Rock boots or turbo-soles???

Dave · May 20th, 2007, 03:51 AM

heya,
i'm a newbie to this forum and so have the usual plethora of questions to quiz you guys about

this might have already been discussed but i've been finding lots of conflicting stories on this so was hoping someone could shed some light on it for me. what is the feeling over rock boots vs turbo-soles???
so far i've got the impression that rock boots offer less ankle flexibility (which is important for fin strokes) but turbo-soles are less hard-wearing and have thin soles (so are more prone to wearing out) :S help me please!!

thanks,
Dave

*Clare Gledhill* · May 20th, 2007, 11:54 AM

Hello Dave - and welcome.

Rock boots give very poor ankle mobility and much less feedback from the fins.

There is a school of thought that the sock on a TLS is a better option as you can use a wetsuit boot over the top which can be replaced easily.

Personally, I've not managed to wear out a pair of turbosoles yet - well on the underside at least - the toes can be a bit more prone to damage.

***Bob Cooper*** · May 20th, 2007, 06:14 PM

Hi Dave

Having used both rockboots and turbosoles, I prefer the turbos. Less faffing around and better ankle mobility.

If you are using rockboots, sooner or later, the laces will come undone and some bright spark will tie you to the wreck....! It is an irresistable challenge, I must admit.

Bob

Rubis · May 21st, 2007, 05:52 PM

Hi Dave,

it really depends on the type of diving you usually do.

When I got my drysuit I got Rockboots because I knew that I would do most of my dives from shore or with considerable hiking distance.
If you dive from a boat or you cave dive in Florida, turbosoles are certainly easier to use and quicker to put on.

But if you do lots of shore divers with quite slippery and rocky entries, I would take the socks and replace the rockboots with a sturdier boot. I found a boot here in France at the local sporting goods shop on sale for 3 euros, very solid, called pataugas. Very much like a Converse All Star shoe.
I also have weak ankles and I found that this type of shoe gives me better support, especially when carrying heavy gear on my back. I have no problems finning and cave diving with them. It's only that it takes longer to dress and it's two more possible pieces one could forget when travelling.

YMMV

paulwlee · May 21st, 2007, 08:02 PM

After the Rockboot breaks in, ankle mobility is no longer limited.
And the laces should be cut short so that there is no extra left when the boot is opened. (There are instructions in the DUI website, and I think it comes with the Rockboots.) If this is done, no such nonsense as wrapping around the ankles is required.

Dave · May 23rd, 2007, 05:38 PM

Rubis - ahhh, i was wondering whether that was an option but didn't dare suggest it for fear of being shunned lol.

thanks for the advice everyone, still not decided which one to go for but think i'm leaning towards the turbo-soles (or the socks with a more flexible boot)
Dave

***Fiona*** · June 2nd, 2007, 04:07 PM

Quote: (Originally Posted by Clare Gledhill)

Rock boots give very poor ankle mobility and much less feedback from the fins.

Clare

I have just been looking at some seacsub boots (don't seen to be as high up the ankle as rockboots) which can be used on top of neo socks which could be fitted to my Otter suit.

Can you explain "much less feedback from the fins"

Still looking for a short term solution.

Jan Willem · June 4th, 2007, 09:43 AM

It would be nice if DUI comes with a shore-diving version of the turbo soles.

Maybe some extra layer of cordura or kevlar on top of the turbo soles without restricting ankle mobility and some protection at the toes.

It would be a nice solution if entering the water would imply walking over rocks and especially oysters hidden between them.

newdiver · June 4th, 2007, 05:03 PM

Quote: (Originally Posted by Jan Willem)

It would be nice if DUI comes with a shore-diving version of the turbo soles.

Low cut booties over the socks is what you want.
Best
Philippe

Mal Bridgeman · June 4th, 2007, 05:56 PM

Quote: (Originally Posted by Jan Willem)

It would be nice if DUI comes with a shore-diving version of the turbo soles.

Maybe some extra layer of cordura or kevlar on top of the turbo soles without restricting ankle mobility and some protection at the toes.

It would be a nice solution if entering the water would imply walking over rocks and especially oysters hidden between them.

I was talking to Andy from Hydrotech (UK DUI outlet) at the November Dive show and he showed me a pair of turbo soles they were experimenting with which did have a kevlar layer on the topside of the boot .... in the shape of the re-inforcement of a wetsuit boot.

I haven't seen mention of them since though,

Mal

May 20th, 2007, 03:51 AM	#1 (permalink)
Dave(Offline) New Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: North East England, UK Posts: 58	Rock boots or turbo-soles??? heya, i'm a newbie to this forum and so have the usual plethora of questions to quiz you guys about this might have already been discussed but i've been finding lots of conflicting stories on this so was hoping someone could shed some light on it for me. what is the feeling over rock boots vs turbo-soles??? so far i've got the impression that rock boots offer less ankle flexibility (which is important for fin strokes) but turbo-soles are less hard-wearing and have thin soles (so are more prone to wearing out) :S help me please!! thanks, Dave

May 20th, 2007, 11:54 AM	#2 (permalink)
Clare Gledhill (Online) GUE Instructor Site Admin Pacman Champion! Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: UK Posts: 1,540	Hello Dave - and welcome. Rock boots give very poor ankle mobility and much less feedback from the fins. There is a school of thought that the sock on a TLS is a better option as you can use a wetsuit boot over the top which can be replaced easily. Personally, I've not managed to wear out a pair of turbosoles yet - well on the underside at least - the toes can be a bit more prone to damage. __________________ Clare . "Keep away from people who try to belittle your ambitions....Small people always do that, but the really great make you feel that you too can become great." Interested in DIR dive training? Always happy to chat/answer questions so get in touch via PM or visit www.dirdiver.co.uk

May 21st, 2007, 05:52 PM	#4 (permalink)
Rubis(Offline) cave deprived and Kissed Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Broadway, (lost in Central NC, USA far far way from Caves SIGH !!!) Posts: 275	Hi Dave, it really depends on the type of diving you usually do. When I got my drysuit I got Rockboots because I knew that I would do most of my dives from shore or with considerable hiking distance. If you dive from a boat or you cave dive in Florida, turbosoles are certainly easier to use and quicker to put on. But if you do lots of shore divers with quite slippery and rocky entries, I would take the socks and replace the rockboots with a sturdier boot. I found a boot here in France at the local sporting goods shop on sale for 3 euros, very solid, called pataugas. Very much like a Converse All Star shoe. I also have weak ankles and I found that this type of shoe gives me better support, especially when carrying heavy gear on my back. I have no problems finning and cave diving with them. It's only that it takes longer to dress and it's two more possible pieces one could forget when travelling. YMMV __________________ Petition against M26

June 2nd, 2007, 04:07 PM	#7 (permalink)
*Fiona*(Offline) Moderator Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Up North Posts: 1,203	Quote: (Originally Posted by Clare Gledhill) Rock boots give very poor ankle mobility and much less feedback from the fins. Clare I have just been looking at some seacsub boots (don't seen to be as high up the ankle as rockboots) which can be used on top of neo socks which could be fitted to my Otter suit. Can you explain "much less feedback from the fins" Still looking for a short term solution. __________________ Fiona Resistance was Futile Move Along YD GUE Member

June 4th, 2007, 09:43 AM	#8 (permalink)
Jan Willem(Offline) New Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: the Netherlands Posts: 3	It would be nice if DUI comes with a shore-diving version of the turbo soles. Maybe some extra layer of cordura or kevlar on top of the turbo soles without restricting ankle mobility and some protection at the toes. It would be a nice solution if entering the water would imply walking over rocks and especially oysters hidden between them. Last edited by Jan Willem; June 4th, 2007 at 10:39 AM.

May 20th, 2007, 06:14 PM	#3 (permalink)
*Bob Cooper*(Offline) Moderator - "Don't stop me now!" Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: South East London, UK Posts: 680	Hi Dave Having used both rockboots and turbosoles, I prefer the turbos. Less faffing around and better ankle mobility. If you are using rockboots, sooner or later, the laces will come undone and some bright spark will tie you to the wreck....! It is an irresistable challenge, I must admit. Bob

May 21st, 2007, 08:02 PM	#5 (permalink)
paulwlee(Offline) New Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Northern CA, USA Posts: 14	After the Rockboot breaks in, ankle mobility is no longer limited. And the laces should be cut short so that there is no extra left when the boot is opened. (There are instructions in the DUI website, and I think it comes with the Rockboots.) If this is done, no such nonsense as wrapping around the ankles is required.

May 23rd, 2007, 05:38 PM	#6 (permalink)
Dave(Offline) New Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: North East England, UK Posts: 58	Rubis - ahhh, i was wondering whether that was an option but didn't dare suggest it for fear of being shunned lol. thanks for the advice everyone, still not decided which one to go for but think i'm leaning towards the turbo-soles (or the socks with a more flexible boot) Dave

June 4th, 2007, 05:03 PM	#9 (permalink)
newdiver(Offline) New Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Chicago Posts: 44	Quote: (Originally Posted by Jan Willem) It would be nice if DUI comes with a shore-diving version of the turbo soles. Low cut booties over the socks is what you want. Best Philippe

June 4th, 2007, 05:56 PM	#10 (permalink)
Mal Bridgeman(Offline) New Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Suffolk, UK Posts: 662	Quote: (Originally Posted by Jan Willem) It would be nice if DUI comes with a shore-diving version of the turbo soles. Maybe some extra layer of cordura or kevlar on top of the turbo soles without restricting ankle mobility and some protection at the toes. It would be a nice solution if entering the water would imply walking over rocks and especially oysters hidden between them. I was talking to Andy from Hydrotech (UK DUI outlet) at the November Dive show and he showed me a pair of turbo soles they were experimenting with which did have a kevlar layer on the topside of the boot .... in the shape of the re-inforcement of a wetsuit boot. I haven't seen mention of them since though, Mal __________________ Opinions and beliefs are correct at the time of posting but are subject to change without any notice or obligation on the part of the author.