What are surf shoes (Ex. Vans surf shoes) used for?

Question

What is the purpose of wearing surf shoes for? Do you surf with them on or something?

Answer 1

They are for sissies who dont want their feet cut up or punctured...

Answer 2

wimps and sissies wear them unless there is a really shallow reef...

Answer 3

no. they are a style that will identify you as a surfer if you wear them... or a poser!

Answer 4

vans are a skate shoe...booties are for cold water and reefs..

Answer 5

The only place I've seen them used for a good reason is in Hawaii. There are spots where the reef is too shallow to paddle over and too sharp to walk on without shoes. I thought the same thing the first time I saw people wearing them in Maui. Then I tried to paddle/walk out and my feet were sharkbait by the time I got to the surfline.

I've only worn them a couple of times and hate them, but sometimes you do need them.

Take it easy.

Answer 6

Are you talking about actual shoes or reef booties?  Vans are just shoes and they actually have stronger roots in skating, although many of us do both.

Reef booties are for just that, keeping you from filleting your feet on reefs.