Traveling with fins strapped to backpack

[JayStarzZ]

Hello & Good Day All

I know the topic of traveling/flying with long freediving fins has been discussed before, but I'm looking for some specific information if possible. I'm already starting to stress out about traveling/flying with my one-piece fins in Aug. . so I've read about Divers "strapping their fins to their backpack". IF I could manage something like, that could probably work for my short trip BUT I have no idea how to do that If you guys who travel with your fins like that could possibly post some pics of the "setup" - how the fins are strapped to the backpack - I would sincerely appreciate it! Newb apologies, but many thanks

Regards,

J

 

[HydroApprentice]

Cool, where's the trip going to?
I think it would help if you could mention what kind of fins they are? I have a pair of really sturdy plastic fins, and I'm really not worried that they might get damaged during transport. So depending on how fragile they are, you might require a specific solution.

 

[JayStarzZ]

Thanks Hydro, visiting St. John in the USVI My current fins are the Mares Instinct Pro:

http://pureinstinct.mares.com/products/fins/fins/instinct-pro/34/?region=us

Yep, my newb fins Got em for $75 brand new so figured these'll do for now. They really are rather sturdy so I'm not terribly concerned with damage during transport .. my main goal is to try & carry these on without any hassle or grief

 

[Apneaddict]

I'd try to bungee them on the back of a "small" backpack on the back side of it with the find against my back to make the whole carry-on package appear smaller.

You could alternately carry the fins separately in one hand and aim to just carry them on.

 

[Gab]

What about the Beuchat Mundial Backpack?

 

[HydroApprentice]

That's funny, I have the same ones Anyway, how I did it the last time: I stuffed them into my backpack, and made sure that the blade is protected. So the fins were put against the rigid backside and I put some clothes to the bottom to prevent damage there. Then I packed everything and when I closed the lid, the footpockets were sticking out on the side (see shitty picture, with lid open, I hope you get what I mean...). Not the most graceful approach, but it worked just fine for me I didn't bother too much since the fins are pretty resilient, and as you pointed out, some 75 bucks a pop

 

[JayStarzZ]

@Apneaddict, thanks for the suggestion .. I already kinda futzed around with my small (might be too small) pack & the fins, but bungee didn't occur to me! I've been pondering just traveling with em' in hand, as has been suggested researching this topic .. worst comes to very worst I may try that, just being a nervous nelly about it right now lol (I DREAD being given a hard time@the airport)

@Gab, thank you as well for the suggestion! I haven't really looked at dedicated bags yet as I'm researching all "free" transport options lol But that bag looks really nice, and comes highly recommended apparently Hmm. . decisions

Hydroooooo! Thanks for the pic!! Unfortunately with the pack I currently have stuffing them isn't an option, I'd have to figure out a "strappy" way (lol). What kind of pack is that? What all do you normally pack in that? And lastly, is that your only luggage when traveling, or do you bring additional luggage? Sorry for all the questions!

Thanks again you guys for the helpful information, I sincerely appreciate it

 

[HydroApprentice]

The pack is a Lowe Alpine 65 L. Usually I travel with that and a small daypack as hand luggage. But yeah, this was the only time I traveled with my babies, so better ask the pros for a more qualified opinion There was no way I could have taken the fins into the cabin, so I had to go for this option.
BTW: For my short distance/daily transports, I use one of those backpacks with straps for a snowboard or skateboard (something along this line). I love it for its simplicity Maybe this can be an option if you'd take the fins as hand luggage?

 

[JayStarzZ]

^ Thanks Hydro (nice avatar btw ) That backpack you linked me to looks pretty cool & spacious! When you say there was no way you could have taken the fins into the cabin, do you mean you had to gate check orr, where did you ultimately stow your fins?

Thanks again you guys, appreciate the advice & suggestions

 

[HydroApprentice]

Thanks, I actually came across the avatar when I looked for the backpack pic in my holiday folder
I contacted the airline in advance, asking if I could take my fins just as hand luggage into the plane. Since the fins didn't meet their size specs (Transavia ), I had to find a way to fit them securely into my check-in luggage. Thus, I stuffed them in the backpack with the footpockets sticking out, as in the pic above (lid closed, of course).

 

[Danny B]

Much like you I was getting a bit stressed about travelling with my fins, especially as I have big old feet which make my fins that little bit more difficult to pack. The good news is, I had zero issues at all and the staff at the airport took good care of them! I packed mine into a Cressi Gara fin bag, and, was hoping I'd get them on as hand luggage, no chance! However, when I went to load them on with my standard luggage, the check in desk attendant said that because it was a soft bag, that it had to go through a different scanner and be loaded in with other 'fragile' equipment. They arrived at both airports with a single mark, scratch or kink, so it seems the airports are getting wise. My only niggle with the fin bag was, it's gun shaped, and, as we know, the neoprene glue often alerts the bomb dogs......not a good mixture!!

 

[Gab]

the neoprene glue often alerts the bomb dogs......not a good mixture!!

I did not know the glue did that...I thought they scanned all the stuff nowadays.

 

[Danny B]

Neither did I! And, chances are you won't come across any bomb dogs anyway! But yeah, I think I've read a few stories on this forum about Neoprene glue alerting the dogs....and when your bag is gun shaped, it just looks that little bit more ominous! They do scan everything nowadays, so that's not the issue, it's more if you're strolling to check in and there's bomb dogs around........But not to panic! I went through fine!

 

[JayStarzZ]

Hey Danny,

Thanks for the reply. I have large feet too (11.5-12, depending) Well, I did end up buying that Beuchat pack up above I'll post pics of it later .. I'm still kinda stressed about the airport with it/my fins, but then again just being at the airport & dealing with all that absurd security already stresses me out to begin with lol. So you didn't get to "gate check" em? Almost certain I won't be carrying the Beuchat pack w/fins on but I'm at least hoping to get to the gate & gate check em Where do you reside if you don't mind me asking? I'm in NYC myself, and the airports here (JFK & LGA) are already out of control.

 

[Gab]

Hey Danny,

Thanks for the reply. I have large feet too (11.5-12, depending) Well, I did end up buying that Beuchat pack up above I'll post pics of it later .. I'm still kinda stressed about the airport with it/my fins, but then again just being at the airport & dealing with all that absurd security already stresses me out to begin with lol. So you didn't get to "gate check" em? Almost certain I won't be carrying the Beuchat pack w/fins on but I'm at least hoping to get to the gate & gate check em Where do you reside if you don't mind me asking? I'm in NYC myself, and the airports here (JFK & LGA) are already out of control.

Yes, please post your experience, I have been eying that pack for a while, would love to have some real world review. Good luck!

 

[twentytwomonk]

I use an OGIO backpack with straps on the outside for a skateboard, like this http://www.zappos.com/ogio-rebel-strilux?ef_id=UVs-cAAABJSRzlzx:20140516171433:s. I've taken my fins all over the Caribbean and Mexico like this and have never had an issue.