Jet fins vs. Blades

[ronrosa]

I currently use original Aqualung Blades fins. I am happy with them, but find them a little long when I shoot video on the reef.

After reading all the glowing reviews on Jets and how they give you extra control I just bought the lightning bolt version in a size medium.

How do they compare to my blades ? Are they a lot stiffer ? :06:

 

[kidspot]

sounds like you'll be the one to give a good report on this question in a few days Btw - you may find you need boots with stiffer soles with the Jets due to the short footpocket bed... just a possibility.

Aloha, Tim

 

[PerroneFord]

I have both. I think I've used the Blades once since I got the Jets.

 

[ronrosa]

sounds like you'll be the one to give a good report on this question in a few days Btw - you may find you need boots with stiffer soles with the Jets due to the short footpocket bed... just a possibility.

Aloha, Tim

Well, I bought them on Ebay, so I won't actually have them in my hands until the end of the week.

I'm also a vacation only diver. My next dive isn't until June. I may try to get to an indoor pool though.

Any suggestion on stiff soled boots ? I dive warm water, so 3mm or less will do.

 

[kidspot]

some people don't mind soft soled boots, I just found they hurt my feet without a solid foot bed. My favorite boots so far have been either a pair of canvas high top tennis shoes (converse style) or the Ranger boots from High Tide (7mil with lug soles - great for walks over sharp lava rock down to the water too) http://www.hightidegear.com/boots.html (website seems to be down at the moment... hopefully only temporarily)

Many companies also make thicker/stiffer soled boots -
http://www.scubapro.com/products/wets/boot_molded_sole/boot_molded_sole.asp
http://www.bare-wetsuits.com/bareshop/diveproduct.asp?dept_id=28540&pf_id=69318
http://www.bare-wetsuits.com/bareshop/diveproduct.asp?dept_id=28540&pf_id=69324
http://www.harveys-divesuits.com/default.aspx?CategoryID=27&ItemID=KBLT 773Z
http://www.hendersonusa.com/product_bgh.html#
http://www.mares.com/product_detail.php?id=116&region=ALL
http://www.mares.com/product_detail.php?id=164&region=ALL
http://www.oceanicworldwide.com/p_boots_neoclassic.html
http://www.tusa.com/index2.html

there are a few options to consider

Aloha, Tim

 

[DiveMaven]

I went from one of the original US Divers fins to Jet Fins and can't even begin to tell you the difference I feel in control that I have. The old paddles weren't what I would consider long, but my medium Jet Fins are frankly SHORT in comparing fin blade length.

I'll can't see myself ever trading in my Jet Fins. Oh yeah, and I'm one of the crazy folks who doesn't wear booties with my Jets. They're comfortable for me, but I do get funny expressions when I'm asked where my boots are and I say I don't use them.

 

[kidspot]

... Oh yeah, and I'm one of the crazy folks who doesn't wear booties with my Jets. They're comfortable for me, but I do get funny expressions when I'm asked where my boots are and I say I don't use them.

All I can say is "ouch" and I'm impressed at the fortitude of your feet... my arches were a' hurtin' when I tried soft soled boots, much less no boot...

 

[ronrosa]

I have read more than a few people recommending a hard sole boot. Makes sense since I won't be able to put my whole foot in like with the blades.

Thanks Tim. I guess I'll have to try on hard sole boots to see which fits my foot best. While I am at it, I should make sure the boot fits the fin. Having bought these on Ebay I am going in a little blind but since I got the fins for $25 I'm not going to complain.

When I shoot video, sometimes the subject is down in the reef. A smaller fin blade should let me get in closer without kicking something.

 

[DiveMaven]

All I can say is "ouch" and I'm impressed at the fortitude of your feet... my arches were a' hurtin' when I tried soft soled boots, much less no boot...

Yeah, I'm really not quite sure how it works so well, but neither my husband nor I need to wear boots with our fins (he has Avanti Quattros). One thing I did notice though was that when I got my spring straps I had to stretch them out slightly since they were a little too tight. One strap is slightly longer than the other, and since my right foot is slightly bigger than my left, as long as I get the fins on the correct feet they are extremely comfortable. If I put the fins on the opposite feet, I do feel pressure on my heel during the dive. I'm planning to mark one of my fins so I always get it right, but even if I have to switch fins underwater, it isn't that big of a deal.