Spring straps aftermarket kits? preference?

[PvtStash]

Hellohello, are spring straps purchased already on the fin ? or do you buy the springs separately as a kit and diy ?

Is it better to buy the brand/kind with spring straps already on? or can you save a few bucks by getting a spring kit and upgrading your current fins?

Do the aftermarket kits (if they exist) work as well (or better?) as the fins that come with springs already on?

thx.

 

[D_B]

I got a pair of these from XS Scuba for $55 and put them on myself .. XS Scuba Fin Spring Straps

And Wayward Son here on ScubaBoard can custom make you a set for a good price too, that I understand are high quality .
Pics (prices may be out of date) ... http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/ho...ing-straps-memorial-day-birthday-special.html

 

[b1draper]

Hellohello, are spring straps purchased already on the fin ? or do you buy the springs separately as a kit and diy ?

Is it better to buy the brand/kind with spring straps already on? or can you save a few bucks by getting a spring kit and upgrading your current fins?

Do the aftermarket kits (if they exist) work as well (or better?) as the fins that come with springs already on?

thx.

I got a pair for Christmas for my Cressi Sub fins and it's one of the best gifts I've received. Mine came from scuba.com. There are differnt styles made to be compatible with the different types of fins that are out there. My fins are M/L and I tried a large and had to send it back for a medium.
Love them, love them, love them, I've used them on several trips and it's made getting my fins on and off much easier.

My fins origionally came with the standard rubber strap but I switched them out for the spring straps. Here's the model I've got, however there are other types of straps just do a search on scuba.com and match up the strap to the type of fin you have.

Buy Innovative Ez Spring Fin Strap (Pair) RB551 with reviews at scuba.com

 

[DaleHall]

I bought after-markets for my Tri-Ex fins and love them. After-markets When I bought my Slipstreams, I ordered the OMS springs straps with them and put them on myself. OMS Straps I won't go back to rubber straps again.

 

[johnny_bravo]

I like the Manta spring straps:

Home Page

Home Page

Leisure pro has a very good price on them:

Manta Spring Fin Straps With Stainless Steel Clip from LeisurePro.com

Cheers.

-J.-

 

[JahJahwarrior]

Marchand on the board here made me up a pair, and I love them! So much better than rubber straps!!!

 

[PvtStash]

Thanks for excellent and prompt responses

I'm going to be starting my OW cert classes in about 6 wks and I'm required to buy my "personel gear" (mask, fins, snorkel, booties) through them... my thought is that I could opt out for the "cheapest" fins he has for sale and then at some later date switching out the straps for springs.

Is that a mistake? is that "polishing a turd"? A waste of springs that I'll regret? Or can the addition of springs make "cheap" fins "good"?

 

[BKP]

I bought the Innovative (B1 posted the link above) for my Apollo Bios. Apollos has their own, but at a premium price.
The Bios are *excellent* fins -- the springs make them better...

If your LDS has decent fins, that you like (assuming you've tried a few different brands), then why not go for it. If not. Buy his cheapos, buy the fins you ultimately decide on and add the straps.

 

[Spratman]

A second for both XS Scuba springs and from Wayward Son springstraps.com - springs traps

I have a set of both and have Wayward's on my Turtles. Depending on the diving you plan on doing, you can go cheap and upgrade. Cheaper fins in my opinion are usually soft. I like stiff fins especially if you are in a current. But it is a personal preference.

 

[Wayward Son]

Learn to dive, figure out what fins you like & then get straps for them. If possible, try out as many different fins as possible after you get certified to see what you like. Even with the universal kits like those from XS Scuba, you may well need different length springs on one fin compared to another, so IMO it's better to find the fin you want first & get the right length for them.