Cressi Gara Pro vs Cressi Gara Pro LD

[Obelix]

Hi All,

Looking to upgrade from Cressi Reaction Pro to long fins.
Spending way too much energy to get to 10m + with these fins.

The Reaction Pro are extremely comfy fins, and I would like to stick with the same foot pocket.
I had a look at Gara Pro LD - but I'm a bit afraid that they may be too soft for me ( Being a big guy - 193cm/100kg).

Anyone had a chance to experience both fins?

Also, is there a difference between Gara Pro and Gara Pro LD?
The "Pro" model blade is black, the LD is grey.

Looking forward to your advice

 

[vinnie]

Hi! I have the Cressi Gara Modular LD. You might want to consider buying them instead of the ones you mentioned as it will let you upgrade to carbon blades if needed. I'm a beginner so got the LD ones as they're supposed to be softer than non LD fins. Also, the softer the blade, the less likely you are to disturb fish around you. I guess it's the same between Gara Pro and Gara Pro LD. I like them, the only think I don't really like is the foot pocket: they're so large that I have to wear 3 mm socks with them

 

[Obelix]

Thanks Vinnie
The foot pocket Of Gara Pro LD is exactly the same as in the Reaction Pro - actually quite comfy for me (46/47)
Went to the shops again - the blade seems too soft for me. Wonder if they still make the non-LD Gara Pro.

 

[Nathan Vinski]

This is just my opinion, although I think it' well founded.. but plastic long fins are actually very inefficient. They are too stiff (even the softest plastic long fins are too stiff) to maintain proper technique and the blades reaction is too slow to offer any significant propulsion from the flexing of the blade. My first fins were plastic long fins and they ruined my technique and it took a huge effort And a lot of work with short training fins to correct the bad habits that I had. The cressi reaction pro, and similar sized fins are actually better and easier for a beginner to use and progress with until the eventual change to glass or carbon fins.

If you feel like you're spending way too much energy to get to 10m with medium length fins that's entirely due to technique. Longer plastic fins will only make the technique worse and the actual energy spent will be higher, both due to the effort needed to move the blade through the water. I've taken tiny training fins to 30m overweighted by 1kg a few years ago when I was just starting off and my PB was only 32m.

 

[Obelix]

Thanks Nathan,

Probably need to mention that I'm not completely new to long fins.
I do have a pair of long (plastic) Cressi Gara Rondine (earlier model).
These are pretty stiff, and they work , much better for me on a deeper water when compared to the Reaction Pro.

I just cant' use them, as the foot pocket is extremely uncomfortable. It takes the skin from my feet in under 20 minutes of diving, and compresses foot bones to a very painful state so I only used them 3-4 times since I bought them.
I also had a pair of soft long fins before which didn't work for me at all. It was just a lot of commotion without any propulsion.

Of course, I'm only talking about plastic blades. Don't think I'll stretch the budget to carbon fins, as ideally, I would spend under AU$200 for a pair.

 

[Obelix]

After trying on the Gara 3000 and Gara Modular, I purchased Gara Modular with plastic blades. The foot pocket was more comfortable.
The blades seem medium soft - which should be perfect. If not, it's modular, so I'll be able to replace the blades.
Vinnie and Nathan - thanks for your advice. Appreciated.