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Ask Joe & Larry

So which is the best fin??

Larry:   That's easy... Split Fins. Don't much care if you're talking about the Bio Fins, or the Tusa Zoom Fins. That's because verses conventional fins it's a no contest. You can read all the Rodale reports and check all the tests... but more importantly - just try a pair. You will never go back to conventional fins again!

Split fins will give you more sustained speed with less effort, and that's what it's all about. Get me from point A to point B in the shortest amount of time with the least amount of work.

As far as the best split fins.... Kind of a toss up for me. I've tried some bad ones - too hard, bad fitting foot pockets, so either Bio Fins, or the Tusa Zoom Fins will work for me. (But around my students I wear the Tusa Zoom Fins because I can get them in Yellow so they see me easier in murkey lakes.)
Joe:   Gosh Larry, are you a wuss or what?? Don't be a little cry baby over having to use your legs a little bit...

Yea, splits are nice - but some of the others just seem too mushy... I'll take the Oceanic V-16 Fins. They kick easy but at least you can feel them on your feet. You can't even tell you're wearing Bios, and they don't respond as fast. With these, a couple of kicks and I'm off. I find I like them better when I need a quick burst of speed and I don't care if it takes a little more leg effort... I exercised once and it didn't kill me.

I've seen you coming back from the gym... perhaps a few more leg exercises Larry!

Besides, when I'm doing some photo stuff, sometimes I like to do little sculling kicks, or little backup moves and the Bio's are too flexible to make these kicks work right.

I'll give you the fact that the Bio Fins are easy to kick and efficient... but I just like the feel of the V16 as it goes through the water. Plus I get to use those other kicks.

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Our Readers Comments

"I'm with Larry... I've used the Bio Fins for 6 months now and they're the best!"
Jimmy, Tulsa, OK

"I dont see a big difference in them, but I like the volo buckles better."
Fishy, NY, NY

I started diving in 1970. Tried a lot of fins and settled on Jetfins. I quit diving in 1979, and recertified in 1998. Still had my old Jetfins. The strap broke and I got to try some BioFins. I never looked back. Between my girlfriend & I, we now have 4 pair. (Drysuit & Wetsuit sizes. A completely different feel, but MUCH more comfortable!
Bill McCabe, WA