bifin experiment

[hteas]

I tried an experiment with my fins recently that I want to share. I use SpecialFins Bluewater Specials in warm water (mostly Hawaii). I have Omer footpockets and Dessaults that I can use with them. I put one blade in the Omer footpocket and the other in the Dessault, just to find out what the difference really is. I tried them out at one of the local pools. I also took along one of my Esclapez (Imersion) greens just to add some spice to the test.
I started out with the fiberglass blades. I tried the Omer footpocket on one foot and the Dessault on the other. I could feel a minor difference in resistance. The stiff Omer footpocket was stiffer than the medium stiffness Dessault. I then changed them around and found the same effect. What surprised me was that by the end of 50 yd I felt as comfortable that way. My legs adjusted very quickly to whatever combination i ws using. I then tried one fiberglasss blade with one Esclapez fin. Again I could tell the difference, but it was not significant. I kept changing the combinations around for the rest of the hour and, while I could feel a difference, I was unable to come up with a difference that was significant enough to choose one combination over another.
I guess the bottom line really sucks. My read is that the details of the fins you use are less important than many of us think, killing a perfectly good excuse for more pairs.
But at least there are still differences that really do matter. My Esclapez footpockets are large enough to use 5 mm socks and be comfortable. I can wear the Omer or Dessault footpockets with 3 mm socks, but the thicker 5 mm ones cut off too much blood flow for up here in winter, leaving me hobbling up out of the water in numb feet.
IMHO Comfort is number 1, followed at length by performance and then by price
Howard

 

[Jon]

I've used Specialfins medium kelpies in both OMER and Sporasub pockets and found a pretty big difference in stiffness between the two footpockets. It was so noticable that Hard blades in Sporasub pockets felt easier to kick than Medium blades in OMER pockets.

I find that I can wear thicker socks with OMER footpockets than with Sporasub pockets. Esclapez have the biggest footpockets of any fin I've ever owned. I no longer use Esclapez fins for free diving, but I do have a pair of Openheel Esclapez fins that I use with my drysuit for scuba.

My current favorites are Mustang 30's. I can lace them up tight in the summer to wear with running socks or take the laces out in winter to fit my 6mm socks in them with ease.

Jon

 

[hteas]

Jon,
It wasn't the difference in stiffness that I noticed, it was that I adjusted to either stiffness by the end of 50 yds.
Yes, the Oners are stiffer, and I thought I'd prefer them. The surprise was that I was happy with either so quickly. I ws really surprised that I was as comfortable with the Esclapez as with the fiberglasss. I guess the next attempt will be to try the same experiment next summer offshore. It may make more of a difference wien diving to 55 - 60 ft.
I've wondered about the Mustangs, but am not in a position to try them out at the moment. I guess I'll have to leave that up to someone else
Howard

 

[strangelove]

Jon,
I guess the next attempt will be to try the same experiment next summer offshore.

Good idea, pools test are good but not conclusive, I've remember testing my hybrids in the pool, they felt just OK, in the ocean the really impress me.

 

[davewastaken]

wat are the Esclapez like performance wise? they look like a nice fin

 

[hteas]

Dave,
the Esclapez fins are middle of the road. They are for spearfishing and long recreational dives where you will spend more time swimming on the surface than going vertical. Pretty much bombproof too. That's how the Imersion webpage describes them, and I agree.
It's too bad that most stores carry only the black version, as that combines a really stiff blade with soft footpocket. To me they feel like planks connected to my feet with small bungies or rubber bands. With the softer green blades, the footpockets affect performance much less. You can really feel the progressive nature of the blades when diving with them. A light kick is easy, as the end of the blades are quite flexible, and as you push harder they get harder to push. It's difference from stiff blades, where they are hard to push no matter how hard or gently you push on them.
I've been to a little over 20 m with them and had no trouble getting back. My only complaint is that the plastic blades get much stiffer as water temperature drops toward freezing.
The other complaint some may have is the really big footpocket. I want the size since I use 5 mm socks with them to keep my toes warm. They're the only footpocket I've used that allow the big socks without cutting off the blood to my feet.
Howard

 

[hteas]

Strangelove,
I'm glad you think so. I was planning to use you as one of the guinea pigs for the offshore test. Cape Resurrection next July.

 

[flying_spanner]

wat are the Esclapez like performance wise? they look like a nice fin

I've just upgraded out of my Esclapez green's into a pair of C4 Flap blades (mediums) with Omer Foot Pockets.

My old Esclapez Greens have been a very reliable, easy to use fin. I have managed a 125m dynamic with them, and the deepest I've dived is 32m.

It'll be interesting for me to see if my distances/depths make any improvements once I get used to the new fins.

Although I'm going on a 9 day training camp with a heap of really expereinced freedivers, and am hoping to learn a thing or two from them. So that should help those distances etc also.

 

[davewastaken]

ah interesting stuff guys, ta for the responses. i recently bought a pair of picasso team blacks which seem to b highly recommended in the spearing world and the foot pockets fit me nicely with 3mm socks atm. i both spear and freedive and so far i love em