DiveMaven
Contributor
On our Nekton cruise last month, my old US Divers padde fins decided that it was enough and the foot pocket began separating from the paddle. Granted, they were over 13 years old, so I can't complain too much, and a little duct tape got me through the last day without losing a dive. 
But when I got home, I knew the quest for new fins would begin.
Since I only dive warm and live in a cold water area, it turned out to be quite an interesting search, with typical conversations in dive shops going something like this:
Me: My fins died and I'm looking for new ones. I dive warm water only, don't like splits, and want a paddle fin that gives me precision and control, not necessarily speed.
LDS: Okay, let me show you a few. Have you seen the Apollo splits?
Me: I don't like splits, I find them floppy and hard to control.
LDS: Are you sure? The splits really provide you with a lot more power and speed than the paddles.
Me: I understand that, but I don't need speed for the type of diving I do.
LDS: You know, with all the weight and bulk you have to carry, the splits really make your life easier. Plus, you won't get the leg cramps you'll get with paddles.
Me: I only dive warm, so don't carry much weight. Also, I've had paddle fins for 13 years and have never gotten a cramp. (I don't tell them I've only been diving for 2 years, figuring if they assume I've been diving for longer that the might listen to me). I'm looking for paddle fins and don't want splits.
LDS: Warm huh? Okay, how about these full foot fins?
Me: I prefer open heel fins, makes it easier to pull them off to get back on the boat, and full foot rub my feet badly.
LDS: Hmmm, let's see what else we have. Are you sure you don't want to consider the splits? You can try them in the pool.
Me: Look, I understand the value of the split fin, and definitely see why people love them, especially diving locally with lots of gear on, but I don't like them. Why don't I just look around for awhile and I'll ask you if I need sizes to try something on?
Of course I've read Scubaboard posts about different types of fins, but knew that I really needed to buy from an LDS because I wanted to try different fins in the pool. (I won't try fins at a shop and buy on-line to save a few bucks, that's simply not right IMO.) Of course we all know what fins a lot of folks here like...Jets!
So after trying a few Oceanic fins, Tusa fins, and a Mares one, I went to a shop that carried Jets. The manager let me borrow the fins to try in the pool this weekend, and I hit the water yesterday to put them through a few laps in the pool.
After 2 laps, I knew that I would be extremely disappointed if these fins didn't hold up for me...and after 25 minutes in the pool, I knew I was a convert!! These fins gave me the ease and comfort for both flutter and frog kicking, with quite a lot more power in the frog kick than my old paddles....and more comfort. They didn't have one rub spot on my foot and frankly seemed almost made for my feet. I also loved the ability for great bursts of speed with these fins, and after swimming nearly non-stop for 25 minutes, I knew that even long surface swims wouldn't be a problem for me....not that I ever do long surface swims. eyebrow
I love the short, broad paddles as opposed to the longer blades I used to have, and can't wait to take these babies out in the ocean where they belong.
But when I got home, I knew the quest for new fins would begin.Since I only dive warm and live in a cold water area, it turned out to be quite an interesting search, with typical conversations in dive shops going something like this:
Me: My fins died and I'm looking for new ones. I dive warm water only, don't like splits, and want a paddle fin that gives me precision and control, not necessarily speed.
LDS: Okay, let me show you a few. Have you seen the Apollo splits?
Me: I don't like splits, I find them floppy and hard to control.
LDS: Are you sure? The splits really provide you with a lot more power and speed than the paddles.
Me: I understand that, but I don't need speed for the type of diving I do.
LDS: You know, with all the weight and bulk you have to carry, the splits really make your life easier. Plus, you won't get the leg cramps you'll get with paddles.
Me: I only dive warm, so don't carry much weight. Also, I've had paddle fins for 13 years and have never gotten a cramp. (I don't tell them I've only been diving for 2 years, figuring if they assume I've been diving for longer that the might listen to me). I'm looking for paddle fins and don't want splits.
LDS: Warm huh? Okay, how about these full foot fins?
Me: I prefer open heel fins, makes it easier to pull them off to get back on the boat, and full foot rub my feet badly.
LDS: Hmmm, let's see what else we have. Are you sure you don't want to consider the splits? You can try them in the pool.
Me: Look, I understand the value of the split fin, and definitely see why people love them, especially diving locally with lots of gear on, but I don't like them. Why don't I just look around for awhile and I'll ask you if I need sizes to try something on?
Of course I've read Scubaboard posts about different types of fins, but knew that I really needed to buy from an LDS because I wanted to try different fins in the pool. (I won't try fins at a shop and buy on-line to save a few bucks, that's simply not right IMO.) Of course we all know what fins a lot of folks here like...Jets!
So after trying a few Oceanic fins, Tusa fins, and a Mares one, I went to a shop that carried Jets. The manager let me borrow the fins to try in the pool this weekend, and I hit the water yesterday to put them through a few laps in the pool.
After 2 laps, I knew that I would be extremely disappointed if these fins didn't hold up for me...and after 25 minutes in the pool, I knew I was a convert!!
These fins gave me the ease and comfort for both flutter and frog kicking, with quite a lot more power in the frog kick than my old paddles....and more comfort. They didn't have one rub spot on my foot and frankly seemed almost made for my feet. I also loved the ability for great bursts of speed with these fins, and after swimming nearly non-stop for 25 minutes, I knew that even long surface swims wouldn't be a problem for me....not that I ever do long surface swims. eyebrow I love the short, broad paddles as opposed to the longer blades I used to have, and can't wait to take these babies out in the ocean where they belong.
