TN Traveler
Contributor
I have the picture but for some reason my phone is acting up and not forwarding it. As soon as I get it transferred to my computer, I will post it.
Force Fins VS the world (advice for first pair of fins?)
- Thread starter filmguy123
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TN Traveler
Contributor
Top to bottom:
Pros
Rip
Hockey
cloudbuster
Registered
Wow the pro are wide, rip look tiny but if they are for the surf make sense. Hockey look more like exceleratings model.
Do you also have the shark teeth can you tell a big difference with the rip force?
I will call today or tomorrow to check stock status and see if i could get a set before i go on a trip.
Do you also have the shark teeth can you tell a big difference with the rip force?
I will call today or tomorrow to check stock status and see if i could get a set before i go on a trip.
TN Traveler
Contributor
The shape of the Hockeys are based on the Excellerating FF but designed for a higher performance urethane material. The material loads up with a little less force than the old Tan Delta material but the rebound is higher - returning a greater % of the input force. They really "snap". It takes a stronger kick to load the old Tan Delta and maximize it's performance (these 70 year old legs can no longer fully utilize the old Tan Delta) but I can handle the Hockey Fin material.
I find the Shark Teeth do give more speed but as you can see from mine, I prefer to use whiskers. They actually provide even better speed/control/acceleration depending on how you adjust them. Is there a huge difference, probably not; can you tell the difference, definitely yes.
If you want to see wide - the Tan Delta Flying Force Fins are even wider.
I find the Shark Teeth do give more speed but as you can see from mine, I prefer to use whiskers. They actually provide even better speed/control/acceleration depending on how you adjust them. Is there a huge difference, probably not; can you tell the difference, definitely yes.
If you want to see wide - the Tan Delta Flying Force Fins are even wider.
TN Traveler
Contributor
One thing I should point out is the Pros and Hockey's in the picture are XXLs. Smaller sizes have smaller blades.
WetCell
Contributor
@cloudbuster i'll sell you my set of Pro's. Black, nylon not bungee, size L, and certainly cheaper than what you'd pay for a new pair of them.
Yeah, It lets you buy fins now, then buy more fins later, and eventually end up with some fins just laying around that you don't even use! I can't afford that, so I have 3 sets of fins and I use them all, each for their specific purpose. Never bought any that I had to give away/throw away/sell. I will admit, though, that I only NEEDED 2 sets. I could do everything without the freediving fins. But, they were only about $75 on a Black Friday sale, so I splurged. Worth it, to me, for what are now my favorite fins.
TN Traveler
Contributor
Something that just occurred to me about why some people say they "overkick" the fins and do not get good propulsion, is that they may buy smaller sizes that have smaller blades, yet they have strong legs (JohnnyC's comment about selling size L Pros). Force Fins tend to have foot pockets that can accommodate a variety of foot sizes depending upon the boots used. The blades on the smaller sizes also tend to be thinner, therefore they have more flex and therefore more "give" when kicked hard.
I early on figured out that if I used a size L, I would easily overkick them. Therefore I learned that I needed to buy a larger size and adjust to fit the foot pocket by the use of comfort inserts and the proper boots. I wear a size 10.5 shoe but I use size XXL Force Fins because they have a larger, thicker blade that fits my kick. My wife, 5'3", 125# can overkick size L in Pros but found that size L in Tan Delta worked fine or she needs to go to a size XL to get better performance (except she finds them too stiff in Tan Delta).
The other thing I have seen happen is people buy used "Force Fins" not realizing that they purchased Float Tube FFs - that are made with a softer urethane and smaller blade, so you can just sort of flick your ankles/lower leg to get movement. If you try and use them for Scuba or even snorkeling, they sadly disappoint.
I know that this takes more "thinking" to figure out the optimal fin style, material and size to find the optimal fin for your diving but it is not much different than deciding that you need 3 types of fins for the different types of dives you do. I only need one fin (Hockeys) for diving in the Quarry (5+5 mil wet), cool sub-tropical (3 mil wet), full tropical (84 deg+) or snorkeling. Yes, I do like to use my RIPs for playing in the surf and/or snorkeling, if I am on a non-dive trip (cruises) where saving some weight/space is required.
YMMV
I early on figured out that if I used a size L, I would easily overkick them. Therefore I learned that I needed to buy a larger size and adjust to fit the foot pocket by the use of comfort inserts and the proper boots. I wear a size 10.5 shoe but I use size XXL Force Fins because they have a larger, thicker blade that fits my kick. My wife, 5'3", 125# can overkick size L in Pros but found that size L in Tan Delta worked fine or she needs to go to a size XL to get better performance (except she finds them too stiff in Tan Delta).
The other thing I have seen happen is people buy used "Force Fins" not realizing that they purchased Float Tube FFs - that are made with a softer urethane and smaller blade, so you can just sort of flick your ankles/lower leg to get movement. If you try and use them for Scuba or even snorkeling, they sadly disappoint.
I know that this takes more "thinking" to figure out the optimal fin style, material and size to find the optimal fin for your diving but it is not much different than deciding that you need 3 types of fins for the different types of dives you do. I only need one fin (Hockeys) for diving in the Quarry (5+5 mil wet), cool sub-tropical (3 mil wet), full tropical (84 deg+) or snorkeling. Yes, I do like to use my RIPs for playing in the surf and/or snorkeling, if I am on a non-dive trip (cruises) where saving some weight/space is required.
YMMV
gkrane
Contributor
TN, I have been a way for 6 months or so due to a move. I get back on and it appears you are still playing the exact same FF song as before. I will refrain from throwing my 2 cent in though as we have already had our FF go around. I have 2 sets of fins I want to try out that I would consider buying, Cressi ARA hard blades, and a pair of freediving fins. I have a crazy mindset that the increased cost should equal increased performance/value.
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