Fins for 12 year old

[ChrisA]

My son wants some open heel fins with booties.
I don't blame him, water temps here go only up to 60F.

Question: Should the lenth of the fin be sized to for the size and strenght of the user? He is just under five feet tall and about 95
pounds and has maybe 1/2 the strenght of an adult,
Foot size is same as women's size 7. (he can swap shoes with my wife)

I guess my question is more general than that. Do smaller people need different fins than larger people? If I look abound I see smaller women using the same Mares fins as 220 pound men. Either this is because no one knows how to buy fins or it doesn't matter?

If you are going to suggest a specific fin, "cost matters". They will only
see a year of use before he outgrows them.

 

[garyfotodiver]

"Question: Should the lenth of the fin be sized to for the size and strenght of the user? He is just under five feet tall and about 95
pounds and has maybe 1/2 the strenght of an adult,
Foot size is same as women's size 7. (he can swap shoes with my wife)

I guess my question is more general than that. Do smaller people need different fins than larger people? If I look abound I see smaller women using the same Mares fins as 220 pound men. Either this is because no one knows how to buy fins or it doesn't matter?"

First, I bought a set of inexpensive Aqualung fins for my 13-year old daughter. The model is Uniflex. The fins work well for her (100#, womens shoe size 8.)

Second, technique is more important than strength for finning. I have slightly changed my leg motion for each different set of fins I have owned. Sometimes I flutter, other times I bicycle.

Your son should do well with any simple fin that is not excessicely large.

Good Luck!