A Short Guide to Scuba Diving Fins
If you were to dry to dive without fins it would be pretty painful. Not only on your muscles but you wouldn’t get anywhere. Fins allow you to propel yourself further in the water and make it easier to dive for longer. There are a number of different fins to choose from all tailored to different types of diving.
How to choose the best scuba diving fins?
Even though they are less technical than a number of different pieces of dive equipment, but can be one of the most complicated to get right. Because of the sheer number of variations in dive fins, it is tough to know which is the right style for you. So make sure you do the correct research so you don’t end up making the wrong choice.
Types of scuba diving fins
Full-foot fins
Another name for full-foot fins is snorkeling fins. They are usually equipped with a foot pocket style that slips during diving like a shoe. They are structurally similar to a foot and used as a person wearing a shoe on his bare feet.
Advantages
- Full-foot fins are used for diving in warm water especially when a person wants to dive from a boat.
- Because they are lighter than a traditional pair of fins they are perfect for travelling with.
- Comfortable to wear and easy to snorkel around the boat at the water surface.
- Various designs and shapes are available in the market especially bladed design is becoming popular in full-foot fins.
Disadvantages
- Full-foot fins have smaller blades meaning out that they have less power to move further during swim time.
- Can’t be quick in case of emergency.
- They aren’t designed to provide any kind of thermal protection.
Open-heel fins
These fins are more traditionally used during deep sea diving opposed to snorkeling. They are designed for a more comfortable fit over a longer period with increased propulsion.
Advantages
- Larger blade suited for scuba diving.
- More comfortable to fit and more adaptable.
- Adjustable straps make them super comfortable.
- Do provide an amount of thermal protection.
Disadvantages
- Heavier than a snorkeling fin.
- Harder to travel with because of their larger size.
- Not as flexible, can be quite rigid over time.
Larger blades can cause cramping after long use.
