DirtRider
Contributor
Hi,
I am half way through my PADI OW certification and am looking to start buying gear. I didn't want to buy anything right away because I am the type of person to research things (sometimes too much) and to try to end up with something I can use for a very long time. I have many hobbies and always try to buy good gear that has the adequate features and versatility for my future progress. I don't mind making the initial investment when I know it was well thought out and will make the sport more enjoyable and cheaper in the long run.
I am very comfortable in the water and my instructor has commented quite a few times on how fast I am picking it up. I am probably more fit than most divers as I do run and lift a couple times a week. I was a swimmer the first two years in high school too (not too quick - upper 24s in the 50 free) so that probably helps even though it was a decade ago now and I haven't done too much swimming since.
For fit considerations I am 6'1" tall, 195lbs, 33" waist, 14D size running shoe (true foot size 13D). I live in Chicago IL and plan to do cold water diving in the great lakes as well as take dive vacations down in Florida and Mexico. Also, I really don't have a good way to test gear and plan on buying my equipment online. My lds doesn't carry that much and there are a few other shops but they are all fairly small and I am the type to do the research and get it cheaper online. I know many disagree with this method but it has worked for my other interests and these msg boards help.
Now the first thing I am looking at is the fins. Like anything else there is a lot of differences in peoples preferences. I don't mind buying two sets if need be (for my different diving).
Lots of people like the jets so I was thinking of trying that as those can be attained used for cheap. What size would I need and what boots would you recommend? Seems like I am right inbetween XL and XXL size and as there is such a difference I am unsure if they will fit. Should I get both a 3mm and 7mm boot?
Whether or not I get the jets I will be getting another fin and buying it at a discount in a mask, snorkel, fin pkg. Others that seem to be much liked are the apollo bio pro and the mares quattro. From my reading on this board so far the sp twin jets and tusa x-perts don't seem to be as universally liked as the other two. How about the limited edition mares quattro excel? If I am going for one all around fin the quattro seems like the ticket but if I want to try something different from the jets I should probably go with the bio. My only concern is that the bio seems to be soft and I am a stronger build than most so is that a bad choice? Since fit would be a big factor what size should I look at for each of these and what boot? I figure my feet will rule out some altogether so that makes it a little easier.
Thanks for reading.
I am half way through my PADI OW certification and am looking to start buying gear. I didn't want to buy anything right away because I am the type of person to research things (sometimes too much) and to try to end up with something I can use for a very long time. I have many hobbies and always try to buy good gear that has the adequate features and versatility for my future progress. I don't mind making the initial investment when I know it was well thought out and will make the sport more enjoyable and cheaper in the long run.
I am very comfortable in the water and my instructor has commented quite a few times on how fast I am picking it up. I am probably more fit than most divers as I do run and lift a couple times a week. I was a swimmer the first two years in high school too (not too quick - upper 24s in the 50 free) so that probably helps even though it was a decade ago now and I haven't done too much swimming since.
For fit considerations I am 6'1" tall, 195lbs, 33" waist, 14D size running shoe (true foot size 13D). I live in Chicago IL and plan to do cold water diving in the great lakes as well as take dive vacations down in Florida and Mexico. Also, I really don't have a good way to test gear and plan on buying my equipment online. My lds doesn't carry that much and there are a few other shops but they are all fairly small and I am the type to do the research and get it cheaper online. I know many disagree with this method but it has worked for my other interests and these msg boards help.
Now the first thing I am looking at is the fins. Like anything else there is a lot of differences in peoples preferences. I don't mind buying two sets if need be (for my different diving).
Lots of people like the jets so I was thinking of trying that as those can be attained used for cheap. What size would I need and what boots would you recommend? Seems like I am right inbetween XL and XXL size and as there is such a difference I am unsure if they will fit. Should I get both a 3mm and 7mm boot?
Whether or not I get the jets I will be getting another fin and buying it at a discount in a mask, snorkel, fin pkg. Others that seem to be much liked are the apollo bio pro and the mares quattro. From my reading on this board so far the sp twin jets and tusa x-perts don't seem to be as universally liked as the other two. How about the limited edition mares quattro excel? If I am going for one all around fin the quattro seems like the ticket but if I want to try something different from the jets I should probably go with the bio. My only concern is that the bio seems to be soft and I am a stronger build than most so is that a bad choice? Since fit would be a big factor what size should I look at for each of these and what boot? I figure my feet will rule out some altogether so that makes it a little easier.
Thanks for reading.
