Recommend cheap-o fins for warm water vacation?

[Matt S.]

I'm going from drysuit + XXL Turtle fin land to Mexico for vacation. I want to find a cheap pair of open-heel fins to take with me. Since they will only be used on a few dives per year, price is important. (Yes, I am going to Mexico and not diving every day... the relatives we are going with don't dive.)

Is there anything in the $30-40 range I should consider? There are a lot of options... hopefully another cheapskate has had a good experience to share. I don't especially care about brand or split vs paddle style, I just want something that is cheap but not junk.

(BTW I will be getting 3mm tropical booties too, size 11, if that matters.)

Thanks a bunch!

 

[mfalco]

I know you are looking for an open heel fin, but if you can use a full foot instead, Leisurepro has Apollo Full Foot Bio fins on sale for $49. Biofins are my favorite fins I've ever used.

 

[Splitlip]

http://www.diversdirect.com/group/Fins_ID22

X-3 I heard are similar to the quattro. $49.00

 

[Wayward Son]

I have a set of Sherwood Magnum fins I'd sell cheap. They're solid blade & light in weight. I won them at a pumpkin dive. They're size large. I wear a size 10-11 shoe & use XJ Jet fins & these fit me fine. They got used for one day to snorkel in fresh water & did OK, but I like my Jets.

 

[drbill]

As Wayward Son has suggested, a used pair of fins may be a good option. When I was planning a 3-month backpacking/diving trip, I bought a pair of used fins off E-Bay for $20. If I lost them, no biggie... but I didn't and they are now hanging in my dive locker for any guests that visit.