Snorkeling Equipment - Choice of fins (flippers)
Minimise blisters with a fairly tight, but very elastic 'saddle'
Shorter fins probably better for snorkeling photography than long fins
Size
Does fin size matter? Yes - but 'big'/ 'long' - isn't necessarily better.
Long gives you more propulsion. You might want 'long' when you encounter a strong current.
But, 'long' means you are more likely to hit that precious coral. And, 'long', if you aren't fit, means tired legs quicker than from smaller fins.
Snorkeling is usually neither a marathon, nor a sprint. It's a meander, except in a strong current.
Does fin size matter? Yes - but 'big'/ 'long' - isn't necessarily better.
Long gives you more propulsion. You might want 'long' when you encounter a strong current.
But, 'long' means you are more likely to hit that precious coral. And, 'long', if you aren't fit, means tired legs quicker than from smaller fins.
Snorkeling is usually neither a marathon, nor a sprint. It's a meander, except in a strong current.
The flipper can get in the way!
I started with 'long' but now prefer 'shorter' for both manouverability and lack of leg cramp.
Blisters
Fins have to be comfortable. Blistered toes after a few hours snorkelling on the first day is no fun.
Obviously, it's the foot moving in the fin that leads to all the blisters, including the toes.
Avoid old-fashioned, fairly inflexible 'saddle' fins. Any foot slippage in an inflexible 'saddle' leads to blisters in very short time.
Blisters
Fins have to be comfortable. Blistered toes after a few hours snorkelling on the first day is no fun.
Obviously, it's the foot moving in the fin that leads to all the blisters, including the toes.
Avoid old-fashioned, fairly inflexible 'saddle' fins. Any foot slippage in an inflexible 'saddle' leads to blisters in very short time.
A backstrap can allow foot slippage which leads to rubbing (tighten the strap to minimise obviously).
A reasonably tight-fitting fin with a tight but elastic 'saddle' or strap over the foot, with a back to the fin seems to minimise rubbing and blistering.
Split fins
Split fins give more speed but less manouverability than solid fins. Manouverability is needed to follow fish and swim around coral.
A reasonably tight-fitting fin with a tight but elastic 'saddle' or strap over the foot, with a back to the fin seems to minimise rubbing and blistering.
Split fins
Split fins give more speed but less manouverability than solid fins. Manouverability is needed to follow fish and swim around coral.
Rarely is there a need for speed.
Reef shoes
Vital consideration. Are you going to wear 'reef' shoes? Negatives are, another item to remember plus putting on and pulling off.
Pluses:- comfortable, reduce blisters and lessen the discomfort of walking ashore over coral rubble.
Reef shoes affect the choice of fin size. So make that decision before you buy your fins.
Vital consideration. Are you going to wear 'reef' shoes? Negatives are, another item to remember plus putting on and pulling off.
Pluses:- comfortable, reduce blisters and lessen the discomfort of walking ashore over coral rubble.
Reef shoes affect the choice of fin size. So make that decision before you buy your fins.
