Hi All,
I' m Justin, a recreational freediver for just pass 2 years now
First please allow me to explain from the beginning,
If your lazy to read,
please skip on till you see a line below
I've got 3 pair of fins till now.
1st, Cressi Gara 2000(Size 40-41)
2nd, Cressi LD Professional(Size 40-41)
3rd, SpecialFin Hybrid,Bi-fin Soft(Stingray Size 39-40)
I really like my SpecialFin now as I practiced to improve and tune myself to the changes of carbon fin.
As I read more around the forum here I start to notice the importance of a good and efficient foot pocket,
in a way, it should be comfortable for long use yet rigid for energy transfer.
ok now, with my 1st pair the Gara 2000 have very good fitting foot pocket and works fine even with 3mil sock.
however, after sometime when I start to take note of a proper finning I realised the blade is too hard for a person of 60kg like me.
So I decided to get another pair of soft fins, enjoying the comfort of Cressi foot pocket from Gara 2000,
I went for the LD Professional from Cressi too thinking their foot pocket should by closest chance similar or maybe improve.
When the fins arrived, I put it on and found out there's at least close to 1inch of empty space on both side of my ankle, yes the foot pocket fit fine just the ankle side is way too wide, I do not understand this maybe it's design to work with thick socks to begin with.
So I have to compromise that I had to bought 5mil sock for it to have a snug fit. With a 5mil socks I will have energy transfer leak between finning and the water here is 29-30d all time round, I don't need a sock not unless I'm diving in cold water elsewhere.
after a year plus, I changed to a SpecialFin Hybrid(state as carbon + kevlar) honestly I wonder what does the kevlar do, maybe more durable and lighter?
Anyway, Soft blade works fine for lightweight people like me and the foot pocket stingray feel bit little over compress around the top side of my feet normally after using for 2-3hrs I will felt slight pain or cramp around the same spot for both feet too.
Plus there's some bit of space on the top of part of my feet, so it will bit slight second delay when I kick, this will educe the finning efficiency(please correct me if I'm wrong) Well, overtime the stingray wrap bit I guess it adapt to my feet shape. It still feel pretty tight up the mid part of my feet, just I don't get pain nor cramp anymore. One more, I'm not able to fit in a 3mil sock.
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Since I have no problem with the Gara2000 foot pocket, I'm thinking of getting a pair of Cressi Modular foot pocket to fit in my carbon blades.
There's many question before I really place order for the Modular foot pocket
I'm living in Asia, shipping cost will be higher than usual. I can't afford to make a mistake.
1, Obviously there's a difference between the foot pocket of Cressi Gara2000 and the LD Professional regarding that it's both the same size.
If the Modular f/p have the same shape as the Gara2000 and better that will be all good but if it's like the LD Pro then it's definitely not suitable for my feet.
Please comment if you have any insight about the shape of this.
2, Will the Modular f/p fit in SpecialFin blade, how is then tendon of the Modular with soft carbon blade on?
3, The Stingray f/p is 22degree, what degree is the Modular f/p and how exactly does it impact my finning?
4, Do I need to trim of the blade end in order to fit in the Modular f/p?
I would prefer not to thou,
here's the link for my carbon fin for reference
SpecialFins Monofins & fins for Freediving,Spearfishing,UW Games
thank you for your time,
hope to see some idea on this
JP