Newbie fin question

[Kryssa]

I just got a pair of fins today and have a question... The plastic pieces that was inside the foot of the fins when I bought them... do you wear the fins with or without that piece? It looked likes an insert to keep the shape.

Without the insert, the toe of my boot almost comes to the end of the foot (the area with the hole) but stops like a half inch before it. Does that mean my fit fits right? Or is it too small?

Thanks!!!

 

[RJP]

I just got a pair of fins today and have a question... The plastic pieces that was inside the foot of the fins when I bought them... do you wear the fins with or without that piece? It looked likes an insert to keep the shape.

Without the insert, the toe of my boot almost comes to the end of the foot (the area with the hole) but stops like a half inch before it. Does that mean my fit fits right? Or is it too small?

Thanks!!!

It's simply to keep the shape of the foot pocket while it's sitting in a box, on a truck, on a shelf in a dive shop. Toss it.

Did the salesperson where you bought the fins size you with the insert in or out?

 

[doc8425]

As posted by RJP, The inserts are merely for keeping the shape of the fin when its in storage. I still use them on all my fins and they work well enough. It's a sad day when the dive is dry though.....

It sounds like your fins fit you just fine.

 

[doc8425]

BTW..... I do have an old pair of Mares fins (got them for free) that don't have the inserts anymore. The opening has collapsed but they are still useable.

 

[Louie]

Are they full-foot fins (the ones you wear without boots) or are they strap fins (ones you do wear with booties)?

If you tried them on in the shop with the inserts, the real fit may be a bit different.

Are they snug when they're on your feet and adjusted? They should not move around when you move your feet side ways. They should not slip off if you stood on the tip of your fin and lifted up your heel. A fin that is too loose will not be hydrodynamic and you will lose efficiency. One that is too tight can be uncomfortable - contributing to blisters and cramps.

Don't throw your inserts away yet. If there is a fit problem, my guess is that most reputable shops will exchange them for you.

 

[Dr Neil]

Keep them.
I have a pair of fins that when I dive with my rock boots they fit just fin. However, if I dive with tropical booties, I have to use the inserts.

 

[diver 85]

as others have said, inserts to keep the foot shaped---I store all mine with them...

 

[k ellis]

I just got a pair of fins today and have a question... The plastic pieces that was inside the foot of the fins when I bought them... do you wear the fins with or without that piece? It looked likes an insert to keep the shape.

Without the insert, the toe of my boot almost comes to the end of the foot (the area with the hole) but stops like a half inch before it. Does that mean my fit fits right? Or is it too small?

Thanks!!!

Just do what you wish with them. If as others say you want to keep the shape then use them. If not then toss them.

 

[David Wilson]

The link below leads to an earlier ScubaBoard thread on the same topic:
http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/fins-masks-snorkels/135589-plastic-inserts-apollo-bio-pro-fins.html
What you call inserts sound like the plastic formers used to keep fin foot pockets in shape during shipping and storage. In the old days, when fin foot pockets were made from natural or neoprene rubber, they didn't normally need formers to stay in shape. They just had to be stored properly. Now that fin foot pockets are often made from synthetic thermoplastic elastomers, which are less resilient than natural rubber, they tend to sag without the support of the plastic formers.