Best shoes/socks with best traction for strapless riding?

[Turbaani]

I don't ride strapless, but since you asked about ion ballistic socks ill jump in.

I bought them last fall and they are super good. 6mm thickness but they are closest to barefoot feel than any other boot i've tried. 6mm socks and good wetsuit gets me going as soon as ice melts. With bad wetsuit my feet got cold, so its thin line to use these for the coldest days. I have 42,5 foot and the socks were 41 or smth. Perfect fit. Don't know about the grip, I'm not slipping out of twintip straps with them and that used to be a problem with some boots. The guy that recommended them for me rides strapless if I remember correctly.

If you don't ride when water is 1C, the tinner socks should be even better.

[nescio]

I second that on the ion ballistic socks! I'm super happy with them. Ride like bare feet almost.

they don't look like it but they have plenty of grip (I ride straps but know 2 people who use them strapless and swear by them). I use 3mm in water no colder than 4C

[LetsFlyaKite]

Barefoot is the only way to go for most men

[Peter_Frank]

So you are talking about DEEP winter conditions right ? With 6.5mm Atan boots, THAT is the warmest you can find.

When winter is over, and before it is sufficient warm for barefeet (from 10 C water typically), go thinner - use 3mm Atan and you will get the same grip but almost keep the barefoot feel

Peter

PS: I use the 3mm all winter, both in wetsuits and drysuits, but might just be me

[lovethepirk]

I am a big fan of the Dyneema FYF socks. I have been spared serious laceration at least three times with them.

RickI,

I took a day trip to Islamorada recently and showed up at 7am and kited with a guy from Switzerland. We got to chatting and stuff and he is a part of the FYF(Free Your Feet) Dyneema socks. He is sending me some and I look forward to posting a review. My feet have taken a beating learning this sport...

Here is the kickstarter which raised some serious cash:
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/sw ... escription

and here is the video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bd0sthYMcuU

[RickI]

That would be Philip, he is a driving force at the FYF concern. They work well for cut avoidance and have spared me a lot of injury. In the Keys you will find that sea urchins spines will sometimes get through. Although there have been times when one short spine made it in and five others were stopped in the weave. They can also go through neoprene booties at times as well. Life in the ocean.

[FLandOBX]

Are FYF Dyneema socks available for purchase and, if so, where?

[RickI]

Are FYF Dyneema socks available for purchase and, if so, where?

They can be purchased at:

http://fyf.io/products/fyf?variant=544073697

I noticed the pre-order on the website and asked about it. There is about a 10 week delay in shipping as they are scaling up production to cope with demand.

[FLandOBX]

They can be purchased at:

http://fyf.io/products/fyf?variant=544073697

I noticed the pre-order on the website and asked about it. There is about a 10 week delay in shipping as they are scaling up production to cope with demand.

Thank you, RickI....very helpful.

[lovethepirk]

I got my FYF (free your feet) socks in last week and used them on Sunday at a local area that has sharp shells. The socks are pretty cool and slip onto your feet easily even with wet feet. The socks are not a replacement for firmer shoes/booties that can prevent a sharp spine, but are an awesome compromise vs bare feet. Wearing these socks was like kiting in bare feet without worrying about getting cut up on the shells. With the socks you are still barefoot so you still feel the blunt objects pressing into your foot on the beach, but you get the benefit of direct feel on the board.