What are the top 3 requirements for a great swim fin?


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Some options, like 'Power' and 'High Top Speed,' overlap. When I've looked for fins, having size 15 feet that many won't fit, my criteria are:

1.) Brand I've heard good things about. If it's really good, it should've created some buzz. This isn't about a designer label, just narrowing the options down. My current favorites are Deep 6 2-xl Eddy fins.

2.) Gotta fit, no small thing (literally) for me, but comfortably. Foot pocket shape matters, and this is a place Eddys shine by reputation.

3.) I prefer neutral buoyancy, since I don't dive a drive suit and like many recreational divers I'm rather foot-heavy. I'm already putting a good portion of my weight in rear trim pockets in search of good horizontal trim; why pick fins that sabotage that?

4.) I'd like them durable enough to last awhile; I like spring straps for the same reason. What I see in the 1st picture has me looking at those long, narrow-looking side pieces. What happens to them on a typical dive boat deck where other divers, geared up & heavy, head to the back of the boat stepping on other people's fins occasionally as they go?

5.) Since I can get Eddy fins with spring straps cheap, you'd have to make a serious value-for-dollar argument to make me consider switching to something expensive.

6.) Get reputable objective 3rd party reviewers to sing their praises.

Richard.
 
My post from May 27, 2011-- maybe of some interest for the historical factor

Subject: Fins

Some time ago there was a thread on fins. A gentleman from Italy came on stong and the best I could comprehend his post he gave Italy and their designers/ engineers credit for the swim swim--Nonsence!


Many years ago I became interested in recreational diving fins, so for approximately 15 to 20 years I researched the history of fins and developed a very large file on the subject, This research resulted in a much abridged six page article.


Therefore, I would invite all of you to read the US Historical Diving Society journal, 1994, "History of fins." HDS #3,#4 & #5.


A very short history of fin development in the US and the world is as follows;


1868 Havlor Olsen "Fin Sandals for the feet." (US)

1932 Commander Luis de Corlieu "Swimming propellers" (aka Fins) (France)
1933 European patent
1937 US patent
*** Based on "the discontinuity of impulsion destroys the yielding power efficiency of a propulsion device"--what ever that means???




1938 Owen Churchill discovers Swimming propellers in Tahiti
1939 Churchhill & de Corlieu enter in to a contract to produce Swimming propellers
1940 Owen Churchill produces design patent and a improvement patent (US)
1940 Churchill produces 946 pairs of "Swim Fins"

1945 Pop Romano's Sea Net company produces "FROG FEET" (US)

1947 C.H. Wilen produces "Swimming tales" (Italy)


1952 Art Brown produces "Duck Feet" Spearfisherman Company (US)



1965 George Beauchat US patent for Jet fins (France)

(then Rockets -US Divers; 707 - Sportsways etc)

Canany one explain the

"the discontinuity of impulsion destroys the yielding power efficiency of a propulsion device"

SDM
In searching for the significance to the law of cubes related to dive fins I came across that interesting thread. Thank you for reposting the history. It is of good perspective.

Regards,. Cameron
 
It looks like reverse is a hot item. Here is what Judy, a senior fish identifier for REEF who tested the maneuverability of the MaxAir swim fin prototypes at Blue Heron Bridge had to say.

1. That is not how you do a frog kick.
2. That is not how you do a helicopter turn.
3. That is not how you do a backward kick.

Unless your fins are really difficult to control. Then maybe that's the best you can do.
 
Not to be picky but Judy's examples of kicks is not helping your effort.
Of course I cannot define how people I met only minutes before they tried the MaxAir fins. But as a Tech instructor I am sure you are aware that she is excellent at buoyancy control. Since she is at a depth of about 4 feet the slightest change in depth creates huge differences in buoyancy but she is holding just barely off the bottom without stirring it up.

It is also important to note that you have never used these fins and you may likely make small adjustments in your stroke to adapt to the subtleties of completely new technology. These are not the boards of yore. If you would like to show us how it is done we absolutely welcome it. I see you are from Salt Lake City. It is much warmer here in Orlando this time of year.
 
Sorry I have been out of the thread for a couple days. I was at Maker Faire Orlando. If you love nerdy stuff and have not been to a Maker Fair you need to look up your local Maker Faire.
 
Of course I cannot define how people I met only minutes before they tried the MaxAir fins. But as a Tech instructor I am sure you are aware that she is excellent at buoyancy control. Since she is at a depth of about 4 feet the slightest change in depth creates huge differences in buoyancy but she is holding just barely off the bottom without stirring it up.

It is also important to note that you have never used these fins and you may likely make small adjustments in your stroke to adapt to the subtleties of completely new technology. These are not the boards of yore. If you would like to show us how it is done we absolutely welcome it. I see you are from Salt Lake City. It is much warmer here in Orlando this time of year.
?? The post you responded to was not about her buoyancy! It was about her supposed kick style "demos"...

Maybe you should try posting a video of someone actually doing frog, helicopter and back kicks with your fins as the video posted did not show that at all.
 
I'd like to try a pair of those. Their appearance is almost comical, and I'm sure I'd have to defend myself on every boat ride...
You are right. On the dive boat your first response is most common. No-one so far has called them comical. They certainly have asked what they are about. Once they try them the tune is way different. Here is an example of someone who actually knows how to dive. He was a pleasure to buddy with.
 
I love new technology and new gadgets. The claim is that these new fins can do everything our old fins can do only better. Ok, great. Show us.

Here are some options: (1) post a video of someone using the fins as tech divers need to—proper frog and back kicks, helicopter turns, etc. (2) send out free evaluation fins to people who can do (1). (Don't send them to me; I like my Jetfins.) Maybe there are other good options, but I have thought of them.
 
https://www.shearwater.com/products/swift/

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