Should I get "travel" dive fins?

[KDAD]

3 of us went on a dive trip. Checked in 3 bags that each weighed 65#. Two sets of Jet fins which are heavy both in the water and out and 1 set of Deep 6 Eddy which are light both in the water and out.

I like the Jets for myself but really like how light the Eddy's are for packing and just plain carrying around.

 

[Regulated]

Stahlsac. Just sayin’.

Rangi rollaboard holds BCD, reg, mask, booties, skinsuit, DC. Rolls like a champ. Travel fins go either in “personal item” or with nonessentials such as clothes.

I’ve lost checked luggage but never a carryon. Eventually will probably come around to packing the BCD with the fins in the Stahlsac Smuggler or similar.

Yet it’s important these days to stay under 50 pounds. Lighter fins help with that. And slight positive buoyancy avoids drama on the dive.

 

[Joneill]

Co

The Scubapro Go Sport fins. Superior to the Mares Quattro's and to many other fins.

Scubapro Go Sport fins

There is a very extensive review details thread in the fins forum that addresses the Scubapro Go Sport fins, you look for it there.

Completely disagree. I’m in Fiji right now with my Mares Quattro + fins and borrowed a DM’s Go Sports. While they are nice fins and pretty compact, the Quattros absolutely provide more power/thrust and better finesse and control of movement. So… if size is a concern, the GoSports are a good choice, but are inferior to the Quattro + in use (difference may or may not be a big issue for you depending on your diving).

 

[BoltSnap]

Co

Completely disagree. I’m in Fiji right now with my Mares Quattro + fins and borrowed a DM’s Go Sports. While they are nice fins and pretty compact, the Quattros absolutely provide more power/thrust and better finesse and control of movement. So… if size is a concern, the GoSports are a good choice, but are inferior to the Quattro + in use (difference may or may not be a big issue for you depending on your diving).

Totally and utterly disagree with you, I had been using the Quattro's for years and got rid of them as soon as I tried the SP Go Sport fins and so did three of my friends who dive with me in challenging conditions more than you will ever see in your Fiji (I been to Fiji and dove there myself).

Are you sure you tried the "Go Sport" not the "Travel" version?

 

[Jafo19D]

I love my ScubaPro Seawing Novas but they’re huge. I want to get the new SuoerNovas which you can break down.

 

[rongoodman]

My Deep 6 Eddy fins go in the carry-on on the outbound flight, along with mask, computers, and a swim suit, shorts, and T-shirt. I could live with rental poodle jacket and regs if I had to, but not floppy fins.

 

[Joneill]

Totally and utterly disagree with you, I had been using the Quattro's for years and got rid of them as soon as I tried the SP Go Sport fins and so did three of my friends who dive with me in challenging conditions more than you will ever see in your Fiji (I been to Fiji and dove there myself).

Are you sure you tried the "Go Sport" not the "Travel" version?

100% sure they were Go Sports.

My opinion is unchanged regardless of what you and your 3 friends thought.

The difference also highlights the fact that personal opinion on fin performance can be quite subjective and very dependent on how one dives (gear config, kick style and the conditions they they dive in, etc.,) - there is no 1 correct answer and always best to test fins yourself, if at all possible.

Also… you have no clue where in Fiji I am (it’s a large country with over 300 islands) and what the conditions are like at the locations and sites we are diving.

 

[broncobowsher]

Change fins, sure
Travel fins, no.

Just use the same fins for travel as you do local. That way they will feel the same.

 

[ontdiver]

@Joneill has it right: "...personal opinion on fin performance can be quite subjective and very dependent on how one dives (gear config, kick style and the conditions they they dive in, etc.,) - there is no 1 correct answer and always best to test fins yourself, if at all possible."

I dare say that most gear preferences are highly subjective. Most recreational divers have probably only tried a couple of different pieces of gear and get comfortable with their choice for practical reasons such as cost and frequency of diving.

 

[Subcooled]

Is there a specific reason why you want your own fins and not a set of fins provided by the dive centre?
- I am not a frequent dive traveller, I'm just curious. I might try to guess, but it's more interesting to ask!