I recently got into swimming. I am not on a team or anything and I'm not particularly good so I use fins most of the time in the pool. I recently got one of Kiefer's power fins that are shorter, kind of like zoomers. As I understand it, fitting fins is somewhat like a shoe except you don't count on them 'breaking in'--they either fit immediately or don't. A local shop where the salesperson I feel didn't quite know what they were talking about said the toes should never be exposed so you can see them beyond the end of the pocket. I have a couple pairs of fins (short blade and long blade) now that fit snug and I can use them for hours in the pool without any issues, but my big toe is about 1/2 inch beyond the pocket. To me, my short training fins and long blade fins feel as perfect as a fit as you can get for these kind of things. I just got these power fins and tried them on. They were trickier to put on. Once I got my feet deep enough in them to pull the heel on, they feel ok. They do feel a bit tighter than short blade fins (like tyr trainers) and the long blade fins I have though, despite being the same size. My movement in them isn't hindered or painful, it just feels 'more snug' than before. The rubber these are made of seems to be a very stretchable and very smooth rubber, so I'm wondering if they will stretch a bit after use...I of course don't want to rip them or anything putting them on though. All these short and really short fins you can't really roll the rubber heel back and then roll it back up, you're kind of stuck having to fish the heel out and pull it just slightly over your foot once you get the foot in. That's at least my experience with them, maybe an indication I'm doing something wrong? Suggestions? ref: www.kiefer.com/kiefer-power-fins--products-871.php
WOW ! That's a lot about fins! Don't count on them getting bigger with use.
My toes have always been showing out the end.
I like Kiefer silicone short fins that are softer at the start & at the end of sets.
In my experience fins definitely stretch over time, but it's not something that happens quickly. If the fin doesn't fall off, flop on your foot, give you blisters or cuts or hurt in some other way, it fits.
Former Member
Thanks! I must have it just right then. I did get a small tear in the toe area where the top part meets the base of the fin, but I think some good glue would fix it just fine. My foot doesn't even touch it so unless I just bonked/bent it back stupidly, it's not the kind of damage I think would be caused by something being too small...just wear and use or defect.
Thanks a bunch I think you answered my question great! Now to swim better without fins !!!
Former Member
We reviewed fins for SWIMMER magazine a while back. You can watch the video here:
www.youtube.com/watch
The proper fit is really whatever works for you. I have several pairs of fins - some fit tighter than others on me. I've found that some of the tighter-fitting ones rub blisters on my feet, especially in salt water.
Former Member
Yeah best I can tell it's going to be fine. It's just a tiny bit of a struggle getting them on which in my head says 'oh this doesn't fit right!' because you never do that with shoes.
I have heard the silicone ones are nice too. I wasn't sure how durable the silicone would be, but even these rubber ones from them are noticeably smoother and more comfortable than other fins I've had.
