Deep 6 Eddy Fin

[tbone1004]

He recommended Scuba John’s near Columbia, SC

Not so sure I want to add thick boots to the pack list. I’ll stop by my LDS and try some on though, see how it goes. Dry suit diving isn’t really in my agenda, I just wanted a good travel fin with good force in current, maneuverable in silty spaces, and doesn’t make my legs sink.

@Jcp2 If you struggle to fit into the S/M wearing a size 8 neoprene bootie, then I imagine it would be similar for me. I think that answers my question about whether I should bother ordering a S/M. Really wish there was somewhere to just try these on.

Well shoot. I had high hopes for these. Anyway, thanks for the feedback.

Where in the Carolinas are you? I've got a full set in Greenville SC if you want to try them on

 

[bdives85]

@tbone1004 - DM me please

 

[J-Vo]

I'm going to be a bit of an a$$. Is an extra check bag really that big of a deal relative to to cost of all your dive gear, certifications, and the trip?

On a dive trip, I count on two check bags and a stuffed carryon for each person. Bonus is, in a lot of classes business class is the cheapest way to get this done.

 

[cerich]

So I did A LOT of research into different fin options, and decided to order a pair of Deep 6 Eddy Fins, size L.

My legs tend to be heavy, as are most tec/jet style fins, so the idea of a near neutral buoyancy fin that was also compact and lightweight for travel sounded great.

I visited/called a bunch of dive shops within an 8 hr drive of me, as well as in my common dive travel locations. Nobody carries Deep 6 stuff, so no way to try on. I called Deep 6 and spoke with Chris, who recommended a dive shop that does carry Deep 6. When I called that shop, they said they stopped carrying Deep 6.

I wear a size 9 soft neoprene boot, which according to Deep 6 sizing recommendations is a large eddy fin, with the disclaimer “if in doubt order the next larger size.”

The large size is oversized for my foot. I can fit a couple fingers in the side, and there is a noticeable side to side wiggle. It’s not at all uncomfortable—in fact I’d say this is the most comfortable jet fin I’ve tried, but the fit is concerning. The Scubapro fins are extremely uncomfortable, I had really high hopes for these.

I have no idea if the small/medium Eddy fin would fit better, or maybe be too small.

Deep 6 has a pretty horrible return policy, and after talking with Chris it seems like he really hates it when people buy his gear and then returns it. So before I inconvenience him, and go through the hassle myself, also eating the non-refundable shipment costs and the 15% restocking fee, does anybody have advice?

How much smaller is the S/M foot pocket?

Anybody have any feedback on the S/M Eddy fin? Lots of positive reviews on the Eddy fin overall, but always with the disclaimer that the S/M is made from a floppier material. How much does this impact performance? Should I make the gamble and order a S/M pair?

I really really appreciate what Chris has contributed to the dive industry overall and want to support the ethos of Deep 6, but spending $100+ dollars just trying fins on is tough to rationalize.

I hate if you don't get a flipper that fits, I don't "hate" exchanges except when people ask us what size to get , or read the size chart and ignore us/it because they have XX brand and wear a XL so even when our size chart and even us directly say " for your size foot and what type boots get a large", then they say/order a XL because they wear XL in XX brand, then demand we pay the return shipping for the exchange both ways, meaning we pay shipping 3x vs the 1x. When, if had followed our recommendation, they would have gotten the right size. It happens all the time, no matter how much we say "our fins are sized like our fins, not XX or XXX brand. The side of this is that it feels like some folks think we are lying about it..no, we WANT you to get a flipper that fits.

We are a small business, not Amazon, and if we factor in 3x shipping for every flipper sale, we have to.increase the price by another $50 at least, and frankly we have done all we can to keep the price even in the stupid inflation of the last 5 years. Yeah, we did raise the price, we also take lower margin now on them than 5 years ago.

In the less than 2-3 times I have suggested a size after talking with a customer and they get what I recommend and it doesn't work, yeah, we will eat the extra shipping. But reality is that many folks with Amazon have gotten in the habit of order to try size and doing 2-3 exchanges to get right size with free shipping is normalized, and in many cases even a "I tried 2 sizes and don't like so get a refund", meaning in the case of our flippers we would be out well over a hundred bucks..if we didn't try and control returns, we would be putting the business in trouble, big time.the other Amazon driven habit is buy , use for a weekend/trip and return and Amazon refunds no questions asked, too many do that to avoid buying or renting. Again, we had that happening far too often and had to put policies in place to avoid it

Sorry it left a bad taste in your mouth, I really am.

 

[bdives85]

Packing efficiently isn’t so much about money—it’s time, adaptability, risk, and load.

 

[bombay317]

I wear a size gigantic shoe. 12/13/14/15 manufacturer depending. I’m going to try the XXL fin, based upon my experience trying the OMS Slipstream and it not fitting.

While my skill does matter move than gear, gear that is too small, too painful, or just wrong for my body will make a dive bad or impossible.

I have not yet tried the Eddy6, it looks like there is more effort to engineer a fin that is more compatible for more people. Or maybe the people on the fringes?

I hope the boot pocket with my size 13 Bare neoprene boots will better fit with the strap and it not cause me pain even on hardwood floors outside of the water.

I’ll post when I get the fins and compare.

 

[LandonL]

I wear a size gigantic shoe. 12/13/14/15 manufacturer depending. I’m going to try the XXL fin, based upon my experience trying the OMS Slipstream and it not fitting.

Just want to point out that experience with brand X or Y does not equate to sizing comparisons with Deep6.

The XXL is enormous, and you need to be AT LEAST a size 13, in a THICK boot/sole to give it a shot.

@tbone1004 can give you a good idea of the sizing, as he wears a XXL, and has gargantuan feet.

While my skill does matter move than gear, gear that is too small, too painful, or just wrong for my body will make a dive bad or impossible.

I have not yet tried the Eddy6, it looks like there is more effort to engineer a fin that is more compatible for more people. Or maybe the people on the fringes?

Totally agree here. This is why we engineered this fin. We wanted comfort of fit, and net neutrality in the water.

I hope the boot pocket with my size 13 Bare neoprene boots will better fit with the strap and it not cause me pain even on hardwood floors outside of the water.

We don't try out other manufacturers boots, but a lot of the Bare ones seem to have thin soles and are thinner in the body overall. I would caution against a size 13 in a thin boot being able to fit the XXL. You may need a thicker sole/boot.

Cheers,
Landon

 

[tbone1004]

Just want to point out that experience with brand X or Y does not equate to sizing comparisons with Deep6.

The XXL is enormous, and you need to be AT LEAST a size 13, in a THICK boot/sole to give it a shot.

@tbone1004 can give you a good idea of the sizing, as he wears a XXL, and has gargantuan feet.

Totally agree here. This is why we engineered this fin. We wanted comfort of fit, and net neutrality in the water.

We don't try out other manufacturers boots, but a lot of the Bare ones seem to have thin soles and are thinner in the body overall. I would caution against a size 13 in a thin boot being able to fit the XXL. You may need a thicker sole/boot.

Cheers,
Landon

I like to think mine are slightly larger than average thank you very much Though I do wear the XXL's with only Chacos for <3hr dives in the caves and will put on neoprene socks with the Chacos for anything longer or in cold water since I can't actually find booties that fit me properly. The NRS Wetshoes were closest but they don't have a rubber cap to protect the front of your ankle so I have scars on both legs from wearing through the neoprene. The buckle on the Chacos works perfectly for that, but anyway not point of this conversation.
My dress shoe size is 13 EEE and the only way I can wear the XL's is with neoprene socks, any sole on them and I can't get my foot into the XL's. If you have a 13 D then you're fine. The other instructors I usually work with are 12/13 medium width and they all wear Eddy XL's with normal wetsuit booties without issue. We are usually walking around on rocky terrain though so they have reasonable soles vs. the OP's reef booty that is really only good for walking around on decks.

 

[bdives85]

@LandonL @cerich Thank you for your responses and intentions. I have never tried so hard to want to like a brand's products, and that is 100% due to the obvious prioritizations you make in your design choices along with your support for free will and education.

@tbone1004 has been kind enough to offer to meet up so I can get hands on with some of your stuff. I will do that before reaching out to discuss refund or exchange.

@LandonL My math is not inaccurate. Per Deep 6 policy and your own statement regarding shipping costs: 15% restocking fee for each $230 fin = $34.50. Times two fins (assuming neither the L or S/M fit) = $69. Plus $15-20 shipping each time brings the total to between $99 - $109.

To anyone that may read this thread and mistake any comments as being negative towards the QUALITY of the Eddy fin--they appear to be very high quality. A really nice balance of stiffness and flex. The heel strap pad is a kind of soft, grippy polymer. Kind of conforms to the back of the heel and seems like it would be less slippy if wet. Out of respect to maintaining the "new" condition, I have resisted the urge to jump in the pool with these, so cannot comment on actual performance.

 

[Deep6_Official]

@LandonL My math is not inaccurate. Per Deep 6 policy and your own statement regarding shipping costs: 15% restocking fee for each $230 fin = $34.50. Times two fins (assuming neither the L or S/M fit) = $69. Plus $15-20 shipping each time brings the total to between $99 - $109.

We had assumed you were describing the costs of a typical exchange process, or worst case - exchange with eventual return of both. These are both described below.

However, instead of doing an exchange, you did the math for including a second purchase, which doubles our credit card fees, doubles the associated 'free' shipping, and then assumed you would be returning both pairs.

To be honest, this is exactly the type of situation we are trying to avoid, and the reason for the policy.

Spending more money, and incuring more fees, with the absolute intention of getting a refund for at least half of it.

In the typical process a customer can expect one of two outcomes:

1.) $15-20 total cost - if keeping the second pair.

2.) $30-40 in total shipping, plus $34.50 - if returning the second pair. For a total of $65-75.

Neither of those are $100 scenarios, that only happens with double ordering.

As stated previously, we are NOT trying to make money on returns, we are only covering the costs associated with the return. We just don't want to pass it along to other customers.

@LandonL @cerich Thank you for your responses and intentions. I have never tried so hard to want to like a brand's products, and that is 100% due to the obvious prioritizations you make in your design choices along with your support for free will and education.

Thank you!

@tbone1004 has been kind enough to offer to meet up so I can get hands on with some of your stuff. I will do that before reaching out to discuss refund or exchange.

I am truly glad we have an acceptable solution.

To anyone that may read this thread and mistake any comments as being negative towards the QUALITY of the Eddy fin--they appear to be very high quality. A really nice balance of stiffness and flex. The heel strap pad is a kind of soft, grippy polymer. Kind of conforms to the back of the heel and seems like it would be less slippy if wet.

Again, much appreciated for the support and kind words. We really do want you to enjoy the fins.

We just want to be absolutely clear about our policy, and the reasons for it.

Cheers and happy diving!

Deep6 Team