Educate me on my fins.....................................

[mikeinla]

I am going to Cozumel next month. These are all of my fins. Am I really going going to be able to tell the difference between them while diving???? I usually only do two warm water diving vacations each year so I do not dive on a regular basis. Which set should I take???

[Pullmyfinger]

They are all your fins, so you would know best if you would be able to tell the difference.

yes-no-yes-yes.

I would avoid fins that share design similarities with this prototype spoon.126347

[Tim R Alcoser JR]

I suppose the dive conditions/area would be useful info too? Thus far in my short diving career, I have only dove with fins that look like #4, so I can't be of much use for the rest of them.

[RickyF]

Most of the dives in Cozumel are drift dives. You are buddied up and follow a guide. Some areas have pretty decent current and you sometimes need to swim against the current if you stop to look at something. Personally, I would avoid the split fins in this type of diving.

[mathauck0814]

Sell them all and get a pair of jets or slipstreams

[danvolker]

The Cressi master frogs( your last fins in the pic I think) are decent fins for current, though if you really want the ideal fins for current, get a pair of freediving fins....if you are a cyclist that rides 15 miles or more per day, 3 or more days per week, you can go with a competition flex stiffness freedive fin...if you are not, then your first pair of freedive fins should be the Cressi Gara 3000 KD ( LD for long Duration, meaning soft enough for a freediver to use for an 8 hour contest---meaning a scuba diver new to fins which can use more muscle power if desired, is safer with these). With freedive fins, you use a large amplitude and slow frequency kick. You can do a huge frog kick with an enormous glide between kicks, and this is great to alternate with the wide amplitude flutter. If you want a freedive fin that will be closer to competition level flex patterns, try the new Cressi Professional. If you are seriously fit, and want the Lamborghini Galardo of Freedive Fins, that is the DiveR Freedive fins, best choice is probably the blue stiffness. These are high tech composites, that feel like whatever you push, they return even more as the blade unflexes at the end of the kick stroke...and they are good for helicopter turns, and even allow a reverse kick--although you would not want to reverse kick for more than a few minutes with them, as they have so much leverage that your shin muscles can't really handle this for long time.

In cozumel, or in Palm beach, where drift currents are normal, freedive fins allow a scuba diver to increase thier speed against current ( when needed), or when going sideways or 45 degrees to the current.
The differences are amazing, and in places like Palm Beach, you find a large percentage of the Dive Masters on the boats that cater to advanced divers( real advanced ones, not divers that just own the crd) are using freedive fins on the charter boats, as they provide better power and speed to help customers with, or to drag the float with in heavy currents, when you need to go someplace the current does not go toward:-)
In operations like Pura Vida or Narcosis( boats in Palm Beach that cater to many advanced divers in extreme current areas), their DM's are known for using freedive fins, along with many of the regular customers :-)

You pack freedive fins in a large suitcase, diagonally, and then have the rest of your clothes in their with them. Freedive stores, either online or brick and mortar, sell awesome dive bags for use on dive boats, that are long enough to be ideal to place freedive fins in, along with bc and all other gear.. I use a Rob Allen bag.

[mikeinla]

The Cressi master frogs( your last fins in the pic I think) are decent fins for current, though if you really want the ideal fins for current, get a pair of freediving fins....if you are a cyclist that rides 15 miles or more per day, 3 or more days per week, you can go with a competition flex stiffness freedive fin...if you are not, then your first pair of freedive fins should be the Cressi Gara 3000 KD ( LD for long Duration, meaning soft enough for a freediver to use for an 8 hour contest---meaning a scuba diver new to fins which can use more muscle power if desired, is safer with these). With freedive fins, you use a large amplitude and slow frequency kick. You can do a huge frog kick with an enormous glide between kicks, and this is great to alternate with the wide amplitude flutter. If you want a freedive fin that will be closer to competition level flex patterns, try the new Cressi Professional. If you are seriously fit, and want the Lamborghini Galardo of Freedive Fins, that is the DiveR Freedive fins, best choice is probably the blue stiffness. These are high tech composites, that feel like whatever you push, they return even more as the blade unflexes at the end of the kick stroke...and they are good for helicopter turns, and even allow a reverse kick--although you would not want to reverse kick for more than a few minutes with them, as they have so much leverage that your shin muscles can't really handle this for long time.

In cozumel, or in Palm beach, where drift currents are normal, freedive fins allow a scuba diver to increase thier speed against current ( when needed), or when going sideways or 45 degrees to the current.
The differences are amazing, and in places like Palm Beach, you find a large percentage of the Dive Masters on the boats that cater to advanced divers( real advanced ones, not divers that just own the crd) are using freedive fins on the charter boats, as they provide better power and speed to help customers with, or to drag the float with in heavy currents, when you need to go someplace the current does not go toward:-)
In operations like Pura Vida or Narcosis( boats in Palm Beach that cater to many advanced divers in extreme current areas), their DM's are known for using freedive fins, along with many of the regular customers :-)

You pack freedive fins in a large suitcase, diagonally, and then have the rest of your clothes in their with them. Freedive stores, either online or brick and mortar, sell awesome dive bags for use on dive boats, that are long enough to be ideal to place freedive fins in, along with bc and all other gear.. I use a Rob Allen bag.



I would rather not buy ANOTHER pair of fins as I have four pair already. After Cozumel I arrive home for two weeks and then I am going to Grand Bahamas where I would not need freediver fins. I have not dove enough to be able to tell any diffrence in the fins that I currently own.

[BDSC]

To be honest with you, I doubt you will be able to tell much, if any difference at all, in any of the four pair you have. Go with the ones that are the most comfortable to you if you can even tell that.

[mikeinla]

Sell them all and get a pair of jets or slipstreams


Like these???? I also have these laying around. They are OLD and have been sitting around for years.

[DivemasterDennis]

I have multiple pairs of fins, including those identical to your last three as shown. Your size and fitness is a factor as is comfort. The blades are a fairly stiff but narrow fin that will serve you well. The Cressi is black and I like black fins. My Cressi fins are actually larger in surface area than my blades ( size or model issue) and I usually just use them for training because I may have to tow someone, and they give a lot of power but that means cramping is possible. So I prefer my split fins on vacation trips, but mine are larger in area than yours. It's a personal choice. If you have to pick one, I vote for the blades.
DivemasterDennis

[lynch]

I think you must use the one you are most comfortable and make your swim fast so I will rather choose any of 1,3,4 and not use the 2nd one. I think if that fins are much ok if you will swim with the current.

[buddhasummer]

The last picture looks like Frogs, the model below the Master Frogs, they are good fins, I own a pair and like them. I'd go the Frogs coz I too like black. But if I were you i'd take the ones that are the lightest and easiest to pack, you'll not notice much if any difference between the 3 paddles you have pictured. I have no experience with splits. Have a great trip.

[JamesK]

Like these???? I also have these laying around. They are OLD and have been sitting around for years.

And we have a winner.

[mathauck0814]

Like these???? I also have these laying around. They are OLD and have been sitting around for years.

Exactly. Best of your options.

[TSandM]

Personally, I dove fins like your last picture when I was in Coz, but if you aren't used to them, they are going to feel heavy and stiff. What I would do, if I were you, is to look at the three blade fins in the first picture, and take the ones that feel the least flexible. (They're all going to be more flexible than the rubber fins.) That will give you comfort AND the ability to swim a bit into current. In general, in Coz, you will be drifting WITH the current, but if you want to stop and look at something, or take a picture, you have to swim into it to maintain position.

[Searcaigh]

I advise you to buy a set of Mares Quatros for your collection ;)

[freewillie]

I've never done a drift dive but if you search SB it is full of divers who don't recommend splits for Coz and drifts.

Without having to buy a new pair take the lightest pair that packs the best. You should probably take the pair you dive the most.

[Pullmyfinger]

Like these???? I also have these laying around. They are OLD and have been sitting around for years.

It would appear that the answer to your OP has been sitting under your nose for years. :-)

[golfette44]

If you are diving in any current you should avoid the split fins. I love my split fins, but recently found out they aren't much use in a mild to strong current.

[RonFrank]

ScubaBoard is full of outspoken troglodytes! :D

I own a bunch of paddle fins but the best fins I have for current are Apollo Biofins hands down! But when traveling I often go with my Mares Avanti Quattros as they are light and comfortable. The biofins are heavy for travel even if I have used them in FL and Coz back before they started charging for baggage.

Many like Jets. I find them to be ill sized, heavy, and uncomfortable. The foot pockets do not fit me right. The design is from the mid 60's. They are also now expensive and I have no idea why?

The bottom line, we stink in the water. Most of us are hard pressed to maintain 2mph..... yes we are SLOW underwater I do not care what fin your using!

[awap]

I prefer the old USD Blades (your yellow fins) but they can be a bit of work if you have to do a lot of kicking. You will not have to in Cozumel. Mine used to cramp me up pretty bad but I fixed then over 10 years ago. I prefer them over my old Jet fins.

homemade split fins - - ScubaBoard Gallery (http://www.scubaboard.com/gallery/showphoto.php/photo/34851/title/homemade-split-fins/cat/500)

[SnorkelLA]

ScubaBoard is full of outspoken troglodytes! :D

I own a bunch of paddle fins but the best fins I have for current are Apollo Biofins hands down! But when traveling I often go with my Mares Avanti Quattros as they are light and comfortable. The biofins are heavy for travel even if I have used them in FL and Coz back before they started charging for baggage.

Many like Jets. I find them to be ill sized, heavy, and uncomfortable. The foot pockets do not fit me right. The design is from the mid 60's. They are also now expensive and I have no idea why?

The bottom line, we stink in the water. Most of us are hard pressed to maintain 2mph..... yes we are SLOW underwater I do not care what fin your using!

The Hollis F2s have a more snug, flexible and comfortable foot pocket. They are supposed to be pretty badass too, performance wise. They are made of more flexible monoprene but still use the cutouts and channels for the water to flow through. If I had known they were released I wouldn't have bought my Jets so recently. But, they work pretty much exactly the same. The Hollis are just a little more flexible with a better foot pocket, lighter monoprene and spring straps come standard.

Buyers remorse sucks... :(


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