Much has been written about carbon fins out performing plastic fins.
I have recently had the opportunity to try out some C4 falcons and Omer millenium carbons immediately after removing my cressi hf's.
I realise that you have to get used to the frequencey etc of the fins but i found both sets of carbon fins to be noticeably softer, and producing considerably less thrust than my Cressi's. When i gave either of the carbons a good dolphin or flutter kick they just bent at my toes, more so the Omers. During the down-stroke the Omers actually bent my toes down with the blade. Waiting for a propulsion event when the fin 'snapped back' was a non event. The fins were very light, easy to kick and very slow to return. the cressis bend much less especially not at the toes and the propulsion seemes sustainable with a high power application.
The over bearing sensation that i had after a length or two in the pool was that i would not like to have to turn at 40m with these noodle like fins and attempt to get going up again. I tried the C4's at some depth and found that you had to bicycle them ie kick it and then 'stand up' on the bent blade whilst it slowly straightens to get any sort of action out of it. C4's were smooth with a nice feeling of propulsion on the way down. These carbons to me seem to work only when they dont have to work. Boot them and you are left paddling.
I know many have spent mucho pesos on carbons and im not actacking your purchases so please dont kill me and if i can find some that will perform specially when being punished, so will I. Else i will have to autoclave some up myself.
PS. The cressi's have shallower foot pockets at the heels and this is not nice, requiring me to wear Y's. Nice foot pockets on the carbons, ( both with Omer pockets) Both sets of carbons allowed for surface swimming which you hardly can do with the cressi's.
The worst fins i have ever donned were a set of 'Green' Esclapez where the plastic showed by way of a whitened stress line already at the toes where they flexed. ( a similar feeling to the above mentioned carbons.)
I am 6'1" and weigh 230. Legs are very strong and i put a good wack into my fins at the best of times particularly the dolphin kick at the turn at depth. Any advice here please ?
I have recently had the opportunity to try out some C4 falcons and Omer millenium carbons immediately after removing my cressi hf's.
I realise that you have to get used to the frequencey etc of the fins but i found both sets of carbon fins to be noticeably softer, and producing considerably less thrust than my Cressi's. When i gave either of the carbons a good dolphin or flutter kick they just bent at my toes, more so the Omers. During the down-stroke the Omers actually bent my toes down with the blade. Waiting for a propulsion event when the fin 'snapped back' was a non event. The fins were very light, easy to kick and very slow to return. the cressis bend much less especially not at the toes and the propulsion seemes sustainable with a high power application.
The over bearing sensation that i had after a length or two in the pool was that i would not like to have to turn at 40m with these noodle like fins and attempt to get going up again. I tried the C4's at some depth and found that you had to bicycle them ie kick it and then 'stand up' on the bent blade whilst it slowly straightens to get any sort of action out of it. C4's were smooth with a nice feeling of propulsion on the way down. These carbons to me seem to work only when they dont have to work. Boot them and you are left paddling.
I know many have spent mucho pesos on carbons and im not actacking your purchases so please dont kill me and if i can find some that will perform specially when being punished, so will I. Else i will have to autoclave some up myself.
PS. The cressi's have shallower foot pockets at the heels and this is not nice, requiring me to wear Y's. Nice foot pockets on the carbons, ( both with Omer pockets) Both sets of carbons allowed for surface swimming which you hardly can do with the cressi's.
The worst fins i have ever donned were a set of 'Green' Esclapez where the plastic showed by way of a whitened stress line already at the toes where they flexed. ( a similar feeling to the above mentioned carbons.)
I am 6'1" and weigh 230. Legs are very strong and i put a good wack into my fins at the best of times particularly the dolphin kick at the turn at depth. Any advice here please ?