A possibly silly fin question...

[fbk]

If I'm diving tropical in board shorts I wear zipless, ankle high, hard sole neoprene reef shoes with my open heel fins instead of full neoprene boots. Wearing boots with shorts looks kinda dorkish, like sandals and socks jk

I also have some Mares closed heel fins that I mainly use for snorkelling. They are more streamlined and feel much more like an extension of your foot and leg, which is great if you are a freediver in a slick wetsuit. When you are pushing a tank, BC and hoses through the water as well then the extra drag of a buckle and foot pocket is insignificant.

 

[cvchief]

I have to admit, I like climbing the ladder with my hard sole boots. The round ladder rungs hurt my tender feet....

 

[Aquavelvet]

I take the same fins that I use in cold water with me to warm water locations. A good pair of hard soled neoprene boots fit the same size fins as my dry suit boots. Since I tend to be leg heavy, a little extra floatation on my feet also helps. Depending on where I travel, shore entries may also be part of the plan, and boots help there as well.


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[ThePetiteRunner]

Thanks so much for all the responses!

 

[Dave Dillehay]

Dear Gordon,

It is not a minor issue to those who really know the difference.

Dave Dillehay
Aldora Divers

 

[ggunn]

Dear Gordon,

It is not a minor issue to those who really know the difference.

Dave Dillehay
Aldora Divers

Then I guess I am just not in the know, Dave.

 

[old gaffer]

I think every DM I have been on a boat with while in Cozumel has used full foot fins. I never asked why and assumed it was due to the added expense of needing boots or the upgrade to spring straps. On the other hand I have seen very few if any paying customer use full foot fins. My son and his girlfriend have mares full foot fins and love them for snorkeling. I like wearing boots for the same reason as those previously mentioned.

 

[jonhall]

Have read some interesting comments in this thread that get you thinking about what is the best way to go when it comes to fins, such as the ladder hurting your feet when you climb back on the boat.

I have used boots and strap fins since I began diving in 1998. Having all of my own gear, I have found that when tying a dive trip into your vacation, how you pack is very important. Not to go into detail of all of my packing strategies through the years, I recently purchased a pair of ScubaPro full foot split fins thinking about space in my luggage. When I put them in the suitcase, they lay flat and weigh less. Most of my diving is in the Caribbean, so I didn't feel I would need boots for warmth or protection (but I am still going to take them on my next trip as beach shoes for rough beaches.) I also dove in Puerto Vallarta wearing the dive shops full foot fins in 70 degree water and never felt cold (after the initial shock) but also wore a 5mm wetsuit. Guess I'm saying, for me, warmth of my feet were not an issue.

Next week will be my first to use my new full foot fins. Hope my feet don't hurt climbing up the ladder!

 

[Dave Dillehay]

One last comment, then Im done. If virtually every DM in Cozumel is wearing full foot fins…should that not tell you something?

Dave Dillehay
Aldora Divers

 

[ggunn]

One last comment, then Im done. If virtually every DM in Cozumel is wearing full foot fins…should that not tell you something?

Dave Dillehay
Aldora Divers

Are you talking just to me or to everyone who uses open backed fins?