Open or Full Foot Fins?

[greylion]

I have been looking at new fins and have been tempted by the full foot fins. The only ones that I have used have been in swimming laps. I only dive from a boat in warm water, if this makes an difference. Particularly, the mares avanti supperchannel (both open and full foot have caught my attention); also the Oceanic Viper. A little concerned about the fit of the full foot models? Any suggestions/ideas. Thanks.

I have a pair of full foot Super Channels and love them for warm water diving too. It's best to try them on before you buy them, some people think they run a little large in size? I don't however.

 

[dumpsterDiver]

I use full foot fins for scuba and freediving. The full foot fins also have a distict advantge is that thee is no buckle to get caught on fishing line, rope or expecially a floatline when pulling a marker.

 

[mike_s]

There seem to be some interesting misconceptions in this thread.

From my reading of fin studies and from my personal experience, full foot fins are superior to open heel fins with respect to transfer of power from foot to blade. With an open heel fin, the foot is moving around in the foot pocket (and inside the boot) much more than in a full foot fin foot pocket, and all that moving around in the pocket and boot is a significant loss of power transfer.

seems to me that you've got some open heel fins and boot combination's that don't properly fit.


I have no problem with my "open heel" and booty and how they fit. My feet/toes/booty/fin don't move around at all.

 

[H2O 70]

My free diving fins are full foot fins.

My SCUBA fins are open heel.

SCUBA gear is heavy. Free diving gear is not.

I mind walking bare foot with SCUBA gear on. I don't mind walking bare foot with free diving gear on.

 

[mikemill]

Not only do I dive open heel I also dive open toe and love it.

 

[idocsteve]

seems to me that you've got some open heel fins and boot combination's that don't properly fit.


I have no problem with my "open heel" and booty and how they fit. My feet/toes/booty/fin don't move around at all.

I was going to post the same thing.

My foot goes into the bootie and the bootie goes into the fin nice and snug, and the spring strap finishes the job. There's no movement whatsoever inside the fin.

Advantages of open fins with booties are numerous and far outweigh any perceived advantages of closed heel fins for the typical recreational diver.

 

[MauiScubaSteve]

There seem to be some interesting misconceptions in this thread.

From my reading of fin studies and from my personal experience, full foot fins are superior to open heel fins with respect to transfer of power from foot to blade. With an open heel fin, the foot is moving around in the foot pocket (and inside the boot) much more than in a full foot fin foot pocket, and all that moving around in the pocket and boot is a significant loss of power transfer.

seems to me that you've got some open heel fins and boot combination's that don't properly fit.

I have no problem with my "open heel" and booty and how they fit. My feet/toes/booty/fin don't move around at all.

I was going to post the same thing.

My foot goes into the bootie and the bootie goes into the fin nice and snug, and the spring strap finishes the job. There's no movement whatsoever inside the fin.

Advantages of open fins with booties are numerous and far outweigh any perceived advantages of closed heel fins for the typical recreational diver.

I have no problem with boneheads who are unable to grasp simple physics, but for those who have an open mind with regards to the obvious here is a link that backs up the full foot power transfer advantage. All 3 full foot fins tested have better speed and slalom performance, even compared to 2 open heels with equal or greater thrust.

If someone has other documentation showing how there is no full foot fin advantage in power transfer I'd love to see the data.

18 New Fins | Scuba Diving Magazine

 

[MauiScubaSteve]

Advantages of open fins with booties are numerous and far outweigh any perceived advantages of closed heel fins for the typical recreational diver.

Who exactly do you consider to be the typical recreational diver. I'm of the opinion that the vast majority of recreational dives are made off boats in calm, clear, warm water. Perfect for full foot fins! :mooner:

 

[idocsteve]

If someone has other documentation showing how there is no full foot fin advantage in power transfer I'd love to see the data.

Good luck with that power transfer in your closed fin when you slip it onto your cut and bleeding foot that you lacerated walking across the shell covered beach on the way into the water.

 

[MauiScubaSteve]

You did notice the diving the OP does, didn't you?

I only dive from a boat in warm water, if this makes an difference.

I'm of the opinion that the vast majority of recreational dives are made off boats in calm, clear, warm water. Perfect for full foot fins!

Good luck with that power transfer in your closed fin when you slip it onto your cut and bleeding foot that you lacerated walking across the shell covered beach on the way into the water.