When it comes to scuba diving fins, there are a lot of options. When I first purchased my scuba equipment, I purchased traditional, long fins. When I took them out diving, though, my instructor suggested that I look into shorter fins for a few reasons: I am 7’0” tall, and I have had past knee injuries.
Who are shorter fins good for:
- Tall people. When you are tall, your body is already long, and a long fin just makes your body even longer, making it difficult to turn with any precision. A shorter fin makes your body shorter, meaning it is less likely to get your feet caught on something, and it makes it easier to turn. A short fin is great for maneuverability.
- People who have had knee injuries. Shorter fins have less water resistance to fight against, so it is easier on the knees. If you have had past knee injuries, knee surgeries, or knee replacements, shorter fins will be much easier on your knees, and you will be much less sore when you get done diving.
Before buying a shorter fin, it should be noted that the trade-off for these benefits is that you do give up some power kicking. I dive with Apex RK3 fins, and I have never been happier with a fin. I would recommend them to anyone who is tall or who has had past knee injuries. An added benefit of these fins is that they come with stainless steel spring straps, which makes it much easier to get your fins on, especially when you are shore diving. If you like the idea of spring strap, but don’t want to trade off your power for a shorter fin, you can always purchase stainless steel spring fin straps to add to any fin.