To jet fin or not to jet fin?

[SelfDiver]

Hi,
I use jetfins because they are short enough to fit in my carryon.
Why are jetfins the "got to" propulsion accessory?

 

[Wibble]

They just work. They’re strong, can be used as an offensive weapon, work for backfinning, etc.

But are heavy.

There’s umpteen versions from different manufacturers and the weight varies considerably between them.

Something that works is good. Why change to something else unless there’s a reason (flying for example).

 

[tursiops]

I assume when a person says jetfins they mean, well, jetfins, and nto one of the many clones.

I use jetfins because they are short enough to fit in my carryon.

There are lots of short fins.

There’s umpteen versions from different manufacturers and the weight varies considerably between them.

Exactly, Unless you really need a really heavy fin (I do not) don't get stuck thinking jetfins are the only ones that move you through the water. or will fit in a carry-on.
I really dislike jetfins. Too heavy in and out of the water, and they hurt my feet.
I've tried them three times over the decades, and sold them each time.

 

[Still Kicking]

Love Jetfins but for travel i have switched to Go Fins (boot fit). They feel similar and have plenty of control and power in currents.

 

[NothingClever]

Jet fins = weight for DS and high outside strake profile for back kick.

I like stiff fins (like DiveRite XT) but they are super low profile. I’ve been apprehensive about having to go with a softer fin (like the SP Jet) when I get a DS. I haven’t found fins that are stiff like my XTs but have the outside strake profile of the SP Jets. Apex’s HD may be an option and I hope to try them out.

Kyle from EE shared that ScubaPro’s consistency in rubber compound is a bit variable. One shipment comes in as noodles. Another comes in as snappy.

I just bought some 4th Element fins…way too soft to drive a twinset but they might be fine for ST.

 

[happy-diver]

Other fins if you want going somewhere agility and jetfins if you don't

 

[grantmac]

Jet fins = weight for DS and high outside strake profile for back kick.

I like stiff fins (like DiveRite XT) but they are super low profile. I’ve been apprehensive about having to go with a softer fin (like the SP Jet) when I get a DS. I haven’t found fins that are stiff like my XTs but have the outside strake profile of the SP Jets. Apex’s HD may be an option and I hope to try them out.

Kyle from EE shared that ScubaPro’s consistency in rubber compound is a bit variable. One shipment comes in as noodles. Another comes in as snappy.

I just bought some 4th Element fins…way too soft to drive a twinset but they might be fine for ST.

Hollis F1. Far better foot pocket and just a really nice heavy fin.
I use XTs wet.

 

[old frogman]

Hi,
I use jetfins because they are short enough to fit in my carryon.
Why are jetfins the "got to" propulsion accessory?

Jetfins were originally produced by Beuchet Sub (France) about 1962. In 1963 they appeared in Jaques Cousteau's famous "Conshelf 2" documentary. Over the decades it was adopted by recreational divers, commercial/industrial divers and military divers. It was considered a good durable fin. When tech diving came on the scene in the 1990s the Jetfins was already considered by many to be the fin of choice. Since the 1990s various manufacturers have attempted to improve on the Jetfin. However, some divers still consider the Jetfin superior for their respective application.

 

[Eric Sedletzky]

Scubapro Jet Fins; The fin that people love to hate.
I have a pair and use them regularly (right now).
We're doing a lot of urchin harvesting and I need a fin that is heavy that will keep my feet down, and will put up with having the crap beat out of them.
I don't care about bottom contact during our operations, we need to rake thousands of urchins into bags and we have to hurt some stuff in the process. We try our best not to but unfortunately there is no other way to do it. The fins will contact the bottom especially when I have to anchor myself in a crack to keep from getting swung around by surge and urchin spines will stick into the fins. And then after two or more hours of working and diving in 48 degree water in a wetsuit I'm tired, so I crawl out onto the beach on all fours. The fins will take more abuse. If they are not heavy enough I can stuff rocks into the vents too.
I'm not so worried about efficiency because we don't have to cover a lot of ground. For this they are the right tool.
For covering ground and doing traditional from the hip standard fin kicking they absolutely suck. For feet up frog kicking, heli turns, and backing up they work good, but there actually may be better fins for that stuff now.
So far my favorite fin for cruising is Scubapro Go Sport. I'm looking at getting the Go Sport Gorilla and they may just be the best fin ever.
For really covering a lot of ground nothing beats freediving fins, but you have to train your legs for them otherwise you will be a hurting unit the next day.

 

[crofrog]

Jet fins are the one true fin as is written in the book.