Snorkeling fins - is smaller better?

Lee,
You made excellent points, and I think that we just disagree. I have
had only good expereince with those sets, and you have had a couple
bad ones. We are both just offering our opinions. The problems I
have with the mid range mask and fin combos ($60, $100) are usually
not fit. I've had quite a few crack at the plastic connecting the
fin/mask strap to the fin/mask. A couple have even lost lenses. The
sets I'm talking about all come with Tempered glass lenses, Larry, if
you don't see an indication the mask is tempered, please don't buy
that mask.

Lee, are plastic lenses safe at all for diving?

Larry Simon wrote:

> I do have a better quality mask (Ocean master) which seems pretty
> good and Tusa fins in what is probably a mid-range as far as price
> and quality. Cost isn't an issue for me it is getting the type of
> equipment that fits the need. On the one hand you could say that our
> infrequent use ( a couple times a year) doesn't justify high cost,
> but that's not an issue for me since our couple days of snorkeling
> each year is one of the highlights of our Caribbean trips - which
> are otherwise fairly expensive. So spending and extra $50-100 on
> better snorkeling equipment is OK with me given the cost of a peak
> season Caribbean trip from Chicago. But, if you look back to my
> original message it was about whether smaller fins might be better
> for us, given the nature and frequency of our use. It seems that
> several people on the forum and privately agreed that they would be.
> At the same time it's clear that most smaller fins are the very
> inexpensive ones. Most of the more expensive fins are designed for
> scuba, not occasional surface snorkeling, or more serious snorkelers
> that are more concerned with deep free diving than skimming the
> surface.

> We have a recommendation for a US Divers Splitflex fin, which is a
> lower cost fin. I've ordered a couple of those. I'm not sure if
> they'll fit over our water shoes or not as their description makes
> them sound like they are designed for bare feet, but they are open
> heel so hopefully they will.

I'm really not sure what open heel fins to recommend for snorkeling. I
don't use open heel fins and, to be honest, I don't know anybody that shares
your preference for snorkeling. Everybody I know that buys fins
specifically for snorkeling, bought full foot fins. Then again, I don't
know many people that favor snorkeling in colder water.

Seems to me that what is needed is some input from California, where the
water is cold and the snorkeling is good (I assume).

Barring that, I suggest you get to know somebody in a dive shop that will
let you try a variety of fins, giving you a chance to find what suits you
best.

Lee

My issue with wanting open heel fins doesn't lie with cold water, only place
we go snorkeling is in Caribbean. Rather I just like wearing water shoes,
like Nike Aqua Socks or low cut tropical scuba boots, when entering the
water in rocky areas. For example last December we went to Grand Cayman and
snorkeled at Eden Rock. This is a shore snorkeling /diving area when the
entry is over a rocky edge and not a sandy beach and I don't think I could
have walked on the rocky entry barefoot nor have navigated it "bozo style"
while wearing full foot fins. I guess it comes with having sensitive clumsy
feet!

Hence the need for open heel fins.


> > We have a recommendation for a US Divers Splitflex fin, which is a
> > lower cost fin. I've ordered a couple of those. I'm not sure if
> > they'll fit over our water shoes or not as their description makes
> > them sound like they are designed for bare feet, but they are open
> > heel so hopefully they will.
>
> I'm really not sure what open heel fins to recommend for snorkeling. I
> don't use open heel fins and, to be honest, I don't know anybody that
shares
> your preference for snorkeling. Everybody I know that buys fins
> specifically for snorkeling, bought full foot fins. Then again, I don't
> know many people that favor snorkeling in colder water.
>
> Seems to me that what is needed is some input from California, where the
> water is cold and the snorkeling is good (I assume).
>
> Barring that, I suggest you get to know somebody in a dive shop that will
> let you try a variety of fins, giving you a chance to find what suits you
> best.
>
> Lee
>
>

"Larry Simon" <Lsimon@nospam.mail.com> wrote in message news:<MbU%b.9392892$Id.1566081@news.easynews.com>. ..
> OK, any recommendations?
>
> "William McCluskey" <billandwalter@earthlink.net> wrote in message
> news:b2413fe2.0402270129.10d95181@posting.google.c om...
> > Short and sweet:
> >
> > Both short and flexible, and short and solid will work well. I think
> > you will probably enjoy a flexible fin much much more than a solid
> > heavy fin.
> >
> > If you aren't hurting for money, buy a pair of open heal split
> > fins-use small quick kicks.
> >
> > For a cheap alternative there are plenty of snorkel packages marketed
> > by Body Glove and US divers for around $20 (can purchase from
> > Wal-Mart). This is quality gear, but the fins are almost always full
> > foot.
> >
> > Feel free to contact for more help
> > billandwalter@earthlink.net





William, and all the rest of you.

I would highly agree with your thinking about getting a good set
of fins for a low price. I seen your posts and thought that I
couldn't go on without telling you about my new shop. I don't want to
sound like a sales person but I can't help but tell everyone I talk to
about my site. At www.all-about-scuba.com you can find just what you
are talking about. Good Quality Dive Equipment for a very good price.
My motive for starting this online store was all started last year
when I acquired my certification. I wanted to buy new gear but there
was no way that I was going have the money that I needed to get
equipment. I began looking for a way out of the predicamant and found
this company that was glad to work with me. I finally have achieved
the first step of my goal and that is to sell quality gear online for
a low price. My next goal is to be ranked at the top of the search
engines for many search terms. This would make the gear easily
avaliable to many arround the world.

OK OK, back to the topic of this whole discussion. I have very,
very good fins for a low price! You must look to believe. I will be
adding two new styles of fins that you will absolutly love. They are
a split style fin with a flexible rubber center similar to a ducks
foot. This allows for less fatigue and greater propulsion. I also
have special deals at all times! Please register with me at
www.all-about-scuba.com to recieve free diving tips and regular
E-mails.

Look at the Dive Fin page to see what I have to offer. If you
have any questions PLEASE E-MAIL ME! I want to help you and all the
diving community.

wayne@all-about-scuba.com
www.all-about-scuba.com
765-404-3193

I am a small business, I work all hours of the clock, and I am willing
to help you anytime; just call me! If you need a quote for a
combination of things let me know and I will give you a special price.
If you don't see it on my site ask if I can get it for you.

Thank You, and safe diving!

Wayne M.
President

Somehow I see lots of hype and advertising here (against the guidelines of
most newsgroups) and no informative information.
"allaboutscuba" <wayne@all-about-scuba.com> wrote in message
news:b3715ef1.0403011503.28cdc6d1@posting.google.c om...
> "Larry Simon" <Lsimon@nospam.mail.com> wrote in message
news:<MbU%b.9392892$Id.1566081@news.easynews.com>. ..
> > OK, any recommendations?
> >
> > "William McCluskey" <billandwalter@earthlink.net> wrote in message
> > news:b2413fe2.0402270129.10d95181@posting.google.c om...
> > > Short and sweet:
> > >
> > > Both short and flexible, and short and solid will work well. I think
> > > you will probably enjoy a flexible fin much much more than a solid
> > > heavy fin.
> > >
> > > If you aren't hurting for money, buy a pair of open heal split
> > > fins-use small quick kicks.
> > >
> > > For a cheap alternative there are plenty of snorkel packages marketed
> > > by Body Glove and US divers for around $20 (can purchase from
> > > Wal-Mart). This is quality gear, but the fins are almost always full
> > > foot.
> > >
> > > Feel free to contact for more help
>
>
> William, and all the rest of you.
>
> I would highly agree with your thinking about getting a good set
> of fins for a low price. I seen your posts and thought that I
> couldn't go on without telling you about my new shop. I don't want to
> sound like a sales person but I can't help but tell everyone I talk to
> about my site. At www.all-about-scuba.com you can find just what you
> are talking about. Good Quality Dive Equipment for a very good price.
> My motive for starting this online store was all started last year
> when I acquired my certification. I wanted to buy new gear but there
> was no way that I was going have the money that I needed to get
> equipment. I began looking for a way out of the predicamant and found
> this company that was glad to work with me. I finally have achieved
> the first step of my goal and that is to sell quality gear online for
> a low price. My next goal is to be ranked at the top of the search
> engines for many search terms. This would make the gear easily
> avaliable to many arround the world.
>
> OK OK, back to the topic of this whole discussion. I have very,
> very good fins for a low price! You must look to believe. I will be
> adding two new styles of fins that you will absolutly love. They are
> a split style fin with a flexible rubber center similar to a ducks
> foot. This allows for less fatigue and greater propulsion. I also
> have special deals at all times! Please register with me at
> www.all-about-scuba.com to recieve free diving tips and regular
> E-mails.
>
> Look at the Dive Fin page to see what I have to offer. If you
> have any questions PLEASE E-MAIL ME! I want to help you and all the
> diving community.
>
> wayne@all-about-scuba.com
> www.all-about-scuba.com
> 765-404-3193
>
> I am a small business, I work all hours of the clock, and I am willing
> to help you anytime; just call me! If you need a quote for a
> combination of things let me know and I will give you a special price.
> If you don't see it on my site ask if I can get it for you.
>
> Thank You, and safe diving!
>
> Wayne M.
> President
>
>
> > billandwalter@earthlink.net

In article <b2413fe2.0402280032.69f9049a@posting.google.com >,
billandwalter@earthlink.net (William McCluskey) writes:
>Lee,
>
>Please don't be offensive, it makes you seem rude and obnoxious. ...

You're off-base here. Lee's posting was not offensive, rude or obnoxiious.

>I have NEVER heard of a single problem with the cheap gear. ...
> ... Every test I've seen shows they are
>MORE THAN capable for Larry's needs. ...

I have no idea what you mean by "Every test". I know that I have used
cheap fins in the past and would not ever recommend them for anything.
If someone "doesn't know any better", they may find them acceptable,
but once they've used a better set of fins they will KNOW that the
quality is worth the price difference.

Yes, the cheap fins will work, but the experience will not be nearly
as pleasant as with better quality fins.

O.K., Yes, some people put up with really poor equipment.
That doesn't mean it is a good idea, much less something to recommend.

--
Charlie Hammond -- Hewlett-Packard Company -- Ft Lauderdale FL USA
(hammond@not@peek.ssr.hp.com -- remove "@not" when replying)
All opinions expressed are my own and not necessarily my employer's.

Charlie Hammond <hammond@not@peek.ssr.hp.com> wrote:
>but once they've used a better set of fins they will KNOW that the
>quality is worth the price difference.

Sadly, price and quality aren't too directly related when it comes to fins,
esp as you cross the $100 line.

The $10 fins - I can't imagine many are very comfortable on the foot, though
Churchill surf fins ($35?) are reasonable for what they're intended for.
--
Jason O'Rourke www.jor.com

It seems that this thread has gotten diverted to one of price, and hasn't
really helped much on my orignal question - as it relates to size and type
of fin for an occasional snorkeler who is mostly just swimming on the
surface as opposed to diving down. I'm really not concerned about cost nor
looking for $10 fins. BUT most of the smaller fins, if applicable to my
type of snorkeling, do seem less expensive.

I've basically seen three models of open heel smaller fins that fit what I
think I want to replace my full size Tusa fins - (1) US Divers Splitflex
fins; (2) Tusa Reef Tourer fins and (3) Fab Force SK1 by Force Fin. The
Tusa fins look new and I can't find any comments on the groups on them, the
Fab Force seem to be out of stock by everyone including Force Fin's own site
so that leaves the Splitflex fin. I'm going to give these a try since they
have a t least a couple of good comments in newsgroup archives - either from
here or the rec.trave forums.

Okay, here's my take... In California, freediving for lobster at night
off a rocky beach with a little surf, you can't really see a whole lot
on entry/exit so it's nice to wear booties and keep your toenails. I
use my Cressi Spacefrogs 'cause they're light, flexible, and fit over
booties. Not nearly as efficient as a snorkeling or freediving fin,
but they work fine.

During the day in the same conditions, I use full-foot fins with
neoprene socks and just minimize the amount of walking I do once
they're on. A little shoe-goo on the bottom helps.

I recommend a full-foot snorkeling fin. I think 24-26" total length is
optimal for snorkeling, plus it'll fit in check-in luggage. The TUSA
Reef Tourer fits this category and should work fine, as would similar
models from Aeris, Cressi, Mares, etc.

If you're still set on using booties, I'd recommend looking at a
split-fin or a paddlefin with a lot of flex. I think most SCUBA fins
are far too stiff for efficient snorkeling.

Hope that helps!
-Mako


--
Mako
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View this thread: http://forums.deeperblue.net/showthr...threadid=42317


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