Need input on Force Fins

[Jagular007]

A couple of years ago I read rave reviews about force fins and got myself a pair. I've never really been able to get used to them, though. They hurt the top of my feet, and after just a little while I need to switch strokes. I find it easiest to use a frog kick with them, but this isn't always practical.

I don't know if I'm just kicking wrong or if these things really are a bad idea. I don't see them for sale much anymore, so maybe that's a clue. . . .

Anyway, I'd appreciate your input. I'm new here (my first post) but it looks like a fun place.

Jag

 

[Walter]

Other opinions will differ, but I'm guessing your kick is correct and that is your problem. Force fins are designed to correct for poor technique. Instead of fixing your bicycle kick, get a pair of Force fins. I prefer fixing the kick.

 

[pt40fathoms]

As your own experimentation has revealed, Force Fins are best used with the frog or modified frog kick. They were all the rage, however technology has surpassed them and as a result you see less of them on the market. For the record! I believe they are good fins, however, they are not for everyone. I do not own a pair any longer, and have opted for the Mares Quatro. The too are very good with the frog kick, but can be used in most other fining techniques without the associated fatigue you get with Force Fins. If you simply do not like them, but do want to have a fin that is useful for frog kicks as well ac scissor kicks, get a pair of Quatro's. Stay away from all split fins or the Mares Volo, they are good fins, but they are designed for scissor kicks almost exclusively.

 

[bradymsu]

Jag,

I'm a Force Fin fan. In fact, they are the only fins I'll wear. I wear them for recreational diving. I wear them while instructing in both the pool and open water. I wear them while cave diving and deep wreck diving.

My fins caused me the same foot pain you are experiencing when I first wore them, but after about 20-30 dives, the pain went away. I don't know if the plastic softened or my feet got used to them but I never have that top of the foot pain anymore.

I have about 400 dives on my first pair and 100 dives on a second larger pair I got to wear with my drysuit. Both pairs are still in great shape and I have never had any part of them break. It's great not having to worry about a broken strap or buckle like on most other fins. With the optional bungee straps on the back, the fins go on and come off very easily -much easier than conventional fins.

The best thing about Force Fins is that they tend to tire legs out less than other fins. However they do not perform as well as longer fins in heavy current or when speed is necessary (though this is more dependent on the individual diver).

I have had a lot of people give me grief because of my fins. Some closed minded types who have used them much call them names like "Farce Fins". It's because they look different than other fins and perform different in the water than others. Use them a few dozen times though and I bet you'll agree they are the best fins you've ever owned.

-Brady

 

[scubajoe]

I have used Force Funs for quite some time. Easy on and off and they are comfortable to wear bare foot. I used Oceanic V drives with my drysuit since my FFs wont fit he boot. I find it much easier to get around in the FFs. However I picked up a pair of SP full foot split fins today. I may become a convert. Like Brady said, give them a few more tries before you toss them. I have never had any problem with foot pain with them.


Joe

 

[John C. Ratliff]

Force fins require a different kick than regular fins. In the 1980, when I was Fin Swimming Director for the Underwater Society of America, I was sent a pair of Force Fins to evaluate. This I did in a local reservoir on the North Umpqua River. Here's what I found:

--Force fins require a hard down-stroke, and very little effort on the upstroke.
--The ease of swimming is for people who develop cramps from their hamstring muscles. There is very little need to use the hamstrings, as there is little propulsion from the upstroke.
--Any stroke will work, but with modifications, with the Force Fins.
--It is much easier to walk in Force Fins than in regular fins, due to the upward turn of the blade (newer, longer-bladed Force Fins were not evaluated for this).

One write stated here that the Force Fins were best used with a frog or modified frog kick. This really is not true, if you are talking about a "real" frog kick used in the breast stroke. That kick uses tho bottom, or sole, of the foot (and the bottom of a fin) for the stroke. If this were done with Force Fins, there would be very little propulsion, as the fins would simply bend forword more. But, if the top of the fin is pointed backward, with the toes pointed, then you will develop a large propulsion.

The sissors kick is not too great with the Force Fins either, as the foot going backward would have very little propulsion.

I found that either the regular kick, or the dolphin kick, worked well with Force Fins as long as the down-stroke was very hard, and the upstroke relaxed. On the surface, a person used to a regular kick using other fins is likely to break the surface and splash a lot with Force Fins, because of the lack of risistence on the up-stroke.

SeaRat

 

[Jagular007]

Thanks, guys,

I guess I should have said I've been using these fins for a couple of years, snorkeling and diving. They move me pretty well, but I'm constantly aware of the fins; they are uncomfortable, and I am always having to vary my kick. I'll try the suggestion about only kicking up; kicking down is the worst, of course.

I do love how they are so small and easy to maneuver on the boat or shore.

I don't mind if people look cross-eyed at them.

I just want a fin that feels like an extension of my leg; not an unwieldy appendage.

Jag

 

[LennyD]

Rondale's admits that its equipment reviews are biased and fraudulent.

http://www.cdnn.info/industry/i031113/i031113.html

 

[SubMariner]

I wouldn't be so quick to jump on that bandwagon.

Take a look here:

http://www.scubaboard.com/t40898/s.html

 

[doole]

In 10 yrs of diving, I've owned nothing else, so I feel qualified to reply.

My size 13 feet don't fit into any other fin without me getting my toes squashed; another example of the subjectiveness of this.

The odd time I borrow some more conventional fin just to see if my preferences have changed any over the years, and it always feels like my feet are immersed in syrup, or that there's some sort of dead weight on the fins.

The debate over FFs is well known on just about every scuba forum in existence, but I'm keeping mine. They suck marginally more at the surface but that's a small price to pay, IMO.

HIH