Expanding Foot Pockets

Does anybody have any experience of streching foot pockets on full foot
fins?

I'm after a pair of go-faster fins for uw hockey and all the "new
technology" type fins finish at about a 47 - I'm a 50 (UK 15). I've
tried on a few pairs, and they're all a bit uncomfortable on after
10-15minutes.

I've thought of three options -

1. Softening by heating - first with hot/ boiling water. I'm a little
worried this will make them shrink though.

2. Cutting out sections of the back of the foot pocket to make them more
strechy (maybe 4cm x 0.5cm just at the base of the ankle). I'm a bit
worried about the tear propogating in this case though.

3. Cutting a big notch out of the back of the fin and building up a
larger last round the back of the ankle with rubber and vulcanising
solution. Don't know if this soft rubber type responds well to
vulcanising solution.

Anyone tried any of these? I currently wear my openwater fins with
neoprene booties but they're banned in competitions due to the buckles /
clips and pretty heavy.

Ben


--
Ben Panter, Edinburgh
My name (no spaces)@bigfoot which is a com.

"Ben Panter" <See@the_end.not> wrote in message
news:4030D49A.6000005@the_end.not

> I'm after a pair of go-faster fins for uw hockey and all the "new
> technology" type fins finish at about a 47 - I'm a 50 (UK 15). I've
> tried on a few pairs, and they're all a bit uncomfortable on after
> 10-15minutes.
>
> I've thought of three options -
>
> 1. Softening by heating -
>
> 2. Cutting out sections
>
> 3. Cutting a big notch out of the back of the fin
>
<snipped>

Ben you are forgetting option (4) "toe amputation"

surely you weren't expecting a constructive reply were you)

Steve




--
Posted via Mailgate.ORG Server - http://www.Mailgate.ORG

> > Ben you are forgetting option (4) "toe amputation"
>
> It's been suggested before...

Must be a good idea then...

In answer to the question though, i'd suggest you try to find a pair of fins
that fit correctly, even if they're not the 'best' sort of fins for what you
want. I can't see chopping at the foot pocket (or your foot) being a good
long term solution, you'll end up with bits digging in your foot, and don't
suppose it'll last long. Surely there must be someone who makes fins for
big feet?

David

"David Walker" <wbsdavenews@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:c0vqn9$rcq$1@wisteria.csv.warwick.ac.uk

> > > Ben you are forgetting option (4) "toe amputation"
> >
> > It's been suggested before...
>
> Must be a good idea then...
>
> Surely there must be someone who makes fins for big feet?
>
> David

How about www.sasquatch.com, good job I won't see Ben until next years
Icebreakers coz he is bigger than me.



--
Posted via Mailgate.ORG Server - http://www.Mailgate.ORG

Ben Panter <See@the_end.not> wrote:
>
> I'm after a pair of go-faster fins for uw hockey and all the "new
> technology" type fins finish at about a 47 - I'm a 50 (UK 15). I've
> tried on a few pairs, and they're all a bit uncomfortable on after
> 10-15minutes.
>

<flameproof suit>

The only fins that spring to mind are Force Fins (http://www.forcefin.com)

</flameproof suit>

They do pool fins and have an open toe so finding some to fit should
be possible.

Nick

> We'll see. At the moment I've got them crammed into a pair of twinspeeds
> which are a few sizes too small. They're fine for half an hour or so (so
> great for the first game) but for a day's tournament I need something
> else to stop cramping my foot. Hence the question.
>
> Ben
>

Where abouts are they tight? On the top? Down the sides? Too short?

I'm thinking that a ski shop might be able to help - they can do all sorts
of mad things to ski boots to make them fit properly...

CAS
--
Temperature @ Stoney? Find it or share it @
http://stoneytemps.calumscott.me.uk/

CAS wrote:
>>We'll see. At the moment I've got them crammed into a pair of twinspeeds
>>which are a few sizes too small. They're fine for half an hour or so (so
>> great for the first game) but for a day's tournament I need something
>>else to stop cramping my foot. Hence the question.
>>
>>Ben
>>
>
>
> Where abouts are they tight? On the top? Down the sides? Too short?
>
> I'm thinking that a ski shop might be able to help - they can do all sorts
> of mad things to ski boots to make them fit properly...

Main problem is the length of them... the strechiness of the rubber
gives me enough space there. What would be good would be extending the
back a little bit. At the moment they cling onto the base of the heel
rather than enveloping it.

A long time ago I worked in a climbing/skiing/outdoorsie type shop and
used their skiboot manipulator to extend my rockshoes (again, very tight
fitting footwear supported by rubber, although significant leather parts
which could give). I'll see what I can jerry rig with beans cans...

Ben

--
Ben Panter, Edinburgh
My name (no spaces)@bigfoot which is a com.

"Steve Jones" <steve.jones@wda.co.uk> wrote in message
news:519570c134aff967e6f63a0bb6475fb3.125781@mygat e.mailgate.org...
> "Ben Panter" <See@the_end.not> wrote in message
> news:4030D49A.6000005@the_end.not
>
> > I'm after a pair of go-faster fins for uw hockey and all the "new
> > technology" type fins finish at about a 47 - I'm a 50 (UK 15). I've
> > tried on a few pairs, and they're all a bit uncomfortable on after
> > 10-15minutes.
> >
> > I've thought of three options -
> >
> > 1. Softening by heating -
> >
> > 2. Cutting out sections
> >
> > 3. Cutting a big notch out of the back of the fin
> >
> <snipped>
>
> Ben you are forgetting option (4) "toe amputation"
>

Instructions here;

http://www.bme.freeq.com/spc/toecutter.htm

Steve Jones wrote:
> "David Walker" <wbsdavenews@hotmail.com> wrote in message
> news:c0vqn9$rcq$1@wisteria.csv.warwick.ac.uk
>
>
>>>>Ben you are forgetting option (4) "toe amputation"
>>>
>>>It's been suggested before...
>>
>>Must be a good idea then...
>>
>> Surely there must be someone who makes fins for big feet?
>>
>>David
>
>
> How about www.sasquatch.com, good job I won't see Ben until next years
> Icebreakers coz he is bigger than me.

Why do I have such problems persuading people that I'm just a 6'7", 19
stone pacifist?


--
Ben Panter, Edinburgh
My name (no spaces)@bigfoot which is a com.

On Wed, 18 Feb 2004 14:37:00 -0000, "Keith Manning" <NOSPAM@tesco.net>
wrote:

>Instructions here;
>
>http://www.bme.freeq.com/spc/toecutter.htm
>

There are some very, very odd people out there in internetland

Pete
diving 'at' melbourne 'dot' me 'dot' uk