Proper positioning of fin strap on diving boots

[Khoujo1]

I have a different brand of boots but with a similar, although less prominent, strap keeper. I always put it above. I think positioning it below the ridge would both put you at higher risk of losing the fin but also be less comfortable and make your finning harder/more work.

 

[bradlw]

No chance of anything coming off nub or no nub, top or bottom with the springy straps of today

View attachment 902084

Be bold go original old!

but doesn't that depend on the length of your spring/bungee?

I'm old school and have no experience with these new bungee/spring straps. All but my earliest dives have been using Mares Quatro fins with the old "cam-lock" strap. Knock on wood, but so far never a failure.
My straps are similar to the other fin in your photo, except they have a swing latch
I like mine a bit better because while at the swim ladder, it's easy to open the "cam" and loosen the fins while maintaining the loop as a hand-hold
Here's a video showing the operation of a strap similar to mine, if someone isn't familiar

I was in a dive shop a couple weeks ago, gearing up my kids with masks/fins/booties for their upcoming cert class...and I was looking at the replacement straps...bungees exactly as in your picture. I was left with the impression that without my fins and booties to try on with them, it would be a pain in the neck for me to determine which size I'd need to buy, and I'd probably need to buy oversized and to do some modications at the connectors to shorten them for a good fit. Otherwise, if I buy a size that's too small, they'd be too tight against my tendon.
I like the idea of the new style straps, but the old style works too.

So I was left happy that a few weeks prior I'd ordered a set of exact replacement Mares straps for mine... a proven solution for me. My roughly 30-year-old straps still look good, The buckles are still tight and look fine, and there's no visible cracking or degradation in the straps....but still, I figured that the old elastomer and plastic has a strong potential for failure so I replaced them and saved my old straps for my save-a dive kit.

The newer ones might be better in many ways, but that's an upgrade for me to consider another day

 

[Chavodel8en]

The surface kelp in Monterey/Carmel (if you are unskilled/unfortunate enough to get caught up in it) seems like its evolutionarily designed to slide down your body, then leg and, as a parting indignity, catch your fin strap and pull it off.

So in this case, its pretty obvious that you want your strap above that bump.

 

[lexvil]

Use bungee and it won’t matter much, old type fixed straps you’ll want above the bump

 

[CT-Rich]

That boot design seems like a great idea at first look

but

Is it a solution in search of a problem?

In all the dives I made....and I had quite a few in some strong currents...and quite a few getting on and off of boats on fairly rough days.... I don't remember ever losing a fin strap off my heel.

I have. Most boots come with them now. You can also by a fin keeper

https://www.scuba.com/p-csbrfkpbklr/cressi-rubber-fin-keeper-pair-black-large?utm_source=google&utm_medium=organic&utm_campaign=organicshopping

 

[TMHeimer]

This is what I would think. So I was surprised when somebody said below.

Same here. That's the first I've seen a boot like that actually. At 71 years old that's one more thing I wouldn't want to fart around with while donning/doffing fins, especially in surf or cold water.

 

[Reefy]

With newer fins with heavy-duty bungee straps, it's incredibly rare to lose a fin anyhow. That being said, putting the fin strap above the bump/strap keeper is the intended design.

 

[RXTdiver]

On a separate note, what does everybody think about jet fins? What are the pros & cons?

And aren't these what the Navy Seals use?

 

[happy-diver]

They're like planks with bricks duct taped to them nailed to your feet

 

[happy-diver]

but doesn't that depend on the length of your spring/bungee?

Nah those companies aren't going the spend the bucks to give us decent sizing options

I mean just have a look here, there is the largest fin with the largest strap that's not that
easy to to stretch and I'm strong enough, then your achilles is fighting it the whole dive

Have a closer look there's still a foot with an ankle attached, to squeeze in there that's a lot


So don't you love the sound as you are about to jump, your foot is in the fin click click click

Be bold go original old!