Fins for newbie?

[Shannon R]

Thank you Mr. X. From checking size charts (but yes not totally reliable!) it looks like maybe you just went one size up, which sounds like you do for boots. I think I should be a 41/42 (and I've had shoes in this size but I may have even fit a 43, as you say it's very tricky!) I'm usually a 10.5 or 11 in women's US, and 9 or 9.5 in mens. So maybe the 43/44 fins would be good if I want to wear 5mm, but maybe I'll only need 3mm, since as you say the fin pocket also provides warmth. All so annoying. I'll just have to buy and try and maybe have to send back for exchange.

Update.. I got my Mew rubber fins at last, size 43/44 with 5mm and they fit perfectly, very comfy and fun to wear! So I'm really happy with these. When i am ready for longer fins i'll probably go with the carbon C4, since then I think the rubber will be too heavy with the Gill long fins.. but not a problem with the shorter. Thanks everyone for the advice!

 

[berta_c]

This is such a great thread...! (although some info much more technical than I can understand as a beginner... ) I'm just wondering if anyone has info/recs for travel fins for recreational freediving, warm water. Till now when traveling I've just been playing around in my Mares Volo Race scuba fins, that I also wear snorkeling - keeping my first-and-only freediving fins (SEAC Motus) for training and practice at home (cold water, 5mm socks). But thinking about taking some travel-freedive fins w/me next trip to the tropics... does anyone know anything about "Deep Dive Xtasy Goliath Travel Carbon Fins?" (on sale at Freediver Shop right now...) They don't have much in the way of travel fins... anywhere else I could look? (I'm truly a beginner, max 15 m right now...) Thanks so much! Berta

 

[7BDiver]

Berta, there seems to be a bit of development with these shorter style fins and not just for traveling purposes. The Alchemy V3 Pro fins are fairly short as well and the compact design still delivers great performance. The blade is some 20" (520mm). I think the style of fin will still do well for most types of diving. I would look into a brand that does nice light fins and has a reputation for working particularly well for women. Cheap snorkeling fins are always fun, just depends how much use you expect to get out of them for the price. Regards

 

[berta_c]

Berta, there seems to be a bit of development with these shorter style fins and not just for traveling purposes. The Alchemy V3 Pro fins are fairly short as well and the compact design still delivers great performance. The blade is some 20" (520mm). I think the style of fin will still do well for most types of diving. I would look into a brand that does nice light fins and has a reputation for working particularly well for women. Cheap snorkeling fins are always fun, just depends how much use you expect to get out of them for the price. Regards

Thanks so much, 7B! - I'll definitely check out the Alchemy V3s. (My Mares Volos are 66 cm stem to stern, including the foot pocket - which is the max total length that will fit in my bag - so for the V3s I guess it will depend how much extends beyond the blade itself...)
And can you say more about what goes into a fin "working well for women"? Is it a size thing, or a strength thing? (I'm 6' tall and wear a 42-43 shoe, so - though I am female - in most cases I find men's gear actually works better for me...?) Thanks for your time -

 

[7BDiver]

Berta, overly large and bulky fins/foot pockets are not efficient and can be the difference between fun dive and a struggle Generally women are lighter than their counterparts and thus lighter equipment goes a long ways. Carbon fins compared to glass fins would be noticeable where a 6' man would not care as much. But back to the main point, most brands have significant differences in shape and material of the foot pockets even though there are more common design these days. The foot pocket construction/material is going to be a bit more critical if you don't plan to use your 5mm socks. Maybe it's anecdotal but looking at women competitive divers compared to men that spearfish there are very different preferences and each design likely caters to the demographic that provides more sales. Many reviews are promotional but there is always more in-depth reviews to find. It is hard to figure out what body types fit certain equipment better but the information is out there. How do you like you current fins, what would you change for what you are looking to do with different fins?

 

[berta_c]

Berta, overly large and bulky fins/foot pockets are not efficient and can be the difference between fun dive and a struggle Generally women are lighter than their counterparts and thus lighter equipment goes a long ways. Carbon fins compared to glass fins would be noticeable where a 6' man would not care as much. But back to the main point, most brands have significant differences in shape and material of the foot pockets even though there are more common design these days. The foot pocket construction/material is going to be a bit more critical if you don't plan to use your 5mm socks. Maybe it's anecdotal but looking at women competitive divers compared to men that spearfish there are very different preferences and each design likely caters to the demographic that provides more sales. Many reviews are promotional but there is always more in-depth reviews to find. It is hard to figure out what body types fit certain equipment better but the information is out there. How do you like you current fins, what would you change for what you are looking to do with different fins?

Ha! Oh dear... I *did ask, didn't I? Thank you so much - seriously, thank you - for taking tbe time to lay it all out. At this stage, I have absolutely no idea... so maybe til I'm more advanced I'll just frolic in blissful ignorance and my comfy- barefoot rubber Mares

 

[7BDiver]

That's where I am limited, always diving in cold water wearing thick socks and using cheap foot pockets. I would love to be remotely near dive shops to try on some of the nice fins and see which ones really fit nice but no such luck in northern Idaho. Perhaps one day I will get around to going to a dive show. Would be better than learning the hard way with $$$. Do you have long fins with interchangeable blades? Might be a means have a training and travel set.

 

[berta_c]

That's where I am limited, always diving in cold water wearing thick socks and using cheap foot pockets. I would love to be remotely near dive shops to try on some of the nice fins and see which ones really fit nice but no such luck in northern Idaho. Perhaps one day I will get around to going to a dive show. Would be better than learning the hard way with $$$. Do you have long fins with interchangeable blades? Might be a means have a training and travel set.

Oof, N Idaho...hi, Seattle here! Good idea to check on switching blades - the only problem is, when I head south to warm water I'll need smaller/more comfy footpockets (I *could switch out blades on my SEACs, but they're sized for 5 mm socks (Puget Sound , and I want to be barefoot in my travel fins ...)
The only dive shop in Seattle that will have anything at all to do w/freediving (Lighthouse, in Lynnwood) recommended the SEACs to me as good sturdy beginner fins (which they are) - but it's a small shop, mostly geared to cold-water scuba, & a few spearos, and - wonderful as they are - they don't have much inventory.
A dive show! That would be amazing... also very dangerous