new pair of fins

[spearheads]

I am currently using a pair of imersion aluminate fins but i have found them to stiff and surface swimming is pain full i get cramp swimming after 5 mins of using them. can any one recommend a good pair of fins carbon or plastic fins. Also are carbon fins easy to snap. Some fins i think that look quite good are the omer millenium ,omer bats, and the apneasub power blades. Any suggestions or comments.

[Ron S]

If you're looking for a softer fin that's outstanding for surface swimming, look at the Cressi Gara 3000 LD. The "LD" stands for "long distance". They're my first pair of long fins, but I tried the Cressi 2000 first, which is a stiffer plastic fin. I found the 3000LD much easier to swim with, but still amazingly efficient.
As a comparison, there are two bothers I dive with. They're both much younger and in much better shape than I am. One uses the Cressi 2000, the other uses another very stiff plastic fin. On our last two dives, both with long surface swims and numerous shallow dives, not only did I swim longer and faster, but at the end of the days, they were both spent and had leg cramps. I wasn't tired, and never experienced cramping. Gotta be the fins, because they've got me beat in everything else...
Ron.

[spearheads]

Lots of people seem to like these gara fins on deeper blue.

,sounds like a good choice.

[scottie3030]

i was going to buy some gara's the weekend but they didnt have my size and i forgot my normal crappy fins so i came home and ordered some omer ice fins from www.apnea.co.uk should be here friday ill let you no what there like!

[spearheads]

i dont no why but i just dont like the look of the ice fins.

[scottie3030]

They are a bit strange a bit like me there the first pair of long fins ive bought and they got to be better than the crappy yellow things some numpty sold me! there so bright my girlfriend can see me 100yrds off shore and all the fish i see wear sun glasses this cant be normal

[Old Man Dave]

Lots of people in the UK have had trouble with plastic bladed fins. They don't seem to last too long in our cold water. The ICE fins seem to have a different sort of plastic and are guarenteed 3 years. I've seen a lot of other plastic fins including LD's crack in only one or two seasons. I'm sure there will be people who disagree and say they have had plasic fins since Noah was a boy but that's been my experience. The GRP blades are good but quite expensive and don't be tempted with too stiff a set. Carbon is good and very expensive and too specialised for 99% of divers.

Best fins I've tried are the ones I use all the time now - ICE 3's. Don't know anyone who's got a bad thing to say about them except maybe they're too soft for deep, deep dives.

Dave

[LachlanWA]

I have seen stress fractures happening in the gara 3000 series, but that was on a freediving instructor's fins, so we're talking seriosu hammering here. He told me that the gara 2000 HF's do not suffer the same problem, however this was in the balmy waters of thailand, so you never know.

[Murat]

for composite fiber go for XX1 they are just great but for same amount of money you could buy omer rekord 3 carbons which is slightly better.

[GreekDiver]

I'm extremely happy with my rekords. I was using special fin hybrids before that.

[strangelove]

GreekDiver

What is the main difference between the Hybrids and Rekord, I assume you had the stiff hybrids, are the rekords softer or stiffer ? Do you do any surface swiming.

[GreekDiver]

Originally Posted by strangelove

GreekDiver

What is the main difference between the Hybrids and Rekord, I assume you had the stiff hybrids, are the rekords softer or stiffer ? Do you do any surface swiming.

They are the hards. Rekords are just a better fin. They are more efficient and way better on surface. Hybrids hards feel heavy on your feet compared to Rekords. You get off the bottom at 80 ft no problem with Rekords and it doesn't feel like you are putting that much stress on your legs. You get off the bottom real good too with Hybrids but it just feels heavier if you know what i mean. I do think the hybrids are extremely durable though and still a good fin. After using a pure carbon fin, i see that they are more superior. Hybrids are a kevlar/composite. I would buy the Rekords over the Hybrids considering they are the same price.

If you have any other questions dont hesitate to ask

[strangelove]

Thanks Greekdiver, it just happens I've bought two pairs of hybrid, one medium and one Hard (Sven's), that was great information you gave me. I have looked into the rekords but I thought they were too long for my type diving, but after reading your post I might rethink that. Am I correct to assume that the rekords are softer than the hard hybrids.

[GreekDiver]

Originally Posted by strangelove

Thanks Greekdiver, it just happens I've bought two pairs of hybrid, one medium and one Hard (Sven's), that was great information you gave me. I have looked into the rekords but I thought they were too long for my type diving, but after reading your post I might rethink that. Am I correct to assume that the rekords are softer than the hard hybrids.

Hybrids are still a good fin. Rekords feel softer but you just move just as quick as hybrids with less effort. Rekords dont feel long at all. Im 5'11. You have to be careful with carbon fins. They are durable but not as durable as a composite/kevlar fin like the hybrids

[strangelove]

GreekDiver

Have you ever try any of the C4's ?

Your post was great, comparing fins is one of the best ways to find what you want (in my opnion), since it is almost impossible to try a fin without buying. I went with the hybrids because of Marwan post and based on what I read about it also I've try the blue water special and was very impressed. But something is always needs to give, you get a more durable fin with the kevlar but is not as good as the carbon, that is what've learn with your post.
I've bought the Bat early this year, it is a very good fin for surface and long distances, but I think I've lost bottom time on deep dives, I've also felt them long , I was always hitting something at the bottom and spoking the fish, the rekord look to be as long as the bat, but you've got me thinking about buying a pair.