new fins-splits or paddles/open or closed

[scubagirlj]

decided to get new fins(expect a call soon ST!) but can't decide between splits or paddles/ open or closed heel-always dive sw, sometimes in current sometimes not-always warm water-usually off a boat but sometimes shore dives-am not a tiny stick person but have plenty of lower body strength and don't tire easily-looking at ST special on tusa zooms-any input?(have kind of floaty feet, probably because i wear a 3m bootie)-have paddles now but DI made comment that they were too flexible

[thesmoothdome]

I've used the same paddle fins I started diving with in 1990 for all my wet suit diving, both cold water and warm water. I've always said that I like to feel some resistance when kicking and am comfortable making long, slow kicks.

I bought my wife a pair of Apollo Biofins before our trip this summer and decided to try them out for a dive that she decided to sit out. All I can say is WOW! They were more powerful and efficient than I expected and believe they outperformed my old Power Planas and will outperform the Plana Avanti Quattros that I for dry suit diving. No doubt that I'll be picking up a pair before my next warm water trip.

As for the open/closed heel question, I prefer open heeled with a bootie. If you decide you want to beach dive, you'll appreciate not having to walk to the water in bare feet.

[Vlane]

Asking about split fins...this thread should get interesting.

That aside, if you're going to be doing shore dives I think you'll want open heel fins. Shores can vary but I don't think you want to be walk barefoot over rocks and sticks. As far as splits go, I think I read elsewhere they may not work out too well in currents and tend to silt easier (correct me if I'm wrong here). I would try and rent/borrow some splits first so you can see if you really like them. Some swear by splits while others will have nothing of them, all personal preference.

[jugglematt]

i think a good pair of splits . eg Apollo


open heel if you want to rock hop or get cold feet

closed heel if you are only tropic diving out of boats or the beach .

i have both and prefer splits . but as previously said you should really test dive a few pair . , then you can say what works bet for you , other peoples opinion will only give you a bit of an idea , test diving you can tel if all the hype is worth it


Matty

[Tekdivr]

I would recommend open heel for all of the reasons mentioned above and trying splits before purchase would be a very wise decision. Depending on how strong a current you experience, will probably be your biggest deciding factor. My wife dives with Atomic splits. She loves them and I can't stand them. I've seen her struggle some in current, but she still chooses to use them due to some knee issues.

[comet24]

Two important question you should ask yourself. How do you kick and what kind of diving do you do and will do in the next few years.

Splits are great for a flutter kick. Think freestyle swimming. Paddle fins are great for frog kicks. Think breast stroke.

You see alot of tec divers say splits suck. Take that with a gran of salt. They suck at frog kicks and helicopter turns. Inside a wreck or cave you do not want to do a flutter kick because the downward motion of the kick will stir up the bottom.

I have both but dive my paddles now because I do alot of wreck diving. If you kick is mostly a flutter type kick and don't see yourself swimming into wrecks or caves stick with splits. If you like to frog kick go with paddles.

As far as open heel/closed heel. Unless all your dives are in the tropics I would go open heel and even warm places like Bonaire you will want colsed heels with booties.

[scubagirlj]

think i'll go with tusa zoom splits/open heel and keep paddles for when we do wrecks and cenotes-thanx for info-might as well go all in and get spring straps for both pair while i'm ordering

[Sansho]

I've been real pleased with my Tusa Zoom splits. While they don't give you the immediate response that paddles provide, in a few kicks they're moving you along nicely.

[thesmoothdome]

My wife, with a size 8 foot (in mens sizes) was a small in Tusa Zooms. The were a good few inches shorter than any other fin that fit her. I thought they were fins designed for small children when the sales clerk first brought them out. Try a pair on before committing to them if you have small feet and the short fin is a problem for you.

[scubachris]

I am facing a similiar problem...im currently using Jets and my primary kick is the frog kick. I love my Jets just that im starting to get tired of my dive bag whenever travelling ( they are heavy!!)
Was thinking of switching to either splits (tusa zoom looks kinda good!) or normal paddles (mares plana avanti quattro)...any commets?