Full Foot vs. Open Heel Fins

[ziongyal]

What color zooms did you get Waterskier?

 

[Waterskier1]

I got Black and Blue. I am really surprised how wide they are. I wear a size 9 and got the Medium size, but there is no way I could wear these without some sort of bootie. I do have a 3 mm bootie, but was hoping I could wear them with out anything too. I will try them out in Aruba next week.

 

[pescador775]

Waterskier, the Tusa is highly rated, especially good for the price. I want to clear up one thing. The decision whether to use or not use a boot is not relevant to the choice of fin type, or vice versa. I don't understand how that fog got started unless it is due to instructors and shop owners. For years, I dove the cold azzed waters of southern California. I always used boots. Primarily, I was engaged in freediving, spearfishing for white sea bass and yellowtail. I also used tanks when scallop diving. Back in the day, the Duckfoot was a popular fin and I used these open heel fins for many years. Later, after Terry Maas was seen with a pair of those unusual "long fins", our group switched to Cressi free diving fins which were the full foot type (closed heel). We didn't change our footwear; 1/4 inch boots were de rigeur as usual. Fin sizes were selected with this in mind (duh).

 

[dcs917]

looks like the bases are covered, but the two considerations are 1) foot protection for shore entry. and 2) thermal protection. I would go with the least that you can get away with! Good luck.

Dive safe!