Unpopular opinion: ditch the steel toe boots for commercial diving prep

I spent two years doing deck work before a dive in Galveston and was always slipping on wet surfaces. Last month a guy named Dave pointed out my steel toes were trapping water and messing with my balance off the ladder. Switched to neoprene boots with grippy soles and it made a huge difference in how quick I can suit up. Anyone else find certain gear choices actually hurt more than help on the boat?

3 comments

3 Comments

mason_lopez1mo ago

Ellis said steel toes "trap sweat and make your feet cold faster" but I gotta disagree on that one. I've worn steel toes in Galveston for almost ten years and never had cold feet as long as I wear wool socks under neoprene booties inside the boot. The real problem is people buy cheap boots with smooth soles and then blame the steel toe itself. My Red Wings have a deep lug pattern that grabs wet aluminum decks just fine, even when I'm hauling a 80lb tank up a ladder. Maybe the issue isn't the steel but the boot build. And if your buddy Dave broke his wrist from slipping, that sounds like a worn out sole not a steel toe thing.

ellis.faith1mo ago

You tried slipping around in steel toes too? Yeah that's a real problem in wet conditions. Once you switch to neoprene boots with good grip you'll notice your footing gets way more stable on the deck and ladders. The steel toes also trap sweat and make your feet cold faster when you're out of the water. Just make sure whatever boots you buy have enough ankle support for hauling gear.

nancyj111mo ago

The 60 bucks I spent on my first pair of steel toes was supposed to save my toes from falling crab pots, not make me eat the deck. I took one step on a wet dock with those things and my legs went out from under me like a cartoon. My buddy Dave broke his wrist that same week because his steel toes had zero traction on a ladder. Switched to neoprene boots with that deep tread pattern and my feet actually stay warm now too.