New to VFF's and... any good snorkeling fins?

[Balandar]

My Finace and I are heading to Hawaii for our Honeymoon and plan to do some snorkeling. While she has snorkeled in the past, I have never done so. I purchased some KSO's (about a week ago) and at first she thought they were funny looking, but they are growing on her. We will be on Molokai for part of our vacation and want to hit a couple of snorkeling spots, but we may have to trek a bit to get there. The VFF's will be handy.

Can anyone recommend some good fins that I can use with the VFFs? It'd be nice to be able to slip in or out of fins without having to put other footwear on. I saw a blog post on here about scuba fins http://birthdayshoes.com/naree-combines-five-finger-sprints-with-scuba-fins. I have no experience in this area. Does anyone have tips/suggestions or a recommend pair for snorkeling that is easy to pack in a suitcase that will work with the VFF's?

Thanks!

[buncombe]

Hi there, I'm Naree! 

I use Force Fins. 

http://www.forcefin.com/

They are REALLY great for vibram wearers - they, much like our weird new shoes for humans, mimic the natural movement of fish fins.  Plus, you can fit your vibrams in them.  Or you can go barefoot in them - they come with a neat little insert so the fins fit snugly against the top of your feet.

They are designed so well that you can swim significantly faster in them, and - when you scuba dive - you end up using a lot less air (it takes less energy to propel yourself forward).  They are also significantly shorter and lighter than regular scuba fins, so they are easy to pack in a carry-on.  I LOVE my fins!

One tip - you should try them on in a store.  Much like Vibrams, the sizes can surprise you.  And much liek vibrams, you'll find that you swim differently with them than with conventional fins - less kicking from your hips, and more subtle action from your ankles and calves.

Good luck!

[buncombe]

Oh, a couple more things...

I have the regular Force Fins.  They go for $180+ on the webpage, but if you go to a scuba store that carries them, you can get them for much cheaper (I ended up spending about $110).  Pricey, but they last forever, and since they are all one molded piece, there are no fiddly bits that break off.

I prefer to wear mine with my vibrams, because I like to walk across rough rocks / nasty things while wearing VFFs, not while barefoot.  My partner wears hers barefoot or sometimes with scuba booties (her ankles get cold!).

Also, weird thing about these fins - I don't know if it's the shape, or what, but fish are SUPER attracted to them.  I have several shots of myself swimming along happily with a school of fish following my fins and nipping at them.  It's sorta weird, but cool, too.  I just hope sharks aren't interested in them as well!

Good luck!

[Balandar]

Force Fins look great, but they are out of my budget. Maybe in the future, just too many expenses for the wedding right now. I still want to purchase equipment as renting is between $6 to $10 a day for snorkel equipment. Over two weeks that could add up to a decent inexpensive snorkeling set. The only problem would be bag real-estate, which would disappear due to the fins. Are there any others that would work with VFF's? Maybe the US Diver's Trek or Shredder II? Something along those lines?

[Vryce]

What about something like ShinFins?

http://birthdayshoes.com/forum/barefoot-activities/swimming-with-shinfins-playing-with-dolphins/

[buncombe]

Hmm, then maybe the shinfins are your best bet.  The US Divers Treks / Shredder fins are not really very good with VFFs - unless you can get a super large size fin it's just really difficult to fit your VFF-clad feet in them comfortably.  Really, for the fins + VFF experience, you need to go with something that does NOT look like a standard boot - either open for the forefoot (like Force Fins) or a completely different design altogether (shinfins).

Good luck!