foot pocket problem

[jacques shuran]

Hi everybody!

i have a bit of a problem. i bought cressi gara 3000 bi fins two years ago and i'm well happy with them. the footpockets fit perfectly (on a bare foot) and are very comfortable. a while ago i bought 5mm neoprene socks so i'd be more comfortable diving during the winter. however i can't put my fins on while wearing those socks, they just won't fit!
so, i'm planning on buying new pair of 2mm neoprene socks or maybe even 1 mm if i get to find them.
so i guess my question would be, has anyone had a simmilar problem, 'cause i'm worried they won't fit again? and has anyone got any ideas how to fix the problem, is there any way to make putting fins on easier (except using the soap)???

Thank You All in advance--- advices i find within this comunity are most helpful!
:wave

jaq

 

[hteas]

How tight are the fins barefoot?
If they are tight, you may have to buy fins with a larger footpocket, or change brand for winter.
I use Imersion E-greens during the winter (44-46), since they have very large footpockets and are easy to get on, even when the air is well below freezing. During the summer I use Dessault footpockets (44-46) with SpecialFins fiberglass blades. They are more difficult to get on, but stay on well. I like that they are a much stiffer footpocket, so like to use them when its warm.

 

[jacques shuran]

hi

well, they're not too tight, i get them on really easy, but they're tight enough so that they can't just fall off while diving.:head
well, having two sets of fins would be great, but i'm a little tight on budget at this time. maybe i'll manage to save up to buy a monofin next year.

i just hopped i'd be able to find a way of putting 'em on even with the thinest socks. :waterwork

tnx

jaq

 

[..Sam..]

Hey,
Bill just had a fantastic suggestion with a similar problem I'm having.
http://forums.deeperblue.com/monofins/83983-stretching-foot-pockets.html

I'm pretty sure that someone has done this to a pair of garas as well. I'll have a search and get back to you.

 

[jacques shuran]

Hi Sam!

thanks for the reply.
i really like bill's idea, if i got it right you'd end up having a footpocket similar to the one on c4 carbon fins

http://www.c4carbon.com/util/cyloadimage.aspx?album=mustangVGR&img=15.jpg&w=0&h=0

i'm kind of affraid to make any big interventions on them right now so i think i'll stick with what you've said "Or just live with it." :friday
at least till i find a safer solution, if i find one.

tnx again

jaq

 

[..Sam..]

Yeah it would be good if it worked. There was someone that has done it with a pair of garas but I just can't find the thread....

 

[jacques shuran]

Yeah it would be good if it worked. There was someone that has done it with a pair of garas but I just can't find the thread....

someone actually did it???
i'll look for it too. if you find it first please send me the link via PM or as a post. i'd be most grateful!rofl

tnx

jaq

 

[..Sam..]

It was a long time ago I saw it, I've gone through pretty much all the posts about gara 3000s and had no luck but have a look. If anyone else can find it or remember it that would be handy.

 

[apneaboy]

5mm socks would compress massively at depth and if you stretched the foot pockets they may even losen enough to come off.

If you have an old pair of socks cut the toe ends out, use them as two pairs of socks then.

The first pair will be socks with no ends in them, slip the neoprene over the top of the pocket keeping your ankles warm. Sometimes you can use the toe ends to keep your toes warm if they fit too, the garas let water in at the toes don't they. Normally with good fitting fins there wont be that much water get in so shouldn't get too cold.

Hope that helps. I just used an old pair of neoprene socks for this but helps in winter.

Also if you do use lubrication to put them on, i'd advise fin retainers cos the same lubrication helps the come off again

 

[jacques shuran]

Hope that helps. I just used an old pair of neoprene socks for this but helps in winter.

hi

yeah, that's a great idea. i think i'll try that one out before i do an intervention on my fins.
after all the water isn't to cold in the winter here, but it gets cold enough for foot cramps to kick in.:crutch

well, i guess it's all up to improvisation!:martial

Thanks for the great advices!! :friday

jaq