What do you like or dislike about swim fins?

Classic Zoomers hurt my feet & just about everyone else that I know!!!!! I really like Kiefer silicone fins!!!!

One thing I didn't add to mine, is I feel like they are really helping build up my ankle strength and flexibility. I had total ankle re-construction about 13 years ago, and although that ankle feels like it has fully recovered for normal activities - when I put the fins on I can tell it is somewhat weaker. I just wish I would have been interested in swimming when I re-habilitated the ankle that many years ago.

Fins are a useful device in getting new swimmers to: - flex their ankles - kick both up AND down - kick from the hip I'm with many here that they should never be used as a crutch or sole replacement for kicking without fins. One must practice at that with which one competes.

I'm with many here that they should never be used as a crutch or sole replacement for kicking without fins. One must practice at that with which one competes. Are you really sure about that? I ask because I never swim even one stroke of fly without fins in practice and I am regularly in the TT in the 50/100 fly.

Are you really sure about that? I ask because I never swim even one stroke of fly without fins in practice and I am regularly in the TT in the 50/100 fly. Really? In all the time I've been reading your blog, I've never noticed this. I've got to re-think my fly training strategy! Your TT's still won't be in any danger from me, though.

Really? In all the time I've been reading your blog, I've never noticed this. I've got to re-think my fly training strategy! Really. And I think most conventional swimming "musts" could use some re-examining. I do fly drills and fly kicking with and without fins. But I always swim fly with fins. It began as a shoulder paranoia practice. But, in reality, as a result, I think always using fins has made me faster (better streamlines, better body position, better kick, etc.). Here's another unconventional practice. Most people train fly or free for fly. I train dolphin kick for fly. I do very little fly or free in practice.

I love fins. Right now I am swimming for fitness and pleasure. I have shoulder issues and using fins takes the pressure off and enables me to swim more often. I could not swim as often as I do (3-4 days a week) if I didn't use fins.

Toys rock. I agree, My mesh bag I carry to the pool keeps getting more and more full. I don't wear fins all the time, but it seems like I am always using something.

... I do fly drills and fly kicking with and without fins. But I always swim fly with fins. ... So, Fort, you DO do some practice fly drills and fly kicking without the fins. And that is my point. If you never did at least some practice without the fins, you would not have a feel for the kick in the race. I didn't say you couldn't use them, I just said you eventually have to practice in the manner you race, in order to understand the feel of the water/race.

So, Fort, you DO do some practice fly drills and fly kicking without the fins. And that is my point. If you never did at least some practice without the fins, you would not have a feel for the kick in the race. I didn't say you couldn't use them, I just said you eventually have to practice in the manner you race, in order to understand the feel of the water/race. But that's my point too. I never swim full stroke fly without find and thus I never practice the way I compete. Toys rock.