Ask Joe & Larry

What is the difference between full foot and strap heel fins?? Which do I want??

Larry:   Good Question! Over all, people refer to full foot fins as Snorkeling Fins and strap heel fins as Diving Fins. This is not completely accurate as you can use either style for snorkeling or diving. The reason divers normally prefer strap heel fins is that many times we need to gear up a little distance from the water. Then we walk to the water, and into the water - crossing over rocks, coral, and sea urchins. Doing this barefoot can be a painfull experience - especially when carrying an extra 50 pounds of gear on our back.

So really the reason we use strap heel fins is so we can wear booties for foot protection when walking, and when we are on a slippery boat deck - and it makes for faster on and off of the fins when we are getting back on a boat.

Note: For real ease of on and off - Spring Heel Straps are the way to go. In fact my favorite fins - Bio Fins With Spring Straps are now available with the spring straps already attached.

Full foot fins are less expensive - as you only need a fin - and no bootie, but they are normally harder to take on and off - and don't last as long. When the back of the fin rips - throw them away - while with strap heel fins - just get a new strap if one breaks!

Not to say that full foot fins are not used for diving - you will see lots of divemasters in the islands using them. They are used to walking around their boats bare foot, and don't want to deal with the lovely odor that booties develop is wearing them day after day. Some Mirazyme Odor Eliminator will help take the stink out of your boots!

And I do a lot of diving - but still use my strap heel Bio Fins when snorkeling. So the real answer is determine if using booties is a good idea for the type of diving or snorkeling you are doing, then buy either full foot fins, or fins and booties.