Fins for Wide feet

[scottwilson]

I have size 12 cressi garas, use 3mm socks and have feet like a hobbit

 

[hteas]

Being trained as a scientist, I finally broke down and did some measurements to answer the question at hand with numbers. So, Here is what I came up with. I used a cloth tape, leaving some room for error, but the general pattern should still be good and measured all the fins I have. All but the newer Sporasubs are 44-46. Keep in mind that some footpockets, like the Imersion and old Dessault are quite soft and elastic, while others are hard and rigid, like my new Omers, the 46-48 Sporasubs, and the Picassos.

length width height cross section
old Dessasult 27.7 10.8 1.9 20.6
Dessault HD 28.4 10.2 3.2 32.3
Imersion 29.0 12.1 2.5 30.6
Picasso 27.7 11.4 2.2 24.4
Omer 28.4 10.2 2.9 29.0
Sporasub 29 11.4 3.2 36.3

The Sporasubs are 46-48, so are expected to be larger in cross section. They don't have a country of manufacture, and are slightly different than the Dessault HDs in shape, and they're really stiff. Plus, they don't say Dessault anywhere. Their downfall is the plastic piece the screws attach through. It sticks up into the footpocket so far that it irritates my toes when wearing them.

And the reason I have so many pairs? We're a long way from the nearest freediving shop, and I still haven't found the perfect pair to stick my SpecialFins into. None seem to be really designed for wear with 5 mm socks and wide feet. ; (

Howard

 

[hteas]

Sorry the above is so ahrd to read. it looked a lot better in draft format.

The columns are length, width, height, and cross section. After each fin type are 4 numbers , one for each column. In the draft everything lined up and looked much better than this. Hope everyone can read it.

Howard

 

[alexrom1207]

I do have wide feet and due to this have to pick and choose shoes or else a too tight pair of shoes will cause the same thing. The fins were the correct size but even with socks on they bruised the top of my foot and also rubbed it.

Sounds like the problem may not just be that you have a wide foot but also a high arch. If the fins are too narrow and your foot is too wide you'll get cramps at the front of your foot where it is widest or bruising/rubbing at sides of your feet just behind the toes. If you foot has an unusually high arch you will end up with bruising/rubbing on the top of your foot and maybe cramping at the bottom middle of your foot (due to the pressing down on the arch and the stressing of the muscle there).

It arch and not width or maybe a combination of both is the problem you may want to look for a fin with a softer footpocket rather than one with merely a wide footpocket. You can search to try and find which fins have the softest footpockets (I think I recall reading that the sporasub footpockets are very soft and comfortable) although I'm sure other people will have more experience with a variety of footpockets.

Cheers,
Alex

 

[kja]

length width height cross section
old Dessasult 27.7 10.8 1.9 20.6
Dessault HD 28.4 10.2 3.2 32.3
Imersion 29.0 12.1 2.5 30.6
Picasso 27.7 11.4 2.2 24.4
Omer 28.4 10.2 2.9 29.0
Sporasub 29 11.4 3.2 36.3


Howard

Howard, thanks for that, v interesting. Funnily enough I borrowed a pair of Imersion fins on Saturday and found them to be comfortable, and looking at your measurements they happen to be the widest that you measured, and as you say a soft foot pocket. I have a smaller size foot, 40-42 would be the size I need so I cant measure my feet against above but v useful still to see the measurements of different fins for the same size.

The instructor on my course the other week has suggested I get a fibreglass pair with a softish blade. Given a choice of colours I would opt for black, I dont suppose anyone knows of any Imersion fins that would fit the bill?

(alex, thanks for your comments also, good thinking but I am actually flat footed rather than a high arch, you're definately correct re the softer foot pocket though, as I wrote above I found the Imersion fins to be comfortable)

 

[hteas]

kja,
Not sure of the color or stiffness, but I do know Imersion has glass blades (at least in their catalog). If you don't like the color, paint them. Sand lightly to break the surface slick, and paint them whatever color (or colors) you want. ; )