Stones, shells, coral, slippery surfboard decks: There are many reasons to wear surf shoes even in warm water. After our big test with ten different summer shoes last year - which included ION, GunSails, NeilPryde, Ascan, ProLimit, Soöruz and the Decathlon brand Olaian - this year we tried out two more pairs, Atan and Wetty. What both brands have in common is their French origin and latex soles.
Both the Atan model and the Wetty shoe are simple: no special features such as Velcro over the instep, split-toe cuts or additional protectors. Both are very solid and cleanly finished. As always 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 Euro
- Neoprene: 3 mm
- Sizes: 36/37-3647 (double sizes)
Geckos are often seen in our test area on Tobago, so the "Gecko Grip" design of the sole on the Atan shoes seems to be a perfect fit. A gecko sticker flutters out of the box as a little extra with the brown and black shoes. The French manufacturer with a long tradition is less well known here, but has a few fans. The Atan Sunfast is the brand's lightest model, with a sock made from Limestone neoprene dipped in latex. As a result, the whole shoe is wonderfully soft and flexible, and the test model fitted perfectly for shoe size 46. The forefoot is relatively wide and does not constrict the toes, while the shoe is only slightly tucked in at the sides in the centre area. The entrance is rather small, but only a little sand gets in once the shoe is on. The laces are hardly necessary, but they are easy to use and don't get in the way on the water. The thin sole is a good compromise between sensitivity and protection: although stones, shells and coral can be felt, the shoe provides enough security to ensure that nothing punctures it. When loop surfing, the foot hardly slipped in the shoe in our test, everything always stayed where it should. And the sole provides enough grip to stay on the board like a gecko!
soft and comfortable, good fit; good compromise between protection and feel
narrow entry
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Info under tt-project.com
Wetty Reef Surf Boots
- Price: 70,00 Euro
- Neoprene: 2 mm
- Sizes: 36.5 - 49 (US sizes 5 - 14.5)
"Please wax the sole before first use" advises a sticker under the Reef Surf Boots from Wetty. This hints at the company's roots in surfing, as the Wetty brand was only founded in Brittany in 2014. In view of the good base coat on our test boards, we decided not to wax them and had no problems with grip. However, the latex sole is completely treadless, so it could be slippery on slippery surfaces with wet feet. The shoe itself is made of Armortex, a material that is also used as cut protection in the trade sector. In one of the advertising images, a saw is being applied to the shoe in a martial manner, and the material is also supposed to keep out stones, shells and corals of all kinds. The test left no doubt about this, the shoe gives a very secure feeling in the long term. Speaking of feeling: the Wetty shoe would earn the title "true to feel" in other areas, but it fully fulfils the barefoot feeling promised on the box. This is great on the board and makes the shoe a real tip, but conversely there is little cushioning when walking over stones and you first have to build up a little confidence in the cut-resistant sole. Like the Atan, this shoe is also a sock dipped in the latex material and is very soft and supple. Only the sole, heel and toe tips are covered in latex, which makes the model particularly light - but the sock extends over the ankles. For surfing, it can also be taken off after crossing a reef and rolled up and stowed in the wetsuit or shorts. They are easy to put on and the very short strap is hardly necessary. The fit is rather narrow, but the shoe widens a little over time.
Light, soft and comfortable; great feel for the board
Large gaps between sizes; thin sole
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Info under wettywetsuit.com
Tobias Frauen
Editor
