full-foot vs. open-heel fins

[aquanaut10]

Has anyone ever tried fitting a full-foot fin to be worn with boots? Sorry if that sounds like a stupic thought... I am from the northeast, travel about 1/year, and always to tropical areas. Because I have to travel, I look for ways to reduce bulk, and full-foot fins seem to be shorter, lighter and much cheaper than open-heel. I have only used open-heel. The problem with full-foot, obviously, being that they won't work if boots are needed, which is usually the case in cold conditions. Walking bearfoot on decks and climbing ladders are not easy either. The combo idea would be the best of both options if it could work. My LDS will try to talk me out of this, but I don't always trust them.. they are the only shop in the area and usually have the attitude that if I don't do exactly what they advise, with their equipment, I will surely drown on the next dive. Problem is, I can't tell when they may be right..

I would appreciate hearing about any experiences, pro or con..

thanks,
aquanaut10...

 

[Fish_Whisperer]

Also take into consideration that if you're doing shore dives, especially at night with a beach full of sea urchins, they can really put the hurt on you. (Ditto for rocks, coral, shells, etc.) True, the full-foot fins are more expensive, and may be a little bigger. I guess it depends on the kind of diving you're most likely to be doing. Good luck.

 

[aabond]

I have never tried or heard of that. If you did try to, you would either need an extra large pair of fins or where neoprene socks. The foot pocket would really need to be wide enough for it to work.

I don't really think open heel are that much bigger than full foot. I took my volo powers which are open heel to cozumel and didn't have a big problem with space. I just layed them flat in my wheel suitcase and then layed my bc on top of it.

 

[TheRedHead]

Force Fins can be worn with tropical booties and worn without and they travel light. But they are so expensive you could buy both full-foot and open heel for the same price. Why not buy both?

 

[Xanthro]

Unless you find putting full foot fins on easier than open foot, get open foot fins. Donning time outweighs saying the space for packing.

Keeping people waiting at the gate when diving on a boat is poor form. Struggling in surf trying to put on a fin is annoying. Sand in a full foot fin can be bothersome.

In calm clear water around mostly snorkelling people a full foot fin doesn't have as many drawbacks, but you can use a open foot here just as well.

Plus, if the heel breaks your full foot fin is useless. You can replace the band on an open foot.

 

[dlndavid]

Yeah, open heels are easier to put on and can be worn for cold or warm water diving.

btw: welcome to ScubaBoard aquanaut10

 

[Vtdiver2]

Force Fins can be worn with tropical booties and worn without and they travel light. But they are so expensive you could buy both full-foot and open heel for the same price. Why not buy both?

Go with the Force Fins...they work in the tropics with tropical booties, in cold water with full boots, and with the drysuit booties. When you look at it that way, it's really not that expensive. They're worth every penny.
C-Dawg

 

[dkktsunami]

A lot of dive boats, in rough seas, will request that you remove fins while on the tag line and place one around each wrist. This can't be done with full foot fins.Much better to go with open heel, and size can be adjusted for lighter or heavier booties.

 

[aquanaut10]

sounds like open heel is the way to go, good point about the donning time, since i had never used full foot i didn't know they were harder to get on...
Thanks to all

btw Xanthro, he would be looking at himself in both directions

 

[Darnold9999]

I would be worried that I would kick out of a full foot fin on a bootie. As you get to depth the bootie is going to crush and now you have a fin that is just waiting to fall off. maybe with rock boots, but even then you have some compression.

Having kicked out rental fins when I really really needed them I would not go this route. Forgot to pack my own fins:06: