Fins for travel

[Twistedarts]

Well I poked around and did not find what I was looking for so I will pose the question here.

What is a good travel fin? meaning, ones that will fit in a 21" carry-on? My Tusa xpert zooms are 24" and length info on fins is lean on the web. Part 2 of the Q, paddles or splits? I use both so not a mac vs pc issue. Might I be better served with full foots vs. open heel since some of them seem to be shorter?

This is all because of the airline nonsense. gads I miss the good ole' days.....

Thanks in advance all!

 

[El Tiburon]

APS Mantaray fins or Deep Outdoors Six Gill fins. They are exactly the same, only differences might be colors and price. Short, light, good propulsion and you can perform specialty kicks with them (frog kick, helicopter, etc.).

 

[scubajcf]

Depends on where you are going. Bonaire, need to have your open heel fins and boots. Ambergris Caye, mostly boat diving there, so full foot fins work. My full foot fins weigh about 1/2 as much.

Atomic full foots are pretty light. I too have the TUSA Xooms, which I love diving. If you are looking to shed a few pounds (ounces), the Atomic Split Fins are a little lighter (not much).

I am in a "buck up and take it like a man" mode when it comes to air travel and my dive gear. I know they are going to charge me. I just deal with it. Better than renting!

jcf

 

[Twistedarts]

scubajcf-
Agreed renting sux... and I follow "cmon be a man" myself but it is not just weight but length. having to downsize bags makes it difficult. after my last trip through customs (JFK) I swore to never check a bag again. being an airline brat my father was like "you should know better" i love my zooms and cant figure out how to get a 24" fin into a 21" carry on. btw boat dives in caymans.

Coqui Diver-
you are the first person i have heard give those fins any cred. i admit i never looked at them seriously, may have to now.

 

[scubajcf]

Try the Atomic full foots. They're signicantly smaller and lighter.

 

[Twistedarts]

just checked out the atomics, pretty nice but have to see in person for length. TY for that info. also I found the apollo full foots look fairly small too. never used apollo's but may be another option. thoughts?

 

[scubajcf]

My old shop used to sell the Apollo Bio Fins. Some folks liked them. I hated them. Too soft for me.

They are shorter than the Xooms. However, they are heavier than the Xooms.

jcf

 

[donnad]

i just bought the Oceanic Viper fins.........lightweight, i'm not sure how long they are......not too long i don't think........anyway, they got a very nice review in scuba diving's recent review of new fins. i've tried them out in the pool, liked them. maybe you could find out online how long they are.

 

[Twistedarts]

My old shop used to sell the Apollo Bio Fins. Some folks liked them. I hated them. Too soft for me.

They are shorter than the Xooms. However, they are heavier than the Xooms.

jcf

I've noticed that about the apollo's (soft), and heavier is no good.
thanx again!

 

[Bubbletrubble]

+1 for the APS MantaRay fins.
Yes, you can do all different types of kicks with them. In a pinch, their footpockets (size XL) will even fit my oversized drysuit rockboots (Bare Trek boots size XL). They aren't as fast as my Tusa Xpert Zooms, and they don't have as much power as my Turtlefins. However, they are an acceptable compromise for portability. Size-wise and weight-wise, they are very packable -- great travel fins. Less than 20 inches in length. Size XL weighs 1.7 lbs. I recommend getting the black-colored ones as they are more negatively buoyant and stiffer than the other colors.