Tusa Dive Boots (Black, 11)

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Price: $52.99 $52.95   

Product Feature

• Injection modeled sole with super traction
• 5.0mm neoprene/nylon jersey
• Toe and heel guard for extra supports and comfort
• Side zipper

Product Description

DIVE BOOTS SIZE 11 BLACK

Tusa Dive Boots (Black, 11) Review

TUSA IMPREX 5MM DIVE BOOTS

These boots worked very well for me snorkeling about 4 hours per day on a recent tropical vacation.

I've owned 5 other pairs of dive boots over the past 15 years. All of the other pairs were inferior for surface snorkeling in warm to slightly cool tropical waters.

These boots run slightly big, so choosing a pair that was about a half a size or so smaller was what worked best.

They were comfortable on bare feet although I did have to work out one or two bits of slightly rough spots on a seam where glue and thread stuck up. A quick trim with cuticle nippers and some plucking glue and burnishing thread smoothly by hand got that sorted.

Even with those minor hiccups worked out, I thought I might still have some problems, so I got a pair of light water socks before I went on the trip just in case of trouble with blisters. But in the end I never needed them, and the boots were perfectly comfortable, supportive, and stable. They performed pretty much like a good pair of sport high-tops, to the extent that neoprene uppers can do that.

Luckily, I never needed to traverse rocks and I managed to never touch the coral the entire trip (woohoo! let it live!). But, I did give the boots a good thrashing twice a day in the water. The snorkeling sessions were 1.5 to 2.5 hours long and I traveled from shore outwards, then along a wall drop-off, and then back to the departure point. Each session covered 1 to 3 kilometers.

Also, due to the quality of the medium thick, boot-like sole, I knew that in an urgency or emergency, I could with reasonable caution, confidently walk on rocks and coral if I absolutely had to. In addition to the sharp coral, there were a few poisonous stonefish in the water, as well as some good sized stingrays. So having good footwear was very comforting, even if it wasn't pressed into harsh service.

As for cons, this is nitpicking, but these 5mm thick boots took a bit longer to dry than I would have liked, even in direct sunlight. It was often impossible to get them completely dry between sessions. But, luckily there was no rain during my stay, and the sun and air were able to get them mostly dry at least once a day. I assisted a little bit with a hair dryer from time to time.

Ideally, I would like to see Tusa make a variant of the boot design using 2.5mm, 3mm, or 3.5mm material to facilitate quicker drying for those who are using these in tropical waters where warmth isn't as critical as it might be in colder climates.

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UPDATE 2012-01-27

I just got back from another tropical snorkeling trip: 6 days of currents, waves, sand, surge, and rocks during a fairly steady monsoon wind. I went out an average of 3 times a day for about an hour each time and up to a maximum of 2 hours per session. I worked the boots hard for about 4 or 5 hours a day.

The Tusa Imprex DB4000s were excellent in almost every way. They are also durable and are still in great shape.

The closest I came to really stressing them was a shore entry across slippery rocks in swell. I would rate them as merely 'good' in that situation because when the swells are choosing your steps for you, there is a high likelihood with any boot that you will occasionally slip a little and I did. The slip is often stopped by an adjacent rock which can be sharp, and I did experience that on a few steps. The DB4000s had enough side protection to keep me from getting cut - but just enough. If you do regular shore entries across sharp rock, then you probably need more side protection. But, that makes for a heavier, bigger boot.

This brings me to one of the biggest advantages of the DB4000 boots (if you are not doing rock entries): The size of the foot pocket in the fins is often selected by the fin manufacturers to ensure that a thick boot can fit. The relatively compact size of the DB4000s means that I regularly can fit into dive fins that are one size smaller. My calves are not tree-trunk strong and a smaller fin is easier to propel, so I prefer to go one size lower and these boots make it easy.

The ability to downsize the fins while wearing the DB4000 boots in size 10 worked for me with some classic ScubaPro TwinJet fins (Large down to Medium) and some modern Aeris Mako fins (Regular down to Small / Medium).

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TUSA IMPREX 3MM DIVE SLIPPERS

I also subsequently ordered and received a pair of the Tusa Imprex 3mm slippers. In addition to being made of thinner neoprene on the uppers, the slippers have no zipper, no rubberized upper toe cap / shield, and they are shorter in height. But, they retain the exact same sturdy sole that is fitted on the thicker, taller boots.

Upon trying them out on the second trip, they performed well in some ways, but they did not provide full sun protection on the top of my ankles, so I discontinued their use to prevent untimely sunburn. If preventing untimely sunburn is one of your goals, then these might not go high enough up to meet your expectations.

I found the Tusa Imprex 3mm Dive Slippers to be significantly inferior to the Tusa Imprex 5mm DB4000 boots (for the purpose I was using them for).

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BOOTS AND SLIPPERS - GREAT SOLE, BUT NO FIN STRAP RETAINER TABS

One last observation is in regards to wearing these Tusa boots or slippers with open heel fins and their accompanying fin straps. The Tusa boots and slippers do not have a protruding horizontal tab at the back of the heel to retain fin straps from slipping up and down and sliding off the heel.

I used these boots and slippers with older ScubaPro TwinJet fins. These fins are your typical heavy, high performance, first generation split fins that have commensurately thick and wide fin straps. With these, I had no problem with the fin straps drifting up or down. The back of the heel on these boots is thick and strong and also extends up high enough to provide plenty of surface area in the back to properly receive the fin strap. I cinched the fin straps only slightly and set them to keep only light tension against the boots. There was plenty of opportunity for them to slip off, but they never did.

I also used the boots and slippers with newer Aeris Mako fins and did find the fin straps occasionally loosening and sliding off. I found that an extra notch of tension on the straps on each side fixed it, but, nevertheless it was slightly unnerving when it happened in strong current.

Tabs would give me more peace of mind.

EDIT 2013-08-04: Over the last year, I've added Tusa EZ Spring Straps TA-81 in size Medium to all my fins. That solved the problem of the rubber fin straps occasionally sliding off. The spring straps are very secure, and yet comfortable. I've tried the OceanQuest brand also, but the Tusa spring straps are better. This is because they have a curved contour to fit the heel of the boot. This works much better than a straight surfaced, non-contoured shape.

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OTHER OPTIONS

I also tried a pair of Akona Deluxe 3.5mm boots, but had problems with that pair (I may have received a defective boot - I've covered that in another review).

I also tried a pair of Seasoft SunRay 3mm Boots. These had very good fit and finish and construction (the best I've seen). But, they were so effective at retaining heat that I've marked them in my kit as only suitable for snorkeling in temperate waters and not in tropical waters. When worn above the water, they do not breathe and they quickly feel excessively sweaty. If you don them just before going in, you'll be fine. Otherwise, they can quickly become uncomfortable.

Divers who experience colder thermoclines in tropical waters may find the SunRays useful. But, for snorkeling at the surface in tropical waters, they are too warm for me (and I get cold easily, so that's saying something).

Conversely, the Tusa Imprex DB4000s breathe when worn above the surface and do not feel excessively sweaty. They are still able to provide some warmth and protection in the water. So for snorkeling in warm or slightly cool tropical surface waters, they are ideal.

I will probably try Henderson InstaDry 3mm next, because I am still looking for a second set of boots for tropical snorkeling.

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