Are split fins really that great?

[fritzer]

The new issue of Rodale's has a new fin test you might want to check out. I have a pair of Twin Jet graphites that I'm fond of but do wish they were a little stiffer. I think some of the newer split fins have been designed to be stiffer than the older ones. I'm not a strong swimmer and have found the split fins to be a good fit for me. Of all the differences though between paddle fins and split fins, the resistance is the biggest plus (or lack thereof). Some people actually like to feel the resistance when they're kicking to feel like they're getting somewhere but you won't feel like you're kicking at all with splits. If you have a problem with leg cramps these are the fins for you but everybody's different so definitely borrow some and try them before you buy!!

 

[Grajan]

I am a suprised convert to splits.

I thought they were pure BS and was committed to my Avanti's but, after a thorough tryout of different options while we were buying my wife new fins I ended up getting Atomic splitfins. After a number of dives I certainly don't regret it.

I think the key is the stiffness. They are a relatively stiff splitfin and do not feel any less manouverable than my paddle fins. When I tried softer splits (or volos) I felt that they were very imprecise and cumbersome.

The Atomics definitely feel less fatiguing than the Avanti's.

 

[Al Mialkovsky]

I went diving in a local high altitude lake this morning with an instructor buddy. He uses some huge paddle fins and I'm still on my splits. We are cruising along about 4 feet off a slity bottom when I grow tired of the bombing pattern his fins are leaving in the silt. I catch up and show them to him and so he goes into a frog kick which is working. I was using a frog kick all along and having no problems.

On our second tank we traded fins and he did the frog kick with my splits. He said he was surprised it was as effective as it was but that he's sticking with paddles.

My calves are really tight right now. I guess it's been awhile since I've had to use them so much. But I'm an older diver. Splits work much better for me these days.

I used those giant stiff old duck fins for years. Loved the power but I think my engine has been detuned by age

 

[Braunbehrens]

It depends what you want.

Split fins are like a lower gear on your bicycle. They will allow you to kick faster and not get cramps, while actually making you go faster for the same effort. Yes, IMO, noticeably faster.

However, they are terrible at everything else. They are bad at sudden power needs, such as when getting into an inflatable boat, they are bad at non standard kicks (unuseable), they are bad at positioning you in the water, they are bad for turning, etc.

So, if you only use one kick, are prone to cramps, and have no plans at learning fine control, then split fins are for you.

Otherwise, they won't work very well.

 

[cornfed]

Braunbehrens once bubbled...
It depends what you want.

Split fins are like a lower gear on your bicycle. They will allow you to kick faster and not get cramps, while actually making you go faster for the same effort. Yes, IMO, noticeably faster.

However, they are terrible at everything else. They are bad at sudden power needs, such as when getting into an inflatable boat, they are bad at non standard kicks (unuseable), they are bad at positioning you in the water, they are bad for turning, etc.

So, if you only use one kick, are prone to cramps, and have no plans at learning fine control, then split fins are for you.

Otherwise, they won't work very well.

You may think, "I'm not getting into tech or cave diving so I'm never going to need different kicks." But don't be so fast. I couple of weeks ago I was at a quarry with two friends. We were diving abreast of each other but I was a little behind. I noticed that they had a trail of silt behind them but I didn't. Why? They were using your normal flutter kick and I was using a frog kick. Granted the silt wasn't hazard but it would have made any later dives there less enjoyable.

Cornfed

 

[Laser]

I have a pairs of splits ( Tusa expert zooms ) and I can flat out fly fluttering with them. But, I can't do any other kicks with them with any efficiency. I frog kick almost exclusively now so they are not an option. My foot with my drysuit is too big for the XL jetfin, so I use the Mares quats. I haven't tried the turtles.

 

[Scubaroo]

I use a pair of these because that's all I could find to fit my drysuit boots. I.... dislike them. I think they're great for sustained speed over distance (like swimming to a dive site from shore), but once you're there, I find it difficult to maneouver in them compared to my SpaceFrogs, I can't do a frogkick, they take a couple of kicks to get you moving (they simply won't propel you without having to accelerate to "swim speed"), "wet noodles" has to be the best description I've ever read (thanks Bob3!).

Dive what works for you.

 

[Braunbehrens]

cornfed once bubbled...


You may think, "I'm not getting into tech or cave diving so I'm never going to need different kicks."

Actually I tech dive, use jetfins, and frog kick 99% of the time.

I was trying to be impartial in my post...

Actually it really stinks when you dive off a boat and a bunch of people use split fins, are vertical in the water, and don't know how to kick. Makes a mess out of the vis in no time.

If the jetfins don't fit you, try turtle fins. They are not as nice, but have a bigger foot pocket.

 

[detroit diver]

Send me a note before the Gilboa dive and I'll bring along an extra set of Turtles for you to try.

Laser once bubbled...
I have a pairs of splits ( Tusa expert zooms ) and I can flat out fly fluttering with them. But, I can't do any other kicks with them with any efficiency. I frog kick almost exclusively now so they are not an option. My foot with my drysuit is too big for the XL jetfin, so I use the Mares quats. I haven't tried the turtles.

 

[bwerb]

I have a pair of rarely Tusa Expert Zooms in the stiff black rubber compound I'd be willing to let go for a small sum...

Love my Jets.

Brian.