Full Foot Fins

[Lowrider]

I am looking to get a pair of full foot fins for snorkling, I am interested in the Mares Superchannel after seeing the review in Suba Diving mag or the Atomic full foot split fin. Does anyone have any recommendations on either?

[No Misses]

I use the Mares Avante Plana Tres (3 channel as opposed by the 4 channel Quatro). These are full foot fins. They are the predecessor of the new super channels. I originally bought them for snorkeling. Now that most of my diving is on SCUBA, I still love these fins. I have tried others (some very expensive) and I still come back to these as my favorite. You will not be disappointed in the performance of the new superchannel fins.

P.S. The only drawback that I can think of for full foot fins is the lack of a boot. If you are expecting a long walk to the dive site or a short walk over rocks, you may want to wear a boot. I wear a neoprene sock, with my full foot fins. These socks wear out fast if you are walking any distance in them. JM2c. YMMV

Good luck with your choice. You really can't go wrong with either fin.

[CompuDude]

Personally, I'd say of the two I would go with the Mares.

Splits are nice fins, but when face down on the surface, you don't have the same kicking range as when totally submerged, and I don't think splits do their trick quite as well.

[maggs_the]

Originally Posted by CompuDude

Personally, I'd say of the two I would go with the Mares.

Splits are nice fins, but when face down on the surface, you don't have the same kicking range as when totally submerged, and I don't think splits do their trick quite as well.

this is an interesting point actually.. i am looking at getting a pair of full foot splits. i thought i could use my other fins with booties for those shore dives where i cross rocks and such and the splits for boat dives.

it never occurred to me that it would give me less power on the surface. hmm.. typically i find the boat and surface there unless it's a drift dive and they come to me, but still.. i'm not sure i like the idea of not having surface power. hmm...

[pyre24]

I dont know if I would ever use split fins. I like the full foot. Waiting to try out the Slingshot.

[cmburch]

I have the 2 channel full foot Mares Plana Avanti. They are longer, not as wide and not as heavy as my Apollo full foot. I think I kick slower with my Mares. My Mares fit perfectly. It may be I do not use the Mares as much because they are bright orange. My favorite fins of all time are my open heel Rocket fins, but I suck a lot of air when using them. I like my Apollo Full Foot fins. They are fast. From a dead stop my Rocket fins seem to start faster, but the Apollos are faster at top speed with less effort. I have excellent control in stopping, turning and reversing direction. I can tow weaker swimmers against a current easily. Some say that they do not work in a current, but it may just be how they perceive it. They work better all around - underwater or on the surface. I wear size 11.5 EEE shoes. In my bare feet, these fins are LOOSE - Size L/XL. If I wear a sock, they are fine. I can also stretch them on over my narrow size 12 dive booties (Techna zip, mid-weight sole) -this is a plus for when walking on seashell or rocky beaches.