Picking the right fin

[meesier42]

Picking the Right Fin for YOU.
Question: ForceFin makes so many different fins and they are often hard to find in the local stores, how do I pick the right fin for me?

Answer: Forcefin makes many different fins because every diver is different and the wide selection allows each diver to fine tune his/her body, technique, expirience, strengths and weakness to find the best fin for YOU. Rest assured that all of the fins in the ForceFin line carry the same heritage of testing and refinement to make each as good as they can be for their intended purpose. Of course, they also share the trademark footpocket.

The Prime Line of fins are just that Prime. They are purpose designed for the recreational diver and meet the needs of technical and miltary divers around the globe. Just because ForceFin makes the Extra Line (Extra Force and Excellerating Force) they are not neccasarily better for you. The Extra Line are named appropriately, they are extra in every way, they are extra control, extra thrust, extra stabile, but are extra expensive (sorry Bob, but they are, worth every cent, but still expensive).

So to pick the fin for you, lets start with your background. So answer the following questions
1) Are you (or have been) a competitive swimmer
2) How much do you dive?
3) Where do you dive? (ie currents, tropical, cold, penetration)

My basic recommendation for all Divers/swimmers new to the ForceFin line is to start with the basics; the Original or the slightly stiffer and more responsive Pro Fin.
These 2 fins represent all of the characteristics of ForceFin and won't break the bank. Most divers find that one of these fins will do everything they want and don't need to buy more. If you are a competitive swimmer (or simply dive A LOT) the TanDelta maybe a better starting point for you. Of course don't forget the Original Split fin, named the Foil Force. This easy kicker will refresh your mind as you forget about kick and just enjoy the woderful mysteries of the underwater world.

All three of the Original Shaped fins will perform wonderfully, their differences lay not in the strength to use them, but more in the kick frequency that you will use to go a given speed. The stiffer the material the slower your kick frequency will be, but this will also allow greater speed, but of course greater speed requires more leg power, as no fin can overcome the friction of pushing you through the water, and if you remember physics: friction is proportional to the square of speed. I have found that the ProForce is a great comprimise between flex and stiffness to allow me an optimum kick frequency and speed, giving me fantastic endurance to cover ground if I need to. Which is the reason that I highly recommend this fin to all divers.

Once you are fimiliar with the ForceFin Prime lines you may want to evaluate the Extra Line and the Adjustable line.
The Extra Line contains 2 of the best fins I have ever used; the Extra Force and the Excellerating Force

These two are incredible, but beware, incredible or not, they are a lot of fin, and they may be too much for many divers. You can see my previous dicussions on these here.

So that leaves the adjustable line. This is the most diverse line in the catalogue, but these are all pretty much specialist fins. If you need to change your bootie or go to a drysuit boot or go skin, this pocket will do it for you. In this line we have everything from the leg busting MultiForce for in pool workouts, Body boarding shredders RipForce, to the Fishermans friend the Float Tube Fin designed to allow the largest of Wader Boots to be securely held. The final fin to talk about is the Adjustable Force which looks similar to the Float Tube, but remember the Float tube has an oversized footpocket, this is the normal size and will fit dive booties and drysuit boots alike. The Adjustable has the advantage of fitting comfortably to any size boot and even barefoot, with the added advantage that you can add any of the ForceWings to the fin (see ForceWing Thread). Although ANY of the ForceFin line can have the Comfort Insteps added to reduce the size to fit your wetsuit booties. Which is my SOP, I wear XXL fins with my Drysuit boot and slip the instep in to snug up the 3mm wetsuit bootie.

 

[judestudio]

...The final fin to talk about is the Adjustable Force which looks similar to the Float Tube, but remember the Float tube has an oversized footpocket, this is the normal size and will fit dive booties and drysuit boots alike. The Adjustable has the advantage of fitting comfortably to any size boot and even barefoot, with the added advantage that you can add any of the ForceWings to the fin (see ForceWing Thread).

meesier42, thanks for the GREAT post! I've always wanted a Pro FF, but since I can't try before I buy, and I'm intending to use the fins for different boot sizes, it's safer to go for the Adjustable Force. I have a few questions in mind though:

1) The "foot pocket" on the Adjustable Force is only made of a strap, do you see durability and stability problems there?
2) Force Wings - you mentioned in a few posts that the Force Wings help add stability to the fins, and that the "original shaped" fins don't need them. How much of a difference will the Force Wings make to the fins? If I choose not to have the wings, how significant will it affect the efficiency / performance of the Adjustable Force?

 

[meesier42]

meesier42, thanks for the GREAT post! I've always wanted a Pro FF, but since I can't try before I buy, and I'm intending to use the fins for different boot sizes, it's safer to go for the Adjustable Force. I have a few questions in mind though:

1) The "foot pocket" on the Adjustable Force is only made of a strap, do you see durability and stability problems there?
2) Force Wings - you mentioned in a few posts that the Force Wings help add stability to the fins, and that the "original shaped" fins don't need them. How much of a difference will the Force Wings make to the fins? If I choose not to have the wings, how significant will it affect the efficiency / performance of the Adjustable Force?

I personnaly prefer the Pro to the Adjustable for the reasons that you question. This is no problem for me as I use the XXL with my thick booties and Drysuit, then simply stick the Comfort insteps in to size them down to my 3mm wet boots. I don't actually NEED to put the insteps in, just gives me a little more secure fit. This is what I recommend as the Pros with Bungie Straps and a pair of Insteps. With that combo you can't go wrong.

The adjustable will work fine w/o any wings, you don't need them, sure they can make it better, but w/o them you basically just have the Original.

 

[castanagajt]

from Blair's post on adjustable force fins

The Adjustable Force Fin is among the most versatile of the Force Fin Line. We just heard from a customer that for the past 10 years has traveled extensively with a single pair of Adjustable Force Fins. He also travels with his wife, with whom he shares the fin and their young children. He dives while she watches the kids, then she snorkels with the same pair of fins adjust to her size, while he watches the children. After 10 years of use, they decided they wanted a new pair of straps. He was surprised that we still had replacement parts so long after his original purchase. That is the value of buying a product that lasts, from a stable company.

sounds like from this customer's experience that this is his or his families' only force fin and has served him well for 10 years on the same buckles for everyones' uses, that is enough to persuade me that it is reliable. Vortex generators, bungees and force wings attachments if you ever wanted. I would think that it sounds great for your use.

 

[judestudio]

from Blair's post on adjustable force fins

The Adjustable Force Fin is among the most versatile of the Force Fin Line. We just heard from a customer that for the past 10 years has traveled extensively with a single pair of Adjustable Force Fins. He also travels with his wife, with whom he shares the fin and their young children. He dives while she watches the kids, then she snorkels with the same pair of fins adjust to her size, while he watches the children. After 10 years of use, they decided they wanted a new pair of straps. He was surprised that we still had replacement parts so long after his original purchase. That is the value of buying a product that lasts, from a stable company.

sounds like from this customer's experience that this is his or his families' only force fin and has served him well for 10 years on the same buckles for everyones' uses, that is enough to persuade me that it is reliable. Vortex generators, bungees and force wings attachments if you ever wanted. I would think that it sounds great for your use.

True. Lasting 10 years surely convinces me too!

 

[meesier42]

10 years huh... That all... my pros and my Extra TanDeltas are 10 years old at this point,
the only problem with them, the colors have faded some, but they still rock.

 

[castanagajt]

Still reliable. I bet the buckles would cost 50 bucks or so, still cheaper than a set of whiskers. New buckles and the adjustable fin is as good as new just like your pros or deltas are, just like any Force fin.