scuba gear wauestion difference between open heel fins and full foot fins?

Question

i see that full foot fins are alot cheaper but whats the catch...i'm guessing you can't wear booties then and they offer little warmth? or whats the case? i'm in highschool, 17, and i'm looking to buy some split fins and came across em, anyways a comparison of pros and cons would be nice and all or if you could point me to a website wher ei could get some split fins cheap? thx

Answer 1

Full foot fins are usually intended to be worn on bare feet—typical of tropical diving and snorkeling. As a result, full foot fins are also usually much smaller and thinner than the corresponding open heel versions.



In cold water, one wears a full wetsuit or dry suit and a fair amount of weight to offset the buoyancy of the exposure suit. With all that gear, a diver is much less hydrodynamic—less able to easily slide through the water—so more forceful propulsive kicks are needed. In warm water, divers are much sleeker and move through the water more easily, so less force is needed, and so a flimsier, smaller fin is appropriate.

Answer 2

You're correct in saying that you can't wear bootees with full-foot fins. You need the open-heel fins, which have an adjustable strap to fit over your heel and keep the fin tightly on your foot. Fins don't give any warmth at all, no matter what the style. As to websites, any good stockist of diving gear will have a website. Why not google it? Then you should find a supplier in your own country.

Answer 3

You are correct in that divers usually wear adjustable fins with boots and full foot fins with bare feet. When the water temp is below 21°C / 70°F (The temperature at which wet boots are usually required for adequatre thermal protection) adjustable fins are the norm.



Full foot fins do have a couple of advantages over adjustable fins however, they are generally cheaper and require less effort to swim at the surface.



Personally I'd never use full foot fins outside of the pool, but then I'm a brit and its rarely over 21°C when I dive!