Full foot fin for laps

**Zeagle Eagle** · 12-14-2012, 15:29

I am looking for a full foot fin for swimming laps. Any recommendations? I love my Apollo splits and Scuba Pro splits but they take a boot.

I am trying to get my legs back in shape for the beginning of diving season, January.

**bfmorgan** · 12-14-2012, 22:52

When I am working out in the pool I use an open heel fin with a 3mm neoprene sock. Not stylish but it works for me.YMMV. The surprise is to try swimming laps without fins. You get so used to having all of the thrust from the fins. What a shock to find out how little thrust you get from bare feet.

**Skred** · 12-15-2012, 06:39

Take a look at Mares Volo Race fins. I picked up a pair to use in the pool when I was training for the swims for my DM course a few years back. They were recommended by a couple of instructors at the dive shop I trained with (the shop does not carry Mares brand btw). Great fins.

**Zeagle Eagle** · 12-15-2012, 09:31

Originally Posted by bfmorgan

When I am working out in the pool I use an open heel fin with a 3mm neoprene sock. Not stylish but it works for me.YMMV. The surprise is to try swimming laps without fins. You get so used to having all of the thrust from the fins. What a shock to find out how little thrust you get from bare feet.

Hadn't thought of that. Where can I get some 3mm neoprene socks? I see ST's has some 2mm.

**Zeagle Eagle** · 12-15-2012, 09:34

Originally Posted by Skred

Take a look at Mares Volo Race fins. I picked up a pair to use in the pool when I was training for the swims for my DM course a few years back. They were recommended by a couple of instructors at the dive shop I trained with (the shop does not carry Mares brand btw). Great fins.

The Mares looks like a good option for me. I notice that LP also has some Scuba Pro full foot fins for $50 bucks.
How long did it take your feet to "toughen up" so you don't get blisters? I am really wanting to go without socks if I can.

**bfmorgan** · 12-15-2012, 10:04

Originally Posted by Zeagle Eagle

Hadn't thought of that. Where can I get some 3mm neoprene socks? I see ST's has some 2mm.

Remember that I am in
the Northern U.S. I doubt that I can find 2mm socks up here. The real reason that I have 3 mm socks is that I will wear them with a 5 mm boot....water temps around 40 degrees (F). Then I discovered that a 3 mm sock was just about right when water temps get into the 60s and 70s. Only challenge is to make sure your fin's foot pocket still fits your foot. I got lucky and my blades fit, but not my split fins.

**CWSWine** · 12-15-2012, 10:32

I use these in the pool, you can either use them barefooted or with a neoprene sock. They have a really soft foot pocket and using them barefoot even for long dive without hurting you feet. They also make a great travel fin and will easily fit into a carry on bag without bending them. You can put them on the stiff setting and frog kick with them, no where near as powerful as a set of jets but they do work. I won't give up my Mares Quarto or my DR fins for 99% percent of my diving but these are a great little fin.

HotShot - New Color

**Lulubelle** · 12-15-2012, 11:03

If you are training for strength and fitness, don't use fins. You will develop much more strength in your legs without them. If you are training for speed, then swim fins are great but should be alternated with none. Hell of a lot more work to swim without.

From my favorite lap swimming coach, an Olympic Medalist in the 100 free.

**Zeagle Eagle** · 12-15-2012, 12:47

Originally Posted by Lulubelle

If you are training for strength and fitness, don't use fins. You will develop much more strength in your legs without them. If you are training for speed, then swim fins are great but should be alternated with none. Hell of a lot more work to swim without.

From my favorite lap swimming coach, an Olympic Medalist in the 100 free.

Thanks Lulubelle. I am trying to firstly get my legs in shape for some diving in January and after that for cardio/weight loss. Not too concerned with speed. The reason I wanted to use fins is I seem to use different muscles than when going barefoot.

**Skred** · 12-15-2012, 15:43

Originally Posted by Zeagle Eagle

The Mares looks like a good option for me. I notice that LP also has some Scuba Pro full foot fins for $50 bucks.
How long did it take your feet to "toughen up" so you don't get blisters? I am really wanting to go without socks if I can.

The biggest problem most folks have with full foot fins is that they rarely fit well. I got lucky in that regard so I didn't have any trouble. Either that or my feet are really tough. My wife actually wore socks with hers and that worked for her.