swim boots?

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2011-05-08 8:33 PM

Member
6

San Diego
Subject: swim boots?
why don't triathletes wear wetsuit booties for the swim?  I've never seen triathletes wear them so is it illegal?  Seems helpful in many ways though. thanks Lisa

2011-05-08 9:23 PM
in reply to: #3488341

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Extreme Veteran
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South Jordan UT
Subject: RE: swim boots?
I don't think that they are illegal. I tried to wear them for IMSG last year because the water was so cold, but they ended up falling off and are now at the bottom of Sand Hollow Reservoir.
2011-05-08 9:59 PM
in reply to: #3488341

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The Nation's Frosty Capital
Subject: RE: swim boots?
I don't know if they are illegal but you can't get much of a kick with them.  I use neoprene botties for diving in cold water, but have never even thought of using them is cold water for a tri. Just another thing to slow you down in transition.   I do northern tris all the time and the early season swims are cold...no booties anywhere.  Lots o' neoprene caps. How cold is the water you swim in?
2011-05-09 9:07 AM
in reply to: #3488341

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Champion
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Tacoma, Washington
Subject: RE: swim boots?
I've got a pair of diving boots that I've used in some really cold pre-season OWS's. I'd never wear them in a tri though -- they take a LONG time to get off my feet!
2011-05-09 9:31 AM
in reply to: #3488341

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Champion
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MA
Subject: RE: swim boots?

I have a pair of tri booties that I have worn in tris where the water was very cold also in a tri that the terrain to enter and exit the water was very dangerous with sharp objects.

I don't think they are illegal but hard for many to swim in.

I'm not sure if mine are different than dive booties but suspect they are. I got mine from Promotion wetsuits..works great and easy to get off in T1

2011-05-09 9:44 AM
in reply to: #3489019

Member
6

San Diego
Subject: RE: swim boots?

all of your posts were helpful and thanks for the insight on tri booties.  They do seem different in that they are made to come off easy.  I will get a pair since I'm not ready to be too concerned about my speed as my comfort to completion!  Thanks everyone!

 

2011-05-09 9:46 AM
in reply to: #3488341

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St Louis, Missouri
Subject: RE: swim boots?

I wear them. Not for the cold water. So I can run better over the stones and pebbles on the way to T1. (tender feet)  Yes, I could HTFU or just wear booties.

2011-05-11 4:48 PM
in reply to: #3489059

Member
6

San Diego
Subject: RE: swim boots?
hahaha.. love your signature quote!  BTW i don't know the meaning of your acronym HTFU?
2011-05-11 6:21 PM
in reply to: #3488341

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Extreme Veteran
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San Diego
Subject: RE: swim boots?

My understanding is that they're only legal when the water is below a certain temperature.  Mine are kind of a PITA (pain in the booty) and seem to fill with water.  I wind up not wearing them even if it's really cold.  

HTFU = harden the F up Laughing

2011-05-11 8:39 PM
in reply to: #3494506

Member
6

San Diego
Subject: RE: swim boots?
well i ordered a pair per the previous post at only $44 because they liked their tri boots.  they should fit snug so water doesn't fill them so i went down a size.  really its for some warmth and a quick sprint in T1 so hopefully they don't hurt the kick too much.  haing 2 straps should make it easy but it could fill up with water too so we shall see.  Luckily 30 day guarantee!
2011-05-11 9:13 PM
in reply to: #3488341

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Master
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Sunbury, Pennsylvania
Subject: RE: swim boots?

Brand newbie here - but I am very paranoid about water temps this weekend for my first OWS tri, so I contacted the race organizer to see if I would be allowed to wear my vibram 5 fingers, and they said that would be fine - no prohibition. It is a USAT sanctioned event.

I wore them with my wetsuit out in the lake for my training dips, and they were very helpful. They're much pricier than a $44 swim booty, but if you happen to have a pair already, give em a shot. They definitely helped my feet in the cold. They aren't the water specific ones either - you just throw them in the washing machine.



2011-05-12 12:35 PM
in reply to: #3494741

Member
6

San Diego
Subject: RE: swim boots?

hahaha Mr. CLAW... so funny.  that's a great option too!  however.  my skinny toothpick feet probably would scream bloody murder if I had to spread every toe into those 5 finger socks!  I really hope the Tri-booties work.  They should arrive soon.  Worst case is I can use for training and will bring to tri races and ask if ok.  My newest understanding is sometimes temperatures will disallow them but I will always ask!

 

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