Fins

I have a wider foot and am looking for a longer fin. Any suggestions out there? I've tried several brands ... Just can't find a wide size. I agree that there are brands with wider feet but they are always short fins. Thanks for anyone's help!

Ordered hydro T2's. The other day I asked to borrow fins from a pool acquaintence, this being first time ever wearing the things. I only did one lap - series of UWDK out and flutter kick back. I dont think I ever traveled through water as fast and I was just testing and the acclimation to the new movement was instant. There is a different feel to the kick propulsive forces with fins, mostly on the top surface of the foot. Perhaps fins are essential for teaching required technique for doing it correctly?

Thanks!!

I will just throw in a comment that I use Tyr Crossblades size 13-15 (46-47). My shoe size is normally 14 WIDE and the Crossblades are a bit tight but totally serviceable. When I eventually need to buy new fins, I will be looking at other options but right now they are fine.

Can anyone comment on Zoomer Z2s? Specifically the size of the closed toe box compared to other open toe boxes? My biggest problem with most fins seems to be rubbing at the top of the toe/cuticles at the toe opening. I don't think its a sizing issue, but rather the shape of of my toes/feet (my toes seem to slant upwards from my foot it seems?). Coming off shoulder surgery, I have been using the Sporti short/medium-ish fins mentioned above. I had to cut back the rubber around the toe opening as my cuticles and toe nails were being ripped to shreads. That didn't bother me much since they were only $17 bucks, and they are perfectly comfortable after the modification. But now I'm finding that fin to have a bit too much oomph than I'd like at the moment, so I'd like to go back to shorter fins. I do have an old pair of red Zoomers, and I love how large the toe box is on those. But after using the Sporti fins for a while I realize that they are waaaay to big for me, even with socks! So I'm thinking of either trying out the Z2s (older blue ones, they are a plenty on ebay) or maybe the TYR Burners, but its hard to tell from online photos what the toe box situation is like, and no one at my pool uses Z2s or Burners! I could just order another pair of original Zoomers in gold.....but I'm afraid of feeling all duck-like haha. I know its hard to gauge these things because foot shapes and proportions vary, but just thought I'd ask! Thoughts?

Can anyone comment on Zoomer Z2s? Specifically the size of the closed toe box compared to other open toe boxes? My biggest problem with most fins seems to be rubbing at the top of the toe/cuticles at the toe opening. I don't think its a sizing issue, but rather the shape of of my toes/feet (my toes seem to slant upwards from my foot it seems?). Coming off shoulder surgery, I have been using the Sporti short/medium-ish fins mentioned above. I had to cut back the rubber around the toe opening as my cuticles and toe nails were being ripped to shreads. That didn't bother me much since they were only $17 bucks, and they are perfectly comfortable after the modification. But now I'm finding that fin to have a bit too much oomph than I'd like at the moment, so I'd like to go back to shorter fins. I do have an old pair of red Zoomers, and I love how large the toe box is on those. But after using the Sporti fins for a while I realize that they are waaaay to big for me, even with socks! So I'm thinking of either trying out the Z2s (older blue ones, they are a plenty on ebay) or maybe the TYR Burners, but its hard to tell from online photos what the toe box situation is like, and no one at my pool uses Z2s or Burners! I could just order another pair of original Zoomers in gold.....but I'm afraid of feeling all duck-like haha. I know its hard to gauge these things because foot shapes and proportions vary, but just thought I'd ask! Thoughts? Buy the yellow Zoomers. I wore the blue Zoomers for years and loved them. I bought a new pair a couple of years ago, in the same size I had always worn, and they were tighter than the old ones. I think my feet have actually gotten a little bigger over the years. I finally gave that pair away. By then they had stopped making the blue and red and had switched to the yellow. So I bought a pair of the yellow ones but went one size larger, and they're great. I was one of the testers a couple of years ago for the magazine and I remember hating the Z2s. I don't remember why but I remember it surprised me because I had been such a big fan of the blue Zoomers for so many years. I do remember that the Z2s were very different from the regular Zoomers. It sounds like I have the same problem that you do with some brands and the toes. I did the same thing (cut back the rubber over the toes) on a pair of Club Swim fins and also on a pair of longer Sprint brand fins. I didn't have to do anything to the yellow Zoomers. The other ones that worked well for me in the testing were the TYR Burner EBP Floating Fins. They are very comfortable. The foot pocket is softer than the Zoomers fin. They're about the same length, though, so the effect is similar. Anna Lea Matysek Membership Director US Masters Swimming

Try burner would be my rec for you..

Thanks so much Anna and magick for your responses! No Z2s for me then, which narrowed it down to yellow Zoomers or Burners. I've decided to give the Burners a shot, and if they don't work then I'll exchange for the yellow zoomers and be done with it. I don't know why Finis doesn't make the new original zoomers in a least a few color choices.....I'm sure they would sell like hotcakes!!! Although the bigger question might be, why am I so adverse to yellow fins? haha. :dunno: I hope the green Burners work out!

As a swimmer returning to the pool after quite a few years away, are fins going to be a good training aid? I put some on today (not the real short ones) and I felt like I was "cheating." I was across the pool (25 yards) in 20 seconds. I still felt the workout and all of that, but isn't it cheating? I'm trying to get my groove back and have not had my freestyle going much at all since I was in high school...2 years ago :-D OKAY it was 30 years ago! I would love to do 40 laps with fins on but would I be cheating myself?

What about monofins? What do those do besides make you swim like a mermaid? :0) Swim like a Fortress!