Monofin Selection Advice Needed

[WillUnderwater]

Hi Everyone,
I think the time has come to finally splurge for my first new monofin. A little about me first: Been freediving with bi-fins for a long time. 40-50 meters CWT. I am 6'3, 195lbs Size 11-12 US shoe.

While I want something I can grow with, I am also on a budget as well. After some research I have seen interest in the following that meet my range:

• Special Fins Dolphin
• Special Fins Dolphin FRD
• WW Wings Nemo

Any comments towards any of these. I am uncertain about the open heel design of the regular dolphin - however included it to hear any comments towards/against it. Also, if you have any other suggestions - I would like to hear them. My budget is around 200-350$ shipped.

Thanks in advance,
Will

 

[Bill]

I'm probably not the best person to ask but please think about why you need a monofin. Specifically, do you want to spend 3-400 dollars to do something that you can do with the fins that you already own while you save up for a top of the line mono? I've seen many dives to 60 meters and a few over 70 by divers using a dolphin kick and bi-fins. If you use the right fin and learn the stroke you'll get as much performance as any of the reasonably priced monos.

P.S. The Nemo is a good fin, well built and seems to be an easy conversion.

 

[WillUnderwater]

It's not necessarily all a performance decision. It's more of for experience, training, and a change. I just found out Special Fins is having a 20% off sale - which makes it even more appealing.

 

[nostres]

Specifically, do you want to spend 3-400 dollars to do something that you can do with the fins that you already own while you save up for a top of the line mono?

Hi Bill, actually it's lot less than that, $188 shipped to be exact for Water Way classic.

 

[WillUnderwater]

Hi Bill, actually it's lot less than that, $188 shipped to be exact for Water Way classic.

Yea,
The SpecialFins dolphin along with the monofin bag can be had for 260 shipped!

 

[nostres]

Will, I've been thru quite a few monofins myself and I just got my Water Way classic (Model 1). I love it, it's really awesome fin, simple, cheap and effective.
I paid $188 including shipping and waiting time was only 2 weeks! no other manufacturer can beat that, it's usually around 6 weeks. You can buy this fin thru Performance or from Martin Stepanek. Here's what Martin has to say about this fin:

.."Ideal training and depth competition fin for experienced and intermediate freedivers.' Must have' for beginners to develop proper technique. Hand tapered blade, 3mm neoprene on upper part of the footpocket, 70cm wide blade. .."

If You decide You don't want it for some reason then Dolphin FRD is minimum You want, not regular Dolphin. Also You DON'T want open heel from Special Fins, I had SF Carbon with open heel and sold it after first pool session, just couldn't make 15 minutes in it (cramps and pain) Now Omer foot pockets are nice, I mean comfy. However (now I see it) they don't transfer power as efficiently as WW footpockets. I peffered Omers but now I see WW open heel pockets are more efficient and surprisingly comfortable, not as comfy as Omer of course but decent.

Below You have the link, scroll down to Model 1 Classic. Probably SOFT would be too soft and HARD would be too hard so medium seems about right, at least for me and most people. Good luck and have fun with Your first monofin. It's unlike anything else.

F.I.I. Freediving Instructors International - from the beginner to the instructor

 

[WillUnderwater]

Thanks for the info. You say don't get open heels - but isn't the model 1 open heel? Do you not like it? I was leaning towards the Dolphin - but might have to reconsider either the FRD or WW models..Too many choices.

 

[nostres]

Thanks for the info. You say don't get open heels - but isn't the model 1 open heel? Do you not like it? I was leaning towards the Dolphin - but might have to reconsider either the FRD or WW models..Too many choices.

No, I didn't say that. I said don't go with open heel from Special Fins. If You get Special Fins then go Omer. When You go Omer You stay comfy but keep in mind that power transfer is not optimal. OK?

Now, open heel from Water Way is great power transfer and decent level of comfort, good compromise. Especially for the money, no one can beat $188 monofin. BTW, monofin that Martin took to 108m WR dive.

 

[WillUnderwater]

I see - I hadn't read that. Either way the WW line looks nice. I did notice the model 1 is $10 cheaper on FII over performance freediving. How true to size do they run? I wear a US11-12

 

[nostres]

I see - I hadn't read that. Either way the WW line looks nice. I did notice the model 1 is $10 cheaper on FII over performance freediving. How true to size do they run?

It is cheaper but before shipping, go to checkout and you will see final price...
I wear 13US shoe size so I always order the biggest footpockets, still a little tide but that's all I can do, maybe I'll get 330mm next time (when I am ready for $470 Glide)

Now back to SpecialFins. I don't want You to get the wrong impression like I am against SF now. This is great company and I will buy monofin from them again. Owner/President is Karmo Maasik and You talk to him when completing order. He is man of honor, can You believe he sent me new mono for free when my Dolphin FRD broke? We are talking customer service here! Of course, he sent me new, redesigned and improved model that caused no more problems.

 

[WillUnderwater]

Yes, I have been exchanging emails with Ard, the sales manager and he has been responding my emails in a matter of minutes. I am thinking about giving them a try as I have read a lot of good reviews and they seem to stand behind their product.

 

[nostres]

One more thing about my WaterWay. It fits so snug I have no more room for neoprene socks, barefoot only so this makes it strictly pool use (cold waters of Wisconsin I dive)
It may be different for You for 2 reasons.

- Looking at Your location I guess You dive in waters warm enough to be OK without socks in the ocean
- if You want You can order number higher but there is risk. The best thing to do is to try someone's fin before You order.
I was lucky because one of my buddies had fin with exact same size and stiffness. First dynamic I did in it I knew this is it, so I went home and placed order right away. Two weeks later I am cruising in the best and cheapest fin to date

 

[demasoni]

Just to throw my 2 cents in here...

Will, are you going to use the mono for recreational ocean use? Dynamics in the pool? CWT on a line? Gonna go for max's and records? Just for S's & G's?

I have a WW model 2 (soft) , Finis Competitor (medium), Leaderfins freediving mono w/wings (soft), Chen Bin BinFin and a WW Nemo (soft blade) on the way.

Each one is different and some are specialists. IMO, if I could just have one, it would be the WW Nemo (the one with bi-fin pockets) as most of my diving is done in the ocean.

For me, the open heel monos are very capable and offer the best performance, but they hurt my feet. The Chen Bin after 15-20 min. The WW and Finis after 30 min. I trade a little performance when using the bi-fin pocket monos, but just like bi-fins, I can wear those ALL day, no problem.

Then again, there are also others that have trained themselves to use open heel monos for hours from constant practice or by altering the footpockets to better fit their feet. Go figure.

BTW, the Nemo soft blade is like my medium Finis blade. The Leader soft is way too soft and construction on that fin is shoddy. Haven't used the open heel Leaders though.

 

[WillUnderwater]

thanks for the reply. The fin would mainly be for maxes and dynamics. The open heel fins are of some concern to me - and why I was leaning more towards the dolphin FRD or the nemo. Im only seeing CWTs in the 40meter range - so I am not sure that the advantage of open heels matters right now to me - especially in a mid-range monofin.

I have used omer pockets before (ice and millenium) and they arent too bad - so they are a slightly safer bet. How do the pocketes on the nemo compare?

With the current special, at specialfins - The Dolphin FRD with Omer pockets is identical in price to the Nemo - so price does not help the issue at all.

I do know though - specialfins can add cool logos to your fin

 

[Fondueset]

Hi Will - It really depends on what you are looking for. In my opinion the Waterway Wings Nemo is one of the best bang for the buck fins you can get.
both of mine are now on their second and third owners after several years of heavy use. These are comfortable fins that are comparable to bi fins in terms of durability - and durability is a problem with the more expensive 'hyper' style fins.

The drawbacks of the Nemo are lack of blade angle and mediocre force transmission due to fin-style footpockets - but they are way beyond any other fin I've in terms of durability.

If its a performance fin you are after you are probably going to have to accept some compromise in terms of durability and comfort. The Hyper or non-axial (high blade angle) fins are hand made and the footpockets tend to break down after awhile. One company - Tropol - is making their footpockets from Polypropolene - but I do not yet have any experience with them. Most of the rest are made in eastern europe or russia - by hand.

Waterway has the Glide - Leaderfins, the Hyper and Hyper Pro - mine are made by Max at Trident Underwater Equipment in the Ukraine. They are kick-ass fins - and he is continuously improving design and materials. But all of these fins are pretty uncomfortable - particularly for the first few months.

Whatever you get - based on your experience and size - get a medium stiffness blade (not soft, as is often recommended). The Hyper style fins are mostly custom made to your size and weight - but be ready for these to only last a couple of years - depending on use - and be prepared to repair them.

I've actually worn my open water hyper style fin (extra large foot pocket for neoprene socks) - for up to six hours in the warm waters of the bahamas with a 1.5 mil sock. With 3 mil I'm good for about 4 and with 5 maybe two. When you first get a monofin the pain is simply incredible. My pool fin - which has much better force transmission - is good for several hours in warm water if I don't have any blisters.

Anyway - executive summary:

comfort, durability _ Waterway Wings Nemo

Performance - definitely a 'Hyper' or 'Non-axial' (same thing) fin - Waterway, Leaderfins, Triton - all good - expensive, uncomfortable - amazing performance.

 

[WillUnderwater]

Thanks for the reply Fondueset, very informative.

I am very torn here as I do not know which way to go. It makes it more difficult not being able to try any fins on as well.

Here are the facts, though:
--$300 max shipped is really the most I can do, unless there is a huge advnatage to a fin in the ~$350 range - but I saw none.
--When I train with my monofin, it will usually be for longer periods of time (2-6 hours) as I will have to commute.

Could anyone describe any pros/cons between the Dolphin FRD (Omer) and the WW Nemo? These seem like the two better choices for me. The price of these two are exactly the same.

Thanks.

 

[Fondueset]

These are comparable - as both use bifin footpockets.
Both also have about the same blade angle (roughly 11 degrees).
I've used both Omer and the Waterway Nemo footpockets. The nemos run a little large - otherwise they are comparable.

I've used leaderfins (omer pockets) and waterway. I have friends who have used specialfins. All of these manufacturers are great to deal with. They are good people and quite passionate about finswimming.

If you want my recommendation between the two I would recommend the Waterway Wings Nemo. The things are just monsters of durability. I'm talking year round diving - having the thing frozen and peeled off the back of my pickup truck - water from 2c - air much much colder, rocks, surf, learning curve - I can personally attest to the two I've owned (hard and soft) being incredibly tough monofins. After several months I was able to wear mine all day - but it REALLY HURT at first. Size your fin to wear some neoprene socks with it.

I've talked with specialfins - and I think they are great - but of these two the waterway is the one I've used. Later, when you get into hyper fins - you'll still have your waterway nemo for skankin' around in.

 

[nostres]

Could anyone describe any pros/cons between the Dolphin FRD (Omer) and the WW Nemo? These seem like the two better choices for me. The price of these two are exactly the same.

Thanks.

[/I][/I]

This would be very hard as those two are like sisters. But at least now I understand Your choice (yes, with 6 hours dive time You need them)
Lets try to find few differences

First of all WW medium will be slightly harder than medium from SF, not a huge difference however.

Second, foot pockets on WW Nemo are not Omer but also very soft and comfortable.

Finally (Foundeset mentioned something else but...) I was sure Nemo had slight angle. Dolphin FRD is flat.

One thing for You to consider (if it's any help) - Nemo would most likely arrive to You sooner than Dolphin.

And cool logos? They're just 10Euro stickers that will scratch sooner or later. You can paint or glue Your own on any fin.

You are not far from Ft.Lauderdale, sure You can't visit Martin? (he's got plenty fins in stock)

 

[nostres]

Both also have about the same blade angle (roughly 11 degrees).

Foundy, I have Dolphin FRD and it's totally flat, no angle. You must be thinking of another fin

 

[Fondueset]

Blade angle = good. Didn't know the specialfins was flat - looks like it's made the same as the Waterway. I got mine through PFI - you can ring them up and they'll help - as I'm sure Martin will.