aleem.k713
Contributor
hi all, I I'm debating switching to freediving fins. I'm curious to see if anyone uses them and how they like them.
Scuba with freediving fins
- Thread starter aleem.k713
- Start date
Please register or login
Welcome to ScubaBoard, the world's largest scuba diving community. Registration is not required to read the forums, but we encourage you to join. Joining has its benefits and enables you to participate in the discussions.
Benefits of registering include
- Ability to post and comment on topics and discussions.
- A Free photo gallery to share your dive photos with the world.
- You can make this box go away
2airishuman
Contributor
DumpsterDiver, who unfortunately no longer posts here for one reason or another, uses them and is a big fan.
I've never tried them but I'm told that they can be damaged by giant stride entries, so there's that. I have some longer Mares fins that I use on almost every dive that are sort of a step in that direction.
I've never tried them but I'm told that they can be damaged by giant stride entries, so there's that. I have some longer Mares fins that I use on almost every dive that are sort of a step in that direction.
I have Atomic Blade fins, Hollis F1 fins, and Mako Competition Freediver fins.
Competition Freediver Fins | MAKO Spearguns
Of them all, I like the freediving fins the best. They are awesome. They work great for me for all types of kicks, too, including frog kick and back kick.
But, I only use them in reasonably warm water, since they are full foot and don't fit over a warm boot. And I don't use them when I do wreck dives, since I think they are too long for me to want to swim through parts of a wreck with them on.
Since I live up north, that means I don't get to use them much. But, I took them and my Atomic fins to Hawaii last year. I ended up only using the freediving fins the whole time. I used them for both boat dives and shore dives and loved them.
Mako has one less expensive pair, but I recommend these (or more expensive). These are the least expensive model that allows removal of the blade from the foot pocket. That's highly advantageous when you're traveling. They wouldn't fit in my huge gear bag until I disassembled them.
Competition Freediver Fins | MAKO Spearguns
Of them all, I like the freediving fins the best. They are awesome. They work great for me for all types of kicks, too, including frog kick and back kick.
But, I only use them in reasonably warm water, since they are full foot and don't fit over a warm boot. And I don't use them when I do wreck dives, since I think they are too long for me to want to swim through parts of a wreck with them on.
Since I live up north, that means I don't get to use them much. But, I took them and my Atomic fins to Hawaii last year. I ended up only using the freediving fins the whole time. I used them for both boat dives and shore dives and loved them.
Mako has one less expensive pair, but I recommend these (or more expensive). These are the least expensive model that allows removal of the blade from the foot pocket. That's highly advantageous when you're traveling. They wouldn't fit in my huge gear bag until I disassembled them.
An important trick is learning how to put them on. I think I read this somewhere on the Mako site.
Turn the heel cup inside out. Then slide your foot all the way in. Then just grab the tab that is at the top of the heel cup (which is now folded around to the bottom of your foot) and pull it around your heel. Now your fin is on. Easy peasy. Worked for me on a boat, when I walked up to the exit, about to giant stride in. Also worked fine when I waded out into the surf and squatted down a little bit to put them on underwater.
ps. I have no affiliation with Mako. I'm just very happy with my fins!
Turn the heel cup inside out. Then slide your foot all the way in. Then just grab the tab that is at the top of the heel cup (which is now folded around to the bottom of your foot) and pull it around your heel. Now your fin is on. Easy peasy. Worked for me on a boat, when I walked up to the exit, about to giant stride in. Also worked fine when I waded out into the surf and squatted down a little bit to put them on underwater.
ps. I have no affiliation with Mako. I'm just very happy with my fins!
Last edited:
Many of our scuba hunters are using freedive fins. Freedive fins typically have a full foot pocket and long blades made from polymer, fiberglass, carbon fiber or a composite of these materials.
Due to the full foot pocket, dive boots with heavy soles are incompatible, so neoprene socks are most often worn instead, however some go barefoot or use a thin Lycra or nylon sock.
If you are entering or exiting over very sharp rocks or terrain, socks are not the best solution.
Long fins can be a nuisance on a crowded boat, but once you are in the water the added efficiency and control are pretty dramatic.
The use of freedive fins by scuba spearos is very common, in warm water locations, probably MOST serious hunters will be using freedive fins. The longer fins are not going to necessarily provide a faster Sprint speed, but the increased efficiency will allow a sustained pace with lower exertion levels. This can benefit all divers.
The slower kick cadence can also allow a closer approach to fish and other marine life that may feel threatened by a diver kicking frantically (and blowing a storm of bubbles).
Shorter, more conventional fins will probably be selected by divers who enter wrecks or caves due to the tight restrictions.
Edit.. thanks for the positive comments Stuart, we were writing at the same time.
Dive safe
Dano
Due to the full foot pocket, dive boots with heavy soles are incompatible, so neoprene socks are most often worn instead, however some go barefoot or use a thin Lycra or nylon sock.
If you are entering or exiting over very sharp rocks or terrain, socks are not the best solution.
Long fins can be a nuisance on a crowded boat, but once you are in the water the added efficiency and control are pretty dramatic.
The use of freedive fins by scuba spearos is very common, in warm water locations, probably MOST serious hunters will be using freedive fins. The longer fins are not going to necessarily provide a faster Sprint speed, but the increased efficiency will allow a sustained pace with lower exertion levels. This can benefit all divers.
The slower kick cadence can also allow a closer approach to fish and other marine life that may feel threatened by a diver kicking frantically (and blowing a storm of bubbles).
Shorter, more conventional fins will probably be selected by divers who enter wrecks or caves due to the tight restrictions.
Edit.. thanks for the positive comments Stuart, we were writing at the same time.
Dive safe
Dano
What size is your foot ?
I live in NYC and have a brand new never used set of freediving fins that I am looking to sell.
OP
aleem.k713
Contributor
I wear an 8 shoe, the fins are a little too big for me because I like a tight fit. Probably too small for you.
cmburch
Contributor
I use fiberglass blades for SCUBA and Carbon for freediving.
We use 4mm NorCal and 2mm SoCal. Wear the booties while trying on the footpocket. Theses are also good for kayaking.
Argos Stealth Wetsuit Booties | 4mm High Tops & 2mm Low Tops
I switched to long free diving fins a couple of year ago after frustration in strong current when using my trusted Mares Avanti Quatro Fins in a Maldive Liveaboard. No going back since then. The free diving fins I used is the inexpensive Omer Stingray Plastic fins. In terms of efficiency and power when moving in current, it is way way better than the Mares Quattro. No contest. In my last live aboard trip to Raja Ampat, I remember when we were against current, the DM using a standard Mares fined quite hard, one of my group using normal scuba paddle fins finned crazily, the other one using split fins was far far lagging behind not able to catch. I and my wife using long free diving fins were fining in normal pace and yet following our DM closely without any issue.
About the warm of bootie, I have been using normal scuba bootie. But I think an open/smooth skin cell 3mm free diving/spearfishing sock is warmer than a normal 5mm scuba bootie.
About the warm of bootie, I have been using normal scuba bootie. But I think an open/smooth skin cell 3mm free diving/spearfishing sock is warmer than a normal 5mm scuba bootie.
Similar threads
