Fin Fit

[oneoldude]

Ok, I have been out of the loop for a long time. I am old, out of shape and have lost all technique. I plan to do some pool training and perhaps some hookah diving until I shape up. I have a lot of work to do and I need some fins to get started.

After researching the net I have concluded any of the following fins should be about ideal as “training wheels”: Mares Plana Avanti Tre; Ocenic Carib; and Aeris Velocity. While I know that I should try the fins out before buying, that is not an option. None of these fins are sold in my area so I must buy from the net.

Fit is crucial. I do not want foot cramps or blisters. Been there, done that, did not like it. To avoid those problems, in the past, I went to open heel fins with booties. Now I am looking at full foot fins, so I am asking for advice on fit. I know that different manufacturers have different standards for their described sizes and hope someone can direct me.

My foot size is a 10.5 with a high arch and a bit of extra width. A normal 10.5 is tight and an 11 is a tad sloppy in shoes. The manufacturers describe sizes for their fins as: Mares Tre 9.5-10.5 or 11-12; Oceanic 10-11; and Aeris 10.5-11.5. Any suggestions as to which might be a good fit for me? Indeed, any suggestions at all will be helpful, including my choice of “training wheels”.

Thanks

OOD

 

[quasimoto]

others will probably be able to give you better advice on what you asked for, but my suggestion is that if there are any fins that are in your area, to try them out and see how you like the fit on them, and to possibly buy them. It really is much better to try them on yourself, because what will fit one person fine may not be comfortable for another, even if they have the same shoe size, since their feet are all different shapes as well as sizes. You can also modify your footpockets when you get your fins if they arent to your liking, by soaking them in extremely hot water and putting something in the pocket to get the desired change while it cools.
hope that helps
rory

 

[DeepThought]

Hi old dude.
Can't help you with fin fitting, but I think you might have missed something imporant.
Those are SCUBA fins you are speaking of that CAN be used for snorkeling/freediving, but those are not freediving fins. I suggest you should get long fins from the start, just make sure the baldes are soft. It's a whole different world and if it is freediving(/spearfishing) that you intend to do, freediving equipment will work best.

 

[mjacobs]

Old dude, We seem to have the same size foot. I'd recommend full foot freediving fins in european size 44-46 with 5mm booties. If that is too tight go to 3mm booties. You will need booties or neoprene socks anyway if you ever dive cold water. You can get or make cut below-the ankle booties or socks for warm water if you don't want the funny "white sock" tan lines. Softer fiberplastic fins from manufacturers like OMER, XXOne, Matrix or Specialfins would not only be soft enough for starting back up but also ideal for shallow to medium depths and surface swimming once your comeback is complete.
Mark