Waterproof B2 6.5mm Boots

As a general rule, thicker neoprene insulates more, so colder water pushes you toward thicker accessories, but fit, dive length, and personal cold tolerance matter as much as the millimeter number. Divers commonly lose a great deal of heat through the head, so a hood is often the highest-value warmth upgrade for the money. Remember that every added piece of neoprene also adds buoyancy you will need to account for.

Boots should fit like a snug athletic shoe, with no heel lift and no crushed toes; a little water inside is normal, a sloshing pocket is not. Try them on with the socks you would actually dive, and remember your fin foot pocket has to accommodate the boot. Hard-sole boots protect on rocky shore entries, while soft-sole boots are lighter and pack smaller for boat and travel diving.

Gloves should be snug across the palm with fingertips reaching the ends without bunching, since trapped air and loose fingertips destroy dexterity. Thicker gloves are warmer but make buckles, clips, and inflator buttons harder to operate, so choose the thinnest glove that keeps you comfortable in your conditions. Try working a clip or buckle while wearing them before you commit.

A hood should seal around the face and neck without restricting your throat or jaw, and lie flat on your head without pulling the mask strap out of position. A loose hood flushes cold water continuously, while an overly tight one is distracting and uncomfortable. Many hoods have a vent to release air trapped during descent, so check yours and burp out any trapped air before you go down.

New neoprene compresses and relaxes with use, so a boot, glove, or hood that feels firm out of the packaging usually settles slightly after a few dives. It should still be snug afterward rather than loose, because neoprene that stretches into a loose fit was probably oversized to begin with. Buy for a snug fit when new, but never for a fit that restricts circulation or breathing.

Yes, because every piece of neoprene you add is buoyancy, and a hood, boots, and thick gloves together can shift your weighting noticeably. Do a proper buoyancy check any time you change your exposure protection rather than assuming your usual weight still works. The weight-check procedure is covered in your training, and a dive professional can help you re-do it.

Rinse them inside and out in fresh water after every dive day, since they hold sweat and salt more than any other gear, and dry them fully inside-out before packing. Dry them out of direct sunlight and never on a heater, because heat hardens neoprene and weakens glued seams. Store them dry and unfolded, as damp neoprene sealed in a bag is how gear picks up a permanent smell.

Waterproof describes the B2 as a 6.5mm semi-dry boot, meaning the thick neoprene and the closure are built to limit water movement inside the boot rather than to keep it completely dry. The extra long YKK zipper closes the shaft, and the angled boot shaft reduces strain while finning. Expect warmth from the 6.5mm neoprene, not a dry seal.

No. The Waterproof B2 is designed for use with open-heel fins, so you need adjustable strap fins rather than full-foot fins. The boot also has a fin strap ridge that helps keep the fin strap seated on the heel. Because 6.5mm neoprene is bulky, check that your open-heel foot pockets have enough room before diving the combination.

This listing offers eight sizes: 2XS, XS, S, M, ML, L, XL and 2XL. Waterproof lists XXS, XS, S, M, ML, L, XL, XXL and 3XL; our 2XS and 2XL labels likely correspond to XXS and XXL. The ML size gives an in-between option between M and L. Call 888-701-4017 if you are between sizes.

The B2 uses an extra long YKK zipper, which opens the boot shaft wide so you can slide your foot and ankle in without fighting the 6.5mm neoprene. Close the zipper fully before putting your open-heel fins on so the strap sits on the fin strap ridge.