In search of more foot pocket options I found the new Salvimar Delta one foot pockets. They looked pretty slick so I ordered them.
I'm foot size 11 and with conventional foot pockets such as omer and H Dessault I wear size 42-44 which fits me very well without socks and with thin socks. Based on this information I was recommended the Salvimar size 43-44. I've already had experience with different foot pocket manufacturers that their numbers/sizing doesn't mean much without a point of reference, and thought being European it will probably be too small, so I ordered the next one up as well which is 45-46 to make sure I'll be able to test them.
The foot pockets arrived today. At first glance they appeared as slick as in the pictures. On further inspection I saw that the footpocket tendons were very soft, IMO not giving the blade enough support. Trying the 43-44 size on it was a tight fit, I don't think I could get in with a Lycra sock. At this size I also felt the top of the pocket putting significant pressure on the area 3" up the foot from the toes.
The 45-46 foot pocket was too loose and felt like the back of the foot pocket at the heel wasn't gripping at all and could come off in the water. The sizing not being suitable for my foot still didn't preclude the foot pockets from being used by someone with a different size foot, although I felt that the back of the pocket had a shape that doesn't grab the heel very well.
Next was installing blades in the foot pockets to give them a try in the pool. I made a quick initial attempt to push the blade into the foot pocket to see where the rails need to start and end on the blade. It looked to me like the blade went in really shallow. I marked the depth at the back edge of the blade, pulled it back out, and proceeded to push something thin into the foot pocket slot to see how deep it really goes. I was surprised to see how deep it went in. I grabbed a flashlight and shone it inside the slot to see what was obstructing the back edge of the blade. In the slot I saw a rounded tab which at first glance appeared like a post connecting the bottom of the foot pocket to the sole. I thought what a PITA and decided to try and snip it out. I then realized that it runs all the way to the back of the slot.
This means that any blade that goes into the Salvimar Delta one foot pocket has to have a channel cut into the back edge. I'm never going to do that to any blades. Even if the foot pockets were worth it, which they're not, it will probably compromise the integrity of the blade. That's it the foot pockets were useless. Needless to say I was pissed. Knowing myself that I'd probably have the foot pockets lying around for a year waiting to find some use for them, I decided to make sure that I'll get rid of the eye sore now. Tendons sheared off pretty easy by the way just pulling them apart.
The foot pocket with the bottom cut out to expose the tab. What a dumb idea.. even if the thought process was to help align the blade sideways and/or take some pressure off the back of the blade if standing on the floor with fins on.
BTW those are the same foot pockets Pipin / Persistent uses for their fins.