Here it comes...Split-fins or Full fins?

[Peter Guy]

OK, over the last 14 months I've bought and used:

1. Razors -- non-split -- fairly soft -- OK fin but worth the closeout price I paid for them

2. ScubaPro Split Fins -- I really like them for pool and tropical work -- easy on the feet -- don't have a problem with cramping -- VERY forgiving -- Only are good for a flutter kick

3. ScubaPro Jet Fins -- IF you are going to try "non-silting kicks" -- aka frog kick, modified frog, modified flutter and (ahem) back-kick -- you need stiff(er) non-split fins -- I had two pairs of Jets -- one, my "tropical" pair, are from 1968 (?) and still going strong -- the other (XL's) didn't fit my drysuit boots so I sold them and got;

4. TURTLES -- Great fin for those kicks (and flutter for that matter) -- lots of power from a kick -- great fin.

I hope this helps.

 

[JessH]

Nothing like an open mind... (usually, this flavor of one-sided pedantic opinion comes from someone that's never tried what they're flaming)

I never claimed to be open minded ;-) All I know is that splits do not suit MY needs. For instance, my need to look cooler than the guy who wasted $150+ on split fins Also there is my need to frog kick the guy with split fins in the face, can't do that with splits. I think we both know that the frog kick is a far more efficient way to kick someone in the face.

In all seriousness, if you find that regular fins cause your legs to cramp or fatigue quickly then maybe split fins are right for you. But there are other solutions that don't require split fins. Such as a little bit of excercise or maybe even slowing down (a lot of people zip around a lot more than they need to).

~Jess

 

[bradshsi]

Are there any brands you could recommend to me?

Les

All of them

Try out some before you buy. Just remember that your preferences and needs may change with experience.

If you want an unbiased scientific review of fin performance check out this web site.

http://www.ndsu.edu/instruct/grier/fins.html

Personally I use and like Apollo bio fins. But as others have expressed at length, they are not the best fin for all duties (no fin is).

 

[herman]

The split vs blade fin debate is pretty much a Ford vs Chevy debate. Everyone has their own preference. You will find those who love them and those who hate them. The best advice is to rent or borrow several different sets of fins and see what you like. I personally have tried several different splits and did not like any of them. They were too floppy (soft?) and to me lacked control.

If the split fins sacrifice so much, how come when Scuba Diving magazine tests fins it's usually a split fin they rate as the fastest? The comments from the reviewers also indicate they had "excellent control in tight places", "good acceleration", and "no muscle strain".

To answer this question, do 2 things. Look through the mag and see who advertises a lot and look at the cost of split fins as compared to blades. Big advertising bucks and high profit margins can buy a lot of good reviews. Consider this, as you pointed out the biggest selling points is how "fast" they are but why does a good diver care about speed?? I go slow, very slow and get up close with the wildlife, this is not a race or competitive sport, we (or at least I) am there to look at what is under the water. What I need is control and the option of various kicks, something splits don't do well or at least the ones I tried didn't. I often wonder if the "testers" in these mags are writers that dive or divers that write. Take me on an all experience paid trip to Bonaire to test fins, I can promise you, what ever fin you want will be the best.

Bottom line is, the only way to determine if they are right for you is to get a couple of different pairs of fins and try them while doing your style of diving and see what you like. In the end, they are your fins and you have to dive with them.

 

[cerich]

I don't believe you can get unbiased user reports when it comes to fins, we all like different "feels".

Try a bunch if you can and go with the ones you like.

 

[redacted]

When in doubt, don't spend more than you need to.

 

[wunat]

Fin preference is very subjective. For example, I personally don't prefer splits myself while many divers I know loves them. Would be best if you try them out and see for yourself.

 

[jeraldjcook]

I'd try both the SP Jets and Twin Jets. I have the black Twin Jets and love them, although this weekend I tried a pair of Jets and it felt like I had a rocket up my butt. I probably could have a pulled a skier I was moving so fast. But they were tougher on my ankles and legs.

 

[PerroneFord]

If the split fins sacrifice so much, how come when Scuba Diving magazine tests fins it's usually a split fin they rate as the fastest? The comments from the reviewers also indicate they had "excellent control in tight places", "good acceleration", and "no muscle strain".

As was mentioned, I am not racing underwater so a fin's speed is immaterial to me. However, the split fin is limited when it comes to avoiding silt. It is also less suitable to doing alternate kicks.

When I chose my fins, I chose one that would work over a wide variety of conditions, was durable, and would be good for doing more than flutter kicking, since I RARELY flutter kick.

So I have a pair of SP Jet Fins. I also have a pair of AL Blades.

 

[jeraldjcook]

However, the split fin is limited when it comes to avoiding silt. It is also less suitable to doing alternate kicks.

This isn’t always the case. For both spilt and alternate kicks, some split fins work just fine. On the same note, there are plenty of paddle fins that you could not frog kick in to save you life. Check out the “myth” link on the following page. Do your Blades frog kick as well as your Jets? Probably not.

All of them

If you want an unbiased scientific review of fin performance check out this web site.

http://www.ndsu.edu/instruct/grier/fins.html