recommendations for scauba fins

Stephan wrote:
> I'm starting to go more often and want to get my own equipement. Which
> is better open heel or closed heel fins? I don't know if I hard the
> wrong size before but last time I went I got scars behind my heels
> from the closed fins. I might want to use them for snorkling sometimes
> too.
>
> Any recommendations?
>
> Thanks,
> Stephan

Where do you dive?

>Which is better open heel or closed heel fins?<

The conventional wisdom is that open heel fins are for colder climates
where a wet or dry suit is necessary. These days, I just snorkel and
my personal preference is for closed heel fins. Fins like these can
cause cramps if they're too small and blisters if they're too big.

>I don't know if I hard the wrong size before but last time I went I
got scars behind my heels from the closed fins.<

It sounds as if your fins are rather too big for your feet, so
consider wearing fin socks or boots to fill out the foot pockets and
avoid abrasions. Another course of action is to wear fin grips,
triangular rubber straps which fit over the ankle and instep and make
the fin fit better. Make sure the foot pocket material is soft and
comfortable around the heel, not hard and unyielding. I prefer fins
with soft natural rubber foot pockets because they're reasonably
priced, they feel comfortable and they're what I've worn when
snorkelling since the 1960s. But what works for me may not work for
you: fins are a very personal item of equipment and you may want to
borrow a few pairs of different types to see which kind suits you
best.

David

"Stephan" <schenette@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:eb9a5e52.0410031327.30573a72@posting.google.c om...
> I'm starting to go more often and want to get my own equipement. Which
> is better open heel or closed heel fins? I don't know if I hard the
> wrong size before but last time I went I got scars behind my heels
> from the closed fins. I might want to use them for snorkling sometimes
> too.
>
> Any recommendations?
>
> Thanks,
> Stephan

The open heel with a diving boot is better for most diving, as the boot protects your
feet when walking out of fins.

Adam

Jon C <news@jonnythan.com> wrote in message news:<Eu08d.128698$Kt5.8100@twister.nyroc.rr.com>. ..
> Stephan wrote:
> > I'm starting to go more often and want to get my own equipement. Which
> > is better open heel or closed heel fins? I don't know if I hard the
> > wrong size before but last time I went I got scars behind my heels
> > from the closed fins. I might want to use them for snorkling sometimes
> > too.
> >
> > Any recommendations?
> >
> > Thanks,
> > Stephan
>
> Where do you dive?

San Diego is where I will be diving.
Mostly just rec diving nothing special.

-S

I'm starting to go more often and want to get my own equipement. Which
is better open heel or closed heel fins? I don't know if I hard the
wrong size before but last time I went I got scars behind my heels
from the closed fins. I might want to use them for snorkling sometimes
too.

Any recommendations?

Thanks,
Stephan

Stephan wrote:
> I'm starting to go more often and want to get my own equipement. Which
> is better open heel or closed heel fins? I don't know if I hard the
> wrong size before but last time I went I got scars behind my heels
> from the closed fins. I might want to use them for snorkling sometimes
> too.
>
> Any recommendations?
>
> Thanks,
> Stephan

Where do you dive?

>Which is better open heel or closed heel fins?<

The conventional wisdom is that open heel fins are for colder climates
where a wet or dry suit is necessary. These days, I just snorkel and
my personal preference is for closed heel fins. Fins like these can
cause cramps if they're too small and blisters if they're too big.

>I don't know if I hard the wrong size before but last time I went I
got scars behind my heels from the closed fins.<

It sounds as if your fins are rather too big for your feet, so
consider wearing fin socks or boots to fill out the foot pockets and
avoid abrasions. Another course of action is to wear fin grips,
triangular rubber straps which fit over the ankle and instep and make
the fin fit better. Make sure the foot pocket material is soft and
comfortable around the heel, not hard and unyielding. I prefer fins
with soft natural rubber foot pockets because they're reasonably
priced, they feel comfortable and they're what I've worn when
snorkelling since the 1960s. But what works for me may not work for
you: fins are a very personal item of equipment and you may want to
borrow a few pairs of different types to see which kind suits you
best.

David

"Stephan" <schenette@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:eb9a5e52.0410031327.30573a72@posting.google.c om...
> I'm starting to go more often and want to get my own equipement. Which
> is better open heel or closed heel fins? I don't know if I hard the
> wrong size before but last time I went I got scars behind my heels
> from the closed fins. I might want to use them for snorkling sometimes
> too.
>
> Any recommendations?
>
> Thanks,
> Stephan

The open heel with a diving boot is better for most diving, as the boot protects your
feet when walking out of fins.

Adam

Jon C <news@jonnythan.com> wrote in message news:<Eu08d.128698$Kt5.8100@twister.nyroc.rr.com>. ..
> Stephan wrote:
> > I'm starting to go more often and want to get my own equipement. Which
> > is better open heel or closed heel fins? I don't know if I hard the
> > wrong size before but last time I went I got scars behind my heels
> > from the closed fins. I might want to use them for snorkling sometimes
> > too.
> >
> > Any recommendations?
> >
> > Thanks,
> > Stephan
>
> Where do you dive?

San Diego is where I will be diving.
Mostly just rec diving nothing special.

-S