Fin selection for beginners

[MKDVR]

I've narrowed my search down to a few fins that seem to fit my price range and are available in my area. Gara HF, OMER Millenium green, and Sporasub. I know the Gara is supposed to have a softer pocket but other than that don't know much about the differences between them.

If it helps I'm a small guy. 5'7, 132lbs., and guess about a size 8-8 1/2. I don't do much surface swimming....anymore. Also, the idea of using socks with your fins is new to me. I have no idea about this except to help prevent blisters. Why wouldn't a thick wool sock suffice and/or what are my options? Thanks guys.

 

[iceselkie]

Hi! I just wanted to add, the waterway fins are nice too, if you're looking for something in this price range. whereabouts are you? north america? canada? http://www.finswimworld.com/
i use ww's and my husband uses garas. we get our 3mm socks from MEC, they're pretty cheap and sooo much more comfortable then bare feet.

 

[JPPLAY]

Socks help keep everything warm not just your feet. The best thing you can do is to find some freedivers or spearfishers in your area and try a few fins out. I can suggest the fins I use but they not be for you or fit you right. If you have to just order in tell us if your feet or wide or narrow then we can give you an idea but basically it going to be some guess and check.

 

[Alison]

I'm no fin expert but I have owned the gara's and the milleniums. The gara's are without doubt a more comfortable fin to wear but they are a lot stiffer than the milleniums and are quite hard work on the surface but they are very good IMO at getting you up and down in the water (which I suppose is the point for freedivers). The milleniums are much less comfortable but not uncomfortable by any means (with socks) and a lot softer making them very easy to swim on the surface and still efficient at getting you up and down but not as good as the gara's. Something that Ive noticed is the milleniums are much more difficult to get on my feet than the gara's too I would say that the gara's are a good no nonsense freediving fin whereas the milleniums are better suited to spearfishing, both are good fins and you'll be happy with either one of them
Hope that doesnt make matters worse