Fins for Scuba/Free Diving

[CaughtSteelin]

I am looking to get some fins. What I am interested in is a pair that will do free diving for now. But will also work for scuba diving when I go for my cert this winter.

[Tekdivr]

Originally Posted by CaughtSteelin

I am looking to get some fins. What I am interested in is a pair that will do free diving for now. But will also work for scuba diving when I go for my cert this winter.

That's a tough one. True free diving fins are very long, full foot pocket fins. Using that style of fin, even though I've seen it done, is not ideal. I used to have a pair of cresi sub free diving fins and tried them with scuba once. Depending on the water temp and type of entry you'll be using will generally determine whether you go with open or closed heel style. The US Diver Blade may fit the bill for both, but maybe someone on the forum is actually doing what you're wanting to accomplish and can better answer your question.

[cmburch]

Take a look at The Freedive Shop or Bodega Bay ProDive. I use 4mm Argos Extreme socks/booties for full foot pocket fins.

I use 5mm Xcel booties for open heel fins.

I currently use Picasso and WaterWays full foot fins. For many years I used Mares fins. I gave the Mares open heel fins to my buddy when I got the Picasso fins. The open heel Mares fin will work for SCUBA and I used it for freediving also. If you are only planning on depths to about 40 feet the Mares fins should serve you well for SCUBA and be OK for Freediving. A full foot pocket freedive fin is more efficient and takes minimal effort. This equates to better and deeper bottom times. They also do not get caught on kelp like the buckles on open heel fins. I can surface from 40 feet with a couple easy kicks with my WaterWays fins. The Mares Avanti open heel would be a constant slow easy kick to surface.

[Grin]

Originally Posted by CaughtSteelin

I am looking to get some fins. What I am interested in is a pair that will do free diving for now. But will also work for scuba diving when I go for my cert this winter.

You just defined Cressi 2000 HFs
They are long fins for free freediving but many use them for scuba.
I have a pair and use them for both. Mainly scuba, but they are freediving designed fins. The biggest issue is when your freediving you absolutly have to have long fins. There is no arguing that. What is nice when using them for scuba is the nice slow kick and the way you can spin around or move around effortlessly with one slow kick. You see your buddies next to you pidder-paddering with their split fins and just laugh. And if you decide you want to burn some energy you can accellerate. If you need to fight the current for a minute you can actually be successful. The only drawback is wearing them in the boat, which isn't a big deal at all.

Cressis 2000s are cheap, and durable and the footpockets are very comfortable. I have a buddy who freedives to 100 ft and he owns some expensive carbon fiber freediving fins, but normally he uses his Cressis becasue they are less hassle to worry about.

[No Misses]

+1 for the Cressi Gara 2000 fins. I wear the same fins for SCUBA and freediving.

The only drawback is doing wreck penetration. Short fins are better for those close quarter conditions.

The first time that I entered a wreck with my Cressi's on, I could not turn around. I had to back all the way out of the engine room.

[Splitlip]

Originally Posted by No Misses

+1 for the Cressi Gara 2000 fins. I wear the same fins for SCUBA and freediving.

The only drawback is doing wreck penetration. Short fins are better for those close quarter conditions.

The first time that I entered a wreck with my Cressi's on, I could not turn around. I had to back all the way out of the engine room.

+2 here on the Garas. The 2000's are reasonbly priced.

My issue is certain charter boats make it ball buster to exit with them.
Smaller private boats they can be a ball buster before entering.

[CaughtSteelin]

Wow...sweet response. I will mostly be going off the jetties. But will also go with some entries off the beach. If my boat ever gets out of the shop then maybe that...but doubt it; it's only been in for a year now.

Just to make sure I am reading it right; they are called "Cressi Gara 2000 HF", correct? And also are their sizing's usually true? ie:run to big or small...

Thanks

[No Misses]

Thier sizing seems to be right on. I have a narrow size 10 foot. I choose to wear the 8-9 fins with my toes sticking through the hole. This gives me a tight enough foot pocket. I also wear 3 mil socks with these fins.

For reference, I wore the same size Mares full foot fins (Avanti).