Dive Fin, keepers / inserts? Do you use them?

[UnderWaterFlyerGuy]

I'm a newbie:
I got some cool AtomicAquatics Splitfins.
Why Atomic Aquatics SplitFins deliver more propulsion with less air consumption

Advice: Do you mess with the plastic insert "keepers" at the foot holes?

I've seen that some do and some don't...

 

[CT Sean]

Guessing you mean something like this:

I personally have no need - my full foot fins stay on just fine on their own.

EDIT - or do you mean the things that often come inside the fin foot pocket to hold it open? I never kept any that came with my fins and they are all fine (8 fins among 4 people)

 

[Bratface]

Those fin inserts aren't useful after they leave the store. Please throw them away before they end up in the ocean.

 

[fire_diver]

No, those aren't the inserts.

I take them out of the fins, and put them in the trash.

 

[Blue Sparkle]

I keep them in my snorkeling fins when they're in storage, because I don't use those fins very often. They are not highest quality, so I figured if the rubber were smashed flat for months on end, it might crack there. On dive trips, I have used them to hold the ankles of my booties open so they will dry (but then I made some better bootie-ankle-holder-openers out of old plastic water bottles).

 

[ScubaVideo]

Those fin inserts aren't useful after they leave the store. Please throw them away before they end up in the ocean.

I keep mine to use for storage or when packing a lot of gear in a small space to protect the pocket.

I make use of them and keep them out of the environment. Just don't bring them to the ocean, keep them where you store your fins.

 

[UnderWaterFlyerGuy]

Thanks for the replies / and info.

 

[Blue Sparkle]

I keep mine to use for storage or when packing a lot of gear in a small space to protect the pocket.

Oh, right, I forgot about that feature! They do make the fin pockets into handy little protective suitcases And yeah, I don't bring them on the dive boat but leave them back with my spare gear. I think they would be a pain to keep track of on the boat/dive site.

 

[AbyssalPlains]

They're great to keep booties in shape during storage.

 

[AbyssalPlains]

Those fin inserts aren't useful after they leave the store. Please throw them away before they end up in the ocean.

At first, I thought you were talking about the split fins, and thought, "Come on, let him enjoy them for a few dives..."