Warm, comfortable, and loaded with features, the Drylock booties are winners. Photo: Zach Weisberg//The Inertia
Wetsuit booties, as we’ve observed in the past, are both a blessing and a curse. A blessing in that they allow us to surf in cold water for longer, but a curse in that they can, it is often argued, make it harder to feel your surfboard, fill up with water, slide around, and generally decrease one’s performance.
But as we’ve also observed, in recent years, wetsuit manufacturers have done a great job of stepping up their offerings, making booties that are truly comfortable and are not prone to the troubles previously mentioned. And I’m here to inform you that the Xcel Drylock 3mm Split Toe Wetsuit Booties ($95) fit the bill to a tee.
I tested the Drylocks in Southern California during the early summer months, with the Pacific ranging from 60 to 64 degrees. In that sense, I was overdressed, but it was great to get a firm sense of board feel and durability while snagging as many waves as possible and doing the rock dance in and out of the water at Trestles. Across the board, the booties performed amazingly. They offered plenty of cushion and warmth while also adding a layer of armor to my feet to protect against potentially bloody scuffs on the rocks, all without decreasing my performance out on the water.
Bottom Line: The Xcel Drylock 3mm Split Toe wetsuit booties are comfortable and flexible, and their refined soles offer excellent board feel. If you don’t mind a wetsuit bootie with a bit of structure to it, this is a great choice.
Check Price on EvoRelated: Best Wetsuit Booties | Best Wetsuits (Men’s) | Best Women’s Wetsuits | More Surf Gear Reviews
A rugged sole helps with grip on uneven terrain and helps keep you planted on the wax of your board. Photo: Zach Weisberg//The Inertia
Testing the Xcel Drylock Split Toe 3mm Booties
First Impressions
As soon as I slipped the Drylock booties on, my feet felt at home. They’re soft, flexible, and warm, and I appreciated the snug fit. My feet are a true size nine. For the most part, that’s sample size, and on first wear, these felt slightly cramped. That said, within four sessions with the booties, they already expanded to a perfect fit. Hopefully, they’re finished stretching, as the boots are currently just the right size.
Xcel Drylock Split Toe ($95)
Style: Split toe, also available in round toe (3mm/5mm)
Bootie Tested: 3mm Split Toe
Suggested Water Temp: 51-58 degrees Fahrenheit
Materials: Channel Flex Exterior; Celliant Black wetsuit liner interior
Pros: Super comfortable; great board feel, heel strap for easy entry
Cons: Not many; can feel more like a shoe than a sock – a pro or a con depending on your preference
Notable Features
Since the sole of the booties are supported by a generous amount of structured rubber, I was concerned they might sacrifice board feel and flex. Not so. In testing, I found the booties to be exceptionally grippy, and my feet have felt very well-connected to the board. My go-to booties for years have been the Vans Surf Boot 2 HI 3mm. I’ve worn them so much that the heels and balls of my feet have nearly burst through. As a result, the boardfeel of this particular pair of booties is very, very good. With that context, it’s impressive that I love the board feel and sensitivity of the Xcel Drylock boots as much as I do.
The Drylock ankle seal cuff prevents excess water entry, and the pull-up heel loop is non-negotiable. I try to be gentle with the straps, no matter the brand, as, eventually, with enough yanking, they’ll tear right off, but the heel strap is critical for entry and exit when it’s cold and digits are functioning at half speed.
The Drylock boot also features a diagonal velcro strap to tighten across the top of the foot, which is effective at keeping things cinched down for a no-slip fit. Xcel also offers a one-year manufacturer’s warranty, so they stand behind their product and will help out if something goes awry.
A strap over the instep helps keep everything locked down. Photo: Zach Weisberg//The Inertia
Drawbacks
Honestly, the Xcel Drylock boots are outstanding, so notes for improvement are sparse. If you’re looking for more minimalist options, there are lighter, more streamlined products available. I’m curious about the durability of the soles after heavy usage on rocks, but they seemed strong and grippy in the early days.
Rugged but not over-engineered, the Drylock booties are winners. Photo: Zach Weisberg//The Inertia
Final Thoughts
The Xcel Drylock 3mm Split Toe is an excellent boot; it offers top-of-the-line comfort and flexibility, and it feels durable without compromising board feel. That’s truly a tough nut to crack, and Xcel knocked it out of the park.
Check Price on EvoRelated: Best Wetsuit Booties | Best Wetsuits (Men’s) | Best Women’s Wetsuits | More Surf Gear Reviews
Editor’s Note: For the most recent gear reviews and features on The Inertia, click here.
Photo: Zach Weisberg//The Inertia
