There comes a time when every diver has to invest in your own pair of scuba fins. There are a plethora of choices from a number of manufacturers who continue to
advance the engineering they use to produce the most durable, efficient
fins possible. While the original, traditional full foot scuba fins are
still popular among some people, there are many more styles available
now. Most of the new styles of scuba fins are designed by using
technical and involved mathematical angles and engineering so that the
fin works to the divers advantage as far as efficiency and ease of use.
Some
people find themselves being turned off by the complex and technical
features of these efficiently advanced scuba fins, leaving them to be
content with basic, traditional fins, which is not a bad thing. The
main point to remember when purchasing your own scuba fins is comfort.
If you are uncomfortable or awkward in a pair of fins, they aren't
going to work for you as intended. The specialized angles or split fins
used to create greater kicking efficiency are only effective if you are
comfortable wearing the fin and using it in the water. Comfort is
important because only when you are fully satisfied with you fins will
you be able to use them properly.
To help you choose which
type of scuba fins will work best for your intended use you should
research each style. Traditional Paddle
scuba fins can be either full foot or have an adjustable heel strap.
For scuba diving purposes, people most often use the adjustable heel
strap fins of any style. Full foot fins are mostly used as snorkeling
fins. Traditional paddle fins move water up and down as you
kick and they are essential for divers when free
diving or in currents.
Many major scuba diving equipment
companies have launched new, specially engineered paddle fins that
provides much more move for you kick. 2 recomended companies are Dacor and Tusa, both have scuba fins with the optimized pivoting blade which is a technical design that angles
the fin every time you are kicking upward or downward the fins are
at the most efficient angle to maximize the performance. The
specialized angles of these scuba fins alter the angle traditional
paddle fins have, which makes you loose full force during part of the
kick.
Some scuba fins are all altered in some
way with splits, cutouts or vents that the manufacturers say enhance
the kicking force and efficiency. The most common of these are the
split fins, also known as "Bio-fins". These scuba fins divide the paddle of the fin into two parts with a sliver taken
out of the middle vertically. A lot of people have come to appreciate the
efficiency and forceful strokes of split fins. Split fins are proven to allow
you more performace and greater efficiency. The modification to these fins is supposed to minimize the number
of kicks needed to get a set distance. Some older divers believe the best scuba fins are the basic ones. But, the fins you choose
should be based on comfort and how easily you function in
them.