Which Spring Strap?

[BKP]

I've got in a new pair of Apollo Bio Pros (purposely didn't order them with the Apollo springs, so I'd have a choice of the non-permanent types).

Does anyone have experience/preference for the following types?

Manta Spring Straps:
http://www.mantaind.com/fin_straps/clip_style.htm or

Innovative Spring Straps: http://www.divesports.com/mall/innovative_acc_springstraps.asp

(or any others I might not know about)...

 

[Matt S.]

Based on reading here I had decided to get the Innovatives. Unfortunately they weren't in stock at the right size around here, so I got XS Scuba spring straps since I didn't want to wait. The XS version is quite nice and I don't miss it not having the big rubber heel to distribute the load... though I am wearing thick drysuit boots.

 

[bperrybap]

My wife and both have Apollo Bio-fins.
My wife could not use the Apollo springs because
they don't make them for the extra small sized fins.
She also had problems with handle/loop of the original
bio-fin strap rubbing against her Achilles tendon and giving her a blister when she wore low booties.

I purchased a set of Innovative EZ springs
(the same ones in your link) for each of our fins.
We have used them for over 100 dives in a year an a half
with no issues.
We love them. So easy to don/doff with the strap/puller.
(To me the Apollo straps SUCK!, the handles face the wrong direction and can cause blisters)
My wifes feet are so small that I had to cut the EZ springs down
to make them even smaller than the smallest size.
While it can be done, it is really tough to do. The hardest
part is bending up the spring to form the new loop.


The heal rubber of the EZ springs now comes in colors.
EZ Springs Colors
If I had to buy them again, I would definitely get the yellow
heals, as it would be a nice identifier.

Innovative also makes the same style as the Mantas,
(called EZ springs "PRO") for just a few dollars more than the
clip version.

Something to think about when selecting the "Manta"/"Pro" style.
That style mounts by sliding a plate over the mushroom, similar
to the clip version. Tension holds
the plate against the mushroom when the fins are on your feet,
same as clip version.
When the fins are not on your feet there is no tension. Normally
there is enough friction to hold the plate on the mushroom,
however after some use the plate cuts into the mushroom slightly
and the friction is reduced. This can cause the fin to be lost
if you are shore diving in surf and holding the fins in your hands
or have them attached to a fin strap during entry/exit.
The plate can work its way off the mushroom and leave you
hanging onto a strap with no fin.
You can keep this from happening by using a stainless safety wire
or a zip tie and wrapping it around the clip & mushroom.
(If you search SB you will find posts of people that have lost
fins)
The Manta web site even shows you how to use an oring as
a keeper.Manta Safety Keeper


The Clip versions don't have this issue because when the strap
is inserted in the clip, the strap part of the clip pushes up against mushroom holding/trapping
it so it can't slip off like in the Manta/Pro version.

The only slight bummer was that the clip on the EZ springs isn't the
same as the one from Apollo, so you can't just swap between the
straps. You have to swap out the entire clip that slips over
the mushroom. But, since I've put these on, I've never
been back to original straps/clips.

Hope that helps.

--- bill

 

[RICHinNC]

You have already done the deed....so I would say to others reading and not yet done the deed.....

I have found two basic styles of spring straps in relation to how they attach to the fin. Some fins have the "nubs" that the strap that came with them originally slips over. The spring strap end also is able to just slip over the nub and fit securely. There are different variations.....by that I mean....some spring straps fit over the nub and have no quick releases. For some, quick releases are a Devil's gift for immediate failure. Some spring straps have no quick releases and are blessed by some for this.

Then there are the straps that you must cut off the nub and drill holes. The spring strap comes with a front and back plate and these are screwed together with the fin inbetween. I would personally stay away from this kind.

There may be others out there....I live a somewhat sheltered life and dont see all!!

 

[BKP]

Thanks, guys... lots of good information -- enough to make a decision.

 

[teamgs]

My wifes feet are so small that I had to cut the EZ springs down
to make them even smaller than the smallest size.
While it can be done, it is really tough to do. The hardest
part is bending up the spring to form the new loop.
--- bill

I thought I might be the only one with this issue. I will be cutting my wifes EZ-Springs down very shortly. I couldn't find anyone with spring straps small enough.

Gary

 

[CompuDude]

My wife and both have Apollo Bio-fins.
My wife could not use the Apollo springs because
they don't make them for the extra small sized fins.
She also had problems with handle/loop of the original
bio-fin strap rubbing against her Achilles tendon and giving her a blister when she wore low booties.

I purchased a set of Innovative EZ springs
(the same ones in your link) for each of our fins.
We have used them for over 100 dives in a year an a half
with no issues.
We love them. So easy to don/doff with the strap/puller.
(To me the Apollo straps SUCK!, the handles face the wrong direction and can cause blisters)
My wifes feet are so small that I had to cut the EZ springs down
to make them even smaller than the smallest size.
While it can be done, it is really tough to do. The hardest
part is bending up the spring to form the new loop.

<snip>

Interesting, I have the Bio-Fins with the factory Apollo spring straps, and love them, for all the reasons you hate them. I LIKE the beefy pull loop. How is it facing the wrong way? I don't understand this. I LIKE the big heel cup, as it is more comfortable to me than the barrel style. In fact, because I liked the Apollo straps so much, when I started looking for spring straps for my Jet fins, I was very happy to find the EZ spring straps, because they were nearly identical to the Apollos that I liked so much.

Ignoring the attachment points in these photos, this Apollo strap:

... looks awfully similar to this EZ Spring Strap:

... at least, to me it does.

And yet you think the Apollo springs suck, and you love the EZ springs? What am I missing here?

 

[bperrybap]

Sorry about the late/delayed reply. Not sure how I missed the new posting.
After re-reading my post I see the confusion.
We started with the non spring strap version of the Bio-Fins and were upgrading
to spring straps.

So what you are missing is that I guess I wasn't completely clear
that I was referring to the standard bio-fin straps, not the Apollo spring straps,
when I said:
"(To me the Apollo straps SUCK!, the handles face the wrong direction and can cause blisters)"
The Apollo spring straps are great.
It is the non spring version of Apollo fin straps that put the finger loop
facing up not out. If you have short booties, it will rub on your leg.
On my wife that rubbing eventually caused blisters.

Sorry for any confusion this caused.

--- bill