Hi SJ,
I have a pair of Cressi 2000HF for shore dives which have taken a good beating now,and a pair of Sporasub Carbons for boat and open water dives.If diving in the kelp mostly and walking across rocks etc. and most of your diving is in less than 12m of water,the open heel fins with a pair of good soled booties is the way to go (cost especially).
A shark shield will not tie up in the kelp,they are specially designed to not hook up on reef or other obstacles and are a great piece of mind if you are diving GWS territory and feel like you are watching your back all the time,but each diver has their own preference.
I have a pair of Cressi 2000HF for shore dives which have taken a good beating now,and a pair of Sporasub Carbons for boat and open water dives.If diving in the kelp mostly and walking across rocks etc. and most of your diving is in less than 12m of water,the open heel fins with a pair of good soled booties is the way to go (cost especially).
A shark shield will not tie up in the kelp,they are specially designed to not hook up on reef or other obstacles and are a great piece of mind if you are diving GWS territory and feel like you are watching your back all the time,but each diver has their own preference.