Surfing booties protect my feet going into shallow suft that might have rock shoals, broken glass, keep my feet from getting scraped against the board (sand sticks into the wax) and they also insulate against below 40 degree water temps.

I never did but I’m seriously considering the Vibram 5 finger shoes and I’d probably try them out in shallow reef for surfing. Coral is really sharp. Also, if you’re in cold water maybe they would keep you a little warmer.