Best travel fins?

[buddhasummer]

I have tried them....I enjoy trying new fins whenever I can. I'll back up a second....Gorillas, and even splits can be fine for most dives. What I demand in my fins, is that WHEN an issue arises, that I need to double or quadruple my speed for some reason--emergency/huge video opportunity, whatever...I want fins that will do this optimally..even if this is only once in 4 dives... For me, the gorillas would be fine if I am just taking it easy along the reef....But if I had a great Goliath Grouper shot with him cruising cross current at 3mph + and wearing a cloud of baitfish --- I want the shot, and I want fins that would make this easy for me...the Gorillas in this instance, would become spaghetti noodles at this level of torque....so for me, no way. When using my big DiveR freedive fins, most of the time I am swimming slow....however, whether I want slow, fast, reverse, frogkick--whatever I need, these ar ethe fins that will get the job done ( with the single exception of exploration level tight shipwreck penetrations..and I am not doing any cave dives) . For exploration level shipwreck penetrations I have jet fins.

If you ever get to Palm Beach, I have an extra pair of the big DiveR fins you should try

Thanks for the reply. I don't spear fish so have no idea as far as that is concerned. I dive single tank only, the conditions I dive in locally are far from good, often some fairly strong currents, I have not found the Gorillas to be lacking in fact I prefer them to my Jets, Cressi Frogs and F2s (which may change if I can get right sized springs). Different fins for different folks I guess. If I'm ever in Palm Springs Ill happily take you up on your offer. I did try the EXPs in a shop once, not necessarily indicative of how they might be underwater I know, but the foot pocket did not seem to match my foot very well felt rather uncomfortable, so passed.

To James (nice to "see" you again"), the Gorillas are very light, lighter than the F2s, certainly the lightest open foot fins I've come across. I too am weary of the hinge so much so I refused to buy them when they first came out. Am hoping the revised version addressed this weakness, so far no reports of failure, time will tell.

---------- Post Merged at 08:09 AM ---------- Previous Post was at 08:08 AM ----------

The Hollis F2 are great for travel, so are the Oceanic V-16 split fins. I was in Cozumel a week ago with them and had no problem going into the current.

With which the F2s or the split? I really want to like the F2s but am having a difficult time doing so at the moment due to fitting issues.

 

[danvolker]

Thanks for the reply. I don't spear fish so have no idea as far as that is concerned. I dive single tank only, the conditions I dive in locally are far from good, often some fairly strong currents, I have not found the Gorillas to be lacking in fact I prefer them to my Jets, Cressi Frogs and F2s (which may change if I can get right sized springs). Different fins for different folks I guess. If I'm ever in Palm Springs Ill happily take you up on your offer.[\QUOTE]
Buddha.... Hey, I was talking about shooting VIDEO, not spearfishing ....Palm Beach has big marine life that a photographer or videographer will sometimes need to swim to....And Palm Beach County...not Palm Springs
Here is an example of why a video guy might want to hit speeds in excess of what split fins would do...
[video=youtube_share;qeQp5aqy2_s]http://youtu.be/qeQp5aqy2_s?hd=1[/video]

Move the progress bar/cursor to about 1 minute 52 seconds in to see the Goliaths moving in the 5 mph current. They use the structures as we do, to avoid alot of the work the current would cause them to exert, but there are plenty of times they--and we, are exposed to it also. In this video, an actual spawning event, they are ignoring me....reproduction is the all important issue, and a diver such as myself was being absolutely ignored. I was lucky enough to have my camera mounted on a gavin scooter for this video and dive, but I have done the same with my DiveR fins....differences are with fins and no scooter, the video is "shakier" and my air/bottom time is not nearly as long....This was probably a 50 minute dive at 95 feet, at midnight for the really wild stuff in the first part of the video. ...

Whenever I talk about wanting my fins to "be able to go fast", the majority of divers are quick to point out that we need to be able to go slow for most diving and video. I agree with this. Absolutely. And usually I do. However, I have had MANY incredible opportunities that other videographers do not get, because when the shot calls for me being able to go fast, it is easy and optimal for me to do this. But I will spend more time hovering motionless, sometimes even reverse kicking to maintain consistent distance, than I will going fast....For my choice of fins, I demand both extremes to be optimal.

 

[buddhasummer]

Thanks for the reply. I don't spear fish so have no idea as far as that is concerned. I dive single tank only, the conditions I dive in locally are far from good, often some fairly strong currents, I have not found the Gorillas to be lacking in fact I prefer them to my Jets, Cressi Frogs and F2s (which may change if I can get right sized springs). Different fins for different folks I guess. If I'm ever in Palm Springs Ill happily take you up on your offer.[\QUOTE]
Buddha.... Hey, I was talking about shooting VIDEO, not spearfishing ....Palm Beach has big marine life that a photographer or videographer will sometimes need to swim to....And Palm Beach County...not Palm Springs
Here is an example of why a video guy might want to hit speeds in excess of what split fins would do...
[video=youtube_share;qeQp5aqy2_s]http://youtu.be/qeQp5aqy2_s?hd=1[/video]

Move the progress bar/cursor to about 1 minute 52 seconds in to see the Goliaths moving in the 5 mph current. They use the structures as we do, to avoid alot of the work the current would cause them to exert, but there are plenty of times they--and we, are exposed to it also. In this video, an actual spawning event, they are ignoring me....reproduction is the all important issue, and a diver such as myself was being absolutely ignored. I was lucky enough to have my camera mounted on a gavin scooter for this video and dive, but I have done the same with my DiveR fins....differences are with fins and no scooter, the video is "shakier" and my air/bottom time is not nearly as long....This was probably a 50 minute dive at 95 feet, at midnight for the really wild stuff in the first part of the video. ...

Whenever I talk about wanting my fins to "be able to go fast", the majority of divers is quick to point out that we need to be able to go slow for most diving and video. I agree with this. Absolutely. And usually I do. However, I have had MANY incredible opportunities that other videographers do not get, because when the shot calls for me being able to go fast, it is easy and optimal for me to do this. But I will spend more time hovering motionless, sometimes even reverse kicking to maintain consistent distance, than I will going fast....For my choice of fins, I demand both extremes to be optimal.

Oops my bad, got it, guess I didn't quite read your post properly sorry about that. I like you a whole lot more now

 

[jlevine]

I have used a pair of APS Mantaray fins for two years. I have taken them a few times to Roatan, Belize, and Puerto Rico. Overall, I've been very happy. They are lightweight and good in mild current. I have not taken them into a place with strong currents so I can't comment on that. Here is the URL:

APS Mantaray Dive Fins

 

[ams511]

I have used a pair of APS Mantaray fins for two years. I have taken them a few times to Roatan, Belize, and Puerto Rico. Overall, I've been very happy. They are lightweight and good in mild current. I have not taken them into a place with strong currents so I can't comment on that. Here is the URL:

APS Mantaray Dive Fins

The Manta Rays were previously sold by Deep Outdoors as 6-gills and now are marketed by Hollis as the F-2. There was a post a while back that besides adding the spring straps Hollis changed the fin compound so that they are firmer than the Manta Rays.

---------- Post Merged at 05:45 PM ---------- Previous Post was at 05:43 PM ----------

I just bought some SP Seawing Gorillas, was bored, and was very surprised to find that they are in fact lighter than the Hollis F2s, at their widest they are the same but of course the Gorillas are longer.

Are these the poly carbonate fins from the early 90s?

---------- Post Merged at 05:48 PM ---------- Previous Post was at 05:43 PM ----------

On my recent trip down through Florida all the way to Key West I saw a bunch of people diving the Sea Wings.

Do you mean the Nova version?

 

[FSWorld]

Im not the best person for giving advice but I really like the Hollis F2 fins for traveling, they are small enough to fit in my backpack.

 

[parzdiver]

The Manta Rays were previously sold by Deep Outdoors as 6-gills and now are marketed by Hollis as the F-2. There was a post a while back that besides adding the spring straps Hollis changed the fin compound so that they are firmer than the Manta Rays.

The Hollis F-2's are based on the design (mold) of the Manta's but are a very different fin. I bought a pair off a fellow diver's recommendation and I'm very happy with them. With the blade design is almost identical to the Manta, the material and foot pocket are different. The Mantas were a fairly soft rubber material, but the F-2's are a stiff monoprene. The foot pocket is also redesigned with the sizing and spring strap to match the F-1's. I have a very high instep so have difficulty finding fins that fit properly. When I dive dry I use the Hollis F-1 for the weight and the great fit, so was very happy with the sizing on the F-2's. I had tried Slipstreams and EXP's, but they didn't fit right.

I only have a couple dives on the F-2's, but they are very light weight and sufficiently stiff to do the "other than flutter" kicks. They did great on the frog and helicopter kics, and while my back kick isn't pretty, I was able to do it much easier in these fins than my previous travel fin, the Mares Quattro or Seawing Novas.

I do agree with other people on the Seawing Nova. If you primarily do the flutter kick, they are an awesome fin. However, I don't think they do as well on frog and back kicks.

 

[acteg]

I really like force fins. New they are expensive but you can find them used pretty cheap.

 

[jlevine]

Mike (the OP),

So, bro, have you made a decision? Just curious. If so, we'd like to hear.

Thx!

 

[alwayssummer]

There's something that's been nagging me as I read this thread. Folks have talked about fin stiffness and length, but nobody has really discussed drag.

buddhasummer's earlier post suggests she has size 6ish feet. She probably presents a lot less drag underwater than I do. I'm 5'11" and about 185 lbs. So a fin that feels stiff to a small and streamlined diver might fold much too easily for a larger diver or one using a full tech rig. Also, bigger folks tends to have stronger legs, which will generally make fins feel more flexible. It would be useful if everyone posted their height and weight along with their fin preferences.

I have used FFs and thought they were incredibly fun. But, to me they offer a lot of quick acceleration without the ability to sustain a high rate of speed. If I wanted to cruise along for a long time I would stick with my SeaQuest Thrusters. I should also point out that I didn't much care for the Thrusters when I first got them, but learned how to kick effectively with them and now I would say they are a decent, but not great fin. They are also too large to fit in a carry-on bag, which is why I'm reading this thread.

I have also tried a set of Twin Jets. I hated them. I mostly frog kick and I've heard split fins are bad for that.