If you look on youtube ... this is the ONLY video on fin buoyancy. Everyone else is doing videos from home or the shop. We need more videos from the water. Including computers ! This is great and ty !
This was VERY informative! Every dive center should teach this to their students so they can make informed decisions on what to buy together. + shoe with - Fin, or vice versa :)
Thank you, it was a natural progression, as with all training and equipment we break it down into the smallest components and look to maximise and improve on any little thing we can.
Good video to get people thinking about how equipment buoyancy affects trim. Depending on your body composition along with type of water, you might actually require a negatively or positively buoyant fin. My legs for example are naturally quite buoyant in warm sea water both at the surface and relatively so at depth. With a wetsuit or neoprene booties I normally need negatively buoyant fins. A more muscular or densely composed person might need to counter that with neoprene or positively buoyant fins to achieve correct trim.
This is so helpful! When I dove in Cozumel and tried to kneel on the bottom with the group, My legs kept floating up. I had to be held down. No one could tell me why. Thank you!!
Thats a good video! I was actually also very surprised to find out that my RKs are neutral to positive. But thats why i love them😁 But the RK HD is negative.
Thank you so much I'm seeing a lot of your videos because you do many great videos I have been learning from you to make me a better diver. Thank you again. 🇺🇲👌🏼
This was very helpful, are you able to do a Scuba Pro Series video? Scuba Pro Go Sports, Seawing, etc... since that seems to be a popular recreational diver's choice here in Asia
appreciate the very extraordinary idea of this video.. I'm a new diver, and planning to buy my own gear, and want your advise which fins to buy among the makes mentioned in the video " I will use them with wetsuit".. really thanks for this illustrative video
I've just bough a fin marketed as negatively buoyant and I realised my feet are always sinking now that I think of it... I didn't even think about trim when buying the fin
Yes very interesting information about finns and boots . I bought the new seac propulsion finns with ruber strap...i need to try it this summer ...but do you know someting about seac propulsion/ Nice video and very useful.Thanks.
Steve, you're a legend. I bought both the Apex RK3 fins and the Amphibian 4th Element boots. I love them both but, at the beginning especially, I was struggling so much at safety stops to not shoot up to the surface. My legs were so buoyant! After about 6 months using them they're becoming more neutrally buoyant but still not there yet. Any tips from anyone to counter balance this would be greatly appreciated, as I don't necessarily want to get rid of them and buy a different pair of boots and fins, if I can make them work for me. Thanks so much for the effort put into making this video.
You could try moving weight lower to counteract the buoyancy of the fin, Apeks do a heavier version of the RK3 (The HD version) which might be worth a look.
A bit late to the video, but id be really interested to hear your opinion on the Scubapro Go Sport fins. If theyre any good they seem like they would be great all around fins with a travel friendly size
Love this video Please do more kind of fin testing Such as HOG, Poseidon, Dive Rite etc I am looking for a positive fin, i think im going RK3, thanks to this video But i hope to find a popsitive fin and color RED fin Please help me out if possible
Thank you Steve for all the work you share through thèse videos, very interesting and usefull ! Just a question regarding this one: I'm using Quattro fins for years, and I'm very interested to test the bungee used on the white ones... Can you just give me the reference of this strap or something similar, which fits with the Quattros ? Thank you so much
what is the spring strap you using for the quattro? and can you make video on how to do that bungee cord strap you using for quattro. thanks Why with bungee strap quattro is neutral but with bungee cord is negative? The mares bungee strap make it float?
where this is tested? in red sea the water is so salty, so can change the bouyancy. would be interesting to know the place where these fins have been tested to have an index reference.
Hello, the video is quite old so not sure if this comment will be seen, but any help is appreciated! For the longest time, I would dive with the dive shop issued scuba pro fins and manage fine. Recently purchased the Avanti with bungee straps. My issue is with the 5mm boots which are essentially making my legs go up and my head go down especially at the safety stop (I’m a relatively new diver with just over 20 dives). How can I make the shoe wear out a bit more so it doesn’t float up so much? I wouldn’t be diving every day but can I soak them in water each day and hope for the best?
As a new diver. I’ve been having issues with my legs/feet rising. Throwing me. Although I am a new diver. Its just been making be neutral hard. I have the RK3 and a pair of XS scuba boots. Any recommendations to help. I dont necessarily want to switch the RK3s as I cant return them but if I have too. I Will.
Hey Steve, I know this video is a couple years old but what do you prefer having used both the Fourth Element Pelagic and Amphibian? Specifically for foot & ankle fatigue as well as comfort in the water. Thanks in advance, much appreciated for the video.
Hi, I never like the Amphibian sole is too thick if you had massive foot pockets then guess okay, but the pelagic for sure is the one I would choose out of them too. Cheers, Steve
great video! this explains a lot, i dive in the uk in a drysuit and find i have floaty feet with my rk3's, however im worried other jet fins may be too heavy. anyone got any recommendations for neutral or slighly negative jet fin style fins?
Hi Liam, If you like how the RK3's perform then I suggest you get or try the RK3 HD version these are slightly negative and work better for drysuit divers. Regards, Steve
So I am a beginner currently doing my OWD. I am leaning towards either the mares Quattro or the rk3. Seeing the mares having a neutral buoyancy, should I get these over the rk3's to start with? Thanks!
The RK3 are an easy fin for most people to learn the range of kicks with I would say. Best is to really test and try out each of these fins, while you learn. It is quite early for you to commit to just one. Regards, Steve
No sorry we have not, my guess after looking at them here www.oceanicworldwide.com/product/fins/open-heel-fins/manta-ray/ I suspect they would be neutral to buoyant fin. Regards, Steve
Hi Dave, the Apeks RK3 HD are slightly stiffer fin that the standard RK3 and instead of being buoyant they are slightly negative. I actually use a set with my drysuit and I like them for this. They feel and perform the same to me as the standard RK3. Another fin review we will try and do, so I will add it to that and maybe some more details, comparing to others. Regards, Steve
@sidemountscubadiving that's why I was surprised to see how positively buoyant they appeared to be on your video. It might be that their characteristics change over time too (not sure how that could be explained). As I said, mine are the normal RK3s and they are neutral, slightly negative
That is not a scientific test. There is no way those divers are absolutely level before adding the fins. Not only that they are creating a current by swimming by the test fins not to mention the bubbles from their regs hitting the fins. I have to raise the BS flag on this one.
haha your comment made me laugh, it is as scientific as it needs to be :) I have a suggestion actually get wet yourself and take these fins in and then let go of them and see for yourself what happens and let me know cheers :)
If you look on youtube ... this is the ONLY video on fin buoyancy. Everyone else is doing videos from home or the shop. We need more videos from the water. Including computers ! This is great and ty !
@@kevingumfory I agree
The best video ever after spending so much time and money on fins finding out my buoyancy......this made it , God Bless!!!!!!!!!
This was VERY informative! Every dive center should teach this to their students so they can make informed decisions on what to buy together. + shoe with - Fin, or vice versa :)
This is a great video. I like how you decided to “Field test “ the boots and the fins
Thank you, it was a natural progression, as with all training and equipment we break it down into the smallest components and look to maximise and improve on any little thing we can.
Great post - exactly what I was looking for. Thanks for so much working on the details!
Literally an in-depth fin test
Great video! So helpful!
I love this review. So many videos out there just want to put a product on a table and yammer on about it without an in-water demonstration.
Awesome vid, I never would have guessed rk3 were that positive
This video deserves more credit definitely
Sincerely, one of the best videos out there with regards to equipment selection.
Good video to get people thinking about how equipment buoyancy affects trim.
Depending on your body composition along with type of water, you might actually require a negatively or positively buoyant fin. My legs for example are naturally quite buoyant in warm sea water both at the surface and relatively so at depth. With a wetsuit or neoprene booties I normally need negatively buoyant fins.
A more muscular or densely composed person might need to counter that with neoprene or positively buoyant fins to achieve correct trim.
Just got a drysuit and never thought about the effect of boots or fins until my feet became incredibly floaty:). Needless to say, change fins.
Great video. Finally understand…. Thanks so much for producing such informative video… sharing this video with my friends
So apeks rk3 positive. Great thank you
Great vid! This explains so much why my legs always sink when I relax, thanks for the video! :)
Great video, no one checks the details especially in rec diving world.
I like the "先生” - "Sir" at the bottom of the yellow mares fins!
Good information!
This is so helpful! When I dove in Cozumel and tried to kneel on the bottom with the group, My legs kept floating up. I had to be held down. No one could tell me why. Thank you!!
@@robbiecook5152 I dove there in April for the first time. It was amazing. Did you get a new pair of fins?
Great video. Super informative!
This is gold.
Thats a good video! I was actually also very surprised to find out that my RKs are neutral to positive. But thats why i love them😁
But the RK HD is negative.
Great videos.. always been a fan in your channel especially before and after I finished my sidemount class
Thank you so much I'm seeing a lot of your videos because you do many great videos I have been learning from you to make me a better diver. Thank you again. 🇺🇲👌🏼
Those RK3's are the standard version. Apeks makes an RK3 HD version (high density), which I use all the time, and they're negative.
This was very helpful, are you able to do a Scuba Pro Series video? Scuba Pro Go Sports, Seawing, etc... since that seems to be a popular recreational diver's choice here in Asia
appreciate the very extraordinary idea of this video.. I'm a new diver, and planning to buy my own gear, and want your advise which fins to buy among the makes mentioned in the video " I will use them with wetsuit".. really thanks for this illustrative video
I've just bough a fin marketed as negatively buoyant and I realised my feet are always sinking now that I think of it... I didn't even think about trim when buying the fin
Great ! Thank you for the tips ,very different and helpful in information. Waiting for more 🤗🤗
Thanks for sharing ❤
Very informative. Wish I’d reviewed prior to a recent purchase.
This was SUPER helpful thank you!
Very cool video
I found this very enlightening, thank you! 👌
Loved the vídeo! Thankyou
So useful, thank you.
Thank you!
Yes very interesting information about finns and boots . I bought the new seac propulsion finns with ruber strap...i need to try it this summer ...but do you know someting about seac propulsion/ Nice video and very useful.Thanks.
thank you so much !! very helpful video
Steve, you're a legend. I bought both the Apex RK3 fins and the Amphibian 4th Element boots. I love them both but, at the beginning especially, I was struggling so much at safety stops to not shoot up to the surface. My legs were so buoyant! After about 6 months using them they're becoming more neutrally buoyant but still not there yet. Any tips from anyone to counter balance this would be greatly appreciated, as I don't necessarily want to get rid of them and buy a different pair of boots and fins, if I can make them work for me. Thanks so much for the effort put into making this video.
You could try moving weight lower to counteract the buoyancy of the fin, Apeks do a heavier version of the RK3 (The HD version) which might be worth a look.
Get ankle weights
A bit late to the video, but id be really interested to hear your opinion on the Scubapro Go Sport fins. If theyre any good they seem like they would be great all around fins with a travel friendly size
nice video...thanks for sharing👍👍👍
Super impressed with your buoyancy control. Thanks for the vid
Thank you so much, great video
Interesting, but using a dry suit it actually nice to have negative fins to compensate for the bit of air in your dry suit feet.
This was very informative. Do you have the link to your indepth fin test?
Love this video
Please do more kind of fin testing
Such as HOG, Poseidon, Dive Rite etc
I am looking for a positive fin, i think im going RK3, thanks to this video
But i hope to find a popsitive fin and color RED fin
Please help me out if possible
great and important stress-free dive. what is hour favorite fin for touring dive?
Thank you Steve for all the work you share through thèse videos, very interesting and usefull !
Just a question regarding this one: I'm using Quattro fins for years, and I'm very interested to test the bungee used on the white ones... Can you just give me the reference of this strap or something similar, which fits with the Quattros ? Thank you so much
what is the spring strap you using for the quattro? and can you make video on how to do that bungee cord strap you using for quattro. thanks
Why with bungee strap quattro is neutral but with bungee cord is negative? The mares bungee strap make it float?
where this is tested? in red sea the water is so salty, so can change the bouyancy. would be interesting to know the place where these fins have been tested to have an index reference.
These fins were tested in the Mediterranean Sea - Gozo, Malta
Perfect. Thanks for posting these observations. Profound contribution to the dive community. I greatly appreciate this post.
Hello, the video is quite old so not sure if this comment will be seen, but any help is appreciated!
For the longest time, I would dive with the dive shop issued scuba pro fins and manage fine. Recently purchased the Avanti with bungee straps.
My issue is with the 5mm boots which are essentially making my legs go up and my head go down especially at the safety stop (I’m a relatively new diver with just over 20 dives).
How can I make the shoe wear out a bit more so it doesn’t float up so much? I wouldn’t be diving every day but can I soak them in water each day and hope for the best?
As a new diver. I’ve been having issues with my legs/feet rising. Throwing me. Although I am a new diver. Its just been making be neutral hard. I have the RK3 and a pair of XS scuba boots. Any recommendations to help. I dont necessarily want to switch the RK3s as I cant return them but if I have too. I Will.
Hey Steve, I know this video is a couple years old but what do you prefer having used both the Fourth Element Pelagic and Amphibian? Specifically for foot & ankle fatigue as well as comfort in the water. Thanks in advance, much appreciated for the video.
Hi, I never like the Amphibian sole is too thick if you had massive foot pockets then guess okay, but the pelagic for sure is the one I would choose out of them too. Cheers, Steve
Great job on the testing. Do you have any info on nova seawing 2 or mares xtream?
What about OMS SLipstream Fin? Gull GT?
salt water vs fresh water is also to take into consideration.
hey would like to know what size fins would fit the fourth element amphibian boot? if i am using the scuba jets would it fit?
great video! this explains a lot, i dive in the uk in a drysuit and find i have floaty feet with my rk3's, however im worried other jet fins may be too heavy. anyone got any recommendations for neutral or slighly negative jet fin style fins?
Hi Liam, If you like how the RK3's perform then I suggest you get or try the RK3 HD version these are slightly negative and work better for drysuit divers. Regards, Steve
Ive only used Jet fins. Was wondering why I kept sinking😂
So I am a beginner currently doing my OWD. I am leaning towards either the mares Quattro or the rk3. Seeing the mares having a neutral buoyancy, should I get these over the rk3's to start with? Thanks!
The RK3 are an easy fin for most people to learn the range of kicks with I would say. Best is to really test and try out each of these fins, while you learn. It is quite early for you to commit to just one. Regards, Steve
@@sidemountscubadiving thanks for the response. I will try both models
@@sidemountscubadiving mabye one last question: What is the benefit of spring straps compared to regular bungees besides the added weight? Durability?
Whats the bubbles at back stage ? )
have you tested the buoyancy of the Oceanic Manta Ray Fins?
No sorry we have not, my guess after looking at them here www.oceanicworldwide.com/product/fins/open-heel-fins/manta-ray/ I suspect they would be neutral to buoyant fin. Regards, Steve
Are those superchannels at 1:36? Curious about its bouyancy
Yes, they are super channels. I would say they are neutral to slightly negative (similar to the quattro)
Is this fresh or salt water?
Those are lead weights in the background 😁😁😁
Could review the rk3 HD fins from Apeks ?
Hi Dave, the Apeks RK3 HD are slightly stiffer fin that the standard RK3 and instead of being buoyant they are slightly negative. I actually use a set with my drysuit and I like them for this. They feel and perform the same to me as the standard RK3. Another fin review we will try and do, so I will add it to that and maybe some more details, comparing to others. Regards, Steve
@@sidemountscubadiving thank you I ordered them for cold water drysuit, will let you know how they work out for me 👍
Is that RK3 or RK3 HD?
Are you in salt water or freshwater?
Would you test and comment on the Hollis F1?
My RK3 are neutral 🤷♂️ (not HD)
If they are the normal RK3 they will be positive and if RK3 HD they will be negative. They do not have a neutral one as far as I know
@sidemountscubadiving that's why I was surprised to see how positively buoyant they appeared to be on your video. It might be that their characteristics change over time too (not sure how that could be explained). As I said, mine are the normal RK3s and they are neutral, slightly negative
Prominent
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🥇🥇🥇🏆🏆🏆💙👏👍🏽
Sensei fins
That is not a scientific test. There is no way those divers are absolutely level before adding the fins. Not only that they are creating a current by swimming by the test fins not to mention the bubbles from their regs hitting the fins.
I have to raise the BS flag on this one.
haha your comment made me laugh, it is as scientific as it needs to be :) I have a suggestion actually get wet yourself and take these fins in and then let go of them and see for yourself what happens and let me know cheers :)
Yeah I agree they also did not factor in the gravitational pull of the moon and the other planets what a shame 😢
Those RK3's are the standard version. Apeks makes an RK3 HD version (high density), which I use all the time, and they're negative.