Photo: Open-Heel split fins - be sure to buy booties with these.
Whether you want to play around or dive amidst coral reefs, your fins will increase your ability to move quickly and efficiently through the water. Swim fins are available in a wide variety of styles, colors and designs. Here are some options you should consider when buying you fins. Size and stiffness largely dictates fins efficiency.
1. Open-heel fins or closed-heel fins? Select open-heel fins and booties if you’re going to enter from rocky shores.
Sal’s tip: I use closed-heel fins because most of the time I enter the water from a boat or sandy beaches. It’s a drag to have to carry extra equipment (the booties).
2. Flexible fins are good for beginners. With more practice and exercise, you can build your leg muscle and move on to stiffer fins.
3. Split fins slice through the water to decrease turbulence and increase power.
Sal's tip: I find that this kind of fins decrease chances of leg cramps for me.
4. Power fins have vented slots in the blade of the fins. They redirect water flow more efficiently and provide more thrust for the effort.
Whatever fins you choose to buy the most important thing is comfort. Choose the right fin size for your feet. Different manufacturer may have different sizes. Don’t be shy to try on the fins before you buy them.
Photo: Closed-Heel long fins suitable for snorkeler with strong leg muscle.
Sal’s Tip when Buying Closed-Heel Fins
1. Try on the fin on one foot. Make sure it’s not too tight.
2. Put the foot with the fin on the ground.
3. Try to tiptoe with that foot.
4. If fin comes off, it’s too big for you.
Good luck with finding the right one!!
How to Care for your Fins
1. Open-heel fins or closed-heel fins? Select open-heel fins and booties if you’re going to enter from rocky shores.
Sal’s tip: I use closed-heel fins because most of the time I enter the water from a boat or sandy beaches. It’s a drag to have to carry extra equipment (the booties).
2. Flexible fins are good for beginners. With more practice and exercise, you can build your leg muscle and move on to stiffer fins.
3. Split fins slice through the water to decrease turbulence and increase power.
Sal's tip: I find that this kind of fins decrease chances of leg cramps for me.
4. Power fins have vented slots in the blade of the fins. They redirect water flow more efficiently and provide more thrust for the effort.
Whatever fins you choose to buy the most important thing is comfort. Choose the right fin size for your feet. Different manufacturer may have different sizes. Don’t be shy to try on the fins before you buy them.
Photo: Closed-Heel long fins suitable for snorkeler with strong leg muscle.
Sal’s Tip when Buying Closed-Heel Fins
1. Try on the fin on one foot. Make sure it’s not too tight.
2. Put the foot with the fin on the ground.
3. Try to tiptoe with that foot.
4. If fin comes off, it’s too big for you.
Good luck with finding the right one!!
How to Care for your Fins
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