Just got my specialfins, few problems

[Rmichaelson86]

Please disregard any stupid question, I may ask a few :duh:.

Foot size: about 9.5
Socks: 5mm Picasso
Fins: 42/44 Picasso Team Fins (good fit)

Here is the dilemma. I have been in contact with Mike Damms at Florida
Freedivers, and he ordered me the Specialfins freediving stereofin
pro's (Blades only).
I told Mike to pop the Specialfins into 42/44 Omer footpockets. I get
the fins yesterday, the footpockets are 40/42. Bummer. I try the fins
on with my socks, and I can squeeze my feet in, barely. They are very
tight, no extra room, but my feet are in the pockets.


Will these smaller footpockets work (40/42)? I can't really hop in the water if I plan on returning the footpockets. To test them out, I've had the fins on my
feet for about 10 minutes and they feel tight, my feet don't hurt, but it is uncomfortable.

Do the specialfin blades fit into Omer footpockets perfectly?
The fit doesn't seem snug when compared to my Picasso fins (where the footpocket holds the side of the blade, seems more flimsy when compared to the picasso).

(I apologize for the weird format, don't know what happened)
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[GreekDiver]

mine fit fine Specialfin hybrids hards with omer footpockets and 3 mil sock

 

[strangelove]

GreekDiver

How do you like your hybrids ?

 

[GreekDiver]

i think they are great. They are pretty durable (over a year old) and have plenty of kick when you are real deep. They get me off the bottom no problem at 80ft. I dont have many fins to compare too though. I have some omer rekords on the way so then i can compare. I love lots of toys.

From what i hear, they say carbon fins are superior. We will see.

 

[SanderP]

Hey Rmichaelson86!

Will these smaller footpockets work (40/42)?

If you feel uncomfortable, then definetly no. You should exchange them for larger ones if possible. If you plan to spend several hours straight in the water with these fins, then the comfort of the footpockets is priority number 1!

Do the specialfin blades fit into Omer footpockets perfectly?

Actually, they should. The SF blades are especially made to fit the OMER Millenium footpockets.

 

[Rmichaelson86]

Hey Rmichaelson86!

If you feel uncomfortable, then definetly no. You should exchange them for larger ones if possible. If you plan to spend several hours straight in the water with these fins, then the comfort of the footpockets is priority number 1!Actually, they should. The SF blades are especially made to fit the OMER Millenium footpockets.

They're sending the larger size footpockets, the 40/42 won't work I don't think. It's a bit of a bummer, I was ready to use these fins.

I don't have a freediving buddy or a shop that carries any full footed fins even.. I have never seen anything like these specialfins, extremely thin material that LOOKS like it would snap. I can't wait to get in the water with these... I also purchased a Rob Allen weight belt.

If anyone in the US wants to order specialfins, do it through FLFreedivers.com. Mike Damms has been a great help and he was able to get me what I wanted quickly.

 

[Marwan]

hi i have special fins hybrids, they also fit the sporasub footpockets, i like the sporas very much they ae much more comfortable than the omer for me at least... DEfinitely do not dive with uncomfortable fins, you will hate them and they are great fins, best thing would be to buy/exchange the footpockets....
dont worry about them snapping they are very durable, but that doesnt mean that you become careless using them
cheers and enjoy !

 

[strangelove]

I have some omer rekords on the way so then i can compare
I would like to hear how the hybrid stacks against the records !

 

[Rmichaelson86]

hi i have special fins hybrids, they also fit the sporasub footpockets, i like the sporas very much they ae much more comfortable than the omer for me at least... DEfinitely do not dive with uncomfortable fins, you will hate them and they are great fins, best thing would be to buy/exchange the footpockets....
dont worry about them snapping they are very durable, but that doesnt mean that you become careless using them
cheers and enjoy !

:vangry I secured a set of Sporasub footpockets, those were the footpockets I really wanted, but the Specialfins do NOT fit those footpockets easily.

I would have had to use some sort of filler to get the blades to fit in the footpockets, and frankly, I'm not crafty enough. I'll have to settle for the Omer pockets, even though I wanted the sporasub.

 

[cdavis]

If the pockets are like mine, Sporasub Dessaults, Specialfin blades should fit fine. Mine work with either kelpies or hybrids. Use some dish soap and a little force. The first couple of times, it can require more force than seems reasonable, but it gets easier with time. Once you get the blades in the pockets in all the way, drill the blades through the two holes in the pockets and secure with a wire tie (plastic tie wrap). You won't need to glue the rails at all.

Connor

 

[Rmichaelson86]

I'm getting the right size footpockets: the Omer 42/44.

The Omer footpockets are pretty different when compared to my Picasso. The Picasso pockets have much more support underneath the heel, I liked this.

I think I may not even like the Omer, the footpockets seem to be too flexible.

Either way, I can't wait to try out the fins with the right size footpockets. Mike Damms at FLFreedivers has been very helpful, he isn't charging me shipping either way. Nice, honest guy.

 

[GreekDiver]

I have some omer rekords on the way so then i can compare

I would like to hear how the hybrid stacks against the records !

i have both now. I like the omer rekords better.


Rekords seem to be more efficient.
Rekords are better on surface
Special Fins are more durable (obviously since rekords are carbon)
Rekords feel lighter in the water.
I think carbon fins are the best way to go. When i buy another fin, its going to be carbon.

Well thats my review.

I still think specialfins are a good quality fin.