Making the switch to something softer

[anthropisces]

I'm using Omer Stingray Carbon 30s. I have always liked the way these fins have felt, coming into them from Gara 2000s.

Recently though I forgot my fins and had to use a buddies. Although the foot pockets were very tight, I squeezed in and used his Dive R's which are fiberglass and quite a bit softer than my 30s. I felt very agile with the fins compared to my Stingrays because of the stiffness difference.

Coincidentally I recently wore the 25s of a friend (without noticing the once again very small foot pockets) and I didn't notice until I was back on the boat.

Now when I use my Stingrays I'm cognizant of not feeling like I'm utilizing the full efficiency of my stroke due to stiffness. I've matured as a diver and as I used to concern myself with the total dive time, I'm more about efficiency now. It wouldn't bother me to take a little more time descending if I'm more efficient.

My dillema is I am wondering how soft I should go and which blades to get if I indeed do take the plunge. I like the Omer Stingray pockets and have an extra set so if I can find blades which will fit then I'm interested in that. I'd rather switch away from the Stingray blades for this go round, just because I'd like to try something different.

I'm hesitant to actually do it though, afraid that I'll end up with something that feels too wimpy and which saps efficiency on the opposite end of the spectrum.

Looking for suggestions

 

[hteas]

I'm surprised no one has answered this.
YES
There are a lot of divers wearing fins that are too stiff. Most manufacturers have pushed stiff blades and footpockets for a long time. Divers have to work harder with the stiff blades, and feel like they are really going fast, but are quite often going slower. Here is an old thread with data from DAve Mullins, a multiple world record holder in Dynamic and DNF:
https://forums.deeperblue.com/threads/cheap-fins-or-expensive.75390/
My own testing in a pool showed that medium fins were faster than the stiff ones as well.
Most would do much better with softer blades.
For over a decade I've been using Dessault footpockets with SpecialFins medium fiberglass blades in warm water, and Imersion carbon fins in cold water. The difference is the larger footpockets in the Imersion fins allow 7 mm socks.
If you like the Omer footpockets, I'd go for a pair of the 25s, or check out DiveR, SpecialFins, or any of the other medium stiffness blades available. The Omer footpockets have rigid side ribs as well, so that is another piece to look at. I have no experience with the newer footpockets, but I assume some of them have the softer ribs as well. The softer ribs allow the whole blade to bend, instead of just the part beyond the tip of the rib. The real benefit is that you get a smooth transition from kicking gently to full power when it's time to head home to the air.
Howard