How to Buy the Right Swim Fins
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- Опубліковано 26 сер 2024
- Have you ever bought a pair of fins only to have them not work out? In this video, Freddy talks about fin technology and the important things to consider when selecting and fitting a swim fin.
I'm new to this and have asked questions that can't be answered. You answered more than the questions I had. Thank you so much.
Glad it help!
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Leviathan Scuba Team
Great information. I have been using a set my husband bought me for years and always battled numerous issues with getting finns off and on, improper fitting cramps, uneven swim. Would like to know about brands.
Thank you for sharing!!
Yet very good and informative video.
Mentioning the strength of the blades (hard blade, soft blade, different materials etc.) in your review would make it whole.
Thanks for watching and the suggestion!
Yes would like to know the materials used to make fins and what would be the best for what type of diver. I find mine a little hard to kick with (resistance on the higher end, but don't feel the speed either).
Very helpful in choosing. Thank you!
Its so amazing how i find smartest video...than u sir😊😊
amazing details and very technical + to the point explanation. Thanks mate.
Update : Particularly the explanation about curved edge, split fin and implied thrust surface blew my mind. That's a +1 knowledge point for me.
Thanks for the comments. Many more videos just getting ready to launch. Thanks Venkat. Freddy
Great video
Thank you and thanks for watching. More to come soon. Freddy😀
Very good material, thank you!
Thanks for the excellent demonstration.
Split fins give efficient thrust but lack kicking power and reduce swimming speed
Depends on which splits. As technology goes they actually increase swimming speed. However some brands use such soft material that they under perform and you are correct. That is mainly the ScubaPro Twin Jet. The Atomic splits however I would put against any fin out there for thrust and speed. We have tested them on aquatic fin robots and live bodies. They have performed better in 100% of the tests so far. Thanks for watching. Freddy
Great video. Could you wear water shoes in an open heal fins or it’s a no no ?
Can't find my rule book. So I guess you could. Many booties have a high ankle to keep sand out and the stingers from getting your ankles. But more dive booties are putting heavier soles on them for walking on rocks and rough beaches. If it is comfy and you don't have side affects like blisters then why not. Have fun. Thanks for watching. Freddy
Great video thanks man! I think the one my swim coach gave me was too small. I’m US 10.5 but the sizing says US 8-10. It feels quite tight around the ankle
Great review. I'm going to buy some new fins.
Hey Freddie hope you are well! with this video being 6 years old would you say this is still an accurate representation of what you would recommend today?
Absolutely. Its science and anatomy. As fins improve they usually become lighter, smaller, with more thrust. But the fit and sizing is crucial still. Thanks for watching. More to come soon. Will be doing a video in a few weeks on the differences between the junk split fins and quality split fins because people are so divided on if they like splits or not. If you use the junk one of course you won't like splits. If you use the quality ones then you will be a fan. Thanks for watching Harry. More to come soon. Freddy
Great video, lots of information, feel like I know what to ask for and what to avoid 👍🏻 new subscriber here 😍
Thanks and keep an eye out soon for more fun videos. Freddy
This guys a legend!
Ha, I wish everyone felt the same. Could you call my wife and let her know? You are so very kind. Thanks for watching. More to come soon. Freddy
What fins would you recommend that is most efficient fighting current and uses the least effort?
Easy answer for me. The Atomic (specifically Atomic) Split fins. About 60% more efficient with a greater thrust surface. Very little effort for the thrust you get. Not all splits are the same though. See our video on the ScubaPro Twin Jet fin. The lowest rating we have given a fin. Thanks for watching. More to come soon. Freddy
Very useful information! Could you please recommend which pair of fins to get for snorkel mostly and some free diving in Hawaii during the Summer? Do I need a fin shoes?
How about the boots. The same instructor that chose me the masks (that don't work for me) said I need to wear boots a size bigger than my usual size I.e. my usual size is 8. The boots he gave me to try on didn't feel that big, until when I got into the water it got very saggy. He said the bigger size was necessary so that my sling on the fins could fit nicely without crushing my heel or something. I asked that to my new instructor and he had slings too, but had good fitting boots that didn't give him any issue. What's your verdict on this? I could literally pour a couple cups of water out of my boots when I get back on shore from a dive.
Hi Joyce. You want your boots to be pretty snug. We say that it is even ok if your big toe touches as long as it is not being squished. A lot of times, we actually drop down a shoe size for men. For women, we may have to even drop 2 sizes, because most boots run in men's sizes. Your correct that the boots do loosen up a little bit more in the water, so that's why you want them to be a snug fit. You will always be able to pour a little bit of water out, but it does sound like your boots are definitely too big on you. I'm sorry that you have had a poor experience with both your mask and boots.
@@LeviathanScuba lol well that's a flippin' big difference to what he said!! Gosh, how stupid I feel to have believed him!
🤔 🧐 👏
Excellent video. One question. Are the fins interchangeable between left and right foot? If not how can you tell is for right or left foot?
Hi Mauricio. No, they are not left or right. They fit both feet.
Why not use snorkeling fins for scuba?
Do the more "efficient" fin designs that propel you through the water easier, work equally well against a current when on the surface heading back to the boat? I'm all for getting more thrust for less effort, but I would like to be confident that whatever the design, it works consistently under different diving conditions. Also, any opinion on the newer bungee heel cord design vs. a regular strap the similar stainless steel spring type shown here? Thanks.
You will find a lot of different options out there about split fins and currents. In our experience we prefer a good split fin, like the Atomic 5280scuba.com/product/atomic-aquatics-splitfins, in currents as you get propulsion (or thrust) on both your up and down kick. Whereas a traditional blade style fin provides the propulsion in one direction and a glide in the other. As far as regular vs spring or bungee strap, it really is a personal preference however we find it is the #1 upgrade most people do to their fins. We've seen a good quality stainless steel spring last longer than the bungee style as the bungees begin to stretch over time
Thank you for the very good overview. I am curious about the split fin design. I saw your other video on the Atomic Split Fins and I'm just not grasping how the split makes for more thrust or "increases the thrust surface" as you put it. I'm looking for something that is for freediving and some occasional scuba. Would split fins be a recommended match?
Glad it has helped with your understanding. It will depend on who you ask and what type of freediving you will be doing. In our opinion, a split fill will work for most free divers/free diving and is an excellent choice for scuba diving and snorkeling.
I used to have a pair of “force fins” that is used for fishing from my float tube. They are expensive, but they are great. Have you ever used them?
Hi Scott. We have not used these fins yet. We do have a lot of people that come in looking for fins for this purpose. We always recommend the Atomic split fins, and people seem to love them!
Good morning, I am getting certified for scuba diving (beginner) and I wanted to know if you could you please add links for the products that your using or illustrating. Thanks so much.
Here are a few links for you. www.oceanicworldwide.com/product/fins/viper-5878/ tusa.com/us-en/TUSA/Fins/Solla www.atomicaquatics.com/products/fins/dive-fins-open-heel-splitfin-from-atomic-aquatics/
I can’t use those very long fins Why?
John, you can use any fins your heart desires. But to maximise your experience, the correct fins for what you are doing usually gives you better results. The really long fins are typically free diving fins. Pretty specific parameters for that sport. If you snorkel you use a different fin than scuba as explained in the video. So just have fun and enjoy experimenting. I mean, the fish still look the same. Thanks for watching. More to come soon. Freddy
The longer the tail the more difficult for the calf muscles? Or it just learning proper underwater swimming technique?
@@coralkeyscuba - I have dived for 50 years both scuba and spearfishing / freediving. I will stand by what I have always found to be true. A freediving fin will outperform all scuba fins in both propulsion and efficiency. I often dive from the shore and have to swim against tides at least in one direction. Nothing comes close to a free-dive fin for efficiency and lower air consumption. They used it not like me taking them on boast as they take more space, but now with all the techy kit many divers carry, this is no longer an argument. Same story. Better air consumption. I mostly use a cheap plastic Otter freediving fin as it works well and saves my carbon fins for no scuba swims. Freediving fins come in various degrees of flex/softness. Depending on your fitness, choose a soft or medium rigidity. I really don't buy into all the gimmicky hype of scuba-fins. It is just my opinion, but long tested in the field.
I notice that some divers have their boots heel placed several inches outside of the footpocket. Scuba pro jet fins is a good case of this I'll fitting. What is a good fitting? My 3mm boot fits the footpocket of the Cressi fin heel to heel end. This is what I see as a good fit?
The proper fit is tricky to explain in text. Your heel will hang over the bottom of the foot pocket. When they are on your feet preferrably with booties on, the strap and the foot pocket will meet on the side of your foot. At that point if you place your finger there it should line up with the middle of your ankle. To be clear it could line up within 1/2 inch from the center of your ankle either side. We have a video that shows this process. This allows balance between your shin muscles and your calf muscles. if not fitted properly then you will use more of one muscle group and can easily cramp. A lot of videos coming out soon. Thanks for watching. Freddy
@@coralkeyscuba Thanks for your reply. I just bought a pair of Aqua lung rocket 2 fins(Super) and Mares 5mm boots and I have about an inch or so hanging over the foot pocket. It's comfortable out of water ,but in a few days I am going to see what feeling I get in water.
what about the jet fins how is it that the tec divers prefer this type of fins, why...
Miggy, my opinion is a little blunt but I personally believe it is a bit of history and marketing. Jet fins, Rocket fins, were invented almost 50 years ago. At one time they were the best thing there was. So, many many divers used them and they became somewhat of a norm. Today, the company that makes them uses that in their marketing and keeps pumping them out to the market. I would too if I was them. No new molds, development, etc. Cost down means profit up. The truth today is that they are ancient technology. They are heavy, no composite materials that help with flex strength etc. The buckle systems are cumbersome and difficult to change compared to modern fins. And some versions have had splits added to them to sell more but the split is not properly engineered to be effective. In my shop I use jet fins as my door stop to let the fresh air or the fed ex delivery guy in. Freddy
5280 Scuba yup i have mine too and its heavy, i am comfortable with my aqua lung, but taking pictures and especially muck diving , with heavy fins give you stability at the rear and anchors your feet to the base, still i would say it depends on the purpose of your diving coz if i will take open waters photography, i prefer also long fins so i could get close and swim with my subject... than you for the opin 😉
i mean thank you for your reply 😃
Thanks for the video, would you recommend a split fin over a Scubapro Seawing or Beauchant Aquabionic for bottle/snorkeling with "damaged" legs (operated broken tendon) ?
We definitely recommend the split fins for "damaged" legs. We have a lot of elderly divers as well as quite a few with back and leg challenges. What is great about the split fins is that you have so much more surface area that the water is being pushed off of. With most fins, the water gets pushed off of just the end of the fin, and it only really does this with one direction of the kick. The split fins push water with both directions of the kick, and the surface area pushing it is the end of the fin plus the entire middle split in the fin. This makes it feel very light under the water, saving your legs a lot of work!
Check out the Apollo bio pro fins I use them and you can tell why they’re number 1
Do you have an opinion on a full foot fin ?
Sorry Paul my reply didn't make it. So to continue my blunt honesty, I don't like full foot fins. The reasons are that if, or when the foot pocket splits (and it will eventually) you throw the fin away and buy another pair. Another reason is that they do not make them in every size. Depending upon the manufacturer they usually make a small, med, large, XL. 3 actual foot sizes can fit in each one. Example the XL can fit a size 10, 11, 12, 13. It might fit the size 11 really good but a bit large for 10 and a bit too small for the 12 & 13.
With a strapped fin you can snug it up to fit so much better and if the strap splits, buy another strap for $7 rather than a new pair of fins. Hope that helps. Thanks for watching. More to come soon. Freddy😊
I thought you used your ankel to work a set of fins.
Where are you located?
Our home base shop is in Arvada, Colorado (right outside of Denver). But we have www.5280scuba.com for everyone else.
Excellent video.. but you have to change that intro
Yes, sorry about that. I assume you mean the volume. We are in the process of shooting all new ones and the volume will be corrected. Thanks for the input. Keep an eye out for Leviathan Scuba videos. How to's, Resort reviews, gear reviews, and dive site reviews, plus the most popular Tips n Tricks. Thanks again, Freddy.
I'm ordering a pair on line
I'm I size 8 shoe size- do I order the same
I don't think you understand what a surface is. You keep saying thrust surface while pointing at edges. And edges don't provide thrust. The big flat part (the surface) is what provides the thrust. Channels and splits in that surface are about ensuring that the water gets pushed out the tip of the fin maximising the thrust from a given surface.
99% of the people don't need the scientific answer. Really just trying to show where the water flows off after the thrust surface impacts it or guides it as a result of side bolsters and small fins molded into the flat portion of the fin. In a flow tank they measure the pressure or thrust at the end of the fin where it joins with all fluid coming in contact with the fin. Cant measure on the flat of the blade because only a portion of the fluid is measured. Thanks for the comment.
LOL. I have not been diving long but have determined fins can make the biggest difference in a dive besides your exposure suite, than any other piece of equipment. The bigger/stiffer the better. None of the fins he showed work well. Also your physical size should be considered, the same fin for a 130 lb person should be different than a 230 lb person.
Hey there Steve. Fin size makes a difference but they are engineered for the size that fits you. So, keeping with the same fin a larger fin will provide more thrust for a bigger person. Make sense? All of the fins in the review are awesome and do work exceptionally well, especially the splits by Atomic. You may be thinking about free diving fins which are much longer and very stiff to provide a lot of travel with each kick. A stiff foot pocket transfers the energy for scuba fins to the blade where it channels the energy in the form of thrust off the end. Snorkeling fins don't need as much thrust because you are more fluid dynamic with less drag than scuba. So they can be much softer, shorter etc. Thanks for your comments, it makes us all better. Freddy
This is salesman nonsense. In my experience split fins provide much less control than a good pair or normal fins, making them less effective for u/w photographers. Also full foot fins are narrower and also offer more control than strapped ones. Next time you're on a dive boat in the tropics, look at what the dive masters tend to use. I have had 2 pairs of full foot Mares fins in the past 30 years, so they obviously don't split that often. I only use my strapped Mares Plana Avantis for cold water or shore ding over rocks. Of course, split and strapped ones are more expensive to buy....
Gotta say it depends on which splits you tried. Not salesman nonsense as I wasn't selling anything. I have bet many skeptics and won that the Atomic splits would outperform their favorite fins. True every time. We tried them on a robot meant to measure thrust, efficiency, water flow, etc. I might agree that there are better for agility if you were in tight spaces like wrecks but they do really well. But thrust, speed, efficiency? Every major rating service like scuba lab etc rates the Atomic Split in the top 5 fins in History. That's pretty darn good. Thanks for watching, more to come soon. Freddy
As someone who scuba dives and freedives in equal measure I have a couple of split fins as well has freediving fins that are always plain surfaced and full foot pockets. Split fins stand no chance against the plain freediving fins when it comes to speed and efficiency. I have tested this many times on long swimming shore dives. My air conservation is also very noticeable when swimming with other divers in various scuba fins. IMHO there are too many gimmicks with scuba fins. Scuba fins are more practical for frog kicking on wrecks etc but this can be accomplished with most shorter fins.
@@SelkianHave you done regular scuba diving with freediving fins? If you have, how does it compare with scuba fins?
@@stanleystevens6278 - I am now 66 and use med-length free dive fins for many of my dives. A year ago, I took one pair of fins for both freediving and scuba trips with groups. I always felt the FD fins were more efficient, but was stunned to find most divers using almost twice my air consumption on dives they either required some distance or in current. Two things I will point out. 1. For Some dives such as dropping straight on a wreck, I may switch to a more tech fin for frog kick inside the wreck. I can still frog kick with FD fins, just that they take more space. 2. Not all free dive fins are the same. The fins I use are relatively soft and more med length. Carbon and GRP fins are the more efficient, but I find a relatively low-cost plastic-free dive fin suits the purpose just fine. When I started scuba, free dive fins were much more expensive than scuba fins. In general, I find the reverse is true today. Scuba fins are hyped on all sorts of design features to sell the added value of whichever brand/model. I have always found it interesting that free dive fins have kept the same design forever and only uprated materials for the higher end.
@@Selkian Thank you for sharing your experience in such detail, I really appreciate that. I'll be sure to rent a pair of freediving fins for my next outing. As for wreck diving, I haven't got the inclination to train for that but will definitely keep in mind to get shorter fins for the confined spaces. Cheers!