Keeping warm when paddling in the Swedish winter is a priority; winter temperatures where I live near the southwest coast frequently drop to -15°C or lower, that is 5°F for those used to weird degrees. But even with those temperatures, I can usually find somewhere with open water, and I can paddle year-round.
A dry suit and thermals take care of my core and legs, changing layers to match the temperature. Then I have a selection of hats and gloves to match the conditions. And I take spares with me in a dry bag.
 |
| Winter Boots = warm feet |
But keeping my feet warm is a challenge.
There is a fine balance to be found between warmth and mobility. It is very easy to put on loads of layers to keep warm, in previous years, I have done this once the water starts to cool: a thin sock, a waterproof sock and a 7mm dive boot have been my go-to for the depths of winter, and while that works, there is a significant loss in feel for the board when paddling. Reducing layers to improve feel has the same effect: numb feet and no feel at all, and that can be dangerous.
This year I have been spoiled by Solite EU! They were made aware of SUP My Race through our mutual contact with NSP, and when I approached them for some help with boots for winter, they said ‘yes’. For 2025 and into 2026, I will be using and writing about their Cold Water range.
 |
| Pivot turns with warm feet |
Is this a review?
Not quite, this is a first look. Usually, I paddle a lot using a new product before I write about it, but I’ve been using Solite’s 1.0 3mm boot for over 4 years, so I know enough about their boots to fire up the keyboard and give my impression of my new boots.
 |
| My Solite 3mm Custom 1.0 boots. |
The 5mm boots are from Solite’s cold water range, these are boots suitable for water temps from 0° - 10° C, that’s 32° - 50° F if you like old units, and include the 5mm Custom 2.0, the 8mm Custom 2.9 and 8mm Custom Fire 2.0 boots. We’ll come back to the 8mm boots later, when it gets a little colder.
 |
| Sea ice crystals - Gothenburg Archipelago |
Gum
Solite have two colour schemes for 2025 / 2026, Black/Red and Black/Gum. I have the 5mm Gum colour, and this colour combination gives a subtle-looking boot that does not shout “Look at me” on the water. Functionally, the different colour boots are the same.
The boot is essentially black, with the colour only used for the Solite logos and two stripes on the sole, a departure from previous seasons when more colour was used. I like the more subtle approach.
Unboxing
Solite sent my boots to me with minimal plastic packaging; the only plastic used was for the heat booster socks. Obviously, this is a good thing. The sturdy, bright orange cardboard boxes have already been repurposed for storage in the garage and will be recycled in due course. Even the one plastic bag has been reused, it has a zip-lock and is a good size for keeping things dry and has been added to my camping kit.
Usefully, the boxes all have a size conversion chart printed on them, no excuses for getting the wrong size!
Along with each pair of boots is a user guide that covers boot care, putting them on, taking them off and, of course, taking users through the steps for moulding their new boots. And moulding is the USP for these boots.
Construction
The boots were perfectly finished. All the seams are uniformly sealed, and even inside, there were no loose threads. Very neatly finished. The loop at the heel appears to be very secure, and the sole has a lightly textured finish, just enough for a deck pad or waxed deck for surfing.
Fit
My feet, like most people's, are slightly different sizes. EU Size 46 is close enough in most brands, but can be a bit tight on my left foot. From my previous Solite experience, I knew that Solite’s size EU 46 (UK 11 US 12) would be a very good fit for me, the moulding process allowing me to custom fit to my slightly odd feet. And that is the case with the Custom 2.0 sole. Read the instructions, add some hot water, pop the supplied socks on and allow the magic to happen. The result - A perfect fit.
The often overlooked part of fitment is the cuff around the ankle.
I like Solite’s close-fitting cut with no need for a velcro strap. In colder conditions, when I am using a drysuit, the lack of a strap makes it easy to slide the ankle seal over the top of the boot, necessary when temperatures are cold enough to freeze seawater.
 |
| Socks on a box |
Socks
If you are new to Solite, then you might be surprised to find a pair of thin socks in the box. These are ‘heat booster’ socks, which are a split-toe design and are a very useful thing to have and can be used in round-toe and split-toe boots. Split-toe socks are a bit strange at first, but they do make it easier to get boots on and off, and I think they add to the warmth of the boot.
The 8mm boots come with a thicker neoprene sock, and these are great! I bought a pair years ago for winter use, and they might be the most underrated kit in my winter setup.
On the water
First, a disclaimer. South West Sweden has had some unusually warm weather in the last week, and water temperatures have risen a few degrees! It is still quite cold, but 12° is not really a test for a cold-water boot. As a result, I can use a phrase that I have never used in October before.
My feet were too warm after 90 minutes of paddling
The implication is that these 5mm boots are warm. I will test them in more appropriate conditions in the next few weeks. But with paddlers getting ready for winter, I thought it best to get words out ASAP.
 |
| Subtle logos on the 5mm, custom 2.0 boot |
Barefoot?
The claim from Solite is that these have a ‘Barefoot Feel’, which is a question I have already had in the group: do they have a barefoot feel? I will say ‘yes’, but with some caveats. If I were barefoot, then I would have cuts on my feet and be unable to feel them; obviously, these boots are not like that!
However, these boots do not hinder my movement on the board at all. They are significantly better than my old solution of multiple layers and dive boots, warmer and more mobile. I accept that in cold conditions I will have something on my feet, and that something is usually going to hinder movement on the board, but with these 5mm boots, that wasn’t something I noticed.
These boots are extremely comfortable.
 |
| My latest challenge is, foot-photographer. Harder than you think! |
The new 2.0 sole unit is a big step up (pun intended) from the older sole unit on my 3mm boots. Walking over sharp gravel to get to the water was not noticed at all and a short hike on a woodland path to get to the water was boringly uneventful. Usually, I am stepping carefully at this time of year with thinner footwear, with these, I can just walk and not worry about what is underfoot.
The sole also has just enough cushioning to take the edge off the ground and then, on my SUP, enough feel for a completely uneventful training session and coffee break.
Usually, in cold weather, I stop to warm up. Coffee and cake for the paddler and running about on a beach for the paddler's feet. In these, I could simply enjoy my coffee; warm feet make a huge difference to paddling comfort.
 |
| New boots, new SUP. Admiring both in the Gothenburg Archipelago |
Summary
In conclusion, these are well designed, very well made, comfortable, warm, grippy and most importantly, they have a great, customisable fit.
Look out winter, here I come!
Affliated
I have a discount code for Solite EU; CJONES5. This gives paddlers 5% off using this link https://soliteboots.eu/?sca_ref=9734013.vMSpPg564i98IHHd
Using that link also gives me a reward, which will be appreciated when I need new gloves!
 |
| Beach Life, Gothenburg Archipelago |