Neoprene boots Hollis F1

[johnsub]

Hello everyone.

I'm thinking of buying some Hollis F1 fins to dive with my drysuit. The drysuit is a Hunter VSN1100. The boots on the drysuit are size 10. They are made of neoprene, lined with a rubber compound. This means that they are not bulky as rock-boots or hard-soled wetsuit boots but they are not as slim-lined as turbo-soles either. This is what they look like:

https://dl.dropbox.com/u/46632748/vsn_boots.png

I'm leaning towards XL as the spring strap configuration makes them easier to adjust but what size would you suggest based on your experience?

Thanks a lot for your help,
John

 

[chrpai]

I think you are spot on.

I wear 3mm Neosport boots that sound a lot like yours. My feet are 10 / 10.5 and I dive the Hollis F1's. The pockets are maybe a tiny bit big on me and I adjusted the spring straps to the tighter position and they dive just fine for me.

 

[johnsub]

Thanks chrpai.
I think i'll give them a try. If they are too big for my drysuit boots then maybe i'll change my wetsuit boots and buy some hard-soled ones and use the F1s for wet dives...!
Maybe it's time for my Mares Quattros to retire

 

[Phohm]

I have a size 10 foot w/ Waterproof B2 boots and I use the regular F1 fins they fit perfect, they do tend to run a little big... like most will tell you it's always better to try them on.

 

[johnsub]

Thanks Phohm. I know it's always best to try them on first. But this is a one time deal. You take it or leave it..!
Do you think that the regular F1 could fit hard-soled boots like the Oceanic Neo Classic?

 

[chrpai]

FWIW, I bought my Hollis F1 used here on SB for $75 shipped. Always buy low so you can resell if you need to.

 

[P11]

Great choice with the F1's. I have a pair of XL F1's and I have no complaints. They work very well with my size 9 Mares Trilastic 5mm boots.

 

[chrpai]

@johnsub- Did you ever get them? If so, what size, and did they fit?

 

[johnsub]

Yeap. I got them
F1s XL
I haven't tried them yet as i don't have my drysuit here at the moment but i have to admit that the foot pocket is generous...
I think that they might be a bit wide for my drysuit boots but i'm already looking for some hard-soled boots in order to use them for my wetsuit dives too.
I'll make sure to update when i try them out.

 

[johnsub]

Its been a while but i thought to update this for future reference.

The F1s in XL were wide for the neoprene rubber lined boots on my suit.

But i still kept them. I got a pair of hard soled wetsuit boots size 10 and they fit fine with these. Thats a great combo if you do shore dives with a wetsuit.