Selecting the correct size for swim fins is important to ensure that you are able to efficient move your legs while you are swimming. If the swim fins is too loose, you will waste energy with each kick of your leg as the swim fins will not effective transfer your energy to the water. If, on the other hand, the swim fins are too tight for your foot, you may experience numbness in your toes due to the tightness of the fins on your feet.
In either of these instance, you will not be able to conserve your breath while you are swimming, so it is important for you to ensure that the swim fins provide a proper fit for your feet. In order to ensure that your swim fins will provide a proper fit, you must measure your feet. Your feet can swell throughout the day, so you should measure your feet in the afternoon when they are at their largest.
How to Choose, Fit, and Care for Swim Fins
Standing against a wall, you should trace the outline of your feet, and then measure from heel to longest toe, as well as the width of your widest portion of your foot. Each foot can be slightly different in size from the other foot of an individual, so you should measure both feet. Furthermore, you must measure the width of your foot because even if you have even the most accuratly measured foot length, if the width of your foot is not measured, the fins may slide within your feet while you are swimming.
There are different type of swim fins available. Some swim fins have open heels and straps can adjust them, and are used for scuba and freediving as they can accommodate thick diving booties. Full-foot swim fins is not adjustable, and slip onto the feet like shoes.
Snorkelers use full-foot fins for warm waters as they may walk on the beach. Split fins use two lobe to channel the water through the fins, and those who would like to use less leg strength while swimming can benefit from using split fins. Each of these types have different benefits and can cause strain or discomfort for those who use the wrong type of fins.
The length and the stiffness of the fins within each type of swim fins should also be considered. Scuba divers use long blade on their open heel fins because they require a lot of power with their slow kicks. Snorkelers may use short and soft full-foot fins because the movement of the legs is less strenuous when moving on the surface of the water.
Freedivers use extra-long paddle fins because these fins will allow them to conserve their breath while diving deep into the water. Competitive swimmers and water polo player may use swim fins that is stiff and short because these fins will allow for the movements of the legs to be at high speeds. The manufacturers of the swim fins should check the size charts because different brands of fins have different dimensions.
The size of the fins may be listed for a certain size of swim fin, but if the swim fins have wide or narrow blades, the measurements for those fins may be different. It is important to check the size charts made by the swim fins manufacturers to ensure that the fins are not too large or too small for the individual to properly move their leg. Additionally, check whether the swim fins are for bare feet only, or whether the fins are designed for use with booties.
There are some mistake that people make when buying swim fins. One mistake is to buy swim fins that are too large for the individual while walking on land. The rubber of the fins becomes flexible when immersed in water, so fins that are too large for the individuals on land may become too loose while the individual is swimming.
Another mistake is to buy open heel fins that are too loose in the heel. If the individual squeezes the fins too much while swimming, this may cause the heel of the swim fins to lift from the ground while swimming. There should be some space for the toes of the individual to allow for proper circulation, but the space should not be so much that cold water can enter the fins while swimming.
Additionally, dont purchase swim fins that are too large for children. This will prevent the children from possessing proper propulsion while swimming. The material of the swim fins will affect both how the swim fins feel while swimming, as well as how long the swim fins will last.
Solid rubber swim fins are durable, especially in saltwater, but the rubber may become stiff when exposed to cold water. Soft silicone swim fins are flexible, even when exposed to cold water, but they tend to wear out faster than other types of swim fins. Composite swim fins, such as carbon fiber swim fins, are very light and offer great performance when swimming, but they are more susceptible to crack.
Lastly, thermoplastic swim fins are inexpensive, and can be easily molded into various designs, but degrade when exposed to sunlight. Finally, you must take care to maintain the swim fins that are purchased. Always rinse the swim fins with fresh water after each use to remove the salt or chlorine from the water.
Allow the fins to dry in the shade instead of in the sunlight to prevent the fins from cracking. Lastly, clean the swim fins with hot soapy water every month to remove the skin and other debris that may accumulate with each use of the fins. If swim fins are not properly maintained, they may delamate.
By properly maintaining and sizing the swim fins for the individual, they will function correct while swimming.
