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| Introduction | Tube Types | Waders | Footwear & Fins | Accessories | Tips & Tricks |


Footwear:  I mentioned earlier that tubing is not an application for boot foot waders and the reason is flexibility.  As you kick along, your ankle flexes back and forth and a stiff boot foot wader doesn’t allow the range of motion you need to paddle comfortably all day. 

With that in mind, you should pick up a pair of cheap neoprene booties to go over your stocking foot waders.  The added layer of neoprene will keep your feet warmer and will keep you from puncturing the neoprene feet of your waders.  The surest way to get a leak in any pair of waders is to walk around in the stocking feet over rocks or a gravel parking lot. 

When you buy your booties, do whatever you can to try them on in the store, especially if you have not bought booties before to know your size.  Typically you’ll need to go 2 sizes larger than your normal shoe size but sizes vary and you’ll be really bummed (and uncomfortable) if you get booties that are too big or too small.  Take the time to find a store that sells the $40 type Hodgman booties, bring your waders and find the pair that feels just right, you will be glad you did.

Fins: Float tubes aren’t exactly high performance and from talking to people over the years I find that most folks don’t worry too much about fins.  The basic deal with fins is that long fins are for power and short fins are for speed and quickness.  I’ve tried both and I prefer the long dive fins but I have friends who prefer the shorter boogie boarding type fins especially for ocean tubing when wearing a wetsuit.  There is some advantage to a slip on fin when surf launching your float tube because they stay on better, but for freshwater I don’t see the need for the shorter fin. 

If you want a sure thing with fins, look for a pair of $40 one size fits all Browning brand dive fins.  These fins fit easily over booties, they’re readily available at major sporting good stores, and they get the job done for a reasonable price.  If you want to go all out, the high dollar Force Fins are reported to be excellent but I wouldn’t spend that kind of money unless you just have it to burn. 

The cheap fins that come with shoelaces on top or nylon webbing that you tighten over your foot should be avoided.  I’ve tried both and they just don’t stay attached to your foot firmly enough for all day comfort.  With this fin style, the risk also goes up that your fin will come off at some inopportune moment if the shoelaces come untied or the straps loosen up.  I see a lot of deals online where they give you free fins with certain float tubes and they’re always the shoelace or nylon web strap style so if you get one of these deals just take the free fins and sell them at a garage sale or keep them as backups. 

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