fins

[llcooljerome]

hey people first post here.

have liked freediving for a little while now but never got round to learning.
going egypt in august so bought a nice aqualung low volume mask and a snorkel and just need some fins now.

unfortunately only have one scuba shop where i am (oxford) and that is all they do... scuba!!!
so there is no chance of trying on freediving fins so my question is, what fins?? been looking at gara 3000, omer millenium and beuchat mundial.

im a size 9 and have normal/slightly wide feet.

also, i know training is very important so will be actively looking for places to learn.

cheers, jerome

 

[Tony Babowicz]

welcome to DB.
In my opinion, the garas are a very comfortable recreational fin. Especially without boots or socks. They appear narrow, but I have a wide foot and they fit nice. I have omer footpockets and can only wear them with socks as they really tear my feet apart. I have not worn Beuchat fins in several years. My favorite footpocket is now the "captain nemo". Super comfortable and flexible. I have some cheap fiberglass blades in them and they perform better than my c-4's with Omer footpockets.
For knocking around the reef and beach, I choose the garas. Hope I helped your decision.

 

[cdavis]

Ditto on the garas, although foot pocket fit is so individual you have to try'em to be sure. Comparing Beuchat to gara, both are relatively narrow pockets, quite similar, but IMHO the garas are more comfortable, not quite as soft, and more durable. If I was in your place and could not try the fins, I'd go gara 3000LD.

Connor

 

[TomH]

Another vote for the 3000LDs here. They have been my first (and only) pair of long blade fins and they've been great. Very durable, they've survived many club diving trips in the back of the van!

I've got the size 10-11 which I wear with 3mm socks (my shoe size is around 9-10). I've got wide feet as well and they did seem a bit tight across my foot the first few times I used them in the pool, but they are very now comfortable, maybe i've just got used to them. I can wear them for a good few hours and my feet are fine.

It would definetely be worth getting some practice in with them as well if they are your first long fins, mine made make my legs ache quite a bit the first few times I used them!

 

[llcooljerome]

thank you very much for the replies guy!!

all was very helpful.

i dont know if it makes a difference but probably should have said that only going to be using them on holidays so just warm water without socks.

i had a feeling people would favour the garas as theyre so popular.
i was going to go for these anyway but threw the others into the mix as they have interchangable fins and wondered if some people preferred the option?!

cheers, jerome

 

[thedodd]

I have the omer millenium fins and they are known for having a little wider foot pocket. They are very comfotable and durable. Plus if you ever decide to upgrade later there are several companies that make carbon or fiberglass blades for those footpockets.

 

[llcooljerome]

cheers for that info kyle.

yeah definately think its between the gara 3000 and omer milleniums.
first choice was the garas but liking the idea of the interchangeble fins.
i think il pick watever cheapest as im sure they are both good.

cheers people

 

[thedodd]

Here is the link to where i bought mine.

OmerSub "Millennium" Full Foot Free Diving Fins

 

[spaghetti]

I like to buy stuff that you know where it's made. Cressi Gara's have a nice "Made in Italy" label engraved in the footpocket, and this makes for a "plus" in their favour.

Same if it was clearly labelled as made in Spain, made in the Usa or made in France: it would be the same "plus" for me. I want to know who's economy I'm supporting with my money.
What I don't want is to spend it on stuff made where labour fairness is not respected, environment is not respected, fair trade is not respected.
I hate to buy stuff named under european or american brands, and then find out the products are actually made, say, in some f...ing asian fascist regime.
Dive anti-fascist! Dive fair!

My 2 cents.

 

[DafyddRees]

Hey there!

The Garas are fantastic blades without a doubt! Even so I would still consider paying +£30-40 to get a set of blades that are made from a better material (Fiberglass/composite fiber/carbon rather than palstic) as the action is much better! I was abit sceptical as to whether a pair of blades make that much of a difference until I went from a pair of Gara's to some Spierre blades last year. I will not go back to thermoplastic blades as the Spierres provide much more propulsion.

If you get hooked on freediving, it won't be long until your Garas feel outdated and you feel the need to fork out some more $$$ for a new pair! Check out Leaderfins and Captain Nemos perhaps...

Meh, hope it helps!

Daf

 

[thedodd]

well little hung lo chi needs to make money in the sweatshop hes workin in and he did a great job on my Omer's so i guess im feeding poor chinese kids and wearing sweet fins, looks a win win for everybody.

 

[hteas]

Here is an old link to thermoplastic fins versus the more expensive ones. The graphs by Dave Mullins (one of the best around) tell thge story. He hit 118 m at Vertical blue last month!
http://forums.deeperblue.com/general-freediving/75390-cheap-fins-expensive.html

 

[DafyddRees]

I knew as wrote my last post that topic would get linked! Comparing fins is subjective. Someone setting out to prove that they CAN take those blades to absolute ridiculous depths does not show that they are better.

I remember reading that when I wanted to upgrade as, like I said, I was sceptical of whether the performance between the two materials would be noticeable or not.

Anyway, good luck on choosing your first pair mate!
Posted via Mobile Device

 

[cdavis]

OOOweee, can we start a war now?? All in good spirits, of course, but foot pocket and blade selection are highly individual things.

Generalizations: (1) foot pocket fit is more important than anything else (2) stiffness matched to your capacity is very important, soft is, on average, better. (3) there is not a huge difference in distance or depth performance between plastic and carbon/fiberglass blades. (4) the differences in stiffness and "snap", on the margin, can be very significant, especially in the pleasure of using them and how your legs feel at the end of the day. Its easier to find carbon/fiberglass fins that exactly fit your diving style.

Bottom line: For an experienced diver, the difference between plastic and carbon/fiberglass is large, and well worth paying for, but that may not be true for a newbie. If you are just starting, can try the fins and the cost difference is not great, fiberglass is a great option.

In this case: new diver, not planning huge use, warm water, barefoot,can't try the fins, legs not conditioned, stick with the Garas(IMH and biased 0).

Connor

 

[sjurba]

Spaghetti,are you insinuating that the omer stuff is of dubious origin?
Im in need of an upgrade on my fins and is searching the net for info,my local store onely sells scuba stuff so I have to order on the net.
Im facinated by the consept of changeable finblades,posibility of upgrading and being a d.i.y fanatic, probably trying to make some finblades myself..
BUT I do not want to suport an unfair economy!
Any suggestions on choise of footpocket/fin combo in the lower pricerange with potentional for upgrade?

 

[hteas]

Nice response Connor!

 

[vali]

i've just return from dahab
i buy for myself a payr of seac sub SHOUT1000
those are new from seac brand
i simply love them!!!

 

[blueface]

I am very happy with my Beuchat Carbon pros. Very comfortable foot pockets and soft blades. Gentle on the ankles and good propulsion. My friend had a pair of garas and I liked them as well! I would be happy with a pair of garas and they are cheaper than my Beuchats. I just don't know if the plastic blades will wear out and lose snap after awhile.