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big foot needs fins that he can wear with water shoes - 3/2/2013 2:20:17 PM
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algooo
Posts: 30
Joined: 2/18/2013
From: Nashua, NH
Status: offline
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Hello,
I just tried on my fins while wearing water shoes, and they don't fit. I don't typically wear them together, but (from what I've read here) water shoes are required when entering/exiting most areas at HMB.
I have adjustable fins, but given my shoe size (13-14 USA), I can barely get my foot in. I don't recall fin size, but I'm sure I must have purchased the largest available.
Does anyone have recommendations for a fin that will accomodate a larger foot? I did a quick check online, and the largest size was 10-13, which doesn't give me much hope that they'll fit. There is a dive shop in the next city over, but they're closed for the weekend, and if I have to order, then I want to do so ASAP, as we're flying out in just over a week--nothing like waiting until the last minute.
Any help would be much appreciated.
Thanks,
al
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RE: big foot needs fins that he can wear with water shoes - 3/2/2013 3:25:16 PM
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reefhugger
Posts: 8900
Joined: 8/25/2004
Status: offline
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Look at open heel fins and getting a pair of booties (they're made to be worn with open heel fins). My DH wears a size 13 and has a couple pairs of fins, Mares XL. No problem with them being too small, even work with a 3mm or 5mm bootie.
Your foot doesn't have to fit into the foot pocket completely. Just needs to be snug enough that the fin won't come off, which you can do by adjusting the heel strap.
You really need to go try some on before ordering. It's not just the size but also whether you have a wide foot. Different brands, just like shoes, do fit a little differently.
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RE: big foot needs fins that he can wear with water shoes - 3/2/2013 5:17:17 PM
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Tulsa Brick
Posts: 400
Joined: 7/22/2005
From: Tulsa, OK USA
Status: offline
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I wear a size 15-16 shoe, use booties and a TUSA open heel fin no problem. Sorry fins are put away, so don't have a size.
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RE: big foot needs fins that he can wear with water shoes - 3/3/2013 8:04:56 AM
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Notch
Posts: 1224
Joined: 5/4/2007
From: Pittsburgh, PA
Status: offline
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Definitely buy the open heel fins and just wear them over your water shoes.
They are a little easier to get on and off anyway I think.
Another option, which is what I do when I wear my closed fins, is wear your water shoes into the water and then just take them off before putting on your fins. You can either hold them or put one in each pocket of your swim trunks.
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RE: big foot needs fins that he can wear with water shoes - 3/3/2013 8:32:36 AM
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Barry72
Posts: 3
Joined: 3/3/2013
Status: offline
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I'm a UK size 15 US 16 and have really struggled with fins, best open heel option I found was a pair of Force Fins, your foot goes into the fin differently so much more comfortable than standard fins which tend to be tight as not many are truly made for big feet. They are expensive but should be available on Ebay or else where second hand.
I have finally found a shoe style that fit which should be a bit easier on the legs for snorkeling rather than the huge fins I have been forced to use in the past. Bought them in the US but would need to hunt around for the store name.
Barry.
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RE: big foot needs fins that he can wear with water shoes - 3/3/2013 8:58:08 AM
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algooo
Posts: 30
Joined: 2/18/2013
From: Nashua, NH
Status: offline
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Thanks everyone,
Just to clarify, I already have open heel fins and water shoes. My problem is that I can barely get my foot into the fin pocket while wearing the shoes.
Since I only have experience entering in sandy areas, I'm not sure what to expect otherwise, and, therefore, want to keep the process of putting on/removing fins as simple as possible. Getting to a dive shop sounds like the best advice, so I'll get myself to one this week.
If you've seen any of my other posts, then you probably understand that I like to over prepare. With that said, if anyone has any tips/advice/tricks for getting in/out, then that'd be great. I'm staying at La Sirena at HMB, which has a concrete pad to enter from, but I don't know what it's like at the end of the pad. I'll continue to search the forum for this info, but thought I'd ask here.
Thanks again,
Al
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RE: big foot needs fins that he can wear with water shoes - 3/3/2013 9:09:13 AM
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reefhugger
Posts: 8900
Joined: 8/25/2004
Status: offline
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Booties and water shoes are different. Booties are made to be worn with fins, water shoes aren't. Two different things. Also, just like with shoes, different brands and models have a different fit. Your best option is to go to a store with a good selection of gear and try a few different brands and models on. If you're going to be wearing them with a bootie, try them with a bootie.
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RE: big foot needs fins that he can wear with water shoes - 3/3/2013 10:46:34 AM
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Notch
Posts: 1224
Joined: 5/4/2007
From: Pittsburgh, PA
Status: offline
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quote:
ORIGINAL: algooo
Thanks everyone,
Just to clarify, I already have open heel fins and water shoes. My problem is that I can barely get my foot into the fin pocket while wearing the shoes.
Oh, sorry, I misunderstood. I guess I can't help you. If your water shoes aren't fitting in easily then I doubt if any other kind of shoe or boot would fit either. I use my water shoes because they are easier to get on and off plus they fit more easily into my fins than my dive boots.
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RE: big foot needs fins that he can wear with water shoes - 3/3/2013 11:32:38 AM
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algooo
Posts: 30
Joined: 2/18/2013
From: Nashua, NH
Status: offline
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No worries Notch--I appreciate your input.
I'll be going to dive shop this week, but are booties sufficient for walking on ironshore? Is footwear recommended because the ironshore is slippery, sharp, both, other? My current "shoes" slip on, and have a neoprene top with rubber soles, which are cover with small bumps for tread
quote:
ORIGINAL: reefhugger
Booties and water shoes are different. Booties are made to be worn with fins, water shoes aren't. Two different things. Also, just like with shoes, different brands and models have a different fit. Your best option is to go to a store with a good selection of gear and try a few different brands and models on. If you're going to be wearing them with a bootie, try them with a bootie.
< Message edited by algooo -- 3/3/2013 11:35:43 AM >
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RE: big foot needs fins that he can wear with water shoes - 3/3/2013 11:35:48 AM
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panesh
Posts: 1470
Joined: 11/27/2009
From: San Rafael, CA
Status: offline
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I can't picture stuffing water shoes into fins. Your control would be shot. I've never had to wear water shoes for entry.
You are supposed to go horizontal as soon as possible. It can be done in 16-18" of water. Watching the people walk backwards for 10+ meters to get into the water makes me cringe. It is unnecessary and in some areas destructive. In Akumal Bay there is no need for water shoes at all. In HMB a water entry can be done without water shoes, you just have to find the right place. By LBV is easy. I think the area in front of Que Onda is also an easier entry point.
We'll be there for a few weeks and I'll find the best entry points long before I'd wear water shoes for snorkling. JMHO
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RE: big foot needs fins that he can wear with water shoes - 3/3/2013 12:40:06 PM
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algooo
Posts: 30
Joined: 2/18/2013
From: Nashua, NH
Status: offline
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When snorkeling (including a few times at AB last year), I typically walk in barefoot until the water is about my knees (I'm ~6'2"), put on my fins, then get horizontal--I float very easily. Pretty much everything that I've read here say's not to enter HMB without something on your feet--although, now that Panesh mentioned it, I think i have also read that there some sandy areas to enter. I've probably been stuck on the idea of snorkeling right in front of the condo (la sirena), something that's not likely, given the whole shoes w/ fins aggravation--snorkeling's way too much fun to go down that path. I think I'll go with wearing fins w/bare feet, check out the area (including LB and Que Onda), and enter where shoes aren't needed. No fuss, no muss.
thanks again everyone, Al
quote:
ORIGINAL: panesh
I can't picture stuffing water shoes into fins. Your control would be shot. I've never had to wear water shoes for entry.
You are supposed to go horizontal as soon as possible. It can be done in 16-18" of water. Watching the people walk backwards for 10+ meters to get into the water makes me cringe. It is unnecessary and in some areas destructive. In Akumal Bay there is no need for water shoes at all. In HMB a water entry can be done without water shoes, you just have to find the right place. By LBV is easy. I think the area in front of Que Onda is also an easier entry point.
We'll be there for a few weeks and I'll find the best entry points long before I'd wear water shoes for snorkling. JMHO
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RE: big foot needs fins that he can wear with water shoes - 3/3/2013 4:15:17 PM
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nevertoolate
Posts: 256
Joined: 1/29/2005
From: Utah
Status: offline
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Wife & I have TUSA open heel fins & TUSA low cut shoes that are made to work together.
Got them at a dive shop ten years ago.
The shoes have a great rubber tread bottom for walking on rocks or rough entry.
They are not made for long walks (but they have) and ours fit very snug so they a little hard to get on especially when they are dry.
The top is all one piece elastic, they look very much like slip on sneakers, except they fit tighter.
They are reinforced at the back where you tighten the fin strap.
Our kids have more of a felt-type bootie that comes farther up the ankle.
They are supposed to help keep your feet warmer, but the bottoms are not as substantial as ours.
Go to dive shop.
_____________________________
November 2010, great - short daylight though.
May/June 2011 planned - missed!
May/June 2012, planned - missed!
Finally! March 2013. (Maybe twice to makeup!)
If you don't do it this year,
you'll be older when you do. Warren Miller
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RE: big foot needs fins that he can wear with water shoes - 3/3/2013 5:45:20 PM
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Notch
Posts: 1224
Joined: 5/4/2007
From: Pittsburgh, PA
Status: offline
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quote:
ORIGINAL: panesh
I can't picture stuffing water shoes into fins. Your control would be shot. I've never had to wear water shoes for entry.
You are supposed to go horizontal as soon as possible. It can be done in 16-18" of water. Watching the people walk backwards for 10+ meters to get into the water makes me cringe. It is unnecessary and in some areas destructive. In Akumal Bay there is no need for water shoes at all. In HMB a water entry can be done without water shoes, you just have to find the right place. By LBV is easy. I think the area in front of Que Onda is also an easier entry point.
We'll be there for a few weeks and I'll find the best entry points long before I'd wear water shoes for snorkling. JMHO
Open fins are made to be used with water shoes or boots. I've never used my open fins without one or the other. There's no "stuffing" invloved, they fit right in and then I snug up my heel straps. Fin control is not a problem either. It's all about protecting your feet in and out of the water when your fins are off and has nothing to do with snorkeling. When I'm barefoot and not concerned with protecting my feet I just slip on my closed fins.
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RE: big foot needs fins that he can wear with water shoes - 3/3/2013 6:18:02 PM
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Notch
Posts: 1224
Joined: 5/4/2007
From: Pittsburgh, PA
Status: offline
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Bottom line I just like to have boots or water shoes handy. You just never know what kind of situation you find when walking around beaches with iron shore and broken shells. I always seem to regret it when I go barefoot for any length of time. The bottoms of my feet seem pretty sensitive.
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RE: big foot needs fins that he can wear with water shoes - 3/4/2013 5:26:09 AM
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algooo
Posts: 30
Joined: 2/18/2013
From: Nashua, NH
Status: offline
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Looks like the plan is back to using open fins w/shoes. I'll take my shoes to a dive shop this week to see if they have anything that will work with them, and, if not, if they have shoes/fins that will work for me. Thanks guys for helping me to sort this out. I'll post how it goes.
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RE: big foot needs fins that he can wear with water shoes - 3/5/2013 9:18:44 AM
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panesh
Posts: 1470
Joined: 11/27/2009
From: San Rafael, CA
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There are also a few really big flat rock/concrete pads that you should avoid getting into the water, at least I should avoid them. They are not stable, they rock a bit. I got my ankle stuck between them coming out one day. Not so good for the ankle. Water shoes would have been no help.
I'm sure I'll have it figured out this next time. I've got two weeks to get it right.
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Heading back, can't get enough
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RE: big foot needs fins that he can wear with water shoes - 3/5/2013 1:08:43 PM
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algooo
Posts: 30
Joined: 2/18/2013
From: Nashua, NH
Status: offline
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hey Mark,
I was beginning to wonder if there was anyone else here from the NH area. Thanks for the recommendation. I actually went to Diver's Den for the first time last weekend (helping Ed get a mask/snorkel). Unfortunately, I hadn't tried on my fins while wearing my water shoes yet, or I would have taken care of this then. Have you ever been to "Aquatic Escapes Dive Center" in Londonderry? It's closer to me than Diver's Den, and I'm on a pretty tight schedule right up until I leave next Wed (yippee)--plus they're open til 7:00p.
quote:
ORIGINAL: MARKHNH
algooo,
Welcome to LG from a fellow New Hampshireite.
If you need a recomendation for a dive shop check out Divers Den in Manchester.
Wow, don't know that I've every floated in 6" of water. So, do you get horizontal, then use your hands to move/guide you to deeper water? Same when exiting, only in reverse? Sounds like an obstacle course with the sea urchins--how close together are they? I guess I have a better understanding of why a lot of folks here don't recommend snorkeling HMB unless the water's calm. My only concern might be that the wind picks up while I'm out, and the water's choppy while I'm trying to come back in.
quote:
ORIGINAL: crunch
Up by Playa Mirage there is an easy (easier [:D)]place to go in. Just a little way up from Playa Caribe and Playa Blanca. I always just put on my fins and as soon as I am in about 6 inches of water I go horizontal. Never bother with water shoes or booties. Just watch so you dont stick your hand on any urchins when you are working your way out to deeper water.
There's a concrete pad in front of the condo where I'm staying. I'm not too concerned with the rocking, but I'll be sure stay clear of where they meet. Thanks for the tip.
quote:
ORIGINAL: panesh
There are also a few really big flat rock/concrete pads that you should avoid getting into the water, at least I should avoid them. They are not stable, they rock a bit. I got my ankle stuck between them coming out one day. Not so good for the ankle. Water shoes would have been no help.
I'm sure I'll have it figured out this next time. I've got two weeks to get it right.
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