do I need reef shoes?

[leah67]

Hi all, I was wondering if anyone could shed some light on this one for me.

Are the beaches on Noumea,Lifou and Vila sand or crushed coral/shells?

I have read on some forums If they are shell beaches etc, it'll hurt the feet. If anyone can answer this one muchly apprieciated.

[mystte]

That's funny cause all evening at work I kept thinking I should ask the same question when I get home. If required, where does one buy them

[leah67]

hi mystte,

I have seen them at Amart Allsports and Anaconda, for about $20-$30 a pair. Just would like to know If I need a pair just in case.

[howsthis]

You can buy the 'reef/beach shoes' at places like Kmart and Big W also, quite cheap, under $10. That's all we used but whether lovely soft sand like Ouvea or grittier? sand at others, it always pays to wear them anyway. I know a lot of people use them when snorkelling instead of flippers. My lot did. Less to carry. I use them here on the beaches too for safety reasons like needle stick injuries etc.

[NARELLE]

I advise to take a pair with you. We wore them off everywhere we went to a beach port. Even if it is sand and not coral you will find there are rocks etc that you have to walk over. Also you don't know what is on the bottom once you are in the water. We have travelled everytime with them and class them as a must pack item.

As stated previously they are only about $8 in Big W. You dont need to get an expensive pair. When we wern't using our flippers we just replaced with our reef shoes at the snorkelling places.

 

narelle

[aussiedisneyfan]

Lifou beach is very corally so you will definitely need them there.

[mystte]

Thanks,from what I"ve heard on this board I thought that I would need them so had a quick look around but havet located any, I think wrong season in Melbourne but Anaconda will do the trick, so I will check them out soon

[kaseyoz]

I dont know about it being the wrong season. i have just been to my local mall and heaps of summer stuff out already.

 

Soon we will be seeing the christmas decorations!!!

[aussiedisneyfan]

Now, now KaseyOz, give them till August for xmas. :D

[karmac]

Now, now KaseyOz, give them till August for xmas. :D

 

Usually around October long weekend actually. As a "Christmas Pshyco" (as my DH puts it) I know when these things happen. And I can't wait:D

 

Karen

[mystte]

Ok I have looked.

What kind of reef shoes are we talking about?

 

I have seen the soft fabric like diving boots but can't get any in my size unless prepared to buy expensive diving boots. Saw them in a specialist bathsuit shop also large sports store but only a few there.

 

Also have seen the rubber clogs much like the old jelly baby shoes we used to put on kids when taking them to the beach. Kmart has some small sizes but anaconda had a full range at $30. If these are the ones, how do you swim in them?

 

Can someone fill me in as what to get, as I said we are only "just" getting swimwear and things here in melb in the kmarts etc, remember its colder here.

 

Anyone with a photo of the shoes?

 

Only 3 weeks to go and I am so busy I don't know how I will get ready in time, haven't even booked my flights!

 

Luci

[leah67]

Ok I have looked.

What kind of reef shoes are we talking about?

 

I have seen the soft fabric like diving boots but can't get any in my size unless prepared to buy expensive diving boots. Saw them in a specialist bathsuit shop also large sports store but only a few there.

 

Also have seen the rubber clogs much like the old jelly baby shoes we used to put on kids when taking them to the beach. Kmart has some small sizes but anaconda had a full range at $30. If these are the ones, how do you swim in them?

 

Can someone fill me in as what to get, as I said we are only "just" getting swimwear and things here in melb in the kmarts etc, remember its colder here.

 

Anyone with a photo of the shoes?

 

Only 3 weeks to go and I am so busy I don't know how I will get ready in time, haven't even booked my flights!

 

Luci

 

The ones I bought from Anaconda were (body glove) brand @ $26.98 ea.

They had all black ones and black and kharki coloured ones

They soles are clear soft rubber with the uppers wetsuit material with

cutout mesh holes down each side and laced up to give a good fit.

and being a fashionista.. they also look good.

hope this helps Lea.

[aussiedisneyfan]

Mine were neoprene(?) wetsuit material and a bit of mesh with a rubber sole. They were from Big W and cost less than $10.

[Skyrules]

Now, now KaseyOz, give them till August for xmas. :D

 

My birthday is in the middle of September, and Christmas seems to creep closer and closer to my birthday every year.

[karmac]

My birthday is in the middle of September, and Christmas seems to creep closer and closer to my birthday every year.

 

What date Kym? Mines the 11th.

 

Karen

[strawberrypatch11]

What date Kym? Mines the 11th.

 

Karen

 

My birthday is in September too. September 4th!

[mystte]

Lea and Aussie, that sounds just like what I was looking for but Anaconda did not have here in Melb, will give Big W a shot next week, hey Lea I want to look good too... well at least the feet might:)

[aliflem]

Hi Mystee

I'm from Melbourne too. I got mine a few weeks ago from Rays outdoors Seconds/Factory Outlet. I haven't seen any in Kmart/Big W yet. Mine are the wetsuit material on top and ruber on the botom. I got the kids some a couple of years ago from the Reject shop.

aliflem

;)

[mystte]

Rays!!! Of course I just didn't think of them - fantastic, will try over weekend,

thanks aliflem:D

[Tinalou]

I just thought I would bump this thread for those of us leaving shortly.

 

I bought some shoes yesterday from Big W but they're the rubber clog types with holes in the upper sole? Are they the right ones? They're ultra daggy and I already regret buying them.

 

I didnt know there was cool-looking ones. :o

 

We are visiting Vila, Ouvea, Noumea, Isle of Pines and Mystery Island. Which beaches will we need the shoes for?

[Rallo]

Tinalou I don't think you've bought the right thing although they might do. Reef shoes are made out of wetsuit material on top with a hard rubber sole. The shoes you bought are a copy of 'Crocs' which apparently are quite popular with some people. I would suggest if you are regretting buying them then take them back and look for the other type.

[mystte]

Tinalou, I know what you mean.

I borrowed a pair from a friend who bought them in Vila so will give them a go.

Now I see you live in Melbourne too, go to Big W, I saw them a few days ago almost the same as I am taking, very light flehible, almost like a glove for your foot. They have mens and ladies and only $9!

I tried Big W Southland, only blue for ladies and blue or black for men:)

[Tinalou]

Thanks!

 

How embarrassing!

 

I bought these ones from Big W for 9 bucks each....

 

I wonder if they will still be appropriate and do the job. :confused: At the expense of looking like a twit.

 

Lol. :o

[mystte]

Too heavy for swimming in I think, at least just awkward but at least they look nicer than the others:D

[Tinalou]

Lol....DF cant swim and I'm not a fan of swimming alone so we'll probably just wade in as far as we can go and use them to keep our feet safe while walking along the beaches.

 

Oh well, another pair of shoes for the junk pile.

 

I told DF I would use them when I wash the car because I always get saturated! Lol. :o