Open-Heel Fins for Divers
High-quality open-heel fins are just as important for a diver as a well-fitting wetsuit, a suitable buoyancy control device, or a reliable regulator. Diving fins are more essential than one might think.
Why open-heel fins for diving? Open-heel fins are fins with an open foot pocket, designed to be worn with neoprene boots and adjusted securely with a heel strap.
These open-heel fins, paired with neoprene boots, provide additional foot protection for the diver – both before the dive, protecting against injuries from rocks or shells while walking, and during the dive, providing insulation against cold water. Climbing a boat ladder without neoprene boots is also very challenging, if not impossible, for a diver. Therefore, open-heel fins are the most practical choice for divers.
Choosing the right open-heel fin is crucial, as fins significantly contribute to the success of a dive.
The foot pocket of open-heel fins must fit perfectly to ensure that the diver’s leg movements are effectively transferred to the fin blade. A poorly fitting foot pocket that wobbles, is too loose, or too tight can cause painful pressure points and muscle cramps in the foot. The Scubapro, Oceanic, and Mares open-heel fins in our online dive shop offer different foot pocket shapes to ensure there is a suitable option for every diver.
The blade of the fin should match the diver’s diving style. For instance, a diver in strong currents needs a different fin than a lake diver, and a professional diver requires a different fin than a recreational diver. The diver’s leg strength and endurance should also determine whether to choose fins with a soft blade, like the Oceanic Viper fins, fins with a stiff blade like the Scubapro Seawing Nova, or fins with a medium-stiff blade like the Mares Superchannel OH or Scubapro Jet Sport fins. You’ll also find split-blade fins, like the Subgear Splitfin, in our online dive shop.
Matching neoprene boots for your open-heel fins can also be found in our online dive shop under the “Boots and Neoprene Socks” category.
Divers also need additional useful accessories for their open-heel fins, such as spare fin straps, steel straps, or bungee straps with stainless steel springs or elastic rubber, fin bags, waterproof gear markers for diving equipment, or fin holders. This accessory range for open-heel fins is also available in our online dive shop.
Snorkelers will find high-quality snorkel fins with a closed foot pocket in the “Snorkel Fins” category. We also have the right fins for freedivers in the “Freediving Fins” category in our online dive shop.
