I don't do caves and love my split fins (Apollos). However when I travel I take my other set due to the potential for strong currents in some of my destinations
Why the hate/ridicule for split fins?
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I hung up my split fins because I felt they didn't displace enough water fast enough to help me against current. Three sets of fins later, I'm happy with my seawing novas - and I'm rarely going against current so couldn't say if they're better, worse or the same. My scubapro jets probably were best in current but seemed to make me too foot-heavy.
Slym
Contributor
Diving can be an intense sport I'd suggest a cardiovascular workout, swimming in a pool can be a good one! I prefer running. Endurance comes before speed.
Not all split fins are the same.
The challenge of doing the more sophisticated kicks with split fins is real, but it depends to a large degree upon the specific fins. I will cite one example. There are two distinctly different ways of doing a back kick or helicopter turn, both of which are essential for technical diving. One uses a wide sidewall as the propellant surface, and that method will not work with any fin that does not have a wide sidewall--which pretty much describes spit fins. The other method is more awkward and uses the fin's surface. I was once in a situation where I had to use very large, stiff Atomic split fins, and I found I could do the back kick surprisingly well using the second technique. Within a few days I was in a pool and saw someone trying to do the same thing using a different brand of split fin, one that was very soft and flexible. It was a disaster. I concluded that doing the back kick or helicopter turn with those floppy fins was close to impossible.
In a few days I will be in Palau, ready for two weeks of reef diving. If I had to use decent split fins for that trip, it would not bother me at all. I would flutter kick my way through two nice weeks of diving. When I return, I will be doing technical diving with multiple tanks and a drysuit. There is no way I would want to have split fins for those dives.
The challenge of doing the more sophisticated kicks with split fins is real, but it depends to a large degree upon the specific fins. I will cite one example. There are two distinctly different ways of doing a back kick or helicopter turn, both of which are essential for technical diving. One uses a wide sidewall as the propellant surface, and that method will not work with any fin that does not have a wide sidewall--which pretty much describes spit fins. The other method is more awkward and uses the fin's surface. I was once in a situation where I had to use very large, stiff Atomic split fins, and I found I could do the back kick surprisingly well using the second technique. Within a few days I was in a pool and saw someone trying to do the same thing using a different brand of split fin, one that was very soft and flexible. It was a disaster. I concluded that doing the back kick or helicopter turn with those floppy fins was close to impossible.
In a few days I will be in Palau, ready for two weeks of reef diving. If I had to use decent split fins for that trip, it would not bother me at all. I would flutter kick my way through two nice weeks of diving. When I return, I will be doing technical diving with multiple tanks and a drysuit. There is no way I would want to have split fins for those dives.
I had a pair of Tusa fins once that were plastic with rubber in the center of the blade. One day the rubber split down the middle and I found that they were useless when swimming into even the slightest current. I went back to the old tried and true Jetfins and have stayed with them for the past 25 years. They work perfectly with all the diving I do.
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I have no idea why some folks should ridicule split fins. My first fins were splits, but as I learned that they weren't optimal for my preferences, I switched to another style of fins. OTOH, I've dived with several people who like their splits just fine. Fine. They use what they like, I use what I like. That's about as much RO I'm able to muster on that topic, and I'm rather amazed that there are people who are able to put more into the issue. IMNSHO, they'd be better off if they tried to get a life.
scubafanatic
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scubafanatic
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Divernet.com does conduct periodic 'group tests' (I've included a link to one such 'group test'.) If you read the 'Conclusion' you'll see Split Fins are Great!
KICKIN' Back the Power
Conclusion
The fins on test were all high-end power fins. The final results need to be taken in context, as they were the results of one tester with average leg strength finning at his limit of power and endurance against an unmoveable set of scales.
Looking at the final results and compared side by side, I was surprised to see that the three split-fin models performed so well.
In the past other testers have maligned this design and stated that they are no good in a current, but our findings definitely contradict this theory. After all, pulling against a set of scales doesn’t leave any wiggle-room in the outcome.
Split-fins feel as if they’re not pulling their weight, because they’re very easy on the legs, and I think that this may have hoodwinked those who tested them in an open-water environment.
....personally I use (and LOVE) my Apollo Bio fins!
..................................................................................................
28 FINS ON TEST
Here Divernet tests the "XT" version which is a somewhat stiffer durometer of rubber compound, versus the regular Bio Fin rubber compound, if someone is looking for that as a feature.
I've got several pairs of 'regular' Bio Fins and one pair of the 'XT's just in case I'm in the mood to have that feature, but so far the 'regular' versions have been just fine.
APOLLO BIOFIN PRO XT (A) £115
width=100% COLOURS 1
SIZES S, M, L, XL
DRY WEIGHT 3.0kg
OVERALL LENGTH 57cm
FOOT POCKET 24cm long
SPEED 4.4kmph
The Japanese Apollo company was the first to run with the Natures Wing split-fin idea, and this XT version of the heavy-weight all-rubber Biofin is more resilient to deformation during finning, and therefore that much more effective. The footpocket of each fin is a bit short for those with long feet, but the results against the speedometer are undeniable. We suggest that you get them with the more expensive stainless-steel fin-strap option.
KICKIN' Back the Power
Conclusion
The fins on test were all high-end power fins. The final results need to be taken in context, as they were the results of one tester with average leg strength finning at his limit of power and endurance against an unmoveable set of scales.
Looking at the final results and compared side by side, I was surprised to see that the three split-fin models performed so well.
In the past other testers have maligned this design and stated that they are no good in a current, but our findings definitely contradict this theory. After all, pulling against a set of scales doesn’t leave any wiggle-room in the outcome.
Split-fins feel as if they’re not pulling their weight, because they’re very easy on the legs, and I think that this may have hoodwinked those who tested them in an open-water environment.
....personally I use (and LOVE) my Apollo Bio fins!
..................................................................................................
28 FINS ON TEST
Here Divernet tests the "XT" version which is a somewhat stiffer durometer of rubber compound, versus the regular Bio Fin rubber compound, if someone is looking for that as a feature.
I've got several pairs of 'regular' Bio Fins and one pair of the 'XT's just in case I'm in the mood to have that feature, but so far the 'regular' versions have been just fine.
APOLLO BIOFIN PRO XT (A) £115
width=100% COLOURS 1
SIZES S, M, L, XL
DRY WEIGHT 3.0kg
OVERALL LENGTH 57cm
FOOT POCKET 24cm long
SPEED 4.4kmph
The Japanese Apollo company was the first to run with the Natures Wing split-fin idea, and this XT version of the heavy-weight all-rubber Biofin is more resilient to deformation during finning, and therefore that much more effective. The footpocket of each fin is a bit short for those with long feet, but the results against the speedometer are undeniable. We suggest that you get them with the more expensive stainless-steel fin-strap option.
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