fins

[vest0830]

The wife and I are about to invest in GOOD snorkel gear. As we go into different dive shops, we notice many different variables in fins. Some are soft rubber, some are hard rubber, some have slits, some are solid, some are long, some are short, some have a "lip" around the edge of the fin, some dont...what should we be looking for? Right now, we have the most basic of all basic snorkel gear. Living in Okinawa, Japan...its time to ditch the crappy stuff.

What should we be looking for, for snorkeling?

 

[RTaylor]

I've heard split fins are much better than solid.

 

[maractwin]

I've heard split fins are much better than solid.

It depends.

I scuba dive with Atomic split fins and love them. Though there are some definite tradeoffs. On the plus side, it is easy to get speed and/or power out of them for when you have to cover distance or fight current. On the down side, they aren't quite as manouverable as stiffer fins, and they are large and heavy to pack in my luggage.

When snorkeling with them, I find they tend to flop at the surface, so I have to use a frog kick instead of flutter. I'd probably be happier with something smaller and simpler for snorkeling.

It mostly comes down to personal preference. Ask your dive shop if you can try out some different fins in the swimming pool before deciding which ones to buy.

-Mark

 

[vest0830]

so its more of a personal preference then...?

 

[agilis]

fins

Fins are very much a personal preference, and fit is critical, but there are some that I think are better than others. Some fins Ive tried are mediocre performers for several reasons. There are great fins in the split, semi split, and paddle category.

I've been using Atomic full foot pocket Bio Fins. They are expensive ($100+US), and quite heavy on land, because they are made of natural rubber. They are also the most comfortable fins I've ever used. They run large and wide. They are beautiful in the water, extremely efficient for snorkeling and scuba. They are split fins, which work very well, especially if you learn how to move properly. Most divers/snorkelers move like paddle-wheel riverboats, wasting energy and creating a turbulent mess.

On the other end of the scale in terms of weight are Oceanic's and Aeris's full foot fins, both very good, light, easy to pack, and inexpensive, around $30. I'm sure there are lots of other fins that are excellent, but my experience puts these at the top of my snorkeling list, and all three, especially the Atomics, are great warm-water scuba fins as well.

 

[edr42]

I use atomic aquatic split fins and love them to death! They are more manouverable, more powerful, and faster than any paddle fin i've ever used. That said, make sure you try a number of fins to find the ones that work for you and your needs. Good luck.

 

[r00onmac]

i use freediving fins for scuba and only really had a bit of a cramp one time... 40 mins hardcore kicking on a drift dive where the current decided not to work that day.... lol... they are the Cressi Gara 3000 and man do i fly with them... i can cover the same area of a regular scuba finned buddy in one or two kicks that takes them 4 to 5....

 

[Samala]

I have TUSA xpert zoom split fins and love them to death (~$70).. could keep up with fairly strong current in them on long dives. But, they arent the best for snorkeling really, hard to be efficient enough in them, a little too much splash. As mentioned above, see if you can try fins out in the pool first as foot/kick mechanics are going to dictate whats most comfortable for you and your feet.

>Sarah

 

[edr42]

Xpert zooms are a really good fin as well, they are more flexible and provide great manouverability and acceleration. They almost feel as if you are not wearing fins at all the first time you use them as there is so little resistance.
Most split fins, like the xpert zooms, have a quite large angle on the blade which makes them a little akward for snorkelling, but great for diving.

 

[vest0830]

finding a good fin that works is going to be rough. I think we are just going to have to buy some, try them out, and if they dont work, ebay them or something.

 

[David P]

agilis, I think you mean Apollo bio fins?
Vest0830, I too use the Atomic splits and am quite happy with them. I also use old "Jets" think of the old sea hunt shows... I use them becuase of the size of my feet(16) and when I dive my dry suit I cant fit into the Atomics. Splits are easier on you calf muscles and are fast, imagine a car stuck in over drive, it may take a few moments to get to speed but once your going.... The Scuba Pro Jets style fins they are much shorter, slightly heavier, but they have incredible torque and much more stable than splits Imagine a hot rod or work truck in 1st gear ripping a tree trunk out of the ground. If your planning on doing under water photos I'd recomend the jets, if your just cruising around the reef then go with splits.

 

[agilis]

apollo

apollo

Yes, thank you for your correction. I did indeed mean the Apollo Bio Fin. I've used many fins over the years, but these bio fins are supremely comfortable and move you along right quickly with minimum effort. I also love the smooth, soft, old-fashioned quality feel of natural rubber.

Thanks again, and my apology for any confusion.

 

[Scuba_Dave]

We've tried different fins that friends have
I still like my Quatro Pros
Our local scuba shop sponsored an equipment try out day at a local pool