Snorkel fins question

susan & herb · Post by **susan & herb** » Fri Mar 27, 2009 8:52 am

I am not a good swimmer and use a belt to snorkel. Several years ago I rented fins and they were so heavy they killed my legs so I don't use them.

Someone mentioned to me that I should look into the lighter weight and shorter fins as they would help me navigate better.

Does anyone have any experience with these fins or could make some recommendations that would help me have an easier time out there with the fishies!

CariBert · Post by **CariBert** » Fri Mar 27, 2009 9:00 am

I personally don't like the full size fins for snorkeling. They are too heavy, and it is way too easy to hit the coral with the tips of the fins when you go vertical.

I do, however, like the security of having fins on, for a current, or when I want to get back to shore in a hurry, so I found some short packable snorkel fins. I think I got them on line at Joe Diver, but you can google "snorkel fins" and a host of places will show up to look at.

Hope this helps.....and "Phins Up"!

-Bert

bevm · Post by **bevm** » Fri Mar 27, 2009 9:19 am

Do you know if Crabby's rents the shorter fins? I have issues with my feet cramping so I can't wear fins at all and I really want to try.

John LMBZ06 · Post by **John LMBZ06** » Fri Mar 27, 2009 9:26 am

I like the bigger ones when I dive, but use short ones for snorkeling. A dive shop in NJ should have them. Here is an example of some short ones you may want to look at.

http://www.shopwiki.com/search.jsp?q=Short_fins&p=1

bevm · Post by **bevm** » Fri Mar 27, 2009 9:48 am

I really don't want to buy them as I will only use them once a year...

lprof · Post by **lprof** » Fri Mar 27, 2009 10:01 am

I may be wrong...but am thinking that my husband rented short fins at Crabby's a couple of years ago; he bought some there afterwards (they are packed away)

...I am thinking "short"

pjayer · Post by **pjayer** » Fri Mar 27, 2009 10:20 am

I like these. They are short, lightweight, and flexible.

http://shop.nationalgeographic.com/prod ... 6/126.html

AH · Post by AH » Fri Mar 27, 2009 12:19 pm

We have always used our normal length fins but next trip (27 days!!

) we are trying out the short fins. We purchased ours from Costco a couple months ago. They came with a mask,a snorkel,and the short fins for I think $39 a set. While we will probably use our old masks the fins and snorkel are really quite nice. They are by US Divers.

AH

Schnell · Post by **Schnell** » Fri Mar 27, 2009 1:58 pm

pjayer wrote:I like these. They are short, lightweight, and flexible.

http://shop.nationalgeographic.com/prod ... 6/126.html

Bought those same ones, but from somewhere else. I have used my regular us divers fins the last 2 years and are sick and tired of lugging down full length fins....either in a carryon or checked bag. UPS is scheduled to drop them on my doorstep this evening. Got a really nice set with the fins, snorkel and a 3 window mask for $50. Originally $80 from a shop in NJ.

Roberto · Post by **Roberto** » Fri Mar 27, 2009 7:33 pm

I personally like the Force fins for traveling and they're decent to snorkel with. Bought ours on ebay.

www.forcefin.com

DELETED · Post by **DELETED** » Fri Mar 27, 2009 7:41 pm

DELETED

Marsh810 · Post by **Marsh810** » Fri Mar 27, 2009 8:58 pm

Bought a pair of these in January. They were awesome. Lighter weight and shorter but great propulsion.Like them better than my regular fins!

http://www.amazon.com/Sport-U-S-Divers- ... 578&sr=8-1

pjayer · Post by **pjayer** » Fri Mar 27, 2009 9:07 pm

Marsh810 wrote:Bought a pair of these in January. They were awesome. Lighter weight and shorter but great propulsion.Like them better than my regular fins!

http://www.amazon.com/Sport-U-S-Divers- ... 578&sr=8-1

I think those are the same ones I have, but I purchased mine from Nat Geo because I like to support them. Either way, they're a great pair of fins. I was very pleased with the fit and the comfort.

susan & herb · Post by **susan & herb** » Sun Mar 29, 2009 11:04 am

Thanks everyone for your suggestions.

I have come across 2 US Divers short fins and am really not sure what the difference is.
One is the AQUA LUNG Sports Travel Ready Trek and the other is the US Divers Trek Travel with short blade which I think is the one that a few people have recommended. Can anyone tell me the difference between the two? Price is within a few dollars of each other. Just looking for a comfortable pair.

thanks again guys. Oh by the way, since I live in NJ does anyone remember the place in NJ they bought their fins from?

shelli0001 · Post by **shelli0001** » Sun Mar 29, 2009 11:45 am

i'm also shopping for some shorter open heel fins, do any of you guys wear soft soled dive booties with these cute little travel fins, or all they for bare feet only? like to wear booties for the rocky/broken coral sites. also, are these little ones strong enough for going to places with currents, like waterlemon?

thanks,
shelli

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