Spring Straps

[tc_rain]

Originally Posted by kong

I had my mask and fins for about a week before I ended up purchasing the spring straps for the fins and the soft mask strap. Both are a lot easier to take on and off. I also don't have to constantly adjust the fin straps as I previously did. Worth every penny.

I can't agee more. Those two things made such a difference I wish I would have bought them sooner.

[CompuDude]

The only con is that not many fins come with them out of the box, so you have to buy them separately!

Do it.

[MSilvia]

Originally Posted by tc_rain

I can't agee more. Those two things made such a difference I wish I would have bought them sooner.

It's slightly off topic, but I'd add "sea-cure mouthpiece" to the list of things that made a huge difference for me.

[monant]

I guess it's settled. I'll be picking up some spring straps. I've been thinking about the seacure mouthpiece too.

[bubbletrubble]

One thing to consider is that the spring straps aren't adjustable, so if you like to wear different kinds of booties (hard sole, soft sole, drysuit rockboots, etc.) with the same set of fins, the spring might not be able to stretch enough for larger boots and it might be too loose for smaller footwear. It's still just a minor disadvantage. It'll give you an excuse to get a new pair of fins when you get a drysuit. :-)

I couldn't agree more with what's been said here about spring straps. They're great. Easy to don. Easy to doff. For shore diving, if the surf's up, they make the entry just a little bit easier. If you're diving in kelp, the spring straps are less prone than buckled straps to get snagged by the green stuff.

[tc_rain]

I use my spring straps with both wet boots and my drysuit and they work fine. Just lucky I guess

[MSilvia]

Originally Posted by bubbletrubble

One thing to consider is that the spring straps aren't adjustable

That depends on the fin... Hollis F1s seem to have several adjustment positions for the springs.

[CompuDude]

Originally Posted by MSilvia

That depends on the fin... Hollis F1s seem to have several adjustment positions for the springs.

That, plus they ARE adjustable within a certain range... that's the whole point of springs... "springiness". So it depends on just how close the tolerance is for YOUR feet in YOUR booties in YOUR fins.

I can wear rock boots (smallish rock boots) or wetsuit booties (wet or dry), with the same pair of fins (and spring straps). So it's not always quite so dire. But I agree the possibility MAY exist.

[Catt99]

When boat diving in my experience they don't add a tremendous amount of convenience, IMHO, though they do add enough to make them a worthwhile purchase. I have trouble imagining shore diving ever again without spring straps. I consider them a no-brainer expense.

[blcard]

Wow, amazing they sell good fins without springs.

Another vote for the springs.