Best travel fins under 20"

[lowwall]

Force Fins

Top to bottom: ScubaPro Go Sports L, Force Fins Pro L, Mares Super Channel 44-45

 

[bradlw]

My thought was that if they're 20.5 inches...it's probably just a little tip that's 1/2 inch that's holding it up, so good scissors might take care of it.

There is no better short fin made than DaFiN- DaFiN - The Swim and Surf Fin preferred by the World’s Best Watermen - they have plenty of power, are super comfy with or without boots /socks and come in several different styles and stiffnesses. I’ve used them to snorkel when I needed to pack light for a trip, and didn’t feel like I was being penalized by using the wrong fins. They’ll last 20 years hanging off a lifeguard tower; so, you’re not going to wear them out by occasionally snorkeling

those things reminded me of some bodyboard fins I had when i was a teen. I hadn't thought of those in years. It seems that they are still sold

Bodyboards Swimfins | Churchill Makapuu Swinfins

Churchill Makapuu Swimfins, professional bodyboard swimfins available and in stock to buy now from Morey Bodyboards official online store

moreybodyboards.com

 

[Nemrod]

There is no better short fin made than DaFiN- DaFiN - The Swim and Surf Fin preferred by the World’s Best Watermen - they have plenty of power, are super comfy with or without boots /socks and come in several different styles and stiffnesses. I’ve used them to snorkel when I needed to pack light for a trip, and didn’t feel like I was being penalized by using the wrong fins. They’ll last 20 years hanging off a lifeguard tower; so, you’re not going to wear them out by occasionally snorkeling

I actually saw those being used by a lady diver in Bonaire. Her husband had something equally bizzare but not those. She seemed to get along quite well with her pink ones. They fit down to about mid way of her arch, looked uncomfortable. I was wondering where they came from and now I know, thanks.

I have similar Duck Feet that I use when lap swimming for leg work. Not thinking they would make very good scuba fins but in a pinch I guess.

 

[Johnoly]

 

[tarponchik]

Socks are for full foot fins, the open heel fins are for use with booties. If you're not going to do beach entries over fossilized coral ironshore, you may not need booties.

The basic Taiwanese full-foot known in the US as "Sporti Essential Floating" is $20-ish a pair and I'm fairly sure they are shorter than 20" (but not as short as "regular" swim fins). The downside of swim fins is they require ankle stretch and proper kicking technique, to work well.

Not necessary so. Tusa Travel Right are made to dive in socks but they are not full foot. They have narrow pockets for the feet with an open heel with fixed rubber heel straps. I do not get why Tusa did not make the pockets wider so booties could fit in, but that's what they made.

 

[scubadada]

Force Fins

Top to bottom: ScubaPro Go Sports L, Force Fins Pro L, Mares Super Channel 44-45

I bought some Pro Force Fins a long time ago when they were widely distributed and relatively inexpensive. In general, they did not get much use.

In 2011, I had a business trip to Panama and had the opportunity to do 4 easy dives. All I took was my mask, the Force Fins, a sharkskin top and a computer. Worked out perfectly and everything easily fit in my carry on.

I'm with @lowwall on this one. Force Fins would work out very well for easy packing and snorkeling in the Bahamas. Maybe you can find some for sale

 

[tridacna]

I bought some Pro Force Fins a long time ago when they were widely distributed and relatively inexpensive. In general, they did not get much use.

In 2011, I had a business trip to Panama and had the opportunity to do 4 easy dives. All I took was my mask, the Force Fins, a sharkskin top and a computer. Worked out perfectly and everything easily fit in my carry on.

I'm with @lowwall on this one. Force Fins would work out very well for easy packing and snorkeling in the Bahamas. Maybe you can find some for sale

I’m a FF addict. They suck for snorkeling.

 

[lowwall]

I’m a FF addict. They suck for snorkeling.

It depends on how you do your snorkeling. When I snorkel, I'm only on the surface long enough to catch my breath and spot something worth diving down to look at more closely. Do a duck dive to get under and they work great.

But if your definition of snorkeling is mostly swimming on the surface looking down, then I agree. They are pretty bad at that. For this type of snorkeling, I'd recommend a cheap traditional rubber swim fin like:

Sporti Essential Floating Swim Fins (Color) at SwimOutlet.com

Free Shipping on $49+. Low Price Guarantee. Largest selection of Sporti Essential Floating Swim Fins (Color). SwimOutlet+ Members Save More!

www.swimoutlet.com

These are copies of the original Aqualung and US Divers Sea Lions. It might be worth paying a little extra for those if you can find them in your size. Or not? They probably all come out of the same Chinese factory these days.

 

[landphil]

I actually saw those being used by a lady diver in Bonaire. Her husband had something equally bizzare but not those. She seemed to get along quite well with her pink ones. They fit down to about mid way of her arch, looked uncomfortable. I was wondering where they came from and now I know, thanks.

I have similar Duck Feet that I use when lap swimming for leg work. Not thinking they would make very good scuba fins but in a pinch I guess.

I've used Duck Feet, Vipers, Morey and DaFiNs; and the only one's I'd even try to use for anything other than bodysurfing or some ocean swimming are DaFiNs. They have a lot of power without being super stiff and uncomfortable (see Vipers for a perfect example of stiff and uncomfortable) And as a bonus you don't need to remove them to walk in and out of the water. I certainly wouldn't recommend them over the correct fins for diving or snorkeling. But if shortness is the main decision maker, they'll work. And it's super impressive when you pull into a 5' shorebreak barrel on your way in from snorkeling.

 

[dmaziuk]

Not necessary so. Tusa Travel Right are made to dive in socks but they are not full foot. They have narrow pockets for the feet with an open heel with fixed rubber heel straps. I do not get why Tusa did not make the pockets wider so booties could fit in, but that's what they made.

I have hobbit feet and am grateful to Cressi for not making foot pockets on my ARAs wider... In fact, those foot pockets are the reason I am not using my Accels much anymore.

That is another good travel fin option: Oceanic Accel