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Scuba Flippers Fit-
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Scuba flippers fit very similar to your shoes as far as their size is concerned. Often times men’s fins will be their actual shoe size; whereas, women may have to come down a half size or two (depending on the model). Some manufacturers produce flippers where the sizing spans across a few sizes (e.g. 8-9), so if you select your normal size, your toes may not extend through the pocket on the front.
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On the full foot flipper ,ensure the fin is snug but comfortable. You should be able to slip your bare foot in the pocket with relative ease. When sitting, lift your foot with your flipper on and shake it to the left and right. If you feel a lot of movement and space between the pocket and your foot, you may want to try a smaller size. You would hate to lose your new flippers on your first trip!
The open heel flipper gets a bit more specific as far as fit is concerned. First and foremost, always try on your flippers with the boots you plan on wearing for the dive! The boot can really make a difference in how your scuba flippers fit and feel.
With the boot and scuba flipper on, a properly fitting fin should allow the back of your boot heel to extend past the pocket base by 1” to 4”. In other words, your ankle should be approximately in line with the very back of the bottom of the foot pocket.
If your ankle is too far forward, the pocket may be too large and will cause a lot of movement while you kick. Not only will this be less efficient, but the top of the pocket will most likely aggravate the tendons and veins on the top of your foot. If your heel extends past the pocket too far, the pivot point (which is essentially your ankle) is too far away from the fin blade and therefore will put a lot of pressure on your toes and knees.
Also, keep in mind, that often times divers will tighten the straps on the open heel flippers too much. Ensure that the straps are just keeping the scuba flipper in place and not jamming your foot into the pocket. Once again, as with the full foot flipper, if you sit down and raise your foot with the flipper (and boot!) on and shake it left to right, you should only feel the fin slide side to side a tiny bit. Too much - then it’s too big. Additionally, when you put that same flipper on the ground, you shouldn’t feel uncomfortable pressure on the ball of your foot – if you do, it’s too small.
Flexibility
Flexibility is a highly debated subject when it comes to scuba flippers fit. Unlike size that has some practical guidelines to follow – flexibility really comes down to a matter of personal preference.
Ideally, the perfect fin will have some flexibility and act as a natural extension of your foot. You want to make sure that the movements you are making in the flipper are relaxed and smooth – kicking with the flipper shouldn’t feel jerky or erratic.
Some divers, especially those with a lot of underwater hours, enjoy scuba flippers that are more rigid. The stiffness in the flipper will present more resistance while swimming and move more water. Overall this will allow the diver more power and speed. However, because there is more resistance, it does take more effort to kick.
Additionally, if you don’t have good form and are using rigid flippers, a lot of energy will be wasted moving through the water. In general, the stiffer fins are usually better for advanced divers who have developed good form and strong legs and hips.
More flexible scuba flippers will allow you to glide through the water with less strength, but will also lessen your power.
Since the flipper flexes and therefore, doesn’t move as much water with the surface of the blade, you will not have as much power when you kick.
However, if you are a smaller diver or a beginner, a flexible flipper is usually the way to go. Many water-goers tend to move up in stiffness as they gain more experience and advance in skill.
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