Fitting full foot freediving fins?

[docgreenfingers]

HELP NEEDED TODAY Boots with full foot freediving fins?

I'm hoping to purchase some freediving fins today or tomorrow. with my cuurent bio split fins I have been wearing a boot. Can I still wear a boot with the new full foot fins? Is this ok? or do I have to wear them bare foot? My feet feel the cold, always have done.

 

[mw1]

Recently I made the move from wearing scuba fins to full foot freediving fins and wondered the same thing. Learned that it would be pretty impossible to find a foot pocket which would work with a boot and keep my foot snug. I ended up getting Mako's fiberglass fins and their 3mm socks. Love the fins and can't believe the difference of using a full fit freediving fin vs. scuba fin...so much less unwanted drag. I've been a little disappointed in the 3mm socks as they are loose around my ankle and I don't think they will be very warm once the temperature drops. So, I recently got some Spetton 5mm socks to use with the same fins. So far so good.

I talked to one free diver around here who warned of using socks greater than 3mm because there is the potential for a lot of compression on a deep dive and the fin to become loose. Figured than since I am using the same foot pocket as with the 3mm socks and the foot pocket is snug with the 3mm socks. Even if the 5mm sock did compress a lot, my foot would still be as snug as with 3mm socks. Granted, it is more difficult to get my fins on with the 5mm socks but I don't mind the extra effort if it means my feet will be warmer.

 

[mista fox]

I like what you did with the five »F« :inlove

 

[fcallagy]

You can get soem models of long fin with an open heel that will take a scuba bootie but you will lose some power transfer. I find a 5mm sock compresses on my foot a bit too much rather than becoming looser so i dont like them for that. Also doc your in Tenerife where if I remember even in winter the water only falls to 16C so you probably dont even need socks. lol

 

[docgreenfingers]

Just been out to buy some fins... Got a great deal on some Mares Razor pro's, inter changeable blades from a smashing shop on Tenerife called ProSub in a place called Guaza. Tried on the Mares Instinct and some Cressi too, but Mares Razor came out on the best fit. Got some 3mm socks to wear with them. Very comfortable. Tomorrow I'll shall test them out. Will give feed back here when I get back.
If your on the Island of Tenerife check ProSub out its a big shop with lots of fab gear and helpful staff.

doc your in Tenerife where if I remember even in winter the water only falls to 16C so you probably dont even need socks. lol

Hey trust me when you have lived here a while the water seems to be colder. Plus I'm getting old and my bones feel the cold. Even night air temperature of 75f gives me goose bumps.

 

[docgreenfingers]

Went to try out my new fins 'Mares Razor Pro's'. Wow what a difference. 'Speed with ease'.
Hardly any effort needed going down. Increased my PB depth straight away too. Really pleased that I got them. Now I feel like I'm a fish.

 

[mw1]

Hi doc,

Great to hear the new fins are working out...I too could not believe the difference in using full foot freediving fins vs. scuba fins. Much more smooth when finning and not all the drag associated with having an open heel.

Once you get the wetsuit you are looking for you will be all set. BTW: although I am new at this; I agree with what tuboludo said in the other thread...Open Cell is definitely the way to go for warmth and comfort. I too would recommend a farmer john style two piece. I got the Mako 5mm open cell farmer john two piece and think is great...very flexible when putting on and off; wrists, feet, and hood seal well; and having it in two pieces allows me to wear only half or all of it depending on water temp.

Below are the water temps I have used it in thus far:
76f -- Wore half the suit...plenty comfortable
71f -- Wore entire suit...a little warm but flushed with water to cool down...no problem
66f-55f -- Wore entire suit...very comfortable for this range...have not warn it colder but the water temps just started dropping around here