Scuba Diving Fins comparison: Rigid Fins VS Soft Fins | VS Monday
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- Опубликовано: 10 июл 2024
- Welcome to the latest instalment of VS Monday, hosted by GUE Instructor, Dorota Czerny. VS Monday is our show where we put two industry standard pieces of equipment against each other, examine the pros and cons and allow you to make the most informed decision possible on which could best suit your needs as a diver. This week, Dorota is examining Rigid Fins VS Soft Fins. But which are the right fins for you?
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0:00 Intro
1:19 What's wrong with my favourite fins?
3:02 Soft Fins - PROS
5:30 Soft Fins - CONS
8:19 Rigid Fins - PROS
11:29 Rigid Fins - CONS
16:32 Be Careful of IMPOSTER fins!
17:25 Summary
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VIDEO CREDITS:
On screen: Dorota Czerny
Post Production by Nico Lurot
Music: Awaken Together by Ian41
Photos: Julian Muehlenhaus
Video: Olga Martinelli, Dimitris Fifis, Drone Ops - Faisal Khalaf
Crew: Sima Performing Arts
#ScubaDiving #DiveGear #DiveFins
Hey GUE - isn't it obvious by now we all want to see more Dorota, and quality content like this! Another very well done clip and tank you very much :)
Thank you for the video. I have to disagree with the statement that most divers are head heavy, it's the opposite, most divers in recreational are feet heavy, which means if they stop finning they'll tilt and end up head up and feet down. This can change with a dry suit but then it's again not most divers. Light fins and positively buoyant fins are generally good for trim. I use 2kg in my bc trim pockets and positively buoyant fins and I'm still feet heavy. My students use weights in the bc side pockets and neutral fins and they're also feet heavy.
Only divers I've seen being head heavy are women with skinny torso and fat legs, they are really floaty from butt to feet, but again this bad shaped divers are also a minority.
Amazing video, thank you very much! Agree with each and every point.
In my years of diving I have tried a lot of different models of fins, but eventually came to stiff fins with spring straps and loved them ever since!
Great video, Dorota!!!
Keep up the great work! Amazing content made by the GUE team 💙
The GUE team is very grateful for the awesome feedback :)
Excellent comparison! You are fantastic in communicating and describing your points! Love your detail, experiences and reasoning! First class all the way!
Doro. Great Video.
It was interesting to see the pros and cons of both kinds of fins. Ever since I used the Jet Fins I never though there could be pros for the softer fins. 😅
You were also totally right regarding pain in the lower back with regards to the more Rigid Fins. I had that pain during my start with GUE until I managed to get better at my Techniques underwater.
I am a novice diver. I am research fins. You gave a very precise explanation about all the surfaces. Thank you.
Dorota always brings a smile to my face 🇵🇱♥️
What does she do down below 😂
Hi Dorota, just came across this channel! What a gem! This is very helpful thank u so much for the vid🙌🏽🙌🏽
Excellent approach to the subject, Dorota! To me it has been a must: the "old" Jetfins for drysuits and softer fins with wet/semi-dry suits. And I do not use wetsuits with doubles...Perfet to me, that way. Thanks.
I started diving with Jet Fins right after my Padi Open water course and on the Dive #10 which was my very first guided dive i tried them, i never stopped using them ever since :)
Took my fundies and joined the GUE and then started the DIR config.
Great video. Well explained.
Dorota, great video as always! Really appreciating this series. What are your thoughts on the neutrally buoyant tec fins like the OMS slipstreams or deep six eddy fins when wetsuit diving?
Hey Aaron, glad you like it. And your questions is a good one because diving the old-good jet fins (especially these that were still produced in the US) in a wetsuit is quite a challenge for lower back muscles as they are really negatively buoyant, and not the nicest to dive in a wetsuit. I can talk about the OMS slipstreams, as I know them and use them when diving in a thin wetsuit or a rashguard only - and so, I think they a good option for the warmer water, wetsuit dives. But would really advise against them when diving a drysuit, unless someone has really really really heavy legs.
Hi Dorota, nice Video. Thanks. Just a question: I understood that you said that rigid fins make trim easier in a drysuit but in a wetsuit they can be too heavy. So which fins do you recommend on (recreational), warm water dives (in wetsuit) if not rigid fins? I don’t think you mean to always use drysuit a, right?
Hi Dorota, great video, enjoying the series so far. I swapped to hollis F1s when I started diving dry and have found my finning technique advance greatly using them, especially when diving double tanks.
I have recently used with them when diving my single tank wing in a semi dry wetsuit, distributing trim weights on the top tank band to offset heavy fins. Is there any disadvantage to doing this over buying lighter stiff fins?
Great summary Dorota. I wish it was mandatory for the exact buoyancy characteristics to be advertised on the rigid fins. I'm a UK trilam drysuit diver (Euro twinset) with neoprene socks and rockboots. I find, especially in the colder months, that very little air gets down to my feet as they are stuffed with really thick socks so am always foot heavy. I have gone from Hollis F1s (from forum recommendations) to Scuba Pro Jets to Apeks HDs and am still finding my feet are too heavy. Trim has improved with each but I'm stuck on the next set to try. Probably need something between OMS slipstream and my current Apeks HDs. So frustrating that its hard to demo these fins and even harder to find out the buoyancy characteristics in advance of purchase! Tends to be just negative buoyancy when it is advertised but that's it. Grateful for any advice on the next rigid fins to buy...
Great overview of the market. Thanks for that. More ridged fins for better control of one’s movement are definitely beneficial. Unfortunately, they are too heavy for wet suit diving separating the two worlds. Fortunately, Apex offers its RK3 fins in heavy and light rubber. They work really well and close the gap to some extent. So, there are light weight and relatively stiff fins on the market that make proper wet suit diving possible. Cheers.
You also have lighter stiff fins such as the SharkFin from Sweden which Nico reviewed on the channel, and the new Fourth Element Tech Fins which are much lighter as well
"Pro tip: don't cut your fins" 😂😂😂
You killed me! 😂
The Avanti Cuatro from Mares are very good fins, they have a super strong kick, easy to use and are perfect for recreational diving. You'll find a lot of professionnal diving with those.
I go with the Apeks Rk3 now because they're more versatile. You can use it for recreational, tecnical, cave diving etc... Also I find that for more or less the same strength, it requiere less physical effort with the Rk3.
Hi! I find my fins are pointing upwards when maintaining trim and hovering in a neoprene wetsuit. Does this mean my fins are too positive and should get a fins that are negative. I tried on the RK3 standard (non hd) and the OMS slipstream fins. find the pointing up more pronoun on the RK3. Is it a fin issue or my legs are just not flexible?
Hi Dorota.
Interesting summary, thank you very much.
However, you have not said anything about something important: the type of fastening of the fins. Rubber strips, springs, bunguees ...
I also think it would have been nice to say something concrete about freediving fins, which are sometimes seen in strong current locations.
Greetings from Spain and thanks again.
hey there, Vitriolo - thank you very much for the comments and suggestions. Glad you like the video :)) My intention for this video was not a general comparison of all fins features - there could be added more, and surely the Straps vs Springs could be another VS Monday. For me, some comparisons would be hard to make, as I do not have enough experience with using certain types of gear - like your example of using freediving fins for scuba diving (apart from one dive when I needed to use them as I forgot my own fins and those have been the only possible ones). I used freediving fins but for freediving, and my personal opinion is that they are great for freediving, but not so practical for scuba diving, even though I have seen many guides using those.
If you feel your Avanti Quattro are touching the wreck probably you must modify kicks rather than kind of fins or learn how to kick in overhead/silty/narrow environment 😉
o...k.
Exactly. The problem is the diver, not the fins.
What fins can't used for spear fishing..thanks..
Trying an instructor's rk3s opened my eyes to how different fins could be. Now I dislike my avanti quatros
Please can you list the GUE recommended fins. It will make choosing fins much easier.
Hi Brian, at the risk of GUE being perceived as endorsing a particular brand, most GUE divers , if not all prefer ScubaPro Jetfins. There are other fins just as good, constructed from different materials like the OMS Slipstream, Apeks RK3 (HD) fins - the HD being the stiffer model. Dive-rite XT fins and the Hollis F1. I'm sure there are others out there, but these brands come to mind for now.
@@meandtina thanks 👍
@@meandtina thank you for this - and I agree with your answer completely. I could mention as well ScubaTech fins - but generally, all fins that are rigid, relatively stiff, short(ish), non-split, and rather heavy (gue to use with a drysuit) would work.
Hi Dorota, thanks for the video. It was certainly fun to watch and self-validate after so many years of using the Mares Avanti-Quattro like you.
I was interested at how much these two fins fared, because they look exactly alike, but constructed from different materials. Comparing the weight of the OMS Slipstream (Monoprene) and Jetfins (Rubber) both sized XL with spring straps, the Slipstream weighed 1.2Kg per foot, while Jetfins weighed 1.6Kg. Not too far apart., but when you dive with them, you can feel the difference.
I made a booboo during a dive when I mistakenly took a foot of OMS and Jetfins on a dive because they look identical only to have cramps on my foot with the jetfins when I entered the water.
Coincidence, I also started with those Mares fins. But they were a bit awkward on the boat and I always felt as though I was pedalling a bicycle in too high a gear. I quickly moved to Apeks RK3s. They were instantly more comfortable, 15cm shorter so more manoeuvrable everywhere, and the heel strap is indestructible compared to the plastic catches on the Mares.
Hello, I have an ACL surgery last 2 years. what will be your suggestion for fin to buy? I am a re-creational diver. I tried the OMS slipstream latest generation but ny right achilles heel aches. I am looking for soft but with powerful propulsion
Hi Mark,
Given your recent injury, we are apprehensive to recommend a fin in particular at the risk that it may worsen your injury.
Best suggestion would be to borrow fins from a friend and see if they are hurting you before investing in anything.
We swear by either the ScubaPro Jet Fins, the Shark Fins, or the OMS Slipstream, but these may not be appropriate given the injury you sustained.
Mark, you may want to check out Truefin. Very easy kicking if you kick slow, but power if kicked fast. Info at truefintechnical.com
Hi Dorota , Thanks for the Video and its very useful .
i have a Question about why GUE divers always carry torch in their dives ?
Thanks ,
hey there, thanks and as for your questions - GUE uses light as a form of communication - especially in certain environments where it not only easier but as well necessary. Light is in a way extension of your arm, so if you can not touch a person you can communicate over distance with light. But not ALL dives would require to have a light, but to be honest, if you get used to using it as a communication tool, it is very hard not to dive with it - it feels like someone muted your voice. I may be doing a video on light communication soon, so there may be a bit more details being added. So stay tuned here and on GUEtv :)
@@dorotaczerny7496 I'd add that in poor vis it's an excellent location tool in case you get separated from your buddy or leader, or indeed followers.
Jets in the drysuit and and rk3 without. Altho i have a pair of tusas i really like alot. Dont even know what they are lol. I know they're ancient. 05 or 06.
Hi Dorota..Very nice Video..I love my Scubapro JetFins ..for Holiday I choose the OMS they are a little bit lighter..
Marcus, yes indeed. I use the OMS Slipstreams for wetsuit, too ;) Not too often thou, as I still prefer to dive my drysuit everywhere I can :)))))
@@dorotaczerny7496 slipstream yes.. thank you for remember me..I forget the name of this model...of course only for the wetsuit...:)
Mares advanti Quattro….. the best of both worlds
This video is basically repeating same information about 3 - 4x times. So the video length could be shortened to ~5 mins. Lot of time would be saved that could be better spent balancing ourselves in the water with proper fins.
hey there, thanks for the feedback ) and will try to do less repetition and potentially design the videos differently :) (thou certain type of repetition was on purpose). The video was not designed to talk about trim/balance aspects and just be a comparison of these two types. There are certainly other ways of making these comparisons and I know I could have done some things differently (and touch on different perspectives of the same topics), but alas... practice makes a master, right :) ?
Hi Dorota are you posting from Dubai every time you post a video RUclips says it from Dubai?
yes, I am located in Dubai currently and so the recordings are done here for now
@@dorotaczerny7496 great me too
@@DubaiDiver yeah, I have seen in from your FB profile. So maybe we will see each other someday on a dive or an event :)))
Can you explain a bit more about the 6D engine?
it was 6V not D :)) need to work on clearer pronunciation apparently :)))))
@@dorotaczerny7496 thanks might be my hearing can you explain more about the 6V engine thanks
@@DubaiDiver just driving a BIG car with BIG engine comparison... where the HP allows for good acceleration And here in Dubai, you should know very well how those cars drive :)))
@@dorotaczerny7496 thanks got it now btw i drive a hybrid 🙏
@@DubaiDiver great on the hybrid :) If I buy a car for myself I will aim to get a fully electric one... let us see what the options would by by then :))
I'll stick with my Tusa splits...and maybe pick me up a pair of Mares Quattros.
Enjoy ;)
For me stiff fins are not good. I have long legs and am 60 years old and a softer fin works better for me.
3:20 This is just a mathmatical issure. U cant feel that the wheight difference based on innertia while diving.
also 4:14 Movement in water is easy on the muscles. I dont think anyone who isnt capable of having enough muscles to move in water should dive. You should see a medical professional like a orthopedic i.e. first. Just go for the stiff fins if muscles are the issue. Eat a healthy protein rich diet and your body will adapt in a couple of months.
The general idea should be that diving is also fun. Go with fins that you like to look at, that give power and precision under water and also fins that last a long time.
Stretch your muscles before diving. Learn something from swimmers. If your cheap fins break while you're on a live-aboard, you lose all those dives if they don't have a spare set.
Awesome video!
She is very serious and not a single word a waste i wish the whole youtube be like her
warm water with rash and short for diving... 99.9999% feet heavy. I haven't come across any diver that is head heavy.
Get in the choppa!
zero discussion of the efficiency of movement (i.e., swimming). What about people who want to SWIM with the least effort and least air consumption? No mention of how damn uncomfortable the square foot pockets are? Dove with them for 20 years until I found out how much more efficient a freedive fin is for SWIMMING.
so.... this video was made for DIVING not SWIMMING. Free Diving fins, for the purpose of the diving we do in places like wrecks and caves would be of no use. That's they didn't factor into this conversation
@@GUEdivers Thanks for the reply. Using more air and being less efficient MIGHT be at least mentioned when you are talking about recreational diving. Why use an admittedly less efficient fin that wastes air for a recreational dive?
Tell them!
It took me 2 years after watching this video to learn showering works better without a drysuit and stiff rubber fins.
Wow. This video is filled with so much GUE bias, repetition, and misinformation. 🤦🏼♂️
umm... would you care to elaborate?
@@GUEdivers Let’s skip the fact that she repeats the same points over and over and over. Throughout the video, she makes it very clear her central thesis is “soft fins are bad, stiff fins are good, but only these stiff fins, so everyone else is wrong, and GUE divers are right.” Of course, she doesn’t outright say this, but it is indeed the implied message. The fact is, she’s wrong. She starts by telling a story about how she used to love the Mares Avanti Quattro’s, but one experience on a wreck dive where she touched the sides and all of a sudden she’s questioning her fin selection. Later she goes on to make a point that in order to fix her “problem”, she had to change to shorter, wider, heavier rubber fins. The correct answer would have been she needed to work on improving her skills and awareness, but nooo... No the fins were definitely the problem. 🤦🏼♂️ Then she talks about cave divers. My God. Cave divers have been using those same softer Avanti Quattro’s for decades without issue or complaint, and if ANYONE needs to worry about touching things, it’s cavers. She even makes a highly false claim that heavier fins are necessary for drysuit diving. At this point it’s either a complete lack of actual skill development that led her to believe that, or a lack of knowledge (as in her GUE instructor told her so she believed it without question), or both and she’s brainwashed into a cult mentality. The simple fact is, any fin can be used in a drysuit without issue. It’s the diver that needs to improve their skills. At the end of the day, those softer fins that she’s very subtly trying to lecture to everyone are “bad” have been used the world over by some of the best divers on the planet, and those stiffer, heavier fins she’s trying to imply are better, are not always “better”. I’ve been using heavy rubber fins for decades myself. I was issued jets and rocket fins 20 years ago in school, and today, use a combination of stiff rubber and softer Quattro’s, because both are just as good. What you WANT is a fin that’s neutral in the water, and there’s plenty of great choices out there for that. All those heavy fins are good for is weighing you down and tiring you out for zero good reason. Oh, and if your head heavy, as she claimed at some point, changing fins are not the answer. Learn to fix your trim and lower your weight down further. Problem solved.
@@pinnacledivingco well you certainly seem to have your opinions. But now the question is, why are yours more valid than hers?
Dorota was speaking from personal honest experience, and recounts how the particular solution happened to work for her. At the end of the day, all we can ask people is to share their honest feedback and first hand experience of what worked for them. In a calm, open discussion topic, slandering people with words like "cultish" only diminishes your point of view and possibly portrays you in the wrong light. To question the skill and experience of someone as widely known and as experienced in the industry as Dorota is... that rally does make you come off as unfortunately misinformed.
There's no cult here, just opinions and experiences and we stand by ours and of course welcome yours.
@@GUEdivers It seems you missed the point. She isn’t expressing what she is saying as “opinion” here in this video. She’s making “statements of fact”. She’s presenting her side as if it were fact, not merely opinion or what worked for her in her case. The underlying message is “This is ‘right’ and other ways are ‘wrong’.” She made a claim that touching the side of a wreck meant she had the “wrong” fins for the job, yet this is highly fallacious. We know this to be false as tons of highly experienced technical divers use all sorts of the very fins she said were wrong for some of the most challenging dives possible. She claimed a heavy fin was necessary for drysuit use. Also wrong. Any fin can be used in a drysuit so long as the diver has the skill to maintain the trim necessary to use them. She claimed heavy fins were necessary to adjust for trim. Also wrong. I could go on, but the point is, if she was simply stating “this was my experience and what worked for me”, we wouldn’t be having this conversation, as this would be a different story. But that’s not what’s happening here at all. Instead, what’s happening is a soft approach to implying “It’s a fact that stiff heavy rubber fins are better. All GUE divers use them. Therefore, the GUE way is the best way.” That’s the underlying message here, and it’s cleverly hidden in a “pros and cons” approach to presenting it. The reality is, in her story of how she came to think this way, at the time of those events, she could have simply learned how to control herself and her fins better, and she would have ended up not touching anything. The logic that the fins were the wrong type of fins for the job is fallacious. They weren’t, it was the diver’s inability to perform at that time that was at fault. And further, to suggest that she now, today, is somehow above reproach or criticism for presenting opinions as subtle fact is also fallacious.
@@pinnacledivingco well, we did edit the video, so it would be a bit weird if we were "missing the point".
At no point did we say Dorota was beyond reproach, what we said was that you shouldn't question her skill level so aggressively, which you have done repeatedly, and we can only put this down to your lack of familiarity with her. She is highly skilled and has amassed more dives than most do in their lifetimes. It's very normal that someone who is this experienced has a very informed opinion, and that's what this video is.
Not entirely sure what previous experiences you have had, but you seem to be trying to create this "us vs them" narrative which I'm afraid simply doesn't exsit..
If soft fins work for others and yourself, fantastic! We choose to to dive with hard fins. Don't think we're doing anyone any harm here. :)
Absolutely great presentation Dorota! If you ever find yourself in Seattle and do instruction I would love to take a class from you. I just purchased the Apeks RK3 HD and they should be a great fit for my application as a drysuit recovery diver. Precision maneuvering on the sea floor and gaining more advantage from a thicker side wall for frog and reverse kick styles.
Cheers, #SeattleRingHunter
Mares advanti Quattro….. the best of both worlds