crushed toes in a monofin

[Raffy]

Hello there,

This question will identify me as a newbie right off the bat. Certainly I can get a little too enthusiastic about freediving and new gear.

Recently, I bought a Mat Mas "Macotte" monofin, which was recommended for beginners, since it is a soft monofin. This is, of course, after training in the monofinning motion with short fins.

I tried it out for the first time yesterday in a swimming pool. I can swim with it, but the footpockets are killing my toes, or rather, just the big toes on both feet. The first undulation is always the worst. :blackeye

The footpockets are supposed to be the right size, and I tried on the footpocket (without a fin attached) in a spearfishing/dive shop with an expert before placing an order. The footpockets are the right length for my foot, but it feels like there is a hard wedge that just crushes the tips of those big toes.

Not sure what to do about this. Should I wear a half-sock, or will this crush my toes even more? Should I try to modify the inside of the footpocket around the big toe area? Any advice would be welcome.

Thanks,

Raf

 

[efattah]

Hi Raf,

I have the same problem with a different monofin. I think the best method is to try to modify the footpocket.

The first thing I will try is to use a dremel (power tool) to 'bore' the inside of the footpocket and remove material in the offending area.

If this fails, I will get more drastic, and drill a big hole in the offending area and then 'patch it up' with latex or something on the outside.

 

[Raffy]

Thank you Eric,

I thought at first that this solution would be too drastic, but the rubber footpocket is quite thick and could probably keep its integrity if I shave off a bit on the inside around the toe. I'll see if I can get my hands on a dremel out here and we'll see how it goes.

If the drastic measures are needed (drilling a hole), I know someone here who makes custom made wetsuits, and who can probably come up with a great solution for the patch.

I'll let you know how it goes.

Best regards,

Raf

 

[Raffy]

Hi Eric (and anyone else who has experienced the same problem),

So here's how it went. I didn't have the tools to modify the footpocket myself, so I took it to a cobbler, who said that it would be a difficult job and that he couldn't guarantee that the fin would be usable afterward using the tools he had on hand. I decided to try something else.

I returned to the shop where I bought the monofin, and they recommended that I try out the half-socks made by Mat Mas for their footpockets. It seemed like a completely counterintuitive solution, but it worked.

Either the socks pushed my toes out of the crushing zone, or distributed the pinch more evenly among all of my toes. Not really sure what the socks did, but I was was able to swim for half an hour with the monofin in a swimming pool before my feet got tired.

I'm very happy with the monofin now, and well aware that the proper technique will take lots of practice, but that's a subject for another post...

All the best,

Raf

 

[dimitris33]

Get a Xenofit second skin, put a little (like toothpaste) on your feet and lube them up down back and forth, put on monofin and go.

Xenofit saved my feet.

 

[Binfins]

you should use a special socket. it will be more confortable. or buy a bespoke monofin. take a look in our shop: www.binfins.com. we make it customized.
bye
riky