Daggnabit
Registered
I also forgot to mention that your feet is where a lot of body heat likes to leave, even in warm 80 degree waters. Some protection may be nice depending on how you handle temperater
Advice on selection of fins, mask and snorkel
- Thread starter chrisandk
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floridanewbe
Contributor
On the fins you get into the debate of split fins or not. My advice is if you want non split go with scubapro jets. If you are going for splits then scubapro twin jets ( not max ) black . Spring straps are a must.
Costco - TUSA Scuba Set $74.99
I have used this set of fins for the past 3+ years. I have others, but these are as good as any. I have not tried the mask. If you don't like, Costco will refund your money, no problem. They have boots, too.
Few other retailers refund for used dive gear.
Stu.
I have used this set of fins for the past 3+ years. I have others, but these are as good as any. I have not tried the mask. If you don't like, Costco will refund your money, no problem. They have boots, too.
Few other retailers refund for used dive gear.
Stu.
warm water or not,you should buy openheel fins and booties,which come in handy for stepping on rocks,crossing hot pavement etc.The fins will practically last forever and straps can be replaced when needed.Open heel fins are not as easy on the feet as stated above and when one of the heels finally split out,youll see the other fin laying left beside it unbroken but useless.Ever see an old pair of flipflops left when only one is blown out?Sure you have.Closed heels are the same way.
No, I don't think so. Open heel fins have a rubber strap around the back of the heel to hold them on. The strap has to be fastened up quite snug so it doesn't slide off and cause you to lose the fin. Without the bootie, the strap would rub a blister on the back of the heel.
I've done it a few times. Not comfy. There are some little "half booties" that might help, but they cost the same as a pair of snorkel fins. My snorkel fins didn't cost that much and I have a lot of fum with them.
I wouldn't wear the adjustable fins without the booties. Good way to get blisters & sores. Why not go ahead & wear the booties? They really don't look all that bad. I find hem to be quite comfortable & sure beat having to walk over rough terrain bare foot.
My take on your question about fins is to try some different kinds, if you can. I use both split fins & paddle fins. I use the split fins (SP Twin Jet Max) for my recreational gear configuration. When I'm wearing this, I'm usually just putzing around on vacation, just enjoying myself or assisting with classes. I like the fact that it is easier on my legs. I use the stiff paddle fins (SP Jet FIns) on my Technical configuration. I need the extra "oomph" given by those fins to move my doubles through the water, but it is much tougher on my legs. The best thing you can do is to try to test them each out & decide what works best for you.
On the mask, fit is everything. You can have the coolest mask made, but if it doesn't fit, it does you no good & can become a nuisance or worse. Have someone at your LDS properly fit a mask to you. They should have you put the mask on your face & look straight up (they will be looking for areas that don't seal well) without the mask strap on. Then they should have you pull a slight suction & look straight ahead (still without a mask strap) The mask should stay firmly in place & there should even be a slight sucking sound when the mask is pulled away from the face.
My take on your question about fins is to try some different kinds, if you can. I use both split fins & paddle fins. I use the split fins (SP Twin Jet Max) for my recreational gear configuration. When I'm wearing this, I'm usually just putzing around on vacation, just enjoying myself or assisting with classes. I like the fact that it is easier on my legs. I use the stiff paddle fins (SP Jet FIns) on my Technical configuration. I need the extra "oomph" given by those fins to move my doubles through the water, but it is much tougher on my legs. The best thing you can do is to try to test them each out & decide what works best for you.
On the mask, fit is everything. You can have the coolest mask made, but if it doesn't fit, it does you no good & can become a nuisance or worse. Have someone at your LDS properly fit a mask to you. They should have you put the mask on your face & look straight up (they will be looking for areas that don't seal well) without the mask strap on. Then they should have you pull a slight suction & look straight ahead (still without a mask strap) The mask should stay firmly in place & there should even be a slight sucking sound when the mask is pulled away from the face.
Good modern full foot fins have very soft foot pockets, compared to 10, 15, 20 years ago, and compared to cheap third world rentals. That said, vacation snorkelers will probably blister no matter how soft the foot pocket; we don't call you tender foots for nothing. Apollo Bio-Fins are a better split fin in many opinions; they come in both full foot and strap. Full foot fins transfer the power of the kick much more efficiently than strap fins. I am not a fan of splits, probably because I came down in horse power from free dive fins. As an instructor/guide, dragging students/guests in strong current requires a paddle IMHO.
Mares Volo's also come in full foot or strap. I have had many Mares fins, including Volo's. They are very powerful, but some of the power is from soft materials that don't last as long as their less high tech models. I currently use strap Avanti X3's but will get Quattro's next; both last a lot longer than Volo's. For Beach diving, I loved my full foot Mares HP's (stolen), which Mares replaced with the Superchannel's. Some people wear thin neoprene socks inside the full foot fin; a little warmth, blister and scrape protection.
The choice depends on where you are diving and what kind of diving. If you are only diving tropical waters from boat or soft sand beach, full foot is not a problem except mid day when the sand is very hot on feet that don't walk there every day. Most tropical and sub-tropical waters do not have thermoclines; it is rare to have 3 deg change at 130' here in Hawaii. If you are diving from rocky shores, walking in gear from the parking lot or down/up stairs or in colder water, strap fins and boots are the way to go. If you are a total tender foot, strap fins are the way to go.
As a beginner, I would recommend a reasonable priced fin to start. Nothing pisses divers of more than paying $200 for fins that they replace in 20 dives. Here is a link with Mares full foot Superchannel's for $60 or strap Avanti Quattro's for $100. That's the most I would spend as a noob. Many people will tell you to at least try fins in a pool before you buy, but with full dive gear in the ocean current your pool test may not have worked. Trying different fins on actual real world dives is the only way to really know what you like!
Twin Jets are a Scubapro split fin, of questionable worth in many eyes. Jets are a serviceable 40 year old semi-paddle design made by many companies, but only a few now with modern materials, that are very popular with the guys who only wear black gear; technical, cave, DIR, GUE.
Mares Volo's also come in full foot or strap. I have had many Mares fins, including Volo's. They are very powerful, but some of the power is from soft materials that don't last as long as their less high tech models. I currently use strap Avanti X3's but will get Quattro's next; both last a lot longer than Volo's. For Beach diving, I loved my full foot Mares HP's (stolen), which Mares replaced with the Superchannel's. Some people wear thin neoprene socks inside the full foot fin; a little warmth, blister and scrape protection.
The choice depends on where you are diving and what kind of diving. If you are only diving tropical waters from boat or soft sand beach, full foot is not a problem except mid day when the sand is very hot on feet that don't walk there every day. Most tropical and sub-tropical waters do not have thermoclines; it is rare to have 3 deg change at 130' here in Hawaii. If you are diving from rocky shores, walking in gear from the parking lot or down/up stairs or in colder water, strap fins and boots are the way to go. If you are a total tender foot, strap fins are the way to go.
As a beginner, I would recommend a reasonable priced fin to start. Nothing pisses divers of more than paying $200 for fins that they replace in 20 dives. Here is a link with Mares full foot Superchannel's for $60 or strap Avanti Quattro's for $100. That's the most I would spend as a noob. Many people will tell you to at least try fins in a pool before you buy, but with full dive gear in the ocean current your pool test may not have worked. Trying different fins on actual real world dives is the only way to really know what you like!
Twin Jets are a Scubapro split fin, of questionable worth in many eyes. Jets are a serviceable 40 year old semi-paddle design made by many companies, but only a few now with modern materials, that are very popular with the guys who only wear black gear; technical, cave, DIR, GUE.
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