In the same spirit of the "ultimate fin thread" I thought we could start one on monofin footpockets. I have found nothing to be more painful, or important, than the footpocket itself and was wondering about other's experiences.
I started with Waterway and cramped my feet up but never tore flesh. They were very efficient, but not very comfortable.
I've also tried the openheel footpocket from Speacial Fins because I heard how much more comfortable they were on your feet. I have to admit that my feet NEVER cramped up in them, even after 30 minutes of swimming. However, they ripped the flesh right off the tops of my feet and toes- and I was wearing 3mm socks at the time! Maybe they work better with a softer finblade?
One of my mono's has the large OMER full-foot pockets on them. This is very comfortable, but no where near as efficent as a "normal" monofin footpocket.
I've had a chance to try the Finis footpockets on a small training fin, and they were comfortable there, but have no idea how they would work on a full sized monofin.
Through out various posts on here I have heard good, and bad, about Mat-Mas footpockets. Leaderfins have some nice ideas, but as Jome has said, he can't bear to wear the footpockets for more than a few minutes due to the pain.
Wal pointed out that WaterWay pockets come in different stiffnesses and that it makes a big difference on which one you get- but he never gave us the scoop on what pocket he found best for which event?
I've heard good things about the Russian fins, but $1000 for a fin is too much for something I've never tried before. Plus, there may be the issue of bouyancy change at depth when the rubber crushes?
Guidione fins are raved about, but not their footpockets, from what I've read. I've never actually tried, or even seen, one so I can't comment on them.
I know I can't be the only one out there with painful, or bloody, feet so lets hear it. There must be something that works with those finswimmers doing the 8km openwater races? I'm sure that a footpocket that works great for dynamic may not be the same one that works for a deep constant ballast dive, and vice versa.
So, if you can offer any opinions, advice, experiences, or other tips for more comfortable footpockets why don't you post them here. If I have forgotten any foopocket, which I am quite sure that I have, please add it in- with a photo if you can!
Jon
I started with Waterway and cramped my feet up but never tore flesh. They were very efficient, but not very comfortable.
I've also tried the openheel footpocket from Speacial Fins because I heard how much more comfortable they were on your feet. I have to admit that my feet NEVER cramped up in them, even after 30 minutes of swimming. However, they ripped the flesh right off the tops of my feet and toes- and I was wearing 3mm socks at the time! Maybe they work better with a softer finblade?
One of my mono's has the large OMER full-foot pockets on them. This is very comfortable, but no where near as efficent as a "normal" monofin footpocket.
I've had a chance to try the Finis footpockets on a small training fin, and they were comfortable there, but have no idea how they would work on a full sized monofin.
Through out various posts on here I have heard good, and bad, about Mat-Mas footpockets. Leaderfins have some nice ideas, but as Jome has said, he can't bear to wear the footpockets for more than a few minutes due to the pain.
Wal pointed out that WaterWay pockets come in different stiffnesses and that it makes a big difference on which one you get- but he never gave us the scoop on what pocket he found best for which event?
I've heard good things about the Russian fins, but $1000 for a fin is too much for something I've never tried before. Plus, there may be the issue of bouyancy change at depth when the rubber crushes?
Guidione fins are raved about, but not their footpockets, from what I've read. I've never actually tried, or even seen, one so I can't comment on them.
I know I can't be the only one out there with painful, or bloody, feet so lets hear it. There must be something that works with those finswimmers doing the 8km openwater races? I'm sure that a footpocket that works great for dynamic may not be the same one that works for a deep constant ballast dive, and vice versa.
So, if you can offer any opinions, advice, experiences, or other tips for more comfortable footpockets why don't you post them here. If I have forgotten any foopocket, which I am quite sure that I have, please add it in- with a photo if you can!
Jon
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