Fins are like shoes; they have to fit you well so you can be comfortable in them and they can function optimally. But shoe fit can be adjusted using socks and also shoes are so readily available. If you are uncomfortable in one pair, you can always change into another. In the case of fins, it's likely to be your only pair so make sure you get the right one.
Before trying on fins, make sure you wash your feet so that there is no dirt or sand sticking to your feet. Try on several pairs so you can compare them for fit and comfort. Once you slip on the fins, move your legs and ankles up and down. Water offers greater resistance than air, still moving the fins in the air will give you some indication of how they move against resistance. Make sure the fins fit snug - neither too tight nor too loose. Loose fins scrape the skin around the edge of the boot as well as the skin inside the boot causing soreness. If the fins are too tight, they will hamper your movement. Fins should seal well around the foot or ankle (in case of full fins) but not crush your foot.
The other challenge for both the fin designer and the diver using the fin is to strike a balance between flexibility and stiffness. Stiff fins help provide good thrust, while flexible fins ensure that the leg muscles don't wear out too quickly.
Split fins are a recent innovation that tries to tackle this issue. The traditional fin comprises a large continuous web typically measuring about 8 inches wide and 16 inches long. Length and width can vary from fin to fin. Split fins also come in the same range of sizes but they have a space in the middle. Split fins allow the scuba diver to produce significant thrust with less effort. The disadvantage is in terms of lesser maneuverability which makes turning slower compared to traditional designs. If you are an underwater photographer who needs to spin quickly to photograph some elusive sea creature, you may want to try both the traditional and the split fin so you can compare.
The other important factor in fin selection is buoyancy. Scuba divers must maintain neutral buoyancy in order to minimize the fatigue of ascending and descending. Typically fins are floatable, so if you lose them underwater, you can retrieve them at the surf ace. If your fins constantly pull at your feet, you will find it difficult to maintain neutral buoyancy. On the other hand, if the fins are positively buoyant, you could balance them with ankle weights, but that's only going to make you buy and use an extra piece of equipment. The best thing to do is find out the degree of buoyancy of your fins before buying them.
There are a host of other factors that will influence the comfort and convenience of the fins. Do you want full fitting fins that come over your ankle? Do you want a booty insert or not? Do you want a regular heel strap or a quick release clasp?
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Lilah Tusko is a writer who loves scuba diving! To obtain your 2 FREE Gifts: Special Report "Insider's Guide to Scuba Diving Gear" and Special Report "Top 10 Ways to Make Money while Scuba Diving", go to http://www.scubadivingsolutions.com and sign up for the FREE Gifts.
