Selecting A Pair Of Scuba Diving Fins
Scuba diving fins should be in the first three items you should purchase once you start taking your scuba diving seriously. The other two bits of dive gear you should invest in are a good mask and a dive computer. We give you a hand in selecting a new pair of scuba diving fins.
A good pair of scuba fins can provide better thrust than most rental fins, making propulsion easier thus reducing effort and providing better air consumption. I recall my first pair of quality fins improving my air consumption by 30%.
One of the first things you need to consider before buying a pair of scuba diving fins is where you will be wearing them the most.
As you will read there will be two types of fins. Open heel and closed heel. If you will be doing any cold water diving you will most definitely require open-heel fins with thicker 5 or 7mm boots. If you will only ever be doing warm water diving then you may be able to use closed-heel fins.
Take your time in selecting a good pair of fins as probably every new diver has experienced, incorrectly can provide some nasty blisters.
OPEN HEEL FINS – Boots
In most cases, open-heel fins require either boots or shoes to be worn with them. It is always a good idea to select your style of boots first before purchasing the fins. Scuba boots or shoes are like a normal pair of shoes. You want something comfortable so that you feel comfortable through a dive. Further, the boots need to suit the waters you will be mostly diving. Boots can be quite simple and mostly come in 3mm, 5mm and 7mm, with thin soft soles or harder boot-style soles. The colder the waters you are diving the thicker the boot you will need, if doing a lot of shore-based diving then a harder boot-style sole is more beneficial.
One of the biggest advantages of open-heel boots is that they can be worn in both cold and warm climates.
Further, a lot of equipment manufacturers will only make their top-end range in an open-heel design.
FULL FOOT FINS
Full-foot fins are made to be worn barefoot and without boots, they can be worn with thin neoprene socks. They fit like a normal shoe would. They are a lot easier to use and are often lighter. Often you will find a lesser range of full-foot fins and tend to be on the lower end of performance. As previously mentioned, because you don’t have the warmth of a boot, closed-heel fins are not appropriate for cold waters.
PADDLE, JET FINS and SPLIT FINS
JET FINS
Jet fins tend to be solid pieces of compressed rubber. Originally designed in the 1950’s some manufacturers still make them the same way today. A favourite with technical divers and dive professionals. They are less popular with new diver given their extra weight. They are often very powerful fins and don’t require a lot of leg movement to get thrust. Their downside is their weight which can be stressful on those with weak knees or ankles and does not make them a good travelling fin. If taken care of there would be no reason why these fins would not last 20+ years. Best fins for frog kicks.
I am biased as when selecting scuba diving fins, I believe they are the best.
It is often said that once a diver wears jet fins they will never go back to another fin again.
PADDLE FINS
Paddle fins a flat blade-type fins. No frills but very popular. Some models are still going strong after being released in the 70’s. A popular fin with professionals, they tend to be lighter than jet fins, provide good thrust and tend to be durable. A crowd favourite.
SPLIT FINS
Basically a copy design on real fish fins. These fins have a split down the middle dividing each fin into two blades. They are reported to provide as much thrust as a blade fin with less effort. Some divers report that they are too floppy in the water (agreed by the writer) and although popular a number of years ago are now less appealing to divers. It is recommended that you try these fins (as with all fins) before you buy. They will not appeal to all divers.
OTHER FINS
Force fins look like a fishtail. Very small and provides good thrust. They tend to be quite expensive and are now very popular with the Navy.
Combination fins. There are a multitude of fins on the market that combine the above. Some are designed with hinges or pivot points.
FINAL SAY
Take your time selecting fins. The same as buying shoes you need to get the right fit. If possible try and use the fins first. A pair of fins should last you many many years and you want to be comfortable with them.
If you are having trouble deciding between open heel (boots) and closed heel, go open heel fins. They are more versatile.
If you look after your fins you will have them for many years. Always rinse them with fresh water, don’t store them until they are dry and always store them flat. Take good care of your fins and they will take good care of you.
All the best and happy scuba diving
