Boots for Bonaire

[parzdiver]

I saw the Tusa at a LDS - the sole looked very hard. I kind of like them and now that I think about it I think I'd rather have high cut boots instead of my current low cuts. I will definitely need a new set of fins then.

Any suggestions on fins? I don't have a lot of time to shop, research, and get them. I'm pretty open with cost - I just don't want anything gimmicky like those hinged things.

I am partial to my Hollis F1's for local diving, but for travel I have the ScubaPro Seawing Nova's. I know a lot of people that like the Mares Avanti as a good solid paddle fin.

I would HIGHLY recommend getting spring straps for whatever fin you pick up.

 

[galvanni]

I am going to be at Plaza in 4 weeks myself. I was thinking the new Aeris Velocity X3 - they come with spring straps now so I can save on buying them and I also have always liked my current 6 year old Velocities.

http://www.diveaeris.com/p_fins_x3.html

Which Deep See high cuts do you have - they come in 6.5mm only - is it these?

Deep See 6.5mm Mens Safe Sole Boots

 

[Lead_carrier]

I am going to be at Plaza in 4 weeks myself. I was thinking the new Aeris Velocity X3 - they come with spring straps now so I can save on buying them and I also have always liked my current 6 year old Velocities.

DiveAeris.com - Scuba Diving Fins - Velocity X3

Which Deep See high cuts do you have - they come in 6.5mm only - is it these?

Deep See 6.5mm Mens Safe Sole Boots

What I have is the 3mm Echozip. http://www.deepseeinc.com/pdfs/2010Catalog.pdf page 7
They work for me but not everyone.

 

[DeputyDan]

I am partial to my Hollis F1's for local diving, but for travel I have the ScubaPro Seawing Nova's. I know a lot of people that like the Mares Avanti as a good solid paddle fin.

I would HIGHLY recommend getting spring straps for whatever fin you pick up.

My daughter has the Avanti and loves it so much I am going to buy myself a set for my birthday.

Never know till you give them a try!

 

[Altamira]

Whatever brand shoes you take, if they are not hard soles you will be very sorry.

 

[b1gcountry]

I saw the Tusa at a LDS - the sole looked very hard. I kind of like them and now that I think about it I think I'd rather have high cut boots instead of my current low cuts. I will definitely need a new set of fins then.

Any suggestions on fins? I don't have a lot of time to shop, research, and get them. I'm pretty open with cost - I just don't want anything gimmicky like those hinged things.

I hate to tell you, but split fins are kinda gimmicky too...

I like the OMS Slipstreams because they actually make them in my size. Any of the Jet clones are pretty stable. Think about a board lying sideways in the water. It's very hard to move it up or down. With some nice stiff fins like these, if you can keep them level, they will help you stay nice and stable even when you're breathing in and out deeply. They are a real plus when you are photographing something, or when you just want to stay in one place and check out some small stuff in a little crevice.

Most folks think they're ugly, or they're only for cold water/tech diving, but once you get used to diving with them though, you won't want to wear anything else.

OMS SLIPSTREAM fin reviews and discounts, OMS

and PS, they are ugly, but you can always take some spray paint to them...

 

[deco_martini]

Whatever brand shoes you take, if they are not hard soles you will be very sorry.

At what dive sites? We dove the usual west/south sites and didn't find a single site that gave my buddy problems in his soft-soles.

 

[deco_martini]

I own OMS slipstream fins and when I plan to dive 4 times a day in warm/easy conditions, I wear my Atomic split fins. Staying in one place? Not a problem. The occasional frog kick when you are close to the sand looking at a shrimp. Not a problem.

The current on the south end? Not a problem.

I would actually probably dive jets before slipstreams in Bonaire. If god forbid you were studying a macro lifeform and you accidentally kick something behind you (never happens to us pro divers though, rite?), the slipstreams' stiffness will just annihilate it. I respect the slipstream but ultimately it is up to the diver's own preferences for the environment they are diving in.

You don't need stiff fins, hard boots, or springs to dive in Bonaire. Springs will make it easier to put on your fins. Hard boots may make a few rocky entries feel a little better. And stiff fins will.... fatigue you faster for imaginary benefits?

 

[b1gcountry]

If god forbid you were studying a macro lifeform and you accidentally kick something behind you (never happens to us pro divers though, rite?), the slipstreams' stiffness will just annihilate it.

There really isn't any excuse for kicking a piece of coral in my mind.

Tom

 

[deco_martini]

There really isn't any excuse for kicking a piece of coral in my mind.

Tom

Are you reading that as an endorsement of a coral kicking or trying to argue that accidental contact never occurs?