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First Mono?

Thread Status: Hello , There was no answer in this thread for more than 60 days.
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That's a great offer Jon. Alas though, my Omer Ice fins are 44-46 and I would rate the fit as snug (size 10.5-11 shoe). In fact they fit tighter than my sporasubs in the same size. It's possible I could wear them with a 3 mil sock. And now that I think of it they might very will fit my daughter. Let me give that some thought!
 
Great information here in this thread, I am also trying to locate the perfect monofin that balances speed/performance and comfort- and most of all budget. I once saw a custom finblade that was notched like a whales tail. Looked quite nice.
 
I've never owned a closed heel mono and I've always sort of shunned them.

But I'm thinking of getting one now for purely recreational diving. The performance difference is there, but it's not big enough to justify the pain of wearing the Flyer I now use :) The flyer is great for a couple of deep dives, but in a session where you may have to swim a little to get to the dive spot and maybe spent an hour or two in the water - it is sheer agony.

So my recommendation for purely recreational purposes would propapbly to go with closed heel. It's comfortable, warm, easy to put on (don't even get me started with the flyer - better have some lube with you), functions reasonably well, is durable, easier to get the right fit (or rather, even if it's not absolutely right, it still won't destroy your will to live).

I view the difference a bit like do you have a smoothskin wetsuit or nylon lining in the outside. I've gone with the nylon so far, simply for comfort reasons. I don't have to worry about climbing rocky shores or be extra careful when I put it on. Simply throw it on and go diving. Sure it has limitations, but I view it as a better compromise than an ultra teary suit...

Anywho, if you're the least bit interested in performace oriented diving, especially pool things and looking forward to honing your technique in those long winter nights...Then I'd look into open heel.

But better yet, if your budget allows, get both! One for pool/training and one for fun diving...

A good fitting Andronov type would probably be the best (is it called semi-closed or something like that). But damned, if you know where to get one a) reliably (you get what you order, not for example 3 sizes smaller and completely wrong stiffness) b)for a reasonable proce c)without 6 months waiting and fluent skills in russian, let me know :)
 
I have a Leaderfin Carbon Mono with wings and full foot omer foot pockets...(i also went for slightly larger dimension blade from standard due to weight and height)

I use this weekly soley for recreational freediving, and it is an ambassador of comfort!! I could sleep in it, and probably would if my other half didnt stop me rofl

If its purely recreational....In my opinion for what its worth you would be mad not to get full foot pockets...i have spent all day in the sea with them, and they have still been as comfortable as at the start of the dive as at the end. For me with open heel the opposite is true, very uncomfortable after 15 mins or so...which is fine if you just going up and down a line with rest periods in between.

The only thing that i have noticed is that with the 'wings' you do get a spooning effect which is great for effieciency and a powerful stroke, but sometimes it can 'thud' if you acellerate quickly which can scare fish off, so you have to go for a smaller more gentle stroke if your trying to get really close....

I must also say that leaderfins were exceptionally helpful, and quick to deliver.

Im no expert but this is what i have found.....

Pelagicbeing

Me and my mono :inlove
 
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