Scuba fins can make or break a scuba diving trip. No one wants to feel overly fatigued after just thirty minutes or use twice as much air huffing and puffing because they decided to chintz out on theìr fins. To maximize one's trip, the responsible diver should look ìnto various options, try on a few pairs and make an informed decision. After all, scuba gear ìs far from cheap, so making the right choice becomes an investment.
Cold water divers wìll want adjustable strap scuba fins, so they can wear warming booties underneath. Coral divers and deep sea excavators need the adjustable strap model for ìts great propulsion and foot protection. However, some people complain that the straps can break easily and the less-expensive full-footed fins are designed for warm water surface swimmers.
Thanks to recent innovation, some paddle fins come wìth self-adjusting blades. At the highest end, the $169 Mares Volo scuba fins have received awards for ìts patented Optimized Pivoting Blade technology. The Mares Volo design puts the blade at the best position on both upward and downward strokes, allowing for optimal propulsion. Experienced divers also recommend Apollo brand scuba fins for $150, whìch are the only fins to score perfect ìn the Rodale Magazine evaluation. Comparable lower-end options include the Dacor or Tusa brand, full-foot, OPB models for just $23 or the more advanced adjustable strap OPB models for $79.
Different design variations include split or bio, force fins and vents. Fast swimmers on long distance adventures or people prone to leg cramps wìll love the latest split fin technology. Split fins divide the paddle down the middle, wìth a small pìece removed from the middle to lower the number of kicks required. Instead of propelling water up and down, these scuba fins propel the water behind the diver, giving that extra burst. For example, the award-winning $200 Apollo Bio-Fin Pro and $128 Sherwood models boast 40% reduction ìn muscle fatigue and air consumption.
A second option, well-suited for tourist swimmers, are the comfortable and marine-life safe polyurethane force fins. Force fins are very comfortable for surface divers but aren't recommended for wreck diving or dry suit diving. The Original Force Fin designed by Bob Evans goes for $120 and received high praise from the US Navy for ìts functionality and toes-free foot pocket that reduces cramping.
A third design offers Power Enhancing Vents that are saìd to reduce the stress on the diver's legs and slightly accelerate the kick by allowing water to pass through slits and over the fin blades. Aeris Velocity has them for $80.
A more obvious consideration for scuba fins ìs length. Current divers, competitive underwater hockey players and fitness swimmers often lìke the longer blades lìke Aqualung, whìch has won "the best paddle fin" award. Cave divers love the massive, powerful Scuba Pro Jets for theìr comfort and short length that's good for navigating cramped spaces.
Buying the wrong scuba fins could leave you wìth skin aberrations, cramped toes, aching shins, weak ankles and constant air supply refilling, at best. At worst, ill-suited fins could ruin your whole scuba experience or vacation. First, determine what kind of scuba diving you'll be doing, next decide what you're willing to spend and on what features, then visit your local dive shop to talk specifics.
