Nylon or bungee straps ?

[happy-diver]

I've got lots of stuff

so made my own

Even ground off a lot of tread from my pixie shoes for perfect fit

Now having returned to cold ocean water, they live on a wall

 

[Bob Evans]

Steve Bowles, owner of Professional Diving Resources, Ohio, showed me his Extra Force Fins with our first white bungee heel strap. It must have been purchased around 1997. Notice how the heel strap and Bungee are still working. But he wore down the Vortex Generators. Feel proud of our work. EXTRA FORCE FIN - Force Fins | Worlds Finest Fins for Swimming, Diving, Bellyboating. Made in the USA.

 

[NitroxSam]

Here's a pic of mine. Both have bungies. I just recently (June 2023), replaced the bungies on my black FF Pros after 23  years of continuous use! Bungies all the way.The fins themselves are indestructable!

 

[Frogman82]

I hope to get my new to me, second hand excellerators tomorrow. They have the regular nylon strap so I will try that out again. Had these straps on a pair of extra force fins 15 years ago, but preferred the bungee. Maybe I change my mind.

 

[Mobulai]

Hi folks,

I hope to dive my Force Fin Pro XXXL next month for the 1st time. Got them 2nd hand, but never used in the original cardboard box, in Italy, during 2022 second semester. It was a true bit of luck.

Alas, 2023 wasn't so good a vintage as far as diving is concerned, for me at least. Now, I've got everything to go with them : combat boots, a double checked dry suit, and a trip planned, to dive wrecks in the Var next February.

Just one thing though : those fins are fitted with a nylon strap. The pair of Force Fin Pros I've been diving wet for some years have a bungee straps. I'd like to know which kind of straps you prefer, and why ? Stated otherwise : which are the pros and cons of each system ?

Thank you for your help and best of luck while diving in 2024.

Awesome find!
I came across an XL in gemany for a steal (didn’t know about size discrepancy till later) 2nd hand and for wet it worked alright.
It had also nylons straps, when I tried to do a dry dive.. oh my; like 20 minutes of sweating and fighting and barely got in via leveraging with a pry tool.
I instantly knew I need bungees, and hopefully they will fit me dry.
The Nylon straps (and the whole thing )are quite impressive tbh; I have one that has been used by a divemaster for 30 years on Hurgada liveabords and still going strong.
she never had to change the replacement that came with it and I have them in brand new bag :mindblown:

The replacement process seems finicky, and I also can’t really find the bungee, except on possiedon UK website (they won’t deliver); so I’m considering maybe DIY ing a switchable soln. To switch between both unless someone has a better idea

 

[Snoweman]

About six years ago, I bought a used pair of force fins with nylon straps. No matter how I wrapped the strap around itself after putting the fins on, the strap was usually loose by the end of the dive.

I recently bought a new pair of pros with the bungees. I've only done a couple of dives with them, but I love them. It's much easier to get on and off. The only negative I can see is that I need to use booties to keep the bungee on. With the straps, I could just pull the straps tighter while barefoot.

 

[Mobulai]

like 20 minutes of sweating and fighting and barely got in via leveraging with a pry tool.

But still that says something +ve about how strong the nylon strap is

 

[Mobulai]

With the straps, I could just pull the straps tighter while barefoot

Agreed, my first time trying them was a quick snorkel barefoot as well, no bungee can do that

 

[NitroxSam]

Awesome find!
I came across an XL in gemany for a steal (didn’t know about size discrepancy till later) 2nd hand and for wet it worked alright.
It had also nylons straps, when I tried to do a dry dive.. oh my; like 20 minutes of sweating and fighting and barely got in via leveraging with a pry tool.
I instantly knew I need bungees, and hopefully they will fit me dry.
The Nylon straps (and the whole thing )are quite impressive tbh; I have one that has been used by a divemaster for 30 years on Hurgada liveabords and still going strong.
she never had to change the replacement that came with it and I have them in brand new bag :mindblown:

The replacement process seems finicky, and I also can’t really find the bungee, except on possiedon UK website (they won’t deliver); so I’m considering maybe DIY ing a switchable soln. To switch between both unless someone has a better idea

Replacement is actually quite easy. Go here Straps and Strap Hardware Archives - Force Fins | Worlds Finest Fins for Swimming, Diving, Bellyboating to get the bungies directly from Force Fin.

 

[Bob Evans]

About six years ago, I bought a used pair of force fins with nylon straps. No matter how I wrapped the strap around itself after putting the fins on, the strap was usually loose by the end of the dive.

I recently bought a new pair of pros with the bungees. I've only done a couple of dives with them, but I love them. It's much easier to get on and off. The only negative I can see is that I need to use booties to keep the bungee on. With the straps, I could just pull the straps tighter while barefoot.

Snowman, the reason the straps came loose was the Force Fin was Forcing forward. For the first year, we did not sell Force Fins with straps. Then some folks started to body surf, and when they stopped kicking, the Force Fins were removed by the pounding surf. The bungee was developed for the US Navy Seals, who wanted an adjustable strap due to the changing and quick get-and-go. Thank for your support, Bob Evans