I use these: http://www.flyfishusa.com/float-tubes/force-fins.htm with my watermaster and size 13 wading boots. I've found the sticky rubber sole boots are an advantage for this purpose because they are less bulky than felts. Add a set of fin tethers and you're good to go.
Force Fins
I have found when there are overwhelming recommendations given for a product on this forum, that's the direction I'd like to be headed. This would be for use with a Water Master in lakes. I want to go adjustable. I wear a size 14 ultra light wading boot in lakes.
Anyway, I have read most of the threads on this subject, and they have been very helpful, but here is the question:
Is it the Adjustable Force Fins (MSP $244.95) that I should buy? or... Is it the Float Tube Force Fins (MSP $189.95, also adjustable) that I should buy?
I have found better prices on both, and I notice that the fly shops mostly sell the Float Tube Fins. Seems like the forum recommendations are refering to the Adjustable (regular) Force Fins though.
Thanks in advance for any help you can provide.
Anyway, I have read most of the threads on this subject, and they have been very helpful, but here is the question:
Is it the Adjustable Force Fins (MSP $244.95) that I should buy? or... Is it the Float Tube Force Fins (MSP $189.95, also adjustable) that I should buy?
I have found better prices on both, and I notice that the fly shops mostly sell the Float Tube Fins. Seems like the forum recommendations are refering to the Adjustable (regular) Force Fins though.
Thanks in advance for any help you can provide.
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Gregg, I have a set of the non adjustable force fins that I picked up used. I then noticed that my wading boots would not fit in them. So I put a set of Sims neoprene socks over my wader feet and then put on the fins with the teathers. The ineresting thing that I found was that my feet stayed much warmer than with my boots and old fins. What I believe helps keep my feet warmer is that they are not being compressed by the boots and the lacing on my old fins plus the room to move my toes in the open toe design. The non adjustable fins have a formed foot pocket so that there is no excess pressure on the top of my foot. If you have trouble with cold feet you may want to borrow a set and give them a try before dropping the big bucks.
Mike
Fellow WM owner
Mike
Fellow WM owner
Gregg, the link Troutpocket posted shows the fins you want..if you want the adjustables. The 'non-adjustables' Mike uses, along with myself, have a lot of advantages as he stated...plus a few more: they are lighter and take about 5 seconds to put on, they never loosen up and no extra weight from your boots. The downside: you need to protect the neoprene of your waders, so I just slip a pair of wetsocks[when it's cold] over the waders booties. When the lakes warm up I use a pair of sandals with velcro straps just to walk to the launch. During the summer when waders aren't necessary I use an old pair of scuba booties with a side zipper. My fins are an XXL and even though I wear a size 10 1/2 to 11 shoes or boots, these work perfectly for me. These are the fins I offered to let you use, hopefully this week??! I am sending you the PM I promised...right now!
Troutpocket... I love that site. No tax, free shipping, and close.
Mike and Sportsman... You just about have me convinced on the original Force Fins. I really don't need to share them, and I have seen some reviews where individuals felt it took extra time to put them on and take them off. Anyway, here are the contenders listed below. Check out the sale on the Force Fin Adjustables (2nd link). Quite a current discount; puts them in the ballpark with the Force Fin Float Tube Fins (3rd link).
I guess if I go with the Originals, I would be in the market for neo socks, booties, or water shoes.
Thanks for your feedback guys!
Any more opinions out there? Think I might want to order tonight.
http://www.leisurepro.com/Prod/FRFO.html
http://www.leisurepro.com/Prod/FRFOA.html
http://www.flyfishusa.com/float-tubes/force-fins.htm
Mike and Sportsman... You just about have me convinced on the original Force Fins. I really don't need to share them, and I have seen some reviews where individuals felt it took extra time to put them on and take them off. Anyway, here are the contenders listed below. Check out the sale on the Force Fin Adjustables (2nd link). Quite a current discount; puts them in the ballpark with the Force Fin Float Tube Fins (3rd link).
I guess if I go with the Originals, I would be in the market for neo socks, booties, or water shoes.
Thanks for your feedback guys!
Any more opinions out there? Think I might want to order tonight.
http://www.leisurepro.com/Prod/FRFO.html
http://www.leisurepro.com/Prod/FRFOA.html
http://www.flyfishusa.com/float-tubes/force-fins.htm
I recently got some force fins and I'll never look back. I use the non adjustables and love them. I wear an 11 in street shoes and use the size xl force fins. I got some neoprene socks by Agua Lung at the local dive shop with kevlar on the bottom so you can walk around in them. The size xl slips right over my sims waders and the combo fits perfect in the fins.They are great for walking in, they don't add any weight, and my feet have another 3mm of neoprene to keep them warm.
These are the socks but they were much cheaper in the shop. http://www.dolphinscuba.com/Product...gdftrk=gdfV2891_a_7c89_a_7c198_a_7cBT_D100032
These are the socks but they were much cheaper in the shop. http://www.dolphinscuba.com/Product...gdftrk=gdfV2891_a_7c89_a_7c198_a_7cBT_D100032
I have been using the non adjustable force fins for a long time now. I have a pair of rubber soled booties that I slip over my wader stockings to protect them. I just purchased a set of adjustable force fins used. I didn't really like them that well. I went back to the old reliable. The fit better, and don't feel like they're going to fall off. I may work with the adjustable a little while longer and see if I can get them to work.
MtnWkr, thanks for the info on the Aqualung's. My old Hodgmans socks are just about worn out and I wanted to get a little better quality this time. Sroffe: Just before I sold my adjustables I was going to throw the buckle away and have my Dry Cleaners sew ' indusrtrial strength ' velcro onto the straps....I think it would be an improvement.
Here are my key findings:
1) I decided to go original non-adjustable; based on type of use, fit, comfort, ease of use, and no real need to share them.
2) I learned that after shoe size 11, it is all about the girth(width) that matters.(lol) Doesn't matter that I am a size 13 or14 shoe length. It's about the width of your feet and the thickness of the layers applied, e.g. reg sock, wader stocking, neoprene sock, neoprene boot with soft or hard sole, wading boots. There are comments about this associated with the Force Fins sizing chart, confirmed by a Sales Rep. I ordered an XL based on my narrow B or C width foot, light reg sock, wader stocking, 3 mm neoprene sock; separately, a 3 mm neoprene dive boot with a rubber sole.
3) Neoprene socks, dive booties and boots... the selection is a bit more limited for size 14 or larger. Think I found a good 3/4 rise soft dive boot though.
Not sure why, but I will have to go elsewhere for the fin tethers, savers, ties, ect. They didn't carry them where I ordered from. Anyone know a place to pick them up locally in the South Snohomish County area?
Thanks for the help. Hope I was able to pay it forward to someone else.
1) I decided to go original non-adjustable; based on type of use, fit, comfort, ease of use, and no real need to share them.
2) I learned that after shoe size 11, it is all about the girth(width) that matters.(lol) Doesn't matter that I am a size 13 or14 shoe length. It's about the width of your feet and the thickness of the layers applied, e.g. reg sock, wader stocking, neoprene sock, neoprene boot with soft or hard sole, wading boots. There are comments about this associated with the Force Fins sizing chart, confirmed by a Sales Rep. I ordered an XL based on my narrow B or C width foot, light reg sock, wader stocking, 3 mm neoprene sock; separately, a 3 mm neoprene dive boot with a rubber sole.
3) Neoprene socks, dive booties and boots... the selection is a bit more limited for size 14 or larger. Think I found a good 3/4 rise soft dive boot though.
Not sure why, but I will have to go elsewhere for the fin tethers, savers, ties, ect. They didn't carry them where I ordered from. Anyone know a place to pick them up locally in the South Snohomish County area?
Thanks for the help. Hope I was able to pay it forward to someone else.
Not sure about Snohomish county for your fin tethers, however cabelas does have them in stock down in Lacey.
Hope that helps,
Chad
Hope that helps,
Chad
Try a dive shop for fin tethers.. Sounds like a great setup.
Asking about fin tethers at the two local dive shops, was like speaking to them in a foreign language. They understood the concept for fishing, but I guess if you were diving, and lost one, you would just dive down and get it. I did pick up a pair of Outcast Kicker Keepers at Pacific Fly Fishers tonight. Both fly shops I inquired with carried fin tethers. I really thought it might be the other way around.
YES!!!
My fins and dive boots arrived this afternoon. Everything fits perfectly. I intend to use my golf sandals with velcro straps to protect the wader stocking feet going to and from the water without wearing the fins. The 3/4 rise dive boots with zippers and rubber soles fit great in the fins without waders.
Now, I just need some neoprene socks to wear over the wader stocking feet in cold water conditions. At that point, my set-up will be similar to Sportman's (post#4). I edited my findings in (post #9) for clarity in case someone does a search regarding this subject.
This thread can be put to bed now. Thanks for all the help I received along the way!
My fins and dive boots arrived this afternoon. Everything fits perfectly. I intend to use my golf sandals with velcro straps to protect the wader stocking feet going to and from the water without wearing the fins. The 3/4 rise dive boots with zippers and rubber soles fit great in the fins without waders.
Now, I just need some neoprene socks to wear over the wader stocking feet in cold water conditions. At that point, my set-up will be similar to Sportman's (post#4). I edited my findings in (post #9) for clarity in case someone does a search regarding this subject.
This thread can be put to bed now. Thanks for all the help I received along the way!
Get some kevlar footed neo socks like the ones I linked to then you can walk around in them and have the warmth and protection you need.
I put my (just happen to be Orvis) neoprene (warm water) dive booties on (over the wader stocking feet) at the car and walk to the water in them. I put the non-adjustable Force fins on at the water's edge, now while able to sit down in the WM. Why the sandals?
MtnWkr, Right On! I need neoprene socks with a thin layer of sole protection. Just need to find size 13/14. Going to hit the dive shops in person for fitting.Get some kevlar footed neo socks like the ones I linked to then you can walk around in them and have the warmth and protection you need.
Brian, yes, of course, use the dive boots for protection during the walk from the car to the water and the trip back.:beathead: Tried the sandals and they were a little too small anyway. PM me if you are interested in going fishing on Sunday. Fred and I will head somewhat south to a mid-way point if you are interested. Of course there will always be many more opportuities.I put my (just happen to be Orvis) neoprene (warm water) dive booties on (over the wader stocking feet) at the car and walk to the water in them. I put the non-adjustable Force fins on at the water's edge, now while able to sit down in the WM. Why the sandals?
Kaufman's Steamborn in Oregon has neoprene booties with a hard thin sole for float tubing. I believe that the employee I talked to said they carried them in the Seattle store also. They have them made by a dive shop. SS
Force Fins are highly overrated. Go to the dive shop downtown Edmonds by the senior center. Look at their booties and try a pair or two on. Then check out the blue Apollo dive fins with split down the middle of the flipper. Bring your waders and sock in so you can make sure they all fit.You can also order the booties from NRS if they don't have the right size. If you get the booties and flippers that all fit well you'll never feel like you screwed up and bought a pair of Force Fins. I've had 'em and they were sold after a couple trips.
Wow PT! Now there's a contrary opinion to most everthing I have read on this forum. Another point of view that I'm sure is valued by readers of this thread. Unfortuately, a little late for me, but others will value your opinion on-going. You never know, maybe I will be back to the well later on like yourself, a bit wiser.Force Fins are highly overrated. Go to the dive shop downtown Edmonds by the senior center. Look at their booties and try a pair or two on. Then check out the blue Apollo dive fins with split down the middle of the flipper. Bring your waders and sock in so you can make sure they all fit.You can also order the booties from NRS if they don't have the right size. If you get the booties and flippers that all fit well you'll never feel like you screwed up and bought a pair of Force Fins. I've had 'em and they were sold after a couple trips.
I think most people who buy Force Fins are moving up from the standard crappy Caddis type fins that work worth a darn. But, I tend to push a bit bigger boat around than a float tube and prefer a bit more surface area. Force Fins are easy to use and kick with but I don't think you get near the propulsion as with the longer fins. They may take a bit more effort but you also balance that with kicking quite a bit less because they offer more push per stroke.
Others are going to chime in and call me an idiot for that opinion but it comes from pushing around a PAC 1000 for hundreds of days and then the Skookum Osprey for more days than that. It's all personal preferance so I hope you enjoy the FFins!
Others are going to chime in and call me an idiot for that opinion but it comes from pushing around a PAC 1000 for hundreds of days and then the Skookum Osprey for more days than that. It's all personal preferance so I hope you enjoy the FFins!
1 - 20 of 22 Posts
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