fins

[flossy]

looking at treating myself to some new fins but not sure what to go for? quite like the look of new cressi rodine . i only have small feet what would you reccomend.

[frosty the snowman]

Hi again flossie. I think that unless you do a comparitive test it really doesn't matter. If you do a lot of diving off RIBs, long fins can be a pain. If you use a drysuit, heavier ones can help stop your feet floating. There are dozens of different types but my 12 year old simple plastic jobs enabled me to keep up with divers wearing more sophisticated ones. Having said that I bought a pair from this site yesterday! At the end of the day, look for a bargain. There's a gear ads section on here. Hope that helps.

[Woz]

Jetfins jetfins jetfins jetfins jetfins jetfins

[Juz]

It just depends........

What sort of diving are you into for a start? etc etc etc.

Best bet is to borrow a few pairs and test them.

I dived with Mares Quattro's for years and tehya re good hardy kit. I recently switched to force fins and find them excellent too.

Juz

[Sparky750]

I've heard jet fins spoken about alot on here are they really that good i'm currently using tusa imprex ones and find them ok could someone explain why jet fins are so much better (a little dim) also are the split ones even better again? I may be looking to buy some new ones like the look of forec fins too either way they'll be having spring straps. (sorry to hijack a thread)

[tom]

Originally Posted by Sparky750

I've heard jet fins spoken about alot on here are they really that good i'm currently using tusa imprex ones and find them ok could someone explain why jet fins are so much better (a little dim) also are the split ones even better again? I may be looking to buy some new ones like the look of forec fins too either way they'll be having spring straps. (sorry to hijack a thread)

I used to have Tusa Imprex fins (actually I still do, they're in the loft!) and switched to Northern Diver Jetfins (the cheap ones).

The jetfins are much, much, much better. The Tusas are really floppy (I've seen pictures of me finning with the fins bent double) - to use them effectively you need to make small movements, which means you get much less power in difficult conditions (like finning into a current, or shifting bulky gear - my LDS actually described them to me as unsuitable for UK diving).

The jetfins take a little getting used to, but translate your leg movements to power much better in my experience. They are also make a wider range of fin strokes (frog kick, modified flutter etc) easier to perform. The small size means it's much easier to move around on the boat with them. They're heavy too - if you currently wear ankle weights, you could probably ditch them.

Split ones I know very little about, but they are allegedly flexible so probably have many of the same issues as the Imprex.

Does that help?

[jamesp]

Personally, I find that a new/different set of fins feel like hell on earth for the first few dives. So i stuck with my cressi frogs, cos they were cheap £20 sh and I have not managed to break or lose them yet(sixth year). I also have a set of avanti fins that live in the kit bag as first reserve on dive trips. You pay your money you take your pick, at the end of the day there are few really BAD fins around, you just have to learn to live with them.

[Andy M]

Originally Posted by jamesp

Personally, I find that a new/different set of fins feel like hell on earth for the first few dives. So i stuck with my cressi frogs, cos they were cheap £20 sh and I have not managed to break or lose them yet(sixth year).

Seconded, cressi frogs are my recommendation. Lost one for the first time last month, 14 years use out of them. I just managed to score a replacement pair on ebay tonight for £20. Wouldnt dream of using anything else, and they are fairly light too.

Andy

[flossy]

they sound good i will have to treat me self to some frogs

[Richard Mason]

Originally Posted by jamesp

Personally, I find that a new/different set of fins feel like hell on earth for the first few dives. So i stuck with my cressi frogs, cos they were cheap £20 sh and I have not managed to break or lose them yet(sixth year). I also have a set of avanti fins that live in the kit bag as first reserve on dive trips. You pay your money you take your pick, at the end of the day there are few really BAD fins around, you just have to learn to live with them.

I've had a pair of Cressi Spacefrogs for some years now but recently treated myself to some Mares Volos Power fins. I have to report that they weren't hell first time I used them, far from it, they were a massive improvement. I was zooming around like a mad thing, swimming into the surge no worries.

I've been very very pleased with them (and for $260, it's a bloody good job too.)


Richard M.