First mono fin advice

[River Moonsong]

I have have been shopping around at different websites for mono fins and I'm having trouble finding fins that come in my shoe size (US 5 1/2 women's). My budget is about $250 Canadian, including shipping. Dose anyone have any suggestions?

[Miyu]

What type of monofin are you looking for? I also have smaller feet (US 6 - 8, depending on the manufacturer), so I feel your pain :(

I get obnoxious with this, but I'll name-drop my (current) favorite monofin again, the Hydra (http://www.scubastore.com/scuba-diving/so-dive-hydra-clear-flow/31962/p), which I believe the straps can be tightened more than I have it set at. That same shop also carries the Triton (http://www.scubastore.com/scuba-diving/so-dive-triton-sky-blue-monofin/31958/p), which is a juniors' size, but I seem to be around your size and so far I've not had problems with the Hydra (though I haven't swam in it much, I did give it a thorough testing the two times I have). It always seems to be on sale, and I highly recommend it!

I like it better than a Finis for a beginner monofin, personally; the straps on the Finis I tried kept slipping off as I swam, and the propulsion felt wonky to me. The Hydra's straps stay on perfectly for me, even though I barely have ankles, and I can actually move through the water with it (again, dunno what was up with the Finis, but I was having issues moving around).

[Echidna]

I agree!
The Hydra is the best monofin I've used.
The Finis ones (beginning, intermediate, and professional) were more cumbersome and gave less propulsion.

The Hydra didn't give me blisters (as the Competitor did), and the straps didn't slide down (as with the Rapid).
And it looks rad to boot.
The Hydra is my baby. :D

>> 26206

[Miyu]

LOL! That's an adorable cartoon, and so accurate...

Glad to know I'm not the only one who had such problems with the Finis monofins! As soon as I tried on Morticia's Hydra, I knew that's the one I'd get. It is indeed my baby, and it looks super-rad - people love the clear fluke :)

[Mermaid Jaffa]

On my Wave, the middle part where the plastic hook is, kept coming off, as with the straps not staying on. I keep saying I'll give it another go, but with the memories of those events, I haven't even bothered taking it out of the packing box!

[Mermaid Daenerys]

I'll 100% back up Miyu and Echidna here - the Hydra is a dream to use. It looks great, moves well, offers great propulsion and it's surprisingly cheap. I use it all the time, in the sea and in pools and it's never given me a blister or slipped off my feet.

[River Moonsong]

I was looking at the water way model 2 mono fin but I like the price of the hydra a lot better. Is it only available in the one size?

[Mermaid Fenicia]

If you want a smaller shoe-size and the same model as a Hydra, you need the buy a Triton. They are both from the same company and the same materials, only different size and colors. I have a yellow Triton as I very small feet (EU 38) and I really love all of it. :)

[River Moonsong]

Thank you everyone for your wonderful advice, I just ordered my hydra monofin and half socks (for preventing blisters). I should be getting them in about a week or two. I can't wait to try them out in the water!

[River Moonsong]

My monofin arrived today! I tried it on with the half socke and the fit felt really good. I'll be taking it swimming on Sunday, and I'm super excited!

[River Moonsong]

I just got back from my first swim in my hydra at the Y with my mersister Nami-Tsu (We ordered her so dive Minos at the same time) and it was flipping amazing! We already have the fabric to make our first tails and we will be starting that latter this week. Thank all of you so much for your input. I would definitely reccomend the so dive monofins to anyone just starting mermaiding.

[Atlantisblue]

I just received my hydra monofin in the mail today. It is a very snug fit and I'm like a size 6 1/2 - 7 US. I can't wait to try it out in the pool.

[Kayyi]

Thank you everyone for your wonderful advice, I just ordered my hydra monofin and half socks (for preventing blisters). I should be getting them in about a week or two. I can't wait to try them out in the water!

Hey River, I am just wondering what site you bought your monofin from? I've been searching online and cannot find a decent shop that doesn't charge a horrific amount in shipping

[River Moonsong]

I got mine from scubastore.com . Shipping was $73US for 2 monofins and $30CAN in duty fees.

[Mermaid Tory]

I went to order the hydro monofin but shipping alone was over $100! Is that normal? It only had one shipping option which was next day delivery instead of a cheaper few weeks delivery.

[Elle]

Yeah, I've just sent off an email because last week when I was looking at the Hydra the shipping to Australia was about $65. Now it's double that and I have no idea why

[Mermaid Kate Silverfin]

I emailed them about a cheaper shipping option, and only got a standard form email back :( I ended up paying the $65