fin spring strap choices +fit?

[Darren555]

More expensive options are from Manta which are very nice and also Deep Outdoors which use a shackle.

[broady]

Originally Posted by Darren555

More expensive options are from Manta which are very nice and also Deep Outdoors which use a shackle.

Bugger me more expensive is right !!!

G


.

[Ferrets]

Those straps are almost as expensive as my fins!

[Allan Carr]

Originally Posted by Buoyant Babe

This is one of the reasons I went from Mares Quattros to Volos as the weght difference was quite significant. If the water is going to be warmish I also take a 3mm full suit (rather than a 5mm) with my very light 4th Element Thermocline shorts and vest underneath.

One of the locations in our itinerary is Milford Sound in New Zealand. That outfit is a bit too adventurous for there. I know in the past, I have dived under ice in a 5mm wetsuit but I've got more sense (or a lot softer) now.

[infernalzen]

went for some northern diver fin springs.
wasnt happy with the tiny diameter of the bolt +it not being in safety.
so replaced them with 6mm ss bolt +nut, having smoothed the area of the bolt in contact with the spring +cord.
6mm was abit of over kill. made my buddies 5mm.

[scapaman]

Originally Posted by Stesh

And welcome infernalzen

I got the Beaver ones and my only complaint is that loop at the back is a bit too small to get your fingers in if your wearing thick gloves.

same here but there good fit in dry suit i were a size 9 boot and the fin strapes are large

[purple vonny]

Another vote for ND straps. You probably have enough replies now to make your choice! Mine have been on the Qautros for 6 months. I found them very difficult to fit in the first place due to weak girly hands but once on, they have been fantastic.

[Mal Bridgeman]

Originally Posted by fishyheid

I use the beaver ones, but as Woz said the buckles do give. I have cable-tied mine and they're bullet proof now.

It's rare to see the phrase "bullet proof" in the same sentence as "cable-tie"
Mal

[Digger]

Cable ties will break when you twist them, but if you use big bastard cable ties and they're straight on then they hardly ever ever fail.

Personally I think I'm going to write a big article on how I did my bungee straps, because for me they're less likely to fail than spring straps, they don't have line traps like fin straps, they are comfortable, can be adjusted easily with a quick snip of two cable ties and a couple of new ones, they cost less than any of the other options, they're easy to put on and take off, they're secure and adjust to any compression or movement, they weigh bugger all, I have used an optional bit of tubing to cover the bungee, but they don't need it, you can fit them to any type of fin no problem at all, without buckles, shackles, hours of worshipping Lord Woz and his creations, and they're ultimately the daddy.

So forget all this spring crap.

I gave up on spring straps when I got some line caught in the gaps created when you're wearing the things. I am yet to see many designs where this is prevented. It was a right bastard to sort out, and I wouldn't want to sort that in a hurry. It's the kind of thing that if you got properly netted, the last thing you want is for your straps to get caught up as well.

Digs.

[Digger]

Everything I've wanted to say about fins in one place: A fin is not a fin is not a fin

The section on finstraps might be useful. As is Richard's advice later in the thread, and Garf's post at the end about a 25mm D ring is clever, and I like it. I might go back and green him for it in fact.

Digs.