Difference between force and jets

[ZzzKing]

Large Jets are really more like a medium in anything else. Mine are tight with thin 3mm size 10US booties. I keep them clean and spray the inside with silicone every couple of dives to help them come off more easily. 3 to 3 1/2 inches of exposed heel is about right. I have XL's for my drysuit and the foot pocket is pretty big and floppy with my small booties.

 

[InTheDrink]

zzzKing - I'm still struggling with the 3/3.5 inches protruding. I haven't (and can't) take them out for a test drive for a couple of weeks, but it seems like half my foot is sticking out. Certainly it is more than my heel, there's definitely some sole/arch on show. Clearly I'd prefer to not have the inconvenience of sending them back if not necessary, but I've dived with half my foot hanging out (probably primarily cos my 'usual' fins are XL and my foot doesn't protrude from the back at all).

Is 3-3.5 inches of exposed heel/foot considered ok? I *think* my LDS recommended about a thumbs worth of foot protruding - this is more like the full length of my middle finger.

Thoughts/recommendations appreciated. I don't want to exchange for XL to find that they're too friggin big.

Cheers,
John

 

[sibermike7]

zzzKing - I'm still struggling with the 3/3.5 inches protruding. I haven't (and can't) take them out for a test drive for a couple of weeks, but it seems like half my foot is sticking out. Certainly it is more than my heel, there's definitely some sole/arch on show. Clearly I'd prefer to not have the inconvenience of sending them back if not necessary, but I've dived with half my foot hanging out (probably primarily cos my 'usual' fins are XL and my foot doesn't protrude from the back at all).

Is 3-3.5 inches of exposed heel/foot considered ok? I *think* my LDS recommended about a thumbs worth of foot protruding - this is more like the full length of my middle finger.

Thoughts/recommendations appreciated. I don't want to exchange for XL to find that they're too friggin big.
Cheers,
John

Hey John,
Sounds like they are too small. Have you tried to soap up you bootie before putting on your fins? They might slide in further. If you can't get them on further, you probably need a bigger size.

 

[Blair Mott]

JClynes
Remember you are trying on the fins in your house- correct? If so keep this in mind. Your foot gear will get wet, compress and basically slide into your foot pocket better than being dry and at the surface. 2nd Force Fins gets its name from the fact that the Fin is FORCED on you foot when you go through the kick cycle - so your foot will move more into the footpocket. The true test on fit will be once you get into the water and start kicking they should be comfortable no matter how you use them, but if they are to small they will not comfortable.

When using Force Fins I always try to size up (to the largest foot gear I could possibly wear) and use the comfort instep to give me choices in what I wear on my feet- Drysuit, Wetsuit, aqua sock. instep_product
I hope you get some good results once you get your fins into the water. You could even get your awnsers from testing in the pool.

 

[InTheDrink]

Sibermike - just got myself all soaped up and it was better. But still not right. Am going to try to post a photo of it on. I've managed to squeeze it as far as it will go but you can see that the angle of my foot isn't correct, I think. Compare/contrast to my medium Oceanic Vipas. The foot is much more level with the fin. I guess this is because I haven't crammed it into a space too small. But any feedback welcome.

Blair - thanks for your feedback. I'm not sure if you're aware but I opted for the Jets, mainly cos they're cheaper but also I'm sick of gimmicks (not saying FFs are!) and the Jets seem to have a long standing solid following. That notwithstanding, not sure my Jets will ever come off given the amount of energy I've spent trying to squeeze them on in the photo to follow (assuming I can upload it - big assumption)

 

[InTheDrink]

L JetFins on a size 9.5 (US) foot, all soaped up

Jets, size L, see how my foot's bent


Oceanic Vipas, size M. see foot is straight.


I'm guessing the Jets are just too small and best send them back for the XLs????

Thanks,
John

 

[InTheDrink]

And sorry if I'm being anal about this - I just want to get it right. My other fear is that the XLs will be too big, but if they're really just L's then should be fine.

Wouldn't it make life easier if they just gave the right size to start out with? I don't appear to be the only person who's discovered this.

 

[sibermike7]

I just want to get it right.

That should be everyone's goal! I think that you need to look at the picture yourself with this in mind. Notice the angle of the fin from top to bottom and you'll notice that the Oceanic has support back to the heel. The Jets DO NOT. If you get them in a size too big all they do is flop around on you toes and give you cramps in the FOOT! Been there done that and didn't want the T-shirt to go with it!!

Look at the angle again. The Oceanic is a better fit for you in that size because of how it is designed to fit the foot, not just because of the size. Wait until you put a right sized FFin on your foot. It feels SOOOO sweet! I am NOT a FFin rep Bob hasn't even offered to take me to lunch yet! (HINT, HINT! ) I will quote an Estonian diver that is currently borrowing my fins when he tried them on last week (I am NOT making this up). "Wow! These feel good on my feet. I have never had a set of fins on my feet that I didn't want to take off! These feel like they were made to fit."

They are the MOST comfortable fins I have ever owned because they are designed that way. THAT is the gimmick!!

 

[InTheDrink]

Sibermike, are you saying that Jets are not designed to support back to the heel? That would make sense looking at the overall design. Is this a problem? Or do people get Jets that the can get their heel further into?

Any JetFin advocates out there that would like to pitch in on this?

By the time my pool, which is being renovated, is reopened it will be too late to exchange my Jets for a larger size. My gut feeling says they're too small but comparing design against the vipas and my scubapro splits, I can see they extend the heel outwards quite a bit.

I guess the simple question to any Jetfin wearer out there that is happy with their fit, is simply this:

How many inches does your heel protrude from the fin? Simple. Can anyone answer?

Pretty please?

TIA,
John

 

[tridacna]

Our customers and the Military like our bungee straps. Non-magnetic.

Ahem. THIS customer (me me me) loves his FFs. (3 pairs) but HATES the bungee straps. I understand the miltary's req. for stealth but this is the only department where Apollos have you dead. I would much prefer "real steel" fin straps.