Open heel vs full foot fins?

[Cracken]

I am in the market for new fins and am wondering which is better for the purpose of snorkeling and scuba.

 

[snorvich]

Do you go bare footed or wear boots?

 

[camaroracer214]

i like the open heal fins. they require boots (otherwise they would be very uncomfortable), but they are very easy to take off. additionally, if you take of the fins, you still have the boots to walk around with on rocky/rough surfaces.

 

[Cracken]

im wondering if there are downsides to open heel fins

 

[Ben Wilson]

Full foot can only be used in warm water, when they come off you dont have any protection against rocks or other debris, and they can be difficult to get on and off when you are getting on a boat and everyone is waiting on you.. Open heel fins can must be used with boots which provide protection against the ground and you can wear thicker boots or a drysuit for cold water. The downside is they are usually a little more money and you have to also purchase boots.

 

[produceb]

I like the lighter full foot for snorkeling and the open with booties for scuba.

 

[mayjong]

I like the lighter full foot for snorkeling and the open with booties for scuba.

X2
if you (or if I) were only going to buy/travel with 1 pair, i would go with the open foot/booties. usable in many more situations. when i travel, i only bring the open foot/booties.

 

[hul kogan]

Definitely open heel/booties. As many others indicated, they are much more practical for nearly all scenarios.

You also won't have to deal with sizing issues as the back strap compensates for discrepancies in manufacture sizing. Whereas, a full foot fin must be much closer to your actual size in order to keep from falling off or being too tight and causing cramps.

 

[schudini]

im wondering if there are downsides to open heel fins

Strap/clip breakage, cost (typically a little more $), and possibly comfort.

 

[WarmWaterWuss]

I love my full foot fins. I have some booties and open heel fins but I only wear them to shore dive. I noticed that the DMs on the boats mostly wear full foots, they are more comfy I think.

 

[BJReef]

IN a recent Dive Trip to Hawaii, they required us to have open fins, but it was a shore dive. IMO, open are the only way to go. Boots provide extra protection when walking around. If you go this route, but a spare strap and always keep it with your gear, just in case one breaks.

 

[scubarob]

As long as the water is warmer than 71F full foot fins are the best as they get on and off fast and dont waste time and save $. Im a PADI instructor and full time AQ diver in Hawaii and I use the Mares Avante Quatros. They are the best for diving in current

 

[Namnuta]

I use open heel with boots for diving, and free diving. Love em, not a fan of full foot fins. also i like the adjustment capability with open heel and I find them also much easier to get on and off when entering a dive boat.

 

[zimmyfan]

I prefer open heel with booties

 

[Cracken]

So i bought Open Heel Avanti quattro my mares and did two dives with them and snorkeled with them. They are absolutely awesome and am incredibly pleased.

 

[scubarob]

So i bought Open Heel Avanti quattro my mares and did two dives with them and snorkeled with them. They are absolutely awesome and am incredibly pleased.

Your welcome

 

[dudley moray]

i would have went with jetfins

 

[ravedood]

open heel with spring straps

 

[Vandal996]

As long as the water is warmer than 71F full foot fins are the best as they get on and off fast and dont waste time and save $. Im a PADI instructor and full time AQ diver in Hawaii and I use the Mares Avante Quatros. They are the best for diving in current

Negative. The best fins for diving in a current are Cressi Garas. I am also an instructor and was a guide in palm beach fighting the gulf stream. LOL. My Captain and I used to have this argument all the time.
I recommend open heel as they are more diverse. Also if the foot pocket on your full foot fins gets ripped try are trashed and if the roaches decide to eat the edges of the foot pockets they can be very uncomfortable. Yes, cockroaches eat silicone.

 

[Fin Mike]

The Cressi Gara 2000's are the best. They give you a lot of versatility and they can't be beat for current diving and spearfishing. Can be a pain to put on, but its worth it. I couldn't spearfish without them.