Cold Water Fin Question

boards_and_fins · Post by **boards_and_fins** » Fri Jun 30, 2006 11:38 am

I am planning a trip up the coast around X-mas. We will be hitting Northern California, Oregon (even there is no surf there..shhhh.)

, and Washington state, where I learned surf. I have never worn fins in water that cold. When I used to surf up there I wore 6mil booties. Now here is the problem, I wear viper v-5's for kneeboarding and they only go to XL, and there is no way they are going to fit over thick booties. Anyone have suggestions for a simliar fin that goes up to XXL?

K-man · Post by **K-man** » Fri Jun 30, 2006 11:53 am

Generally...that time of year oct-dec.the water isn't that cold.The NW trades are generally light,which means the upwelling that occurs in the spring and summer are slowed,meaning the water is warmer.

Guys up here that wear fins are wearing 3mils,I don't wear fins,but wear 5'in spring and 3' thru the fall,along with a lighter suit[4x2]

Hope this helps a bit,a bit off track...

JackG · Post by **JackG** » Fri Jun 30, 2006 12:28 pm

When I was shopping for winter fins this year I found the Viper's had a narrow foot opening compared to Redleys. I can't tell much thrust difference between them, but I've got Redley's over H2Odysea fin sox for winter, and V5's with naked feet for summer.

ScottMac · Post by **ScottMac** » Fri Jun 30, 2006 1:03 pm

surfhorn · Post by **surfhorn** » Fri Jun 30, 2006 2:09 pm

Churchill Slashers take a fin sock really well. Its all I ever wear during the winter months; summer its bare foot. The Slasher (L) seems to fit my size 9 EE foot well - with and w/out the fin socks.

With Duck Feet, I use L bare foot and XL with a bootie.

Jerry · Post by **Jerry** » Fri Jun 30, 2006 2:59 pm

I wear 3 mil. year'round.

Mike Fernandez · Post by **Mike Fernandez** » Sat Jul 01, 2006 8:46 am

boards_and_fins wrote:I am planning a trip up the coast around X-mas. We will be hitting Northern California, Oregon (even there is no surf there..shhhh.) , and Washington state, where I learned surf. I have never worn fins in water that cold. When I used to surf up there I wore 6mil booties. Now here is the problem, I wear viper v-5's for kneeboarding and they only go to XL, and there is no way they are going to fit over thick booties. Anyone have suggestions for a simliar fin that goes up to XXL?

Hey, I have the solution for you.
Here on the east coast I wear a 6-4mm wetsuit with 5mm booties, and gloves.
It gets down to 20 degree air, with 40 degree water and snow. I use the Original Hydro Fins from Australia, they fit with a 5mm booty. In the summer, I use 3mm booties with XL Vipers.
5mm booties are as thick as you will ever need. Don't get the SCUBA divers kind with a heavy sneaker type sole though. Just get 5mm from a surf shop.

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Cold Water Fin Question

Cold Water Fin Question

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