first impressions...

[suddha]

Thanks for the feedback from my earlier post on surface swimming. I used my FF Tan Deltas yesterday for the first time and I love them. Flutter kicking with them is so effortless and walking in them into a hard surf shore dive was much easier than with my long heavy Mares fins.

My only gripe is the heel strap. I wrestled to tighten them in my 5mm gloves and ripped the foam back piece off in the process. Didn't seem to affect the fit during the dive but the strap system on these feels a bit crude. Any alternatives to this?

All in all - a great fin. I got a lot of funny looks and comments but I am sold.

Cheers.

 

[Blair Mott]

Suddha
It was great to hear about your experience with your Force Fins, thanks for sharing. You do have an option of using a bungie strap that will solve the problem you described. Force Fin sells a Bungie kit that you can change out yourself. The kit comes complete with everything you need to convert your nylon straps to bungie style heel straps. Keep in mind after you assemble your new heels straps you will always have the ability to tighten or loosen the setting you choose on the strap.

 

[meesier42]

My only gripe is the heel strap. I wrestled to tighten them in my 5mm gloves and ripped the foam back piece off in the process. Didn't seem to affect the fit during the dive but the strap system on these feels a bit crude. Any alternatives to this?

Your problem here is that you tightened down on the strap, the strap is really only there to keep it from falling off your foot. Just tighten it enough to keep on your foot. As you kick the fin will fit itself to your foot as needed and propel you on your way. I have actually done many dives with the strap off all together, it works just fine.

The efficiency of the FF design eliminates the drag which tends to pull the fin off your foot as most other fins will.

 

[knotical]

They also have a bungie option that I like.
bungie_product

 

[bolantej]

I just cut some bungee cord and knotted it on both end and it worked fine. I think I'm still hooked on my split fins, though. I got cramping with the FF I just bought used. Go figure.

 

[Susanne]

I just cut some bungee cord and knotted it on both end and it worked fine. I think I'm still hooked on my split fins, though. I got cramping with the FF I just bought used. Go figure.

Was it one of the first times that you tried Force Fins? A main cause of cramping is the design of other fins with blades that extend from the end of your toes. These other fins require that you hold your toe pointed to maintain a proper angle of attack when flutter kicking. When your toe is pointed, then your arch and calf are contracted. If you hold a muscle contracted while exercising - kicking - you will cramp. Its basic to exercise physiology.

Force Fins are designed with an open toe pocket that allows your foot to point and flex with each kick, similar to the motion your foot and leg make when walking. The tension from your arch and calf is released with each kick, so cramps should not occur.

If they do, I would guess that either the fins are too small, or you are chasing the fin blade with your toes as you kick, tightening up the muscles when you don't need to. The solution is to wiggle your toes, point and flex a few times, then resume kicking keeping aware of relaxing your feet until you break the habit of holding your toe pointed.

Thanks for the input.

 

[Dennis at Nekton]

For all of you who are proud new owners of FF or are this close to buying a pair, why don’t you think about getting out of the Xmas commercialism for a while and come down to Belize for a week (12/22 to 12/29/07) aboard The Nekton Pilot with Bob Evans and Susanne Chess. You’ll be able to try FF to solidify your buying decision or get expert advice and know how from the designer. And, although Bob & Susanne will bring a lot of FF for the Nekton guests to try, they probably won’t want to lug them all back home. You might even get the bargain of a life time.

 

[bolantej]

it's true, perhaps they are too small. I wear a size 15 shoe, and an XL in Oceanic V-12, and XXL in FF. In my rockboots there is barely any toe wiggling going on. I thought it was because I am not used to a blade fin. either way, the fins I own are not being used anymore with my current rockboot setup, and I don't think I'd spend the money on a larger size to find out if they fit. There was no benefit I could see by using them vs my split fins.

 

[The Chairman]

One day I will try these fins. I have a good friend who dives and loves them. Me? I am still stuck on my jets. Are they going to have any trials in the Florida area?