Small, stiff, plastic paddle fins?

[David Wilson]

My Escualo Clasicas are, I believe, neutral in salt water. They're very comfortable and roomy whether worn barefoot or with socks.

Many brands of all-rubber full-foot fins are positive, however. They are usually marked "floating" on the packaging and/or on the fins themselves. Paladin954: I see your Aquanaut fins are rebadged as Deep See Sea Stars at Leisurepro, where they've received good reviews, particularly on price, fit and suitability for snorkelling. They make worthy successors to your US Divers Otaries. If you wanted American manufacture with stiffer blades, you may find Oceanways, Scubapro and Dacor Corda models around. As for my Escualo Clasicas, they're quite hard to get hold of outside Mexico, which I've never visited. I managed to track down a guy online who was prepared to sell me a pair. The Japanese make great full-foot rubber fins too in a range of colours, though a little pricey, under the brand name Gull Sports:

I've also got a pair of Gull Hard Mew fins with stiff blades, but surprisingly lightweight, which are used by some underwater hockey players in New Zealand. They're neutral in salt water too.

 

[lowviz]

This borders on complete disrespect, well, <maybe heresy> but have you considered FINIS - Zoomers Fin Technology

 

[rongoodman]

Lynn, I wear a size 9-9 1/2 boot or ML Turbo Soles, and use a Medium Dive Rite. They are stiff, but longer than the Jets/Slipstreams. Latest response from OMS last week was that the next run of Slipstreams will be the first week in September. No response as to whether that will mean retail availability or just another small test run like the one in April.

 

[dumpsterDiver]

I haven't used full-foot fins in years, not since some trips out on snorkeling boats a long time ago. I don't remember them being very comfortable, but then again, they were rentals. Are these fins you guys are using positive or negative? The reason I specified plastic is because I am looking for fins which are not negative.

I don't use the Mares. I use longer fins. They sink ever so slightly. There will be no comparison between theose little rubber fins and a modern rubber.plastc fin because the blades are much more area on the Mares. They are extremely comfortable if you get the correct size, most people wear them barefoot, You can try a thin nylon sock under as well.

 

[willembad]

My wife is a size 6 shoe and she uses small Dive Rites with 3 mil boots. According to my LDS, OMS has made the Slipstreams in smaller sizes now and he is waiting on an order to come in. You can check with him here

Welcome to - Technical Scuba Training Center

Willem

 

[ZzzKing]

David,
That is an interesting-looking fin. I may try a pair. The "Aquanaut," by Deep Blue Gear, that is my current favorite can be found here:

Snorkel-Mart | Snorkel Gear | Snorkeling Equipment | Snorkeling Combos |

The same fin can also be obtained through LeisurePro under the Deep See brand.

I think mine are the Deep Sea version. They were less than $20 (at my LDS no less :shocked2 and are ever so slightly negative in fresh water so probably ever so slightly positive in salt. They are comfortable but you'll probably want to wear socks with them on longer days to avoid rubbing blisters on your feet. They serve me well both snorkeling and single tank, warm water diving.

 

[TSandM]

My dive shop owner lent me a pair of Deep Sea paddle fins, and I tried them briefly on the surface in our pool this afternoon. They have exactly the "feel" I'm looking for, so I'm going to take them into the class pool on Monday and see how it goes. Then I have to find springs to fit them . . .

Lowviz, I'm doing a PADI DM and assisting with classes, so there is no such thing as heresy

 

[Nemrod]

These:

Mares Plana Avanti X3 Fin at Divers-Supply.com

From LP for even cheaper or from ST these but the Avanti X3 is a stiffer and better fin:

Oceanic Vector Fins reviews and discounts, Oceanic

Avanti X3:

N

 

[TSandM]

I think the Avanti X3 was the fin I had read a review of and couldn't remember. If the ones I got from the LDS owner don't work out, I'll go find a Mares dealer and look at those.

Thanks for all the ideas, folks!

 

[Jeff Toorish]

Lynne,

This may sound like a radical idea, but a pair of DiveRite fits cut down very well. I know a very world class cave diver who uses exactly that confuguration. The small small or medium size of the fins would work, you could just cut them down to the size you need.

Jeff