Hi. I currently use Deep6 Eddy fins, which are similar to stiff tech fins, but made of plastic (EDIT: actually light rubber) so they are neutral (they float in salt water, but sink with a double-ender on them). They work great for my wetsuit config, they're as comfortable as can be, and come in bright colors, yay.
I have recently acquired a dry suit w/ 3mm socks, and have been diving with 5mm Deep6 booties. Still working on buoyancy skills and getting my weighting correct, but I have found my feet to be pretty consistently floaty. Gonna try 3mm booties instead of 5mm booties, maybe that will do the trick, but I don't think it will be enough.
Last dive I had a steel tank, steel backplate, 2 lbs of lead in lower camband trim pockets, and about 20 lbs lead on the belt. Also, right now I'm using 3 lbs total in ankle weights (BARF). Trim was OK, but the belt was a bit annoying on the surface, it would be more convenient to move some of the lead into more pockets. That will move my center of mass even further from my feet, worsening the trim issue. I would like to dump the ankle weights if at all possible.
I think the solution will come in the form of heavier fins. Here are my priorities, in order:
1) Stiff like the D6 (which is more or less a plastic SP JetFin knockoff, but I cannot speak to relative stiffness to other fins)
2) Denser than salt water
3) Comfortable
4) Spring strap -- no buckles, no bungees, no rubber
5) Colors -- anything but black
6) Buy from LDS
7) Price
My main dive buddy uses Hollis F1 fins. Whenever we get out to dive next, I was thinking maybe we could trade for a dive so I can test them out. He finds them to be stiff, dense, and comfortable, they come in non-black, and a LDS sells them.
Should I be looking at other models as well, or if these work just go for it?
I have recently acquired a dry suit w/ 3mm socks, and have been diving with 5mm Deep6 booties. Still working on buoyancy skills and getting my weighting correct, but I have found my feet to be pretty consistently floaty. Gonna try 3mm booties instead of 5mm booties, maybe that will do the trick, but I don't think it will be enough.
Last dive I had a steel tank, steel backplate, 2 lbs of lead in lower camband trim pockets, and about 20 lbs lead on the belt. Also, right now I'm using 3 lbs total in ankle weights (BARF). Trim was OK, but the belt was a bit annoying on the surface, it would be more convenient to move some of the lead into more pockets. That will move my center of mass even further from my feet, worsening the trim issue. I would like to dump the ankle weights if at all possible.
I think the solution will come in the form of heavier fins. Here are my priorities, in order:
1) Stiff like the D6 (which is more or less a plastic SP JetFin knockoff, but I cannot speak to relative stiffness to other fins)
2) Denser than salt water
3) Comfortable
4) Spring strap -- no buckles, no bungees, no rubber
5) Colors -- anything but black
6) Buy from LDS
7) Price
My main dive buddy uses Hollis F1 fins. Whenever we get out to dive next, I was thinking maybe we could trade for a dive so I can test them out. He finds them to be stiff, dense, and comfortable, they come in non-black, and a LDS sells them.
Should I be looking at other models as well, or if these work just go for it?