Swin Fins - Using Swim Fins With Wetsuit Boots - Winter Surf

DrStrange · Post by **DrStrange** » Fri Oct 13, 2006 12:56 pm

Howdy folks, been having major issues w/ my browser at home not finding the site. Here I am at work...

I think those leash teathers that are part of the bootie are weak. Cut mine off. They seemed more in the way then helpful. Doubted they'd hold when needed. Made teathers my own self w/ a couple old velcro leash cuffs (Thank you Ken!) and some nylon strap and a a couple little plastic links like for back back . No clips or buckles nor stems or seeds that we don't need.

Been using the Flips big 'uns and really like them. More power than Ducks and very comfy. Only drawbacks are, a minute to strap into them; yes they have strap and buckle set up AND they do need occasional tightening in the water

Beeline2.0 · Post by **Beeline2.0** » Fri Oct 13, 2006 1:06 pm

ScottMac · Post by **ScottMac** » Fri Oct 13, 2006 1:26 pm

KED · Post by **KED** » Fri Oct 13, 2006 4:13 pm

Met a fellow kneelo yesterday who created his own fin tethers. He cut the foot part off of an old pair of booties

and kept the upper part of each bootie to use as the around the leg/collar part of each tether. He then attached a piece of nylon cord around each neoprene collar to use as the tether for his fins. Said he's been k'boarding for years and it's the most comfortable set up he's ever used

Bill E. · Post by **Bill E.** » Fri Oct 13, 2006 5:20 pm

Mine are real easy and yes I dont want anymore Velcro.

Get 5 feet of 1/8" nylon cord and a couple feet of 1/4"rubber tube.
Find a couple of those spring/button things on the strings of a parka.

Cut the cord and tube in half, then put it in each other.
Tie a whoopie knot (69)with the ends of the cords and burn ends.
In hot soapy water pull the knot the center of tube.
Put the crimpy thing on the loop that is out of the tube.
Then loop it on the strap of the fins. Done

If you find good crimpy things with stainless steel springs, that is good.
Alot of them are all plastic now, dont know how long they last.

stemple · Post by **stemple** » Fri Oct 13, 2006 10:11 pm

I use the H20 fin sock with the fin velcro tethers. They work great and I don't find the velcro fin tether wears out at all. They have yet to tear off or break and I mainly surf OB in SF. The bottom of the booty wears out before the velcro. The nice thing about the velcro strap is that it holds the fin strap in the same place and so it nevers moves, thus it is nearly impossible to have them sucked off your feet. Regular tethers don't prevent the fin from coming off but just keep it attached. Believe me this really sucks as you struggle to get it back on as the next wave is bearing down on top of you. The design and stiching solid, they look clean and they cut down on resistence when swimming and kicking around.

Dr strange don't cut them off try using them first. I order them on line from eboarding.com and save about 5 to 6 bucks per set and they are about 10 bucks cheaper then the Oneil ones. They started making them with bottom grip in the last year or so the bottoms seem to last a bit longer now. The only thing I don't like about them is a stretchy strap at the top. You don't need this with a wetsuit but when using them in warm water it seals the booty off so water doesn't get in. My toes are funky so if I don't wear socks with my fins the tops/knuckles of my toes get chewed up within one or two sessions. To each his own.

Ps. I need the tethers (alot of fins don't float plus currents at OB can suck a fin away from you in seconds even if they do float) because I like my fins slightly loose. I found that a slightly looser fin cuts down on the occurrence of foot cramps.

KAVA · Post by **KAVA** » Sat Oct 14, 2006 1:29 am

I think the combination of anything velcro with surfing is going to end
up being a losing combination. Salt water, sand and grit just breaks
the stuff down too quickly

but i will bet you wear a leash with a vecro closure eh?

back in the old days (when a bus ride was .25) we would use shoe strings as fin teathers. personally I dont use them

kage · Post by **kage** » Sat Oct 14, 2006 12:42 pm

When you guys are talking about booties are you talking about fin socks or booties? Cause socks are cheaper and take up less space between your foot and the fin; making it less likely to have to go up a size. I am at the lane almost every day through the year and my feet are good with 3mil socks. I do reccomend a hood the kind that wraps around your neck too as the first thing I'd get after the booties; it wll keep those ice cream headaches away if the water gets really cold.
The first number is the neopreme part of the suit, the next are the seams, and when there are three numbers --maybe it's that exciting codpiece?

( I think)

Beeline2.0 · Post by **Beeline2.0** » Sat Oct 14, 2006 3:44 pm

Beeline2.0 · Post by **Beeline2.0** » Sat Oct 14, 2006 4:36 pm

ScottMac · Post by **ScottMac** » Sat Oct 14, 2006 5:26 pm

Beeline2.0 · Post by **Beeline2.0** » Sat Oct 14, 2006 5:38 pm

T Hall · Post by **T Hall** » Sun Oct 15, 2006 10:30 am

I'm with you beeline, I wear the super XL duckfeet and the Oneill 3 mil bootie underneath. That fin works well with tons of power and has a foot box (almost) wide enough for my fat feet.
As far a wetsuits go, Ive looked at all of the new suits with all of the bells and whistles and I have always gone with custom suits. Hemmed ankles and wrists and a regular old backzip with a seperate full hood, full kneepads, old standard design. I find that for me the fit is better and they last longer and chafe me far less than an off the shelf suit. Although they cost around $400.00 I usually get around 4 years out of them, $100.00 a year aint bad.
Later, T Hall.

KAVA · Post by **KAVA** » Sun Oct 15, 2006 1:14 pm

hmmm anybody tried wearing kneepads in the water?

Beeline2.0 · Post by **Beeline2.0** » Sun Oct 15, 2006 6:53 pm