Stones, shells, coral, slippery surfboard decks: there are plenty of reasons to wear surf shoes even in warm water. Following our major test of ten different summer shoes last year – which included ION, GunSails, NeilPryde, Ascan, ProLimit, Soöruz and Decathlon’s Olaian brand – we’ve tested two more pairs this year: Atan and Wetty. Both brands share French origins and feature latex soles.
Both the Atan model and the Wetty shoe have a simple design: no special features such as Velcro straps across the instep, split-toe cuts or additional protectors. Both are very sturdy and well made. As is always the case with shoes, however, the individual fit varies from foot to foot, so we definitely recommend trying them on!
Atan Sunfast Neoprene Latex
- Price: 59.90 euros
- Neoprene: 3 mm
- Sizes: 36/37–3647 (double sizes)
Geckos are a common sight in our test area on Tobago, so the sole design on the Atan shoes – known as ‘Gecko Grip’ – seems to be a perfect fit. As a little extra to go with the brown-and-black shoes, a gecko sticker also flutters out of the box. This French manufacturer, with a long tradition, is less well known here, but does have a few fans. The Atan Sunfast is the brand’s lightest model, made by dipping a limestone neoprene sock in latex. Consequently, the whole shoe is wonderfully soft and flexible; the test pair fitted size 46 perfectly. The forefoot is relatively wide and doesn’t constrict the toes; in the midfoot area, the shoe tapers only slightly at the sides. The opening is rather small, but this means very little sand gets in once the shoe is on. The lace is therefore hardly necessary, but it works perfectly and doesn’t get in the way on the water. The thin sole strikes a good balance between sensitivity and protection: whilst you can feel stones, shells and corals, the shoe provides enough protection to ensure nothing pierces through. During loop surfing, our foot barely slipped inside the shoe during our test; everything always stayed exactly where it should. And the sole provides enough grip to keep you clinging to the board like a gecko!
soft and comfortable, good fit; a good balance between protection and feel
tight entry
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For more information, see tt-project.com
Wetty Reef Surf Boots
- Price: 70.00 euros
- Neoprene: 2 mm
- Sizes: 36.5–49 (US sizes 5–14.5)
“Please wax the sole before first use,” advises a sticker on the bottom of Wetty’s Reef Surf Boots. This hints at the brand’s surfing roots; Wetty was only founded in Brittany in 2014. Given the high-quality wax coating on our test boards, we decided not to wax the soles and had no problems whatsoever with grip. However, the latex sole is completely smooth, so it could become slippery on smooth surfaces with wet feet. The shoe itself is made from Armortex, a material also used for cut protection in the craft sector. In one of the promotional images, a saw is dramatically set against the shoe; the material is also said to withstand stones, shells and corals of all kinds. The test left no room for doubt: the shoe provides a very secure feeling over the long term. Speaking of feel: the Wetty shoe would deserve the label ‘authentic feel’ in other areas; it fully lives up to the barefoot sensation promised on the box. This is brilliant on the board and makes the shoe a real recommendation; however, when walking over stones, there is conversely little cushioning and you first need to build up some confidence in the cut-resistant sole. Like the Atan, this shoe is a sock dipped in latex and is very soft and supple. Only the sole, heel and toe tips are coated in latex, which makes the model particularly light – in return, the sock extends above the ankles. For surfing, it’s designed to be taken off even after crossing a reef and rolled up and stowed away inside your wetsuit or shorts. It’s effortless to slip on, and the very short drawstring is hardly necessary. The fit is on the narrow side, though the shoe does stretch out a little over time.
Light, soft and comfortable; great feel for the board
Large gaps between sizes; thin sole
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For more information, see wettywetsuit.com
Tobias Frauen
Editor