Ted's Wings Nemo Monofin Review
*I am not a representative of Performance Freediving or Waterway Fins. I paid full price for my monofin, and offer an impartial review.
Waterway Wings Nemo Monofin
Size 41-43
Stiffness: Soft (Long-distance)
After much research and equally as much hemmin and hawin, I finally put down some cash and made the leap to my first monofin. I purchased this fin through Performance Freediving - who, in turn, places their order with Waterway. During the course of the transaction, I threw continuous emails at Mandy-Rae (PFD) and Bogdan (WW). In short, they were great - answering emails promptly and thoroughly ever time. They were also sensitive to the fact that I needed it soon (3 weeks from time of order) because I was traveling to Bonaire. They got it to me in 2.5 weeks (US customs held it for 5 days - don't know why so long). Top notch guys!!
First inspection:
Some serious thought went into this fin. Jon, local monofin guru, quickly identified many features that stand out. First, the rails are not cut from the footpocket. Rather, they are extended and glued to the blade. Jon remarked that this is different that his Specialfins monos, and that it is this lack of attachment surface that he believes has been causing one of his older fins to seperate from the blade. This isn't to say that waterway makes a superior monofin, simply that it seems that manufacturers are learning and that monofin construction seems to be improving.
Other notable differences:
The thickness/stiffness of the Nemo fin is machined, like waterway bifins and Omer BAT fins. You can recognize this by viewing the bottom of the fin. Specialfins uses a tapering molded polymer, and, consequently, you don't have those patterns on the fin bottom. Because Specialfins molds the fin rather than machine it, they can create more angle to the footpocket. The Nemo fin appears to have about 33% less angle. Still, for those who have used Waterway Bifins, you know that the fins do have enough angle to make a significant difference when it comes to surface swimming.
As a long-time wearer of Sporasub Dessault pockets, I was please to see that the Nemo footpockets are very similar. I normally wear 40-42 Sporas, so I purchased the closest size in Nemos - 41-43. As expected, they are a little larger than the Sporas, and also a bit softer/stretchier (no complaints). For reference, I wear a size 8US shoe. The Sporas fit snuggly with a 3mm sock, and a bit tight with a 5mm. These Nemo pockets fit snuggly with a 5mm, but feel equally secure with a 3mm (albeit, they are easier to get into with the 3mm socks). Since I have yet to try the fin in the water, I'll have to get back to you regarding long-term use with the two different size socks.
Tomorrow, Jon and I hope to get in the pool. I will write more if we do. Otherwise, expect a full review upon my return from Bonaire around Christmas time. No doubt, I will have video footage as well.
Ted
*I am not a representative of Performance Freediving or Waterway Fins. I paid full price for my monofin, and offer an impartial review.
Waterway Wings Nemo Monofin
Size 41-43
Stiffness: Soft (Long-distance)
After much research and equally as much hemmin and hawin, I finally put down some cash and made the leap to my first monofin. I purchased this fin through Performance Freediving - who, in turn, places their order with Waterway. During the course of the transaction, I threw continuous emails at Mandy-Rae (PFD) and Bogdan (WW). In short, they were great - answering emails promptly and thoroughly ever time. They were also sensitive to the fact that I needed it soon (3 weeks from time of order) because I was traveling to Bonaire. They got it to me in 2.5 weeks (US customs held it for 5 days - don't know why so long). Top notch guys!!
First inspection:
Some serious thought went into this fin. Jon, local monofin guru, quickly identified many features that stand out. First, the rails are not cut from the footpocket. Rather, they are extended and glued to the blade. Jon remarked that this is different that his Specialfins monos, and that it is this lack of attachment surface that he believes has been causing one of his older fins to seperate from the blade. This isn't to say that waterway makes a superior monofin, simply that it seems that manufacturers are learning and that monofin construction seems to be improving.
Other notable differences:
The thickness/stiffness of the Nemo fin is machined, like waterway bifins and Omer BAT fins. You can recognize this by viewing the bottom of the fin. Specialfins uses a tapering molded polymer, and, consequently, you don't have those patterns on the fin bottom. Because Specialfins molds the fin rather than machine it, they can create more angle to the footpocket. The Nemo fin appears to have about 33% less angle. Still, for those who have used Waterway Bifins, you know that the fins do have enough angle to make a significant difference when it comes to surface swimming.
As a long-time wearer of Sporasub Dessault pockets, I was please to see that the Nemo footpockets are very similar. I normally wear 40-42 Sporas, so I purchased the closest size in Nemos - 41-43. As expected, they are a little larger than the Sporas, and also a bit softer/stretchier (no complaints). For reference, I wear a size 8US shoe. The Sporas fit snuggly with a 3mm sock, and a bit tight with a 5mm. These Nemo pockets fit snuggly with a 5mm, but feel equally secure with a 3mm (albeit, they are easier to get into with the 3mm socks). Since I have yet to try the fin in the water, I'll have to get back to you regarding long-term use with the two different size socks.
Tomorrow, Jon and I hope to get in the pool. I will write more if we do. Otherwise, expect a full review upon my return from Bonaire around Christmas time. No doubt, I will have video footage as well.
Ted
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