Dive Fin Hunt !!!

[David Wilson]

Hi, frontstmaui, I notice you haven't mentioned where and how you are intending to use your fins. You've also said that you prefer fins without straps and all the recommendations so far have been for fins with heel straps.

Large-sized feet can be a problem for competitive swimmers who want full-foot fins for swim training purposes, but there are swim retailers who sell full-foot fins up to size 17:

sprintaquatics-SPRINT FLOATING FINS
ALLSWIM.COM - Training Aids - Leggs & Feet

I often snorkel with size 12 fins like these in the North Sea.

If you need a more robust pair of full-foot fins, you might try full-foot Apollo Uni Bio Fins, which are roomy at any size. The largest size is billed as "12+":

Apollo Sports: Dive Gear: Bio-Fin UNI

There is no substitute for trying on fins in advance as fins can be right for foot length but wrong for foot width. It's a pity Cressi no longer makes its full-foot Unisuit fins, which I seem to remember went up to European size 52, which was certainly well in excess of your size 14.

Finally, fins are very personal items of gear and it's always a long journey before anyone chances on fins that serve them perfectly in terms of fit and performance. Good luck!

 

[frontstmaui]

I really appreciate all input. I snorkel with my kids alot and have recently started Rec Diving and am hoping to venture into some wreck diving and caves off of Molokai.

It is warm water and I live 1/2 a block from some great shore diving of a fallen Wharf with white/blue tip sharks hanging in the debris.

I like full foot because I don't care to wear booties. My feet have gotten kind of wide because of wearing sandals all the time.

The tough part for me is that all the dive shops around here don't stock my size. So I can't try anything on.

 

[meesier42]

for shore diving and larger sized feet I'll stick ForceFins in the mix. They are super easy to put on and take off, they are comfortable without booties and with the elastic band heel strap vice standard webbing don't get easier to don/doff. Not to mention they work well for Scuba and snorkelling.
I know they are pricey, but they are worth it, besides, you can find them on ebay cheap, not to mention I see that scuba.com has a couple on clearance right now.

 

[scorpenesub]

Hello froststmaui, welcome to SB...

 

[dschonbrun]

The Apollo Bio Fin Pro's have a very wide foot pocket, and the spring strap is highly adjustable.... but the cost 200$

Any fins made for drysuit diving boots should have pockets large enough to accommodate your size 14's when they are designed for size 12's.

 

[kidspot]

I had similar problems finding full foot fins a few years back, and wound up just getting foot cramps in too small fins :S then I discovered XXL Jets and now my feet are very happy. Still they are open heel fins. However if you want to try a pair on I live just up the street from you and would be glad to get together for a dive or two (You mention living by Mala Wharf - I'm up Fleming at the end of Front st.)

The trouble I am now finding (same foot size) is finding boots that will fit my feet and my fins both ... easier said than done.

Aloha, Tim

 

[frontstmaui]

I had similar problems finding full foot fins a few years back, and wound up just getting foot cramps in too small fins :S then I discovered XXL Jets and now my feet are very happy. Still they are open heel fins. However if you want to try a pair on I live just up the street from you and would be glad to get together for a dive or two (You mention living by Mala Wharf - I'm up Fleming at the end of Front st.)

The trouble I am now finding (same foot size) is finding boots that will fit my feet and my fins both ... easier said than done.

Aloha, Tim

Right On! I knew a guy who was ani nstructor up Fleming... He owned Happy Maui Diving. But that was 8-9 yers ago. think his name was Steve. He was a manager @ Gerards Rest.

I am fairly new to diving only in that I just bought my own equipment. I have about 30-40 Dives under my belt. All of them Beach dives.

I am willing to pay a bit for fins as long as the comfortis there. Iam sure everyone would pay for comfort.