Choosing the Fins That Fit Your Adventurous Underwater Schemes

When you’re making your first steps into the adventurous world of scuba diving, everything is so new, exciting and confusing at the same time. The ocean hides plenty of hidden gems and spots, which makes the entire experience much more rewarding. But becoming a good diver takes time and practice, so don’t push your limits at the very beginning. Instead, make sure to first develop your skills and assemble the necessary gear to enjoy the thrill. And since this is a sport mainly based on flexible movements in the water, scuba fins are among the most important pieces of equipment.

A quality pair of fins is a must when embarking on such a physically demanding journey. Their main purpose is enabling you to move underwater without much effort, but they can also save you in case of an emergency, allowing you to quickly propel through the water. Generally, scuba fins are flat and wide, but their size, material and foot pockets are the main features that can considerably affect your diving performance.

The perfect fit

It’s a no brainier that tight fins will hurt your ankles and toes and cause painful blisters, while fins that are too loose will easily come off your feet while diving and won’t provide you the needed protection. So, to keep your feet well protected and dive comfortably, you should buy scuba fins that are just the right size for you. Finding the perfect fit greatly depends on the material the fins are made from. Most models are made from rubber, which is durable and withstands prolonged exposure to water. Just make sure the fins you choose are made from flexible rubber that is not overly stiff. Flexible fins provide a lot of movement underwater and easily transfer the energy from the leg to the fin.

The best foot pocket design to kick underwater with ease

Depending on the design of the foot pocket, all fins can be divided into two main categories: full-foot and adjustable model. To compare these – full-foot fins are much lighter than adjustable ones. Due to their flexible and shorter blade, it is easier to kick underwater with full-foot models. Their one downside is that due to their light design, they often don’t provide enough power to drag heavy scuba equipment. Adjustable, or also known as open-heel fins, feature heel straps with buckles on each side which you can use to adjust the fin to fit the size and shape of your foot. These are often worn together with special dive boots to provide thermal protection when diving in colder waters. An open heel fin usually provides more stability and control underwater than a full-foot one.

Reach the desired speed with the right type of blade

When it comes to controlling your movements underwater, the blade is one of the most important components that determines how much speed and control the scuba fins will provide. There are two types of blades: split and paddle. Split blades are designed to function as two distinct propellers and due to their flexibility, they don’t cause ankle strain or fatigue. These allow you to move through the water very quickly, yet provide a good amount of control. Paddle fins are lightweight and very comfortable. They offer the best control for refined and precise movements underwater and are often used for slow dives when the main priority is exploring the vivid marine life.