Ankle Booties come in 1, 2 and 3 mm – plus the softer SKIN, the Toe Booties for the toes and the Powerslide Footies. Which version suits your sport, your boot and your problem areas? This guide summarises what the product descriptions say about the individual models and helps you choose. Whether you skate, run, hike or play ice hockey: the principle is always the same, only the thickness differs.
The principle: neoprene on the skin, sock on top
All the models presented here are thin neoprene socks with almost seamless construction. They are worn on bare skin and simply pulled on under your normal sports sock. Blisters and chafing develop when the skin repeatedly rubs against the boot or the sock – heat and moisture make this worse. With the neoprene sock as an additional layer, the friction occurs between the neoprene and the sock and no longer directly on the skin.
Important when choosing: every layer needs some room in the boot. The tighter your boot fits and the more directly you need to feel the contact with your sports equipment, the more likely a thin version is the right choice. The more room there is in the boot, the more a thicker version can make sense.
Ankle Booties 1 mm: ultra-thin for direct boot contact
The 1 mm version of the Ankle Booties is ultra-thin. According to the product text, it is particularly valued by athletes who need direct contact with the boot or their sports equipment. These include:
- inline speed skaters
- ice speed skaters
- ice hockey players
- footballers
- sprinters
What these sports have in common is a close-fitting boot or shoe in which every additional layer can be felt. Here the thinnest version is usually the first choice.
Ankle Booties 2 mm: for more severe blisters and chafing
According to the description, the 2 mm thickness is particularly popular with ambitious athletes who struggle with more severe blisters and chafing. As examples, the text names inline skaters, basketball players, joggers, Nordic walkers and cross-country skiers. The 2 mm version is therefore the middle ground: noticeably more material than 1 mm, but still suitable for many sports shoes that do not fit quite as tightly as a speed skate or an ice skate.
Ankle Booties 3 mm: for loose or ill-fitting shoes
According to the product text, 3 mm Ankle Booties are popular with people who suffer badly from blisters and chafing because of loose or ill-fitting shoes – for example hikers and cross-country skiers. Please note: the 3 mm version is not produced in XL, only up to size L (41–44). According to the manufacturer, however, it still fits shoe sizes 45/46.
SKIN: 1 mm, but softer
The Ankle Bootie SKIN is also 1 mm thick. According to the description, its material feels somewhat thicker and softer and offers more padding than the classic ultra-thin Ankle Bootie in black. It is made of super-stretch neoprene with bonded Lycra, which is very stretchy and hugs the foot well. The product text names speed skaters, cross-country skiers, ski tourers and hikers as particularly suitable users. The SKIN is available in sizes XS, S, M, L and XL.
Toe Booties: protection for the toes
If blisters appear not on the ankle or heel but on the toes, the Toe Booties are the answer. They are made of ultra-thin 1 mm neoprene, have almost seamless construction and are also worn on bare skin under the sports sock. The big toe is stitched separately. According to the product text, they are ideal for dancers and athletes who get blisters in the toe area, and they offer additional protection against the cold. Toe Booties can be combined with Ankle Booties – the product image shows them together with the SKIN. They are hand-washed with a mild detergent.
Powerslide Footies: the alternative in 1, 2 and 3 mm
The Powerslide Footies are designed for the same purpose as the Ankle Booties: protecting the feet from blisters and chafing. They too are neoprene socks with almost seamless construction, worn on the skin under the sports sock. Footies come in 1, 2 and 3 mm and in size ranges from 31 to 49. For 2 and 3 mm, the product text names the same areas of use as for the Ankle Booties.
All models compared
| Model | Thickness | Protected area | Suitable for, according to the product text | Sizes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ankle Booties 1 mm | 1 mm, ultra-thin | foot and ankle | inline speed skaters, ice speed skaters, ice hockey players, footballers, sprinters | see product options |
| Ankle Booties 2 mm | 2 mm | foot and ankle | inline skaters, basketball players, joggers, Nordic walkers, cross-country skiers | see product options |
| Ankle Booties 3 mm | 3 mm | foot and ankle | hikers, cross-country skiers – with loose, ill-fitting shoes | up to L (41–44), fits up to 45/46 according to the manufacturer |
| Ankle Bootie SKIN | 1 mm, softer, more padding | foot and ankle | speed skaters, cross-country skiers, ski tourers, hikers | XS–XL |
| Toe Booties | 1 mm | toes | dancers, athletes with blisters in the toe area | XS (33–35) to XL (45–47) |
| Powerslide Footies | 1, 2 or 3 mm | foot and ankle | 2 and 3 mm: as Ankle Booties | 31–49 |
How to make your choice
- Start with the boot: if it fits very tightly and directly (speed skate, ice skate, football boot, spikes), start with 1 mm or the SKIN.
- Assess your problem: if you keep getting more severe chafing despite well-fitting shoes, 2 mm may be the better choice.
- Take loose shoes into account: if there is a lot of play in the shoe, for example with hiking boots or rental shoes, 3 mm is an option.
- Consider the problem area: if the blisters are on your toes, add Toe Booties.
- Test: try the neoprene sock on together with your sports sock in your own boot before starting a long session.
You can read about the causes of blisters when skating and what you can do besides neoprene protection in the article Avoiding blisters and pressure points when inline skating. You will find an overview of tape, blister plasters and neoprene in our blister protection comparison.
If you already have a blister
If possible, do not pierce an existing blister; protect it with a blister plaster until it has healed. For open, inflamed or recurring sores, please seek medical advice.
Not sure which thickness or size is right for you? Call us on +49 (0) 77 20 / 34 70 6, write to us using the contact form or visit our shop in Villingen-Schwenningen.
