Fin Weight

[Teller]

I have been using Jet Fins for a few years now and I am very pleased with them except for when I dive in a 3mm wetsuit my feet sink whenever I hover. A slight kick here and there and I can keep my fits up but I was wondering if a different fin would help. I am not sure of the actual weight of the Jets but they are known for being heavy. I was thinking about grabbing a pair of Mares Avanti Quatros and seeing if they helped while diving wet and just keep the Jets for my dry dives. What do you guys think? Am I just applying an equipment solution for a technique issue or do others have the same issue with Jets in a wetsuit?

 

[jonnythan]

When diving light wetsuits, I use some Cressi Frogs instead of Jet Fins. They are less heavy but just as effective.

 

[Teller]

When diving light wetsuits, I use some Cressi Frogs instead of Jet Fins. They are less heavy but just as effective.

So I am assuming that you had the same issue with your Jets.

 

[jonnythan]

So I am assuming that you had the same issue with your Jets.

Yeah, pretty much.

 

[Makhno]

I like OMS Slipstreams which are the same basic shape as the Jet Fin but are a lot lighter. Some divers don't like them.

 

[Cyprian]

Teller,

I have the exact same problem you have and use Jets or F1's diving dry and Quatro's when diving wet. If you were a little closer I'd let you try mine, or perhaps if we run into each other around the Texas lakes/parks you are more than welcome to give them a go. But I'm betting you have some folk close to you that would be willing to share.

Safe dives,

Cyp

 

[HenrikBP]

Rather than changing fins (I like my Jets and F1s - 8 lbs/pair XL and 7.5 lbs/pair respectively - including spring straps), I move my weights to cam band pockets to balance out the extra weight "out back". With 2 x 4 lbs on the top cam band diving an AL80, I balance out so that at the beginning of the dive I need to pull my feet a bit closer to my butt (I dive in horizontal trim ... mostly with my knees flexed), and during the dive the trim changes so I can keep my feet a tad further from my butt, i.e. lower legs pretty much vertical.

 

[diverrex]

I use my Jet fins for cold water local diving but I purchased a pair of Cessi Frogs for tropical diving mostly just because the Jets are way heavy considering baggage allowances. i think I save almost 5 pounds of weight. The Frog fins are okay while diving but I don't like the way the strap connection fits to the fin, you can twist it and it will pull out.

 

[jonnythan]

Twist and pull it out? I've had my Frogs for 11 years and have never managed to do something like that.

You can swap them out for spring straps if you want anyway.

 

[TSandM]

I use Henrik's solution where I am using enough weight to have weight to move. But in the pool, where I used no weight at all with the shop tanks, my Jets were too negative, especially with springs, so I went to a lighter fin. However, I wouldn't recommend that fin for open water use, because it's kind of floppy. There are, however, the Dive Rite EXPs, which are plastic and lighter than Jets, and stiff enough for good kicking. I know a number of people who use the OMS Slipstreams, too, for the same reason.