If you've been on a casual snorkeling trip, you probably didn't think much about what was on your feet beside the fins themselves. Perhaps you used a simple pair of rental fins that you just slipped over your bare feet. However, perhaps you also found that your fins felt loose and slippery, even if they were the right size. Or maybe the fin pocket chafed around your ankles, leaving uncomfortable blisters. To take your snorkeling to the next level, you can optimize these imperfections by wearing … [Read more...] about Wearing Socks with Fins (Choosing Thickness, Styles, and Materials)
SCUBA Gear
Open-Heel Vs. Full-Foot Fins for Snorkeling
With the sheer variety of fins on the market these days, new (and even experienced!) snorkelers can be confused about what choice they should make. Perhaps the most obvious difference among fins is whether they have a closed foot pocket like a slip-on shoe or an open pocket with a strap that goes over your heel. Why do fins come in these two types? And which kind is best for your next snorkeling trip? Let's take a closer look at the differences between open-heel vs. full-foot fins! The key … [Read more...] about Open-Heel Vs. Full-Foot Fins for Snorkeling
Single Vs. Double Lens Masks: A Matter of Taste
What are the advantages and disadvantages of single vs. double lens masks? This question may be first on your mind if you're looking to buy a new diving mask. It certainly was for me! And yet, beyond a few forum posts on various SCUBA boards, no one seems to have written much about this, let alone provided a definitive answer. The reason for this is quite simple... There are no inherent advantages or disadvantages between single vs. double lens masks. Ultimately, it comes down to what works … [Read more...] about Single Vs. Double Lens Masks: A Matter of Taste
5 Reasons You Should Upgrade Your Fins With Spring Straps
Last night struggling to fall asleep I decided to put my mind at ease with some old-fashioned retail therapy. Except for me, retail therapy means adding to my wishlist of diving gear! As I was browsing for SCUBA fins, I noticed that there's a new feature that seems to be getting more popular. This feature is the spring strap. That got me wondering, what exactly are spring straps and why do so many fins have them these days? Spring straps are a relatively new design that has taken the SCUBA … [Read more...] about 5 Reasons You Should Upgrade Your Fins With Spring Straps
How Do Swim Fins Work? (SCUBA and Snorkeling)
Did you know? The modern design of the fin was invented by a Lieutenant Commander in the French Navy, Louis de Corlieu (source). Inspired by how the webbed feet on frogs and ducks propel them through water, de Corlieu designed wearable swim fins that work in a similar manner. He demonstrated his first prototype to the public in 1914 and later left the navy to refine the design, patenting it in 1933. By 1939, the propulseurs de natation et de sauvetage (swimming and rescue propulsion device) … [Read more...] about How Do Swim Fins Work? (SCUBA and Snorkeling)