Spring fin Straps

[rfb3]

I also have the ScubaPro Twin Jets and have always thought about buying the spring straps. But, my straps are quite comfortable, and I do not pull them too tight, so I don't think they are in jeopardy of breaking. I also carry a spare bungy cord in my dive bag (for whatever), and it can be used in a pinch if a strap breaks.

So can someone explain to me the benefits of the spring straps? Please make a good case for these, because I am looking for some new scuba stuff to buy!

[CompuDude]

Rubber straps can and do break. It won't happen to everyone, but it happens enough that if you ask the question, there will be a decent number of people that pipe up and say they have lost fins that way. Note that this is more of a risk for people doing surf entries for ocean shore diving than people plopping into a quarry or lake.

Spring straps go on a LOT faster. Insert foot, pull back strap, let go, done. No tightening or fiddling. Especially handy if the person in front of you has them while you're sweating in your drysuit, waiting for your turn to jump in. But also very handy when you're trying to get your fins on ASAFP to get through the surf zone.

They come off just as fast, but are still very unlikely to come off by accident.

Regular straps can and do work fine. It's just that spring straps work better.

[marchand]

Spring straps will last forever; rubber straps definitely will not.

[lmorin]

[quote=CompuDude;131371]......
Personally, I think the hype and concern over plastic buckles is a little overblown. Is eliminating them safer? Yes. But how often do the buckles break? ....../QUOTE]
I made my own spring straps precisely to avoid ANY buckle. I hated the buckles on my Mares fins (a stated selling point of the fins). They repeatedly rotated on their attachment posts. After only limited wear, one buckle began to come completely off its post when I was taking my fins off at the boat ladder. Also, on some dives my hands were too cold or, with gloves, my fingers were too bulky to operate the buckle properly. The "problem" of strap breakage was, to me, rather irrelevant as deterioration of the strap should be easily detected by reasonable visual inspection way before breakage during dive conditions. I love my spring straps because only one finger (with or without glove) is necessary to remove the strap and, in the same motion with the same hand, I can loop the strap over my hand onto my wrist. I don't have to worry about losing a fin. As simple as pie.

[CompuDude]

Originally Posted by lmorin

I made my own spring straps precisely to avoid ANY buckle. I hated the buckles on my Mares fins (a stated selling point of the fins). They repeatedly rotated on their attachment posts. After only limited wear, one buckle began to come completely off its post when I was taking my fins off at the boat ladder. Also, on some dives my hands were too cold or, with gloves, my fingers were too bulky to operate the buckle properly. The "problem" of strap breakage was, to me, rather irrelevant as deterioration of the strap should be easily detected by reasonable visual inspection way before breakage during dive conditions. I love my spring straps because only one finger (with or without glove) is necessary to remove the strap and, in the same motion with the same hand, I can loop the strap over my hand onto my wrist. I don't have to worry about losing a fin. As simple as pie.

There are many kinds of "plastic buckle". And for the record, I agree with you... I bought my wife a pair of Mares fins, and while the fins are nice, I find the Mares buckles absolutely abhorrent. I can't wait to replace them with spring straps... and neither can she.

The plastic buckles I was referring to are the relatively simple fastex-style buckles used in the EZ-Spring Straps. (See the links earlier in the thread)

[skdvr]

I had a buckle break on me one day while on my boat getting ready to jump into the lake. I was PO'd but I had a spare in my save a dive kit so that dive weekend was saved. After I got home I purchased a set of spring straps and never looked back. My wife thougth I was nuts for spending that kind of money on fin straps. She thought that way until the next time that her and I were diving and she saw how quickly I got my fins on and then after the dive how quickly they came off. I was ordering a bunch of stuff a few weeks back and decided to get her a set and at first she did not want them until she actually tried them out. She loves them now.

Give them a shot and you too will be forever changed...

Phil

[rfb3]

OK, I am almost sold. What are your thoughts on the ScubaPro Twin Jet buckles? Are they a weak point? Would upgrading to the spring straps be a wash due to the buckles?

[vann1066]

This is the subject of springs but not in response to the ScubaPro Twin Jet buckles per se.

I was just wondering what kinds of tools you need to install the spring straps. I am looking at getting the OMS Spring heel straps for my OMS Slipstream fins. I know people say installing them is easy but I am not particularly handy/competent.

[CompuDude]

Originally Posted by vann1066

This is the subject of springs but not in response to the ScubaPro Twin Jet buckles per se.

I was just wondering what kinds of tools you need to install the spring straps. I am looking at getting the OMS Spring heel straps for my OMS Slipstream fins. I know people say installing them is easy but I am not particularly handy/competent.

For SlipStreams, you will need a pair of pliers. Two pairs of pliers, or one pair plus a vise, will be a little easier.

I'm trying to remember if Slipstreams have pins or a screw. If it's pins:

Yank off the old ones. Twist the end up off the pin, destroying the original buckle (really no way around it).

If it's a screw: Unscrew it.

Once the old ones are off, attaching the spring straps should be a pretty obvious process. Don't sweat it.

[Grin]

I installed spring starps on a set of Mares Quatros with nothing but my hands. They kind of twist and lock on there. Turn the old strap connector 90 degrees and it pops off. Install the new spring straps the same way. I guess it depends if you want to eliminate the connectors also. Mine came with the same type connectors as the straps had. I put the spring straps on there for ease of putting the fins on. Straps are easy, but springs are even easier. I now use full foot fins(Cressi 2000s) with no straps 90% of the time.