Force Fins

[hychang]

Several questions here. First, does anyone here use Force Fins and if so how do you like them? Second for Larry, will ST carry Force Fins? Thanks.

[meesier42]

I use them exclusively for about ten years now. With the exception of testing other fins. They are the only things that I will use.

IMHO- they are by far the best fins out their. They work like no other fin out there. that is to say, that actually work. basic concept- short, flexible fins are the most efficent. they are also made from a high rebound polyurethane that outperforms all other materials, this material is the key to getting the real advantages of the fin. As it will it will snap back into form at the end of your kick providing you additional propulsion.

Also since the blades shape and flex allow the propulsion to be straight back from your foot which means that you don't stir up silt and all the force is pushing you forward.

The foot pocket is one of the best things about it. The unique pocket hooks the largest muscle groups in your body, your thighs, vice you calves as pretty much all other fins do. this means that you strain your muscles less which means that you will fatigue less and use less air.

Basically, you need to try them and give them an honest chance, say 10 dives or so. I am sure that you will come to the same conclusion that, I did, not to mention Jean-Micheal Cousteau, John Chatterton, etc... did. these fins are the best thing out there.

[hychang]

Thanks messier42 for your detailed opinion. I'm looking into these as my left foot is not 100% due to surgery to remove a benign growth from behind my left knee. The growth was "stuck" to the nerve that controls the foot's dorsal movement. I'm only able to lift four of the five toes. So, kicking my fins is lick trying to kick a brick. The force fins were recommended to me for reasons you outlined here. Thanks again for you feedback!

[tedwhiteva]

Originally Posted by meesier42

I use them exclusively for about ten years now. With the exception of testing other fins. They are the only things that I will use.

IMHO- they are by far the best fins out their. They work like no other fin out there. that is to say, that actually work. basic concept- short, flexible fins are the most efficent. they are also made from a high rebound polyurethane that outperforms all other materials, this material is the key to getting the real advantages of the fin. As it will it will snap back into form at the end of your kick providing you additional propulsion.

Also since the blades shape and flex allow the propulsion to be straight back from your foot which means that you don't stir up silt and all the force is pushing you forward.

The foot pocket is one of the best things about it. The unique pocket hooks the largest muscle groups in your body, your thighs, vice you calves as pretty much all other fins do. this means that you strain your muscles less which means that you will fatigue less and use less air.

Basically, you need to try them and give them an honest chance, say 10 dives or so. I am sure that you will come to the same conclusion that, I did, not to mention Jean-Micheal Cousteau, John Chatterton, etc... did. these fins are the best thing out there.

Can you do a frog kick wit them? (and get any thrust?)

[maverick]

I tried other fins and the Force fins work the best 4 me. I had a hip replacement and the fins R real good and doesn't have much if any strain on my bad hip. I would like 2 C a Force fin with a little positive bouyancy. And I like the fins due 2 the design that I can walk with them on.

[cyclone3565]

Ditto on the Force Fins. If I lost mine today, I would buy another set today. They are by far the best I have ever used and I would not trade them for anything.

[Lloyd De Jongh]

Hi

I chose the Force Fins after struggling to keep up with more experienced, stronger swimmers, and fighting through currents. They now let me easily keep up, and are far less tiring than the traditional fin I used before. I agree with the statement that If I lost mine today I'd buy them again tomorrow.

For all the reasons outlined by others and others, like ease of packing, I'd recommend them. I wouldn't use anything else, that's like going back into the darkness after you've seen the light

[cummings66]

The statement about them not stirring up silt is false. I've got a buddy who if I follow I'll end up in blackout conditions, he stirs up more silt than you could imagine. I try to keep him at least 4 feet above the bottom or it silts up. I can by contrast stay 6 inches off of it and not silt it up, but kick style is why.

He claims he can't do a proper frog kick with them, I don't know personally if it's him or just the fin. I think it's probably him.

They do work though, about like my Jets.

[meesier42]

Originally Posted by tedwhiteva

Can you do a frog kick wit them? (and get any thrust?)

Yes you can frog kick in them, at least the modified frog kick that I normally do. I have never had issues causing silting. but, I will admit there are many people here that have more expirience with being in high silt environments than I, I only have maybe 50-60 dives or so and half of them were in Jets. The Original and the Pros' are not the best fins at frog kicking, they are to short to do it particularly well. I would recommend going with the Excellerating ForceFin in TanDelta material. These fins were developed for the frog kick and perform wonderfully, unforetunately they are very expensive. The Extra Force in the original material works very well and in the orignal material is about 1/2 the price of the Xcellerator TanDelta. I normally dive the ExtraForce TanDeltas but I don't recommend them to most people as they are very large fins and you really have to be very strong to make them work for you so I recommend staying with the original polyurethane.

For cummings note that they stir up silt, he even states that he believes his partners issue is kick technique not fins. Although if his buddy is using the Pros or Originals they maybe part of the issue as well, as I said they are just too short and flexible to really frog kick really well. There is a way to do a very tight flutter (with a stiff ankle) that will work in a high silt environment, most people will pull though with their ankles and direct that moving water down.

[in_cavediver]

$629 list for fins (extra force fin) -- WOW!

Force Fin Prices