however, this may seem like a daunting task, especially as brands are coming up with new models all the time.

That's why we've tested and reviewed A LOT of them so you can make a good decision on which Dive Boots to purchase.

These are the best dive boots in 2024 with suggestions for any budget:

  1. Best Overall in 2024: Scubapro Delta Dive Boots
  2. Most Popular: Mares NG Classic Dive Boot 5mm
  3. Budget Beast: Cressi Minorca
  4. Most Durable: Fourth Element Amphibian Boot
  5. Most Protective: SEAC Pro HD 6mm
  6. Best for Big Feet: Aqualung Echozip Dive Boots
  7. Best Budget 7mm: Cressi Isla 7mm
  8. Warmest Boots: Bare Ultrawarmth Boots
  9. Best Short Booties: Mares Equator
  10. Best Neoprene Socks: OMGear Water Socks

When it comes to Dive Boots, it sometimes feels like we've tried them all.😅 Every week, we spend a lot of time in our lab and in the real world testing the top models so that we can compare them here for you! All our tests were done by our staff and specialists at Social Diving. There are always at least 2 people involved in a review!

Keep reading for our reviews for each of them, as well as all the others we have tested so far! ⬇️

We also added a dive boots buyer's guide that takes you through what you need to look for before buying, the available types and the pros and cons of each.

The 10 best Dive Boots in 2024 - Table of Contents
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With strong options available at all price levels, you can either pick from among the top flagships or opt for a solid midrange one with all the features you need at a fraction of the price. We also have super-budget versions that still work great!

The best dive boots have a snug but comfortable fit, keep you warm throughout your diveprevent blisters from your fins, are easy to put on or off, are durable, and protect you from scratches and cuts.

The 10 best Dive Boots in 2024

Scubapro Delta Dive Boots

Best Overall in 2024

The Scubapro Delta 5mm dive boots are just excellent all around. They do their job, are comfortable and durable, offer versions for both 3mm and 5mm, and are a great value purchase. The zip strap gives extra stability so you won’t lose them underwater.

The sizing chart for these dive boots is really accurate, however, they don’t come in half sizes. I personally wear between shoe size (47/48) 13-14 and the Deltas have no half sizes. Apparently, they don’t fit into some legacy Jet Fin models, however, we didn’t have any problems ourselves.

Get the Scubapro Delta 5mm if you want solid dive boots that will last a long time.


Mares NG Classic Dive Boot 5mm

Most Popular

Classic and timeless, the Mares Ng Classic Dive Boot 5mm is super affordable and convenient to put on and does its job. It offers a time-tested design and everything you could possibly want in a dive boot.

Unlike other models from Italian brands (including Mares themselves), these booties have a very accurate sizing chart! We think the soles could be thicker and found that after around 100-120 dives the zipper tends to break off at the top. This doesn’t mean you cannot use them but it’s a bit inconvenient.

The Mares NG Classic Dive Boot is a great choice for any diver and are a true classic.


Cressi Minorca

Budget Beast

The Cressi Minorca 5mm dive boots are our 2024 Budget Beast. They do everything you could want from a bootie, fit well, are comfortable, and offer good protection. We really want to stress the last point because, despite the thin soles, we didn’t feel the rocky ground when diving in them.

They are a bit on the smaller side like all Italien brands (Cressi, Mares, etc.) so you want to buy them 1 size up. They come in large sizes up to 47/14 which is great for people like me with 47/48 (13/14) size.

Get the Cressi Minorca if you are on a budget but still want a great pair of diving boots!


Fourth Element Amphibian Boot

Most Durable

The Fourth Element Amphibian Boots 6.5mm are built like a tank and feel like you’re wearing your favorite walking boots while diving. These are meant for those who absolutely, positively do not want to feel any rocks or other things on their feet. Besides that, they look valuable, are comfortable, feature a zipper strap, and come with a padded top!

Since testing them, we have each bought a pair, they are just that good! Two drawbacks: They are pricey and you will need to buy a pair of fins that’s at least one size up from these! We think they are absolutely worth every cent or penny you pay for them!

The Fourth Element 6.5mm Amphibian Boots are the most durable boots we have ever tested and we think you will love them, just like we do!


SEAC Pro HD 6mm

Most Protective

If you want a dive boot that feels like wearing shoes on your way to the dive spot, get the SEAC Pro HD 6mm boots. They feature an extra-thick rubber sole that reminds me more of a hiking boot than anything else.

The boots look nice, feel good on land and in the water, and will protect your feet better than any other wetsuit boot.
6mm is more than the average and will keep your feet warm even when diving in a cold mountain lake.

If you want the best protection and insulation for your feet while diving, get the SEAC Pro HD 6mm boot.


Aqualung Echozip Dive Boots

Best for Big Feet

I love my Aqualung 7mm Echozip boots for their great fit, affordable price tag, and the fact that they come in size 13+ (yes, I got big feet). They are sturdy and I have never had any of them rip or break at the seals which is far more than can be said about some contenders out there.

I find them to be a bit on the larger side so take that into consideration before buying them. Their soles have protected me from any kind of rocks, shells, or dried-up corrals on the beaches of this world and I can wholeheartedly recommend them as my favorite dive boots out there.

6.5mm – 7mm is great for cold water diving, even when diving in a drysuit, and I have worn them instead of my dry boots on multiple dives.


Cressi Isla 7mm

Best Budget 7mm

The Isla Cressi dive boots are another great budget product by Cressi. We like the fact that these come in both 5mm and 7mm thickness but still cost less than some other contenders’ 3mm options. As such, these are a great bang for your buck and pair the cheap price with good flexibility and comfort.

As usual with Cressi, buy a size up, especially if you have wider feet like me. A drawback is that the soles are a little thin and they just don’t feel as “valuable” to us. They are good quality, don’t get us wrong, but they feel a bit like cheaper copies. However, they work flawlessly!

Get the Cressi Isla 7mm dive boots if you get cold easily but rather want to spend your money on other things and go for budget with the booties.


Bare Ultrawarmth Boots

Warmest Boots

Bare Sports is one of our favorite scuba gear brands and the Bare 7mm Ultrawarmth Boots prove why we love them. The entire “ultrawarmth” series is meant to keep you warm underwater without compromises and they fulfill their promise: Well made, thick soles, great quality, and the design is really cool. These boots are meant for cold water!

Quality comes at a price so unfortunately not everyone will want to spend $100+ on dive boots. If you do, however, you will be rewarded with the warmest wet dive boots we have tested so far.

As long as you want to dive in a wetsuit, the Bare 7mm Ultrawarmth dive boots are the best choice for cold water diving on the market. If you want to save $20, their 5mm version, is also great!


Mares Equator

Best Short Booties

Inexpensive and super convenient, the Mares Equator 2mm are good short booties for those, who don’t want to be limited by fabric around the ankles. They work equally well for snorkeling and scuba diving and double as beach boots. They look like short versions of our favorite Mares NG Classic and feel the same.

Unlike other models from Italian brands (including Mares themselves), these booties have a very accurate sizing chart! The soles are a bit thin so be careful if you plan on diving from rocky shores. They are also surprisingly heavy for their size, but that makes them even more durable.

The Mares Equator 2mm short booties are an excellent choice for diving and snorkeling in warmer waters or in shorties.


OMGear Water Socks

Best Neoprene Socks

OMGear makes a lot of watersports products and their OMGear 3mm Water Socks are one of their bestsellers. They are really affordable, come in about a dozen different designs, and just as many size options. We think these are great and really, there isn’t much to criticize.

No, they are not meant to be worn on rocky surfaces (or at least not without dive boots over them), but they are nice for snorkeling and warm water diving as a layer between foot and fin. That’s what are meant for and they excel at that. If you snorkel or dive in exotic places and don’t want to bother with thicker boots (which also like to flood), these are perfect.

The OMGear 3mm Dive Socks are a great inexpensive yet convenient pair of neoprene socks that come in a lot of cool designs.


Dive Boots Buyer’s Guide

Dive boots keep you warm underwater and protect you from stepping into sharp rocks or other debris. They also prevent nasty blisters from your fins and definitely a super convenient piece of equipment for both divers and snorkelers.

Dive boots and neoprene socks are one of those accessories in diving and snorkeling that we think are a must-have for everyone!

But as you saw above, there are many different models out there and we often get questions like “What dive boots should I buy for diving in XYZ“, “What are the best dive boots for someone who gets cold easily“, and “Do I even need dive boots? Can’t I just dive barefoot?!“.

We can recommend all the boots we want if you don’t know what to look for you won’t be happy with them.

That’s why we have created this dive boots buying guide so you understand better what will and will not work for you! You can then scroll back up and pick the ones that sound best for your use case.

Why wear dive boots as a diver or snorkeler?

Dive boots are meant to keep your feet warm underwater, make walking on rocks and sand much more pleasant, and protect your feet from scratches.

If you have been diving for long enough and have gone on a week-long liveaboard cruise before, you know how much stress the constant diving can put on your skin. Without boots or socks as a layer in between, your scuba fins can quickly become super unpleasant and give you nasty blisters.

Finding good dive boots is a lot like finding good dress shoes…There are plenty to choose from but finding the right ones depends on your preferences and diving style.

Should I buy dive boots when I’m just starting out?

Beginners should definitely buy a pair of dive boots! They are just as important when starting out as they are when you’re an experienced diver or snorkeler! Having your own pair of booties is also much more hygienic than using rental ones.

You can find my recommendations for beginner dive boots in my guide on the best scuba dive boots for beginners.

Materials and Design

The most common materials in dive boots are neoprene and rubber:

Neoprene provides warmth and flexibility, similar to wetsuits, and is available in different thicknesses like 3mm, 5mm, and 7mm. Rubber is often used for soles and ensures durability and grip.

Dragonfly sitting on dive boots
Dive boots are your friends.

Temperature Ranges

Selecting the right boot thickness is crucial! Getting cold feet isn’t only super unpleasant but can quickly lead to hypothermia and injury!

Here are our suggestions for temperature ranges of your dive boots and socks:

Neoprene SocksWarm water above 30°C / 90°F or underneath boots
3mm BootsSuitable for warm water above 21°C / 70°F
5mm BootsIdeal for moderate temperatures from 10°C to 21°C / 50°F to 70°F
7mm & upMade for cold water below 10°C / 50°F
Temperature ranges for dive boots.

Types of Dive Boots

There are three different kinds of boots available to scuba divers:

  • Dive Socks: Used in very warm waters, with full-foot fins or underneath boots.
  • Low-Cut Boots: Best for warmer waters, they offer ease of wear and less bulk.
  • High-Cut Boots: Ideal for colder waters, these boots offer maximum coverage and warmth.

Dive socks are very thin neoprene socks that offer a minimum of thermal insulation and are great as a layer between your feet and your fins, but they won’t keep you very warm in cold water.

Low-cut boots are usually at least 2mm thick and ideal for warmer waters. They’re easy to get into and less bulky but your ankles aren’t protected.

High Cut Boots start a 3mm thickness and are meant for colder waters. The thicker the best, the warmer you’ll stay. They are usually more expensive than the types above.

Dry Boots

Drysuit boots are worn over trilaminate and other drysuits when the water is especially cold, like under ice or in mountain lakes.
They are not as tight as the others above but come in thicker configurations up to 10mm. As a beginner, you don’t need to worry about them unless you want to use a drysuit right away.

What to Look For Before Buying Your Dive Boots

Consider these features when choosing dive boots:

Zippered vs. Non-Zippered:

Zippered boots are easier to put on and take off, especially when wearing them over the wetsuit. On the other hand, zippers like to rip off at very inconvenient moments so pick one that’s sturdy.

Sole Rigidity

Stiffer soles provide better protection and stability on rough surfaces. Some boots look more like hiking shoes and feature extra thick and sturdy soles that make walking much easier.

They are especially common when diving in cold water or from rocky shores, but tend to be a little heavier. You don’t usually need reinforced soles if you dive from boats, usually.

Reinforcements

Look for reinforced heels and toes for increased durability. Many boots come with padded tops to protect against blisters from your diving or snorkel fins.

Water Drainage

Some boots have features for better water drainage, reducing the boot’s weight underwater. On the flipside, this can lead to decreased thermal insulation why we don’t usually recommend this feature.

How thick should your diving boots be?

Your body loses heat about 25 times faster in the water and your feet even faster as they are farther away from your core. Therefore, you should at least get 3mm scuba diving boots for any kind of diving and environment you encounter.

You can never be too warm in the water, and if you ever feel like it’s too much, just let in some water during the dive.

On the other hand, once you hit colder water temperatures, you will be thankful for any extra millimeters you have to keep you warm.

I myself own 5mm, 7mm, and even thicker ones for any drysuit diving activities. Keep in mind though that thicker boots might require you to buy bigger fins, as well.

Scuba diver walking into water

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