Diving Socks – Do You Really Need Them?

Diving socks, sometimes called snorkel socks or diving booties, are a very useful, fashionable and practical piece of clothing. Functioning more like snorkel shoes or diving socks, they’re ideal for wearing under wetsuits and slip on easily because of their low-cut style. They’re great if you want the look of being underwater, but don’t want the bulk and bulkiness of regular swimming trunks. However, as with any kind of fashion, too often these come out looking like little more than ill-fitting ski boots, which is why it’s so important to choose the right one. Here are a few things to consider when buying a pair of these for your next dive.

First off, it’s important to know exactly what you’re going to be using your diving socks for: whether it’s to simply wear underneath your wetsuit, for wet-work and such, or if you’re going to be doing some serious wet dives and going to be in an open water situation. As long as you know your needs, then you can go ahead and get a pair of cressi that fit your needs perfectly, regardless of your specific measurements. In fact, for the most part (apart from the odd occasion where you might need a pair of neoprene socks), you can get away with using a pair of regular old breathable cotton socks as a replacement, as long as you really like the way they look and you’re happy with how light they are. Most people tend to go for the breathable versions as they feel more comfortable and tend to be a lot more insulating than the cotton versions, which is a fair enough reason.

Once you’ve narrowed down what exactly you need, you’ll have a better idea of the thickness and materials your pair should be made out of. Usually, a thicker sock will be more durable and more flexible, so it will offer greater protection in warmer weather and against diving board impact damage. The materials used will also determine the amount of natural ventilation available to your feet, so if you’re diving in tropical waters then you’ll want a material that allows air to circulate.