ok.. let me know what happens. i've never dealt with him before, just ivan and the one guy on here that is also a leaderfins rep that got a hold of ivan for me.
keep me posted.
good luck!
-
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Leaderfins Freediving mono quality review
- Thread starter demasoni
- Start date
Thread Status: Hello
, There was no answer in this thread for more than 90 days.
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ok.. let me know what happens. i've never dealt with him before, just ivan and the one guy on here that is also a leaderfins rep that got a hold of ivan for me.
keep me posted.
good luck!
I have a customized Hyper that fits 5mm socks quite well. the curious thing is, that it also works pretty well without socks. One of the main customization they did was widen the footpocket a bit and use softer rubber on the top part, which makes it very comfortable on the foot and I guess it stretches a bit with bigger socks. But the rubber is so think that it's pretty warm without socks too (I've been using it over 1 hour with 3mm socks in ice diving) It's a soft blade with soft footpockets, but somehow it propels me better than any other fin so far, I've shaven off 3 seconds from my 50m sprint.
I did not order it from Leaderfins, but I'm told the same guy made it. Maybe if you can explain to them what you want, they can make a similar one.
Anyway, I hope the thing stays together, because it is the first monofin I'm truly happy with - and afraid that I'll never receive another one like that even if I order the excat same fin - people with experience with russian fins probably know what I'm talking about. If you find a good one, hang on to it!
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Yep I had one and I snapped it... you're pissed at the time but when you buy another fin and realise how good the first one was you're really pissed... :vangry
On durability I have now a waterway nemo wing monofin with the nemo footpockets. I have used this fin for 7 months averaging 3 times per week in the pool so lots of use plus maybe 20 times in the ocean. I never rinse it off or anything and it has shown zero wear issues except some scratches from when I dove with it under a waterfall bonked it into the rocks. My wife has the same fin and hers has zero issues also. I would agree also with Eric that these types of mono fins with pockets are not more efficient than good bi fins. Before I had Gara 2000 fins and can do the same length dynamic with the mono as with the bi-fins though this is after 6 months of practice with the monofin. The foot pockets are very comfortable (I wear no neopreme socks) and the technique I am developing seems very good. It is also really fun!!, much funner than the Bi-fins especially as last winter I had something new to learn and was very happy to go to the pool every day that I could with my new monofin. For this reason I would buy the waterway wing nemo monofin again for sure. I have also used it in constant weight dives to 50m and just for fun and it works great (though again not really any more efficient than my Gara 2000 Bi-fins). For me I feel mono-fins will develop ALOT during next 5 years so trying to buy the best one right now is kind of silly unless you want to set records. The waterway wing nemo I think is very good to learn monofin technique as I have learned three different strokes with it, a very quick flutter stroke usually for sprinting, a medium speed stroke where I push up and down and also a very large undulating "push" stroke for getting started and going really slow so I think these strokes will help alot with whatever monofin I end up with next. Cheers Wes
Thanks Wes, yeah, I almost got the WW Wings Nemo mono but I got the Leaderfins instead as the WW wasn't out yet when I purchased mine. I have been using a buddy's open heel Finis Competitor lately and although the blade is seriously stiff, my 7 or so months of constant use with the Leaderfins has improved my technique so that the Finis is less painful than before and I can actually use the fin somewhat "properly" on the surface and underwater (pool work).
The thing I immediately noticed when comparing the footpockets is the way an open heel flexes not only on the downstroke, but especially how the pocket behaves on the upstroke. It seems because the pocket can flex in unison with the arch of the foot, both the upstroke and downstroke are much easier (less total leg movement) and contribute more to forward propulsion more than the OMER pockets. Of course, the open heel is nowhere as comfortable, but that's a given I guess that will hopefully improve with practice. Funny I never noticed this with the Finis until after using the Leaderfins for a while, because when I first started monofinning with the Finis, I thought open-heel pockets felt almost detached from my feet and I wasn't getting any power.
What kind of advances are you talking about when you say monos will improve over the 5 years? BTW, congrats with the NR!
The thing I immediately noticed when comparing the footpockets is the way an open heel flexes not only on the downstroke, but especially how the pocket behaves on the upstroke. It seems because the pocket can flex in unison with the arch of the foot, both the upstroke and downstroke are much easier (less total leg movement) and contribute more to forward propulsion more than the OMER pockets. Of course, the open heel is nowhere as comfortable, but that's a given I guess that will hopefully improve with practice. Funny I never noticed this with the Finis until after using the Leaderfins for a while, because when I first started monofinning with the Finis, I thought open-heel pockets felt almost detached from my feet and I wasn't getting any power.
What kind of advances are you talking about when you say monos will improve over the 5 years? BTW, congrats with the NR!
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I think monofins in 5 years will be almost unrecognizeable to monofins today. While not sure what technology will make this possible, I am sure monofins in the future will look just like dolphin tails with fully faired sections were the legs are and much more "wing" like thin crescent tails, the tails now are more like flaps then wings. Also the foot connection will be both very comfortable and very energy transfer effecient. If you look at other sports top foot gear, skiing, running, alpine climbing, the best foot gear is also very very comfortable. I think alot of the features of fins we have now are relics from ideas of what fins should be from the original molded fin that was all rubber. Now we have 1,000's of waterproof/rotproof materials we could use to make fins many many different ways that were not available when the first molded rubber fins were made though as the first molded rubber fins were so so sucessful we still have the ideas in our head that this is how fins should be like. Cheers Wes
We had some problems getting hold of the US rep for Leaderfins. Initially he took our order and our understanding from him was that the fin was done and shipped. But when we contacted leaderfins we ended up having to completely re-order the fin. However - support from Leaderfins - once we contacted them directly, was excellent. My daughter loves her monofin - and her technique is excellent. The fin itself does not seem as sturdy as my Waterway Nemo. The leaderfins allows some independant foot movement which, it seems to me, would make it a more comfortable fin for long dives as well as enabling some nuanced maneuvering. Claire is in for a couple of hours at a time with no probelms.
The waterway hurts the joint on my right big toe after about 90 minutes - but this is improving as I learn to relax my feet.
The waterway hurts the joint on my right big toe after about 90 minutes - but this is improving as I learn to relax my feet.
nice!
glad you got a hold of someone..
i just used my leaderfin wings for the first time in the pool.. it's a HUGE difference from my old fin. it is a lot heavier than my old fin and i use my abs more to be sure of a proper undulation.
it took about 40 minutes to get used to it, but i am only using it in the pool.
i still have no ocean experience yet with it, i'll tell you in email.
i'm glad you got someone from leaderfin to help or listen.
its sad that their regional cust. service is so sub par in many regards... i am still waiting for my logo!!
anyhoo.. i tried it in the pool today, and it's perfect.. my feet hurt a bit after a bit, but i'm getting used to closed heels and i'll get over that, but the power from that fin is phenomenal for me.
either way i'm glad you got to Maksim.. i don't know him but if i have a problem with my fin.. i trust you'll direct me to him.
when i get a fin with the logo i paid for, i'll take a few pics.
i'm glad you got to someone that could help you
-diva
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Great news! Got a quick and kind reply from Maksim, he offered to replaced the fin entirely, rather than attempt a repair. I will ship him the fin today.
Thank you Maksim! :thankyou
Indeed, Maksim is great and responsive. I have had no problem with leaderfins contacting them directly. I also have a leaderfins monofin "wings", but it doesn't have omer footpockets, but brandless footpockets which fit great. I have had no problems with them.
But I also rinse the monofin after use in the pool. I think this is the best way to keep my baby chlorinedamage-free.
Anyway, I am happy your problem got solved.
now that is a very tranquil photo, nice to see it right now when stress out in the office!
I have a Leaderfin Hyper for a year now. I would say excellent customer service when i purchased the fin, just that they didnt not take credit card at the time and i had to transfer money to their account purely on trust... The fin was ready in two weeks and it's a great piece of work just that i the pockets are not suitable for my feet "design". Unless i find a solution to somehow modify the foot pockets, i will have ti sell it to somebody with narrower feet...
serge
I have a Leaderfin Hyper for a year now. I would say excellent customer service when i purchased the fin, just that they didnt not take credit card at the time and i had to transfer money to their account purely on trust... The fin was ready in two weeks and it's a great piece of work just that i the pockets are not suitable for my feet "design". Unless i find a solution to somehow modify the foot pockets, i will have ti sell it to somebody with narrower feet...
serge
Indeed, Maksim is great and responsive. I have had no problem with leaderfins contacting them directly. I also have a leaderfins monofin "wings", but it doesn't have omer footpockets, but brandless footpockets which fit great. I have had no problems with them.
But I also rinse the monofin after use in the pool. I think this is the best way to keep my baby chlorinedamage-free.
Anyway, I am happy your problem got solved.
i washed my fin yesterday with wetsuit shampoo.
i thought i was being overly protective, but if that helps prolong the life of my fin then i'll do it.
also, i got an email from ivan today saying my logo is finally on its way..
let's cross our fingers.. but i do love my fin.
-diva
Guys,
I am really sorry for the people that had problems contacting us here in USA.
We have been having some communications problems with Estonia, and in must of the cases did not have any clue that something wrong was happening.
So we are taking all the responsibility for those delays and misunderstandings.
We already fixed the main problem with our emails and the firewall protection that was causing them.
Believe that our goal is to offer you a first class customer service.
I will provide by email, my personal mobile number for those of you that want to contact me for any reason.
Feel free to email me at ivan@freediveforlife.com
Thanks
Ivan
I am really sorry for the people that had problems contacting us here in USA.
We have been having some communications problems with Estonia, and in must of the cases did not have any clue that something wrong was happening.
So we are taking all the responsibility for those delays and misunderstandings.
We already fixed the main problem with our emails and the firewall protection that was causing them.
Believe that our goal is to offer you a first class customer service.
I will provide by email, my personal mobile number for those of you that want to contact me for any reason.
Feel free to email me at ivan@freediveforlife.com
Thanks
Ivan
Thanks Ivan!
I was getting worried about you!
I am thinking to get a mamba kit for my cyrano - if you are still sales rep for Maorisub can you contact me with prices?
thanks
Chris Morey
cmorey@chartermi.net
I was getting worried about you!
I am thinking to get a mamba kit for my cyrano - if you are still sales rep for Maorisub can you contact me with prices?
thanks
Chris Morey
cmorey@chartermi.net
I also rinsed my fin after each use in the pool (while I showered). What are the effects of chlorine on monos like ours?
Astruven:
It was nice to hear from you Ivan
You are very generous for offering to pay for the shipping of my fin back to Estonia and the offer of a discount on a future mono from Leader. Thanks!
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thanks ivan for the email and sending me the vinyl stickers.
i'll take a pic with me and my new mono.
i'm glad to hear from you!
i'll take a pic with me and my new mono.
i'm glad to hear from you!
Hi Demasoni
The same thing happened to my Leaderfin freediving monofin. I had the same madel as yours and the blade also wore through where yours is on the back aspect below the foot plate. Maksim at Leaderfins was fantastic and even sent me a replacement fin (without even waiting for me to send mine back!). I cannot speak highly enough about their service. So I would suggest contacting them directly through the Leaderfins web page.
Cheers
Gooch
The same thing happened to my Leaderfin freediving monofin. I had the same madel as yours and the blade also wore through where yours is on the back aspect below the foot plate. Maksim at Leaderfins was fantastic and even sent me a replacement fin (without even waiting for me to send mine back!). I cannot speak highly enough about their service. So I would suggest contacting them directly through the Leaderfins web page.
Cheers
Gooch