fin ?

[camuhrun]

Whats the advantage of having either full foot fins or the open heels? I'm not sure which to purchase. I was thinking that because I will be diving in quarries and such i might want the open heeled fins because i might need booties. So let me know your opinions...thanks

-camuhrun

 

[Marek K]

Whats the advantage of having either full foot fins or the open heels? I'm not sure which to purchase. I was thinking that because I will be diving in quarries and such i might want the open heeled fins because i might need booties. So let me know your opinions...thanks

-camuhrun

Yes, I think you pretty much understand the difference... full-foot is usually for bare feet (snorkeling, but some folks like them for warm-water tropical scuba); they may be more comfortable, but p[robably don't stay on as well -- plus you're barefoot when you have the fins off, which is often a problem.

Open-heel fins are for wearing over booties, and are almost universally used for scuba. If you're going to be diving quarries, you're going to be wearing booties (and at least a wetsuit).

I see you're not certified yet... Are you taking a scuba course? They should explain this to you before you buy fins.

Cheers!

--Marek

 

[camuhrun]

yeah, i am currentley taking a course through YSCUBA. He did explain the difference between the fins but did not really go over the pros and cons of each.

i'm looking on ebay right now. I'm also looking at booties. I'm not sure if i will even buy them online because of fittings and such. I see some booties with a hard rubber tread on the bottoms and some that dont. Any pros and cons there??? I guess i would have a lesser chance of slipping on a boat if the booties had treads, but it wouldn't matter underwater would it?

 

[Marek K]

yeah, i am currentley taking a course through YSCUBA. He did explain the difference between the fins but did not really go over the pros and cons of each.

So what are you using in the course? Or haven't you gotten wet in the pool yet?

Most OWD courses require you to have your own mask, fins, and snorkel for the course. Assuming the course is run by a dive shop, first thing during the first class they march you up to the shop and sell you the stuff... which is a matter of trust on your part.

--Marek

 

[camuhrun]

they supply the gear the first three sessions and then we have to purchase our own mask fins and snorkel. tommorow will be the fourth session so i have everything but fins and i am going to borrow some (i swim for my high school, so fins are available) 'till i am able to buy my own.

 

[Marek K]

I'm also looking at booties. I'm not sure if i will even buy them online because of fittings and such. I see some booties with a hard rubber tread on the bottoms and some that dont. Any pros and cons there??? I guess i would have a lesser chance of slipping on a boat if the booties had treads, but it wouldn't matter underwater would it?

Oops, I didn't see the second part of that post.

I'd strongly recommend a hard rubber tread. Not just for slip resistance, but to protect your feet from rocks or coral when you're beach diving. Plus durability.

E-Bay or mail-order might be tough for booties. Sizes seem to vary a lot -- I've gotten burned once. (Fortunately my son's feet are bigger than mine now, and he got those booties!)

If you're trying them on in a shop, make sure they're very snug when dry. They loosen up significantly when they're wet.

--Marek

 

[teknitroxdiver]

I prefer open-heel, because IMO they're more comfortable, you can wear booties to keep your feet protected and warm, and you can adjust the pocket size on them. I suggest you try on lots of different kinds, and be wary of split fins. Some like them, a lot hate them. See if your shop will let you try them on in their pool, if they have them. If you do this be sure and swim with them while you're completely underwater, as there's a difference in swimming on the surface and swimming underwater.

 

[diversteve]

yeah, i am currentley taking a course through YSCUBA. He did explain the difference between the fins but did not really go over the pros and cons of each.

i'm looking on ebay right now. I'm also looking at booties. I'm not sure if i will even buy them online because of fittings and such. I see some booties with a hard rubber tread on the bottoms and some that dont. Any pros and cons there??? I guess i would have a lesser chance of slipping on a boat if the booties had treads, but it wouldn't matter underwater would it?

You need boots for more reasons than that. For example - in a quarry, you may have to climb over mossy, sharp rocks, so slippage could be a factor in soft boots. And if you do any ocean diving, they're invaluable in places like Bonaire or Cayman or Hawaii where the entries are coral or ironshore, you'd cut a pair of soft boots (and your feet) to shreds. They're also going to be useful in places like SoCal where there's thousands of sharp, pointed urchins, they'll go right through a soft boot if you step/land on them. You should also consider that you'll occasionally be landing on coral/rock bottoms, sharp rusted wrecks and other things until you get your buoyancy under control.

Soft boots - and divesocks are generally to prevent chafing from your fins in environments where you know the conditions. Actually I generally wear softer boots on boats if the ladder has a lot of grip on the treads or I know the conditions at the divesite. But I only warm water dive.

 

[DA Aquamaster]

All other things being equal, full foot fins are generally more hydro dynamic and more efficient than the same fin in an open heel design.

However, unless you have small feet it's hard to find a full foot fin large enough to accomodate a neoprene, which rules them out for cold water diving.

 

[emtdan]

camuhurn,
how old are you? You said that you are in high school.
I think among the other reasons that were mentioned, you should get open heel fins because u may still b growing. So rather then buying new fons every year or so, u can just buy more booties....

JFTR, open heel fins are more expensive per pair then full foot....