Jet & Turtle fin sizing

[String]

I know its been done before but still a bit confused after searching.

The situation:- Previously using an old battered set of Mares X3 fins with beaver spring straps.
The new seaskin suit has a size 10 boot but its also a 5mm neoprene boot so a large foot. The foot no longer fits into the old fins,i get cramp surface swimming plus in forcing it i've stretched the spring straps so much they aren't tight on my wet boots now.

So, time to buy a new set of fins for the drysuit. I've tried jets before and liked them so want some. The problem as ever seems to be sizing.

Can anyone offer a guess as to what a size 10 with 5mm neo boot would be in Jets (XXL too big?) or would i be better trying turtles (if so what size?).
Also, what sort of size spring straps for those (non beaver).

My first intention was to try them on in LIDs (even took my suit) but failed to find anyone selling Jets and only 1 place with turtles and then only limited sizes so im going to have to buy blind on the internet - not ideal but i really need a set to fit me on my new suit. I don't know of any dealer local to me to go try either either.

[Fiona]

You should have had a word with the guys at Silent Planet, they would have been able to tell you which size.

Alastair mentioned yesterday he took the XL jets and he is a size 10 but wears turbo soles. I thought a size 9 was a rough indicator to XL's. I understand there is now a slightly smaller size of turtle because Adam mentioned it not long ago.

I would give Underwater Explorers a ring and ask them.

[Digger]

If you're a 10 in standard boots then you want a turtle. You'd need to be a narrow 9 or realistically an 8 to use XL jets.

Only problem I had was some sideways movement in the turtles - size 10 standard boots - but then I can't realistically use the jets, they've gone to the girlfriend for later in the season.

Considering the majority of blokes in the UK are size 10 and use standard boots, I am a bit disappointed there isn't a jetfin basically designed for that size. I got on OK with the Beaver/NDiver jets, but even they are a bit small for long dives.

What I would really dearly love is if someone could convince Mares to produce a Quattro with a rubber blade like a jetfin. Their foot pockets are simply second to none IMO, and I have gone back to them as a result.

Digs.

[Mal Bridgeman]

Originally Posted by Digger

If you're a 10 in standard boots then you want a turtle. You'd need to be a narrow 9 or realistically an 8 to use XL jets.

Only problem I had was some sideways movement in the turtles - size 10 standard boots - but then I can't realistically use the jets, they've gone to the girlfriend for later in the season.

Considering the majority of blokes in the UK are size 10 and use standard boots, I am a bit disappointed there isn't a jetfin basically designed for that size. I got on OK with the Beaver/NDiver jets, but even they are a bit small for long dives.

What I would really dearly love is if someone could convince Mares to produce a Quattro with a rubber blade like a jetfin. Their foot pockets are simply second to none IMO, and I have gone back to them as a result.

Digs.

Jack,

At the risk of directly repeating what Fiona has said ... the new Turtles seem to address that "in-between" need.

Mal

[String]

My boot size (normal shoes etc) is a UK 10 but with the thick neoprene boots in this suit their outside physical size is very similar to my proper hiking boots so quite large.

Turtles appear from what i can see online to come in two sizes - XXL and XXXL.

From reading around i suspect jetfins XL maybe a little too small and the bigger size way too big.

Which of the available turtles would likely fit my size though as it seems there are a few (well two that i can see) sizes?

[Mal Bridgeman]

Originally Posted by String

Which of the available turtles would likely fit my size though as it seems there are a few (well two that i can see) sizes?

I think it's a virtually impossible question to answer on 'tinternet. I used to dive a Waterproof Arctic 2000 which has a very thick neoprene boot which was further reinforced with rubber which made for a fairly bulky foot. The original turtles did this job perfecctly.

Then I changed to DUI turbo soles and I can squeeze them into Scubapro XLs ....just. They go on ok but are a little tight to get off.

I would certainly recommend giving the new Turtles a look, first hand if you can.

Mal

[IanDennis]

I just swapped from XL jets to Turtles. Whilst with a size 10 boot I could get into jets they were not as comfortable as I would of liked. Turtles fit better with the correct spring straps whcih reduce the lateral play- I had some custom made to get the correct size but others cut down the agir straps. UE have the agir or Spring-Straps.com

You best bet is to find somebody local with a pair and try them before you buy if possible.

Ian

[edward]

perhaps not hugely helpful, but I have size 46 (11-and-a-bit) neo boots on my SeaSkin, and Turtles are fine - I bought them when there was only one size of turtles, not sure what the 'marked' size is. Phil at niknaks was very helpful with advice - may be worth a call?

[David Wallace]

Ok... Official answer

Silent planet imports and distributes Turtle fins in the UK in 2 sizes

XXXL which is the one you have all no doubt seen

XXL which is smaller

The traditional jet fin is smaller than the XXL Turtle and so the XXL turtle fills the gap BETWEEN the jet fin and what we have all called Turtle fins in the past.

As for sizing you have to take your drysuit into account. - a few examples...

I have size 10 in a polar bear suit with the old style thin rubber boot can dive in a Jet fin

In a DUI with Turbo soles need a XXL Turtle fin.

A customer at the dive show with a O3 suit and size 8 feet needed the XXXL turtles just because of the thickness of the boots.

Another in a Oceanic suit was happy with XXL despite having size 12 feet!

so there is no hard and fast rule other than go along to your stockist with your suit and try them on. Once you sort the right size fins you can size up for the correct size spring straps and away you go.

HTH

Regards


PS. Another good reason to support you local retailer.

[String]

The boots are my issue as mentioned above - size 10 but thick 5mm neoprene boots put on especially as i get cold feet.

Local stockist is a bit of a problem as i could easily be looking at a 200 mile round trip with related diesel bill and an entire day out just to buy some fins which is why i really wanted to find stockists in LIDs.