Are you a female? Do you travel? The Caribe is very light in weight. Why do you think that FF fins cannot be used with boots? Did somebody tell you that? In California, there are hundreds of free divers using FF fins with boots. I prefer 1/8 booties, not boots with Caribe fins. That is because of my background and type of diving I do. There are several tests of the Caribe which show it to be superior to many and one of the fastest fins tested. They are easy to find by Google search of "test" and "Scubalab".
Here is a test of the Imprex which says good things about it:
TUSA IMPREX Tri-ex fins - Product Reviews - DIVE
Another test was less clear:
Diver Tests Extra - Fins - September 1999
This test indicates that the Tri-Ex is medium speed but may be hard to fit females.
http://www.scubadiving.com/article/Fin_Fight/
The Imprex is a good, conventional fin which is pushed heavily by LDS's. In other words, nobody will notice when you are pulling them on. The Caribe takes you in different direction but it is a solid performer for divers under 200 lbs. Another fin which employs similar design philosophy is the Mares Super Channel and the Aeris MAKO, excellent fins in the FF and OH style. I believe that the Mares is the fastest fin ever tested. It is easy to kick but not as soft as the Caribe. A little secret, FF fins are almost always faster. People claim to know why but I doubt it. They are also cheaper to buy. Don't know why. Now, time for the editorial comment:
I'm trying to get a clearer mental picture of what is going on. Are you a 5'3", Asian female who has finished a diving course and the local dive shop is pushing the Tusa fin at you? Get the Caribe fins. Visit a shop that specializes in spear fishing and free diving like Florida Free Divers or Chad Carney's shop in Miami. Get a pair of spearfishermans booties. Or, go on EBay and look for IST, 1/8 booties. Be careful. The fins will necessarily be one size larger to accomodate the bootie. Get the booties first. The right size bootie will fit tightly. You will have to "peel" it off. That is as it should be.
You have to take charge. If there is a problem finding a bootie or fin which is small enough you know what must be done. If the fin is too loose, get a thicker boot. Don't take "no" for an answer. The fin should fit snugly with no movement on the foot. It should not feel tight or hurt. A bad fitting fin is miserable, like a new shoe. Don't let somebody tell you it will feel better in time because it won't. The fit should feel perfect at the start.
