Fitting Your Boots And Fins

[@shivlal4830]

Nice video.very good.

[@LakeHickoryScuba]

Glad you liked the video @shivlal4830.

[@AlfredoSanchez-rv2fd]

How is everything. Wanted to know. I'm a size 12 and sneaker boots and shoes and I am Is flat foot. So the best option is extra large.

[@LakeHickoryScuba]

Hello @AlfredoSanchez-rv2fd, the best option would be to go by your local Dive Center and try on several sets of boots to see which one fits the best.

[@andrecandrade]

Mares Avanti Quattro, best fins ever!

[@LakeHickoryScuba]

They are definitely our favorite set of fins.

[@TikNenutrauk]

great stuff ! thank you

[@LakeHickoryScuba]

You are very welcome Tik Nenutrauk, glad you liked the video.

[@DG-wo8fx]

I started out with a Mares X-treme based on the recommendation from the elderly owner of my dive shop. What a waste. They were far too flexible to get any power at all. They might be ok for someone with limited leg strength, but not for me. I ended up buying a pair of Apex RK-3 and am very happy with them.

[@LakeHickoryScuba]

Hello @DG-wo8fx, glad to hear that the Apex RK-3's are working for you.

[@LeønardoHimself24]

Actual getting into surfing, surfing shoe shopping tomorrow

[@LakeHickoryScuba]

Hello NUMB-ALL-THE-TIME, surfing can be a lot of fun.

[@OrenNoah]

More important than what fin you want to use when it comes to a soft or hard-soled boot, is what you'll be walking on on your way to and from the water. If you're only going to dive from a boat or a sandy beach, it's doesn't matter. But if you're going to be walking on sharp rocks, like Northern California or lava, like Hawai'i, you'll really want a hard soled boot. Then, figure out what fins will work with your boot.

[@LakeHickoryScuba]

Hello Oren Noah, we agree, hard sole boots would be better in your situation.

[@BurhanMuntasser]

I don't see the point for soft sole boots even for boat diving. It is a lot less painful to climb up the boat ladder with hard sole boots with all of the equipment on my back than with soft soled boots. I don't see the point of using soft soled boots at all anywhere. The only reason that a person may buy soft soled boots is because of the price difference where $10 makes a difference for them between having a meal or going hungry that day :)

[@alrobinette3475]

Thanks for the videos. I am new to diving and about half way through my open water certification and will be done next weekend. I am trying to find out the best style sock to wear with boots like you showed in this video. There are so many types of water socks, swim socks, etc. with different features and I just needed a simple sock for helping keep the feet just a little warmer and ease of putting the boot on and off along with minimizing any irritation from sand or debris that may get into the boot. Any thoughts or suggestions?

[@LakeHickoryScuba]

Hello alrobinette3475, a thin lycra sock will work just fine to help keep the boot from rubbing your skin. If you need warmth, there are several 1mm and 3mm socks on the market.

[@gonzalovalls]

Hello! Great video! I wanted to ask you, I have Mares Classic NG soft sole boots number 8, which size of fins do you think would work for me? For example, for Mares Quattro fins.

[@LakeHickoryScuba]

Hello @gonzalavalls, great question. So I personally use the Trilastic hard bottom boots from Mares (size 8), and I use the regular size foot pocket on my fins. With one of my Dry Suits, it has soft bottom boots attached (also size 8 and identical to the Mares Classics), and the regular foot pocket is just a little big for my foot. This being said, the next size down, the small foot pocket, is just perfect for the smaller boot.

[@luikriaco]

Nice vid ... Thank's

[@LakeHickoryScuba]

You're welcome LOU CRU, glad you liked it.

[@alonlyvnat6898]

thank you for the information . i size 10 the same as the person in the video . is size xl for mares fin for him is xl ?

[@LakeHickoryScuba]

Hello alon lyvnat, it all depends on the style of boot as well. I would suggest finding your local Mares dealer, and try different sizes on to find the proper fit.

[@omarsalvadorvegaespino6798]

One question, what fins do you recommend for my mares triboot boots?

[@LakeHickoryScuba]

Hello @omarsalvadorvegaespino6798, truthfully, its hard to tell you what fin is going to work for you. The most important thing is to verify it is properly fitted with your boots. With that being said, a light weight fin, that is nearly neutrally buoyant, and has great performance is the Avanti Quattro. I have been very pleased with mine over the years.

[@realamerican7626]

Hello. I wear a size 14 U.S. foot shoe. I'm trying to find a pair of snorkeling fins but the biggest I've seen is 13 and most store charts show different sizes for the same fin. Can you help me?

[@LakeHickoryScuba]

Hello Real American76, Mares has both size 14 and size 15 in their classic line of boots. You can choose between 3mm and 5mm. Hope this helps.

[@carlbush8919]

I have a size 14 dry suit boot. Not a separate rock boot but integrated boot. Finding anything that fits is a problem. Misplaced the pair of finsthat did not really fit and looking at options.

[@LakeHickoryScuba]

The Mares Power Plana, and the Scuba Pro Jet Fins both have a wide range of options for larger feet and boots.

[@2000SkyView]

What about the width, what if you have space on the sides? is this okay?

[@LakeHickoryScuba]

Hello 2000SkyView, that is a great question. It all comes down to your personal comfort. As far as the width between the boot and the fin, you want the minimal amount as to help reduce drag.

[@stevecoffey4884]

Do you still have selection? I need harder sole booty and fins about 13 shoe size?

[@LakeHickoryScuba]

Hello @stevecoffey4884, our online store has plenty to choose from. lakehickoryscuba.com/product-groups

[@SeattleRingHunter]

Becomes a bit difficult when shopping online for a lace up rock boot for dry suit diving when wearing two sets of wool socks. I am curious if the major brands use the exact same US shoe measurements as with traditional foot wear? Cheers, #SeattleRingHunter

[@LakeHickoryScuba]

Can't really answer that question Jeff. In my experience, I prefer pre-attached boots on Drysuits, and these are usually custom. All my Drysuits have custom size boots.

[@dsd-downshiftdave8056]

I'm ordering my first fins online- I'm a size 8.5 shoe- do I want a 4-8.5 fin or 9-13

[@LakeHickoryScuba]

Hello DSD - Downshift Dave, its always better to try before you buy. Fins tend to fluctuate in size based off manufacture.

[@vitaforas2869]

ScubaPro NovaWing + Seac Basic HD 5mm ♡❤♡

[@LakeHickoryScuba]

Hello VITA FORAS, thank you for watching our video and sharing your thoughts with us.

[@angelsofscuba4874]

Great information as usual. How can we get a couple of those awesome shirts? Where can we go to purchase? Thanks in advance from big fans in Texas and California

[@LakeHickoryScuba]

Hello Angel Mountain Scuba. We are in the process of getting more shirts made.

[@chrispennels7243]

Any advice about weight belts as I tighten mine on the surface but it's loose when at depth.

[@marios4all]

That's because your wetsuit compresses as you go deeper. I hold my stomach in a bit when I put it on on the surface so it's nice and tight when I'm down deeper. You could also get an elastic belt. Common for freedivers

[@chrispennels7243]

@@marios4all I thought I was holding stomach in but that will be in my mind when tightening next time, thanks for the advice.

[@eriksenactual]

Christopher Pennels you can tighten it again at depth

[@dalevisconti3452]

What can I do about STINK BOOT. Just pulled boots out of bag after rinsing and drying. Could kill a sea turtle

[@OrenNoah]

I use a rubber, free-dive style weight belt. It stretches when you put it on and, thus, adjusts automatically as you descend.

[@isenmileshamson4603]

My biggest burning question want to ask!! Can Dive boots be used to walk on snow?? Can dive boots be used as a form of footwear for winter??

[@LakeHickoryScuba]

Possibly, but they wouldn't be my first choice.

[@BurhanMuntasser]

One certainly needs to choose their boots based on the purpose and conditions of the entry/exit of their dive sites not based on what fins they will use. Boot selection comes first and is based on dive entry/exit conditions not based on fins. I don't see the point for soft sole boots even for boat diving. It is a lot less painful to climb up the boat ladder with hard sole boots with all of the equipment on my back than with soft soled boots. I don't see the point of using soft soled boots at all anywhere. The only reason that a person may buy soft soled boots is because of the price difference where $10 makes a difference for the diver between having a meal or going hungry that day :)

[@LakeHickoryScuba]

Hello Burhaneddin Muntasser, thankfully we have had different results than you have. Happy Diving.

[@pampigwo]

I like the new intro !

[@LakeHickoryScuba]

Thanks pampigwo.

[@matty_kise]

I literally got blisters just using a fin barefooted Hopefully this will help..

[@LakeHickoryScuba]

Hello Matt Maranan, hopefully our video helped out.

[@motivationandtravelchannel4575]

How come you guys don’t have split fins?

[@LakeHickoryScuba]

Unfortunately, they are not very popular here in our area. We do sell them though.

[@SeattleRingHunter]

I realize you're a Mares dealer. However in your years of diving have you ever tried a pair of Forcefin fins? Your thoughts outside of the premium price? Cheers, #SeattleRingHunter

[@LakeHickoryScuba]

Not much experience using them, all though we have several divers in the area that love them. I don't believe any of the shops here in our area sell them though.

[@pcoyle2007]

I’m forced to wear a wet sock because I have wide feet and I have yet to find a boot that comes in a wide size.

[@LakeHickoryScuba]

I understand the struggle pcoyle.

[@drdro7254]

Wrong title! Boot not fin!

[@LakeHickoryScuba]

Hello Dr Dro, sorry our title was displeasing to you.

[@omarsalvadorvegaespino6798]

One question, what fins do you recommend for my mares triboot boots?

[@LakeHickoryScuba]

Hello @omarsalvadorvegaespino6798, truthfully, its hard to tell you what fin is going to work for you. The most important thing is to verify it is properly fitted with your boots. With that being said, a light weight fin, that is nearly neutrally buoyant, and has great performance is the Avanti Quattro. I have been very pleased with mine over the years.