Why the hate/ridicule for split fins?

[Storker]

Friends don't let friends wear Speedos or split fins.

Speedos beat the heck out of board shorts as to what to wear underneath a wetsuit. But even Speedo jammers are aesthetically bad enough when worn by a chubby middle-aged guy. Budgie smugglers are just too much.

There are Speedos, and then there are Speedos. And about the thread topic (split fins): I can dive them, but prefer another type. If my buddy prefers splits, that's their decision. As long as they're a decent buddy, I won't critique their gear choice.

 

[John Bantin]

Twin Jets were licensed from Nature's Wing the same as Atomic and Biofins were.

Pete McCarthy - Nature's Wing

They obviously used the wrong technopolymer!

 

[scrane]

Force Fin split fins???!!!...
split fins force fins, black used XL ,bungee strap /heel strap | eBay

 

[kelemvor]

How many of you have got one of these so you can get a quantifiable judgment on the efficacy of different fins? Let's hear what you discovered!

I think you'd also need to combine that with a kicking robot. That way there's no chance of the user doing something different during the test.

 

[Kimela]

@Oz Chris - I agree. Smaller, faster foot movement will get you the movement you need, but that also requires more cardio than I want to put into it (as a previous poster pointed out). They're great in a quarry or at the lake we dove - and maybe great if you have strong and/or younger legs. But as @aquacat8 pointed out (and @The Chairman seconded), whatever works for any of our bodies is great. As long as they get you in the water and keep you moving.

 

[AdivingBel]

So I'm looking for my 4th pair of fins, after failing my first 3 pairs.

You may be tired of Mares fins and ready to try something else, but my wife really likes her Mares Superchannels (open-heel). She had some of the same issues you mentioned. These are a bit shorter and narrower than Quattro Pros. The blade is also a little "softer," less stiff and the foot pocket seemed smaller. She did fine in a bit of current in the Sea of Cortez last summer and likes the size & weight. Not sure how much they differ from the Excites. I haven't seen those. Good luck with your search.

 

[MichaelMc]

Force Fin split fins???!!!...
split fins force fins, black used XL ,bungee strap /heel strap | eBay

Forcefins in general have a lot of comments for not cramping, apparently due to the open toe pocket and perhaps the more heel ward application of force. Also for being easy on knees. If I use my closed toe Oceanic fins I quickly get foot or leg cramps, I think I have cramped one time in my force fin Pros.

If you are looking to the Foils for typical split fin reasons, low cramping, the Pros may be more suited. They do not require a fast beat of kick, and I found them effective against current and for technical kicks. If you get them, I would get the new indigo blue ones, its just a color difference on the site, but they are better performing. As an academic, or personal, exercise of how effective the Foils are as an instance of split fins, I do not know.

Force fin makes several fins. The Foil, with a deep long slit, are hardly ever discussed. Most of the others have a variant of the V tail seen in my profile pic. But they vary. The original and float tube ones are weaker material. I've skin dove the original and they are sweet and fun, but too easy to over power/flex, and thus give nothing more, for me. Most force fin user descriptions seem to be of the Pros, which I have. It has enough power for scuba, and a wide range of force it can use. I think I could over power mine, but I'm not really sure. Those in blue are a new indigo material that rebounds more of the energy put in. They have very powerful ones, the Extra Force, that I feel I do not have strong enough legs for. The Excelerating falls in the middle and apparently are better for technical kicks than the Pros. The Flying is an upgraded new Pro. There is also a Hockey you can special order, which may be a better version of the Excelerating, also apparently great for technical kicks, but might only come in XXL so far; but all have optional felt inserts, seen in the pics up thread, that adapt the fit between say dry boots and wet boots, that can help. More in the Force Fin sub forum.

 

[John Bantin]

I think you'd also need to combine that with a kicking robot. That way there's no chance of the user doing something different during the test.

We used a panel of test divers in controlled conditions and averaged out the results.

 

[The Chairman]

I have never understood the need to quantify fin performance: we're not in a race. I just need fit, comfort and control. After that, it's all about technique for me, both in finning and current avoidance. Too many divers try to cover too much bottom on their dives and they miss so, so much! Slow down. No, slower than that. Nope, you're probably still going way too fast. One dive off of Venice Beach Fl, the Shark Tooth Capital of the world, I had a guy who wanted to see how I routinely brought up 500+ teeth on a dive. This is a solo experience, so I made him bring his own flag. He kept circling me during the entire dive and got our flags entangled a few times. In the end, I had 600+ teeth and he had less than a dozen. His first thought was that I found all the teeth before he could get there. Rly? I pointed out that he was going way, way, way too fast and he quickly pointed out that we stayed close the entire dive. Yeah, but he kept lapping me!

You simply can't dive too slowly. You can't. Make it a source of quiet pride to be the tag-along: ie the last one in the group. Fold your hands together and gently pick your way through your dive. Take your time to see everything else all the others missed. Be the one in your group to find the frogfish, the pipefish and the seahorse. News alert: fish don't like quick swimmers: you're too sharky. The slower you go the more they'll trust you. News alert #2: watch your SAC plummet when you go slow. The more you dodge those currents and kick less, the less air you'll consume. Again: you simply can't dive too slowly. It's just not possible.

 

[chillyinCanada]

I have never understood the need to quantify fin performance: we're not in a race. I just need fit, comfort and control. After that, it's all about technique for me, both in finning and current avoidance. Too many divers try to cover too much bottom on their dives and they miss so, so much! Slow down. No, slower than that. Nope, you're probably still going way too fast. One dive off of Venice Beach Fl, the Shark Tooth Capital of the world, I had a guy who wanted to see how I routinely brought up 500+ teeth on a dive. This is a solo experience, so I made him bring his own flag. He kept circling me during the entire dive and got our flags entangled a few times. In the end, I had 600+ teeth and he had less than a dozen. His first thought was that I found all the teeth before he could get there. Rly? I pointed out that he was going way, way, way too fast and he quickly pointed out that we stayed close the entire dive. Yeah, but he kept lapping me!

You simply can't dive too slowly. You can't. Make it a source of quiet pride to be the tag-along: ie the last one in the group. Fold your hands together and gently pick your way through your dive. Take your time to see everything else all the others missed. Be the one in your group to find the frogfish, the pipefish and the seahorse. News alert: fish don't like quick swimmers: you're too sharky. The slower you go the more they'll trust you. News alert #2: watch your SAC plummet when you go slow. The more you dodge those currents and kick less, the less air you'll consume. Again: you simply can't dive too slowly. It's just not possible.

I completely share your philosophy and do my best to follow it. However, this technique does not work everywhere. Case in point, certain dives in Maldives, with kicking current and deepish hook-in to watch sharks! The group needs to stick together through negative entry and lickety split to hook in spot, where I then . . .
Awww the ease of doing nothing as the current tries to rip me away and a cheeky shark floats effortlessly beside me aerating his gills. We give each other the side eye until distracted by his dozens and dozens of cousins gliding back and forth in front.