Hi, l was surfing the other week and l had 5mm winter booties on my feet which should keep the cold away, but when l got out of the water l look and all my toes were completely white and l lost all feeling to them for about an hour. l was wondering if theres any way l can stop this from happening again as it keeps getitng colder.
Thanks.

Your wetsuit makes a big difference in keeping your feet warm. Only some heat is lost through your feet, and with booties, you should be okay. If you are losing lots of heat overall (head, arms, legs, trunk) the blood the goes to your lower extremities is too cold to keep them warm. You need a thicker wetsuit, and maybe even a hood, not thicker booties. l rarely wear boots when the water is in the fifties, because my legs are warm. Sounds dumb, but it physiologically sound.

Have to agree with John (above). A proper wetsuit, & u will be warmer overall.

Couple of additions:
--Might sound stupid, but r the boots too tight (circulation problem) or too loose (too much water being exchanged)?
--Keep the water layer that is in there stable (or keep more water out) by using a velcro strip to tighten around the leg above the ankle but below the top (not too tight.).
--Keep the wetsuit over the boot, not the other way around, if that is what you're doing (yeah, l know, it is stupid, but just thought I'd mention it.).

If applicable: lay off anything that cuts down circulation prior to going (nicotine, caffeine, etc.).

l kitesurf in Lake Michigan often into December with a 5/4/3/ suit, 5mm Boots, 4mm Gloves & helmet.

Good Luck!

Chaz

Your booties may be too leaky preventing the water in them from warming up. If u can identify the leaky areas u can seal them up with wetsuit repair goo. If ur somewhere really cold maybe go to a 7 mm bootie.

Your feet will pretty much always turn white though. There just sitting there stewing in uncirculating water so they're gonna be good & wrinkly too.

A never fail cure is just to peep in ur wetsuit. Do not go eewww, everybody does it & if they say they do not they're a liar.