You folks wear “booties” in the swim? I have a full wetsuit, neoprene cap . . . but what about the feet? I have wimp-ass Florida feet that chill easily. The only booties I have found online are from surf shops, and something doesn’t seem quite right about them.
Hey RA:
I do wear booties but not for the reason you might suspect. I ranted on this topic here before- I’ve stepped on more sharp crap entering and exiting openwater events than any unlucky person should (like at Alcatraz '04) suffering nearly debilitating puncture wounds as a result.
Look for the lightest, thinnest booties you can find (like a neoprene sock even) and modify the sole if you have to beef it up (like insert a thin foot bed) or try a cheap pair of reef runner/aqua sock style footies. Most dive or surf booties are pretty clunky, at least they were last I looked.
Even without foot protection, your feet thaw pretty fast on the run over to Crissy Field (transition area) so if you’re not worried about cuts, forget the booties altogether.