Mares Unisex Volo Race Fins - Premium Durable Swim Flippers with Closed Foot Pocket for Scuba Diving, Snorkeling & Pool Training | Comfortable Anatomical Design for Men & Women

Without a doubt best full foot dive fins I've used and have been snorkeling since I was a kid. I gave up on composite fins two decades ago because they could never get the stiffness right. Always felt like having wooden paddles strapped on your feet. Way too much stiffness and would hurt your ankles knees, and feet. Things have come a long way. These are as virtually as comfortable as old school all rubber fins but have way more power. I do river snorkelling in fast current and need to be able to strike targets quickly before the current pulls me by. Most all rubber full foot fins, although the ultimate comfort, dont provide enough sudden thrust because the blades are too short and have too much flex. These are perfect. The design allows a lot of power but it all translates to propulsion not putting strain on your joints. Just did a late season run in water temps of low sixties. Fin blades were not too stiff even in colder water. I am a size 10 shoe and ordered the US 8-9 size fins. Perfect fit without any neoprene or Lycra socks. Snug but not too snug anywhere. Order one size down if you plan to wear bare feet. They are secure even under hard kicking and after 3 hours in the river no blisters anywhere or foot cramping. Absolutely none. They were surprisingly warm even bare feet except around my ankles that were exposed. I normally wear booties with open heel rocket fins. So how do these rate to the classic US drivers rocket fins with 3 mm booties you may wonder. I think close enough that in warm water I'd wear these and cooler water opt for the Rocket fins. If I know I will be working rapids and having to plant my feet alot then the Rocket fins have the edge. If I know I won't have extra room to carry my Crocs for walking after getting out of the river then rocket fins are better since I can wear my booties. Rocket fins also have straps to carry on my bike handlebars easier. Overall rocket fins have slightly more power also with very low joint fatigue due to the large vents. These Mare fins have a couple of small vents which help. Full foot fins tend to last longer too. Rocket fins always eventually tear at the top of the foot pocket. One last thing, these didn't get anything sand or gravel in them. I didn't need to stop once to pull and shake out the fins in over 3 hours. For a full foot fin without socks to protect the feet this is fantastic. After a 50 plus year history, Rocket fins are still king of dive fins but these are a close second and best of full foot fins.