OMS Slipstream v SP Jet

[dougaldiver]

I am a fairly recent convert to SP Jets (about 2 years) and have to say I find them the best fins for me that I have ever had (after about 12 years of Mares Avanti and a brief trial of Force Fins).

The only downside is the weight of the damn things for travelling.

I am considering getting some OMS Slipstreams and have read some favourable reviews but I wondered how they really compare from a weight point of view to the Jets.

Anyone have a weight comparison between the 2 that they could share?

Thanks

 

[Hoyden]

I have both - XL Jets and XL Slipstreams. I use them based on the gear configuration that I am diving. The Jets are more negative and help me trim out better in my drysuit. I also like the fit of the Jets better, but the OMS are a littler stiffer and I can backfin in them much better. Once you put springstraps on the OMS fins, they aren't that much lighter (from a shipping perspective). I haven't weighed them, but I will try to do that today.

Jackie

 

[DA Aquamaster]

I agree the Slipstreams are stiffer and lighter - and they are strill lighter than jets if both have spring straps.

I have noted that many of the commercial spring strap hardware designs are heavier than they need to be so by picking and choosing spring straps and hardware you can increase or decrease weight for trim and travel purposes. A freind of mine made a nice set of brass fittings for his spring straps as he liked extra weight and I milled mine out of delrin as I preferred to keep them light.

Having a wide foot I prefer the Slipstreams as they have a slightly different foot pocket shape that accomodates a wide and high arched foot better. I use a set of XL OMS fins for wet suit boots and a set of XXL OMS fins for dry suit boots. The OMS XXL is about half way between the Scubapro XL and XXL and is what the SP XXL should have been.

The better sizing, lighter weight, and stiffer fin (which seemed to improve my back kick noticeably) means I probably have an XL and XXL set of jet fins for sale - something I never thought I would say given that I have owned the XL jets since about 1985.

 

[digital_steve]

I also use the slipstreams and love them
The only thing i'll say is that if you run most of the weight on your rig, or have quite a head-down trim then you may run into some trouble with the slipstreams as they're neutral.
I basically need a weight belt with my drysuit to trim out properly

 

[dougaldiver]

Thanks for all the input everyone. To be honest the weight in the water is not really much of a problem for me. I am naturally feet heavy but I can trim out fine in the Jets and, at the other extreme, I could also do so in Force Fins.

The main consideration for me is the weight for travelling. Airlines are getting tougher on baggage weights and, as I also carry video gear on each trip, I am looking at ways to reduce my baggage weight without compromising on the quality of the gear I am diving in.

As the Slipstreams are not easy to get hold of in the UK I am trying to get a handle on how much weight I could save if I bought some.

 

[Skyjunky]

I have both in XL. The jet fins weigh 5lbs each. The slipstreams weigh 5lbs combined. The slipstreams have a deeper and wider pocket than the Jets. I have negative legs and feet so the slipstreams are a better option for me.

 

[dougaldiver]

The jet fins weigh 5lbs each. The slipstreams weigh 5lbs combined.

Excellent. That's quite a weight saving. Definately worth looking at them then

Thanks

 

[frankc420]

Yep, I can agree w/ the weight different. Both of my slipstreams weight the same as one jet, if not exact, they are very close.