Anyone have size 12 feet and wear booties? Fin size question

PaulN · Post by **PaulN** » Tue Feb 26, 2008 12:03 pm

If you do, what kind of fins do you use? I typically use vipers but those kill me with any kind of boot. Any suggestions would be helpful. Thanks!

skansand · Post by **skansand** » Tue Feb 26, 2008 12:28 pm

i have size 14 ee feet and wear finsocks with churchill makapuus.....thats my recommendation.... lets surf soon maaaannn

hansel · Post by **hansel** » Tue Feb 26, 2008 12:43 pm

skansand wrote:i have size 14 ee feet and wear finsocks with churchill makapuus.....thats my recommendation.... lets surf soon maaaannn

yep. in a 13 and i also wear churchill

MALLEE BULL · Post by **MALLEE BULL** » Tue Feb 26, 2008 1:04 pm

MAN WITH THOSE SIZE FEET YOU GUYS DON'T NEED FLIPPERS

I HAVE SIZE 12EE AND I USE XL FORCE FINS WITH INSERTS.
TAKE THE INSERTS OUT FOR BOOTIES.ONLY PROBLEM WITH THEM IS THE BLADES ARE TO LONG ON THEM.BUT MY FEET DON'T CRAMP UP.

Jabba · Post by **Jabba** » Tue Feb 26, 2008 5:27 pm

I have size 12 eee feet and use Hydro Tech 2 silicone fins.

They are made in a specific right and left foot style and I've found that over time (not long) they molded themselves to my feet.

They are the most comfortable fin I've ever used - would not go back to anything else now and don't need to use boots or fin socks any more with these.

KenM · Post by **KenM** » Tue Feb 26, 2008 5:32 pm

Matt, what happened with the Dafin XXL's? I thought you were big on those.

skansand · Post by **skansand** » Tue Feb 26, 2008 5:45 pm

ken, i dont like using my dafins for kneeboarding, their just too wide and drag off the sides of my board....

...but their super comfy and work great for matsurfing, bodyboarding and bodysurfing....

KenM · Post by **KenM** » Tue Feb 26, 2008 6:11 pm

Thanks Matt, how does the foot pocket compare between the two?

W.G. Facenda · Post by **W.G. Facenda** » Tue Feb 26, 2008 8:13 pm

I m sold on the Da fins. But, my fish boards have a tail that's 12 inches pin to pin and are super fast so the drag thing is not an issue at all. Best fin I've ever used...no cramping ,lots of power and I can wear them all day with or without booties.
If there is no surf ,I swim laps for an hour straight and sometimes swim lps or use kickboard with them....so I have put some hrs on these things. I wear a 12 and use a XL Da fin.

tsenn · Post by **tsenn** » Tue Feb 26, 2008 8:24 pm

W.G., what about booties? This is the first year I have ever thought about booties under my fins. It's been a little chilly, even for San Diego standards...but quite a winter for waves....

skansand · Post by **skansand** » Tue Feb 26, 2008 8:53 pm

foot pocket, well their both symetrical but the da fins have lots more room, and the rubber is alot softer, almost gummy...

the ankle strap is the same rubber and stretches alot...i HAVE to wear fin tethers with these fins as they seem to come off alomost every session...but im useing the size 14-16 i think xxl...

but the next size smaller wont let me use my 2-3m socks...

if i knew how GG got carbon fiber to stick to his rubber UDTs id consider laying some up on my da fins blade because the soft rubber makes the fins kinda flimsy, like 7" vipers....

Nov · Post by **Nov** » Wed Feb 27, 2008 2:36 am

I have size 13 feet. I couldn't wear flippers with booties, so I just stopped wearing flippers altogether.

NCountyKneelo · Post by **NCountyKneelo** » Wed Feb 27, 2008 3:18 pm

I just got booties this year too. The only set of fins I had that would work was an old Green pair of Churchills that some guys at the contest commented they hadn't seen for years. Ya, well there is a reason...they are very comfortable but the flimsiest fin going. The minute I got into some decent size surf with a bit of a current, I was cooked. I Couldn't wear my Tech 2's (most comfortable fin going for summer, no socks needed) with the booties. I have a 11 1/2 - 12 foot. So, I took my booties into the store and found an XL Churchill Makapu ($30 bucks at Sports Authority)that seemed to have enough room in the store so I knew they would "loosen" a bit with water and some use. The newer Churchill has the largest fin area I have used in years and the added kick in larger Winter surf has been an welcomed bonus. I feel whole again.

KenM · Post by **KenM** » Wed Feb 27, 2008 3:28 pm

Matt and WG, thanks for the input on the Dafins, I have a pair on order.
--------------------
Big feet + cold water

W.G. Facenda · Post by **W.G. Facenda** » Wed Feb 27, 2008 4:39 pm

First yr I have ever worn booties. I 'm sticking with the O'Neil "Ninja " booties with the XL Da fins for my size 12 feet,they don't fill with water either. . Easy on and off on the rocky points and for running back up to the take off at the spit.