With my recent desire to go to a rock boot type of over-boot with my dry suit, I looked at new fins since my size 13 feet would require a big foot pocket to accommodate a lace up boot with a more robust sole instead of a neoprene boot with a thin sole. Pocket size seemed to depend more upon width than anything. The boots I am using are the Bare Trek in XXL size (they also make a XXXL that was wider and longer - my foot tends to be a little smallish on the 13 side.
Below are the fins I either own or looked at...in order from largest foot pocket to smallest for a XL fin:
- Mares (the Quattro and X3) is the largest foot pocket of the group (but not necessarily over all fins on the market)
- Oceanic was next (V12)
- ScubaPro TwinJets
- Aqualung Caravelle (note - the Rocket might fit differently than their blade fins)
- Atomic Split Fins
The Mares and Oceanic seemed easy to take off once donned. The ScubaPro TwinJets were borderline. The Aqualung Caravelles were a handful to take off, and if I actually got the Atomic on all the way I don't think it would ever come off. The Atomic split fins have a long and narrow pocket - I think it would be difficult to fit any over-boot in to them.
You'll notice I didn't try the traditional ScubaPro jet fin - it wasn't in stock and I wasn't too interested in it, but I understand it accommodates boots fairly well. I also didn't try the Force Fin Pro, which I want but was not in stock with the Force Fin people or scuba.com. I also didn't try the Rocket, which if it is copying the ScubaPro might also have a large pocket.
I owned the TwinJets and Caravelles going in to this decision. I stopped using the TwinJets in favor of the Caravelles. I was reluctant to buy another split fin since I didn't like the TwinJets but was open to the Bio Fin XT or the Atomics. I didn't see Bio Fins in their largest size. I ended up buying the Mares Quattros. I will make an attempt at a Force Fin purchase some time down the road.
Below are the fins I either own or looked at...in order from largest foot pocket to smallest for a XL fin:
- Mares (the Quattro and X3) is the largest foot pocket of the group (but not necessarily over all fins on the market)
- Oceanic was next (V12)
- ScubaPro TwinJets
- Aqualung Caravelle (note - the Rocket might fit differently than their blade fins)
- Atomic Split Fins
The Mares and Oceanic seemed easy to take off once donned. The ScubaPro TwinJets were borderline. The Aqualung Caravelles were a handful to take off, and if I actually got the Atomic on all the way I don't think it would ever come off. The Atomic split fins have a long and narrow pocket - I think it would be difficult to fit any over-boot in to them.
You'll notice I didn't try the traditional ScubaPro jet fin - it wasn't in stock and I wasn't too interested in it, but I understand it accommodates boots fairly well. I also didn't try the Force Fin Pro, which I want but was not in stock with the Force Fin people or scuba.com. I also didn't try the Rocket, which if it is copying the ScubaPro might also have a large pocket.
I owned the TwinJets and Caravelles going in to this decision. I stopped using the TwinJets in favor of the Caravelles. I was reluctant to buy another split fin since I didn't like the TwinJets but was open to the Bio Fin XT or the Atomics. I didn't see Bio Fins in their largest size. I ended up buying the Mares Quattros. I will make an attempt at a Force Fin purchase some time down the road.
