footwear over dry suit socks?

I'm getting a dry suit (actually, paddle suit) and was wondering how to keep the built in dry socks from getting damaged by sand. I'm thinking that in a surf launch, it would be hard to avoid getting some sand trapped next to the socks. I pedal a Hobie, so even a little sand might be a problem.

I've seen a couple of related posts, but still not sure what might work best...

Neoprene booties.

Whatever kind of footgear you buy, get it big enough so you can wear some warm fuzzy socks under your drysuit's dry socks to keep your feet warm, without constricting your feet.  Tight footgear causes cold feet.  Because I do a lot of kayak fishing in cold water, I get footgear about two sizes larger than the size of my street shoes.

I use wetsuit booties, but if you frequently have to cross rough rocks to get to the water, consider getting footgear with a more substantial sole than is found on most wetsuit booties.  A sole may also make pedaling a pedal kayak more comfortable.  I don't like using sandals or footgear with holes in its sides because sand and gravel can get into them.

I've been using an old pair of running shoes.  They drain well enough and by keeping the laces loose, I have enough room for thick socks and the booties. Does well for pedaling, crossing the sand, and walking on rough ground.

I use some NRS wet shoes. They work well, but don't drain. After launching you have a shoe full of water. I'm thinking of getting a pair of taller boots so that I can do launches and keep water out of my footwear.

Make sure you go up at least 1 shoe size, 2 would be better to layer and stay warm.

NRS Paddle wetshoe for the ocean / cold weather.  Side zipper prevents your socks from bunching up

Teva Churn water shoes for warm weather. Fast drying and drains water very well.  Full mesh prevents pebbles going inside the shoe.

I recently went to a "Muck boot" style neoprene boot.  Worked great for river trolling for steelhead and comfortable if you have get out and walk.  Not sure how they would be on the water if I fell out though....

5MM wetsuit booties with thick soles for rocky beaches

I got the NRS "work boot" not too long ago. I had read that they are hard to get in and out of, run small (get at least two sizes larger than normal)and that they would hold water. I was still seduced by them, they look kinda cool and I generally think of NRS products favorably.  They're not horrible but I did expect something better. The durability of the sole shoe connection is questionable.The general construction seems cheap.They are oddly narrow and sure enough the fact that they hold water is a bother. You are better off with thick soled dive booties and I think you'd find those in a real brick and mortar store for thirty bucks less.Not worth nearly $89+ tax imo another choice would be the highly drainable  hard soled water shoe made by Sperry and a bunch of others if you get cold you can always add a neoprene sock.

Any tall, zip-up neoprene bootie.  Look at dive boots, too, they're often a few $$ less expensive and many (most) have hard soles that help when pedaling.

Does your dry suit have gravel guards like those on breathable waders and Kokatat dry suits?  Those work well to keep the sand and gravel from getting into the boots during launching/landing.

If not, Simms makes over-gaiters that do the same thing.  Other brands aren't rated as highly as the Simms' but they are pricey for what you get.

Or go very low tech and tie a couple of plastic trash bags on your feet to launch...

I use the neoprene socks and I also used water proof socks inside. Dry feet at the end of the day is a god send especially on cold days.

I've been wearing Columbia Drainmakers over my Kokatat dry-suit with thick wool socks underneath for the past couple of years and wouldn't trade them for anything.  They're like an athletic shoe but they drain.  Good for walking on rocky surfaces and slippery launches.  Great for pedaling the Hobie.  I throw them in the washing machine and let them dry outside.  They still look like new after two years of use.

Neoprene booties.

I do the same, just order one size larger than normal and it works out great.  I had a pair with just velcro, but couldn't find another like it and ended up with one with a zipper.  Kinda makes me nervous that I might zip the DS and ruin it, so still looking for another with just velcro.

I have drypants and been using Crocs. My life is not the same without them.

I've been wearing Columbia Drainmakers over my Kokatat dry-suit with thick wool socks underneath for the past couple of years and wouldn't trade them for anything.  They're like an athletic shoe but they drain.  Good for walking on rocky surfaces and slippery launches.  Great for pedaling the Hobie.  I throw them in the washing machine and let them dry outside.  They still look like new after two years of use.

I second this!

Although I don't wash mine.