H.Dessault foot pockets: are they any good?

[jknrby]

I'm making my own monofin this summer and I've drawn up my designs and me and my physics teacher even made a model on this CAD drafting software. I've got the fiberglass, both bialex and the thinner type, and the epoxy resign.

But I'm missing the foot pockets. I've been browsing through the forums concerning foot pockets and I've seen that the Omer foot pocket is pretty darn good but I don't have 100 dollars to through into a prototype fin.

So I looked around some more and found the H. Dessault foot pockets on scubasworld.com. I haven't seen them mentioned in the forums and was wondering if anyone could give me feedback on them or another type of foot pocket that is better but around the $50 price range.

Any help is appreciated (that's a picture of them below, but there's a link in this post)

 

[Don Paul]

I haven't seen them mentioned in the forums and was wondering if anyone could give me feedback on them or another type of foot pocket that is better but around the $50 price range.Quote: jknrby

I love mine, sometimes I kick them with Carbon med blades for 8 to 10 hrs .
They are a little heavy but can really take a beating, I have a wide foot and use a 45/46. The Pathos pocket is very light and also streamlined.
Cheers, Don Paul

 

[podge]

I’ve got a pair and I rate them highly.
As Don has said they are a little wider than the Omer’s and for me that makes the difference between a comfortable fin and getting cramp after an hour or so.

 

[cdavis]

My preferred pocket. Much softer than Omers, not as soft as Cressi's or Beuchats. They do wear out much faster than Cressi.

Using them as a monofin pocket might not be the perfect idea. There is so much stress on the pocket in that application that a stiffer pocket, like Omer, might be better. Note: I'm no expert in that area.

Connor

 

[jknrby]

So they're good with bi-fins but perhaps not a monofin? Even with added support around the foot pocket area?

 

[Don Paul]

So they're good with bi-fins but perhaps not a monofin? Even with added support around the foot pocket area?

The latest H.Dessault pure latex pocket is very robust, I am a animal on fins and I don't see my 2010 H.Dessault pockets wearing out in 5 years or even 10 with rocky beach dives.

Cheers, Don Paul

 

[jknrby]

Thanks you guys, It's good to hear they are good quality and according to you, Don Paul, they're a pretty good long-term investment.

By the way, do you have any advice on sizing issues? If I'm a size 10 what pocket size should I get?

 

[Don Paul]

Thanks you guys, It's good to hear they are good quality and according to you, Don Paul, they're a pretty good long-term investment.

By the way, do you have any advice on sizing issues? If I'm a size 10 what pocket size should I get?

http://forums.deeperblue.com/monofins/26640-monofin-footpocket-sizing.html

I did a search .. I know there is another thread on the DB about sizing.
http://forums.deeperblue.com/freediving-equipment/70416-shoe-size-conversion-chart.html

Found it.
Cheers, Don Paul

 

[cdavis]

Don, I bought a pair of Sporasub/Dessault pockets about 4-5 years ago. Very nice, but they wore out fairly quickly, heels blew out and the rubber was getting cracked looking.
I just bought a set of Dessault's that feel softer and even more comfy than the older pockets. Recently wore them 3 days straight of hard diving, barefoot, before I needed nylon socks. Are these the pure latex ones?

Connor

 

[Don Paul]

Don, I bought a pair of Sporasub/Dessault pockets about 4-5 years ago. Very nice, but they wore out fairly quickly, heels blew out and the rubber was getting cracked looking.
I just bought a set of Dessault's that feel softer and even more comfy than the older pockets. Recently wore them 3 days straight of hard diving, barefoot, before I needed nylon socks. Are these the pure latex ones?

Connor

Yes, you now have the good ones, the heel rubber is thick but still soft to put on. Out here in Cali the sun/UV can really cook and deteriorate rubber bits. I personally use a Rubber Made 1.5'X 2' tub as my dive gear container. I drill holes and lace tuna cord to suspend my gear around the top edge. When I stow my fins, I place the heel down to shield them from direct long term sun exposure. I have seen some guys fight their way into foot pockets that were too tight as well, pulling on the thin heal with a index finger and cursing..... no way to start a visit to Mother Ocean and a reduced heart rate.

Cheers, Don Paul

 

[jknrby]

That's a really good idea Don, I live in Florida so we have that same sun and heat problem here too. I found an old pair of fins in the cupboard by my pool and the foot pocket ripped the moment I slipped them on, and they weren't even in the sun.