While looking around to get myself my first mermaid tail, I didn’t want to spend a ridiculous amount of money and/or have it shipped from another country and have to eat shipping costs. This company is located in Idaho, USA; my orders have shipped out of Idaho Falls, Idaho. I originally only ordered their “Ariel Green” and their monofin made specifically for these tails. I ordered a women’s’ small, my total price was around $121 (USD) and that included the shipping as well.
The monofin is a piece or Lexan, with a thin neoprene (the good kind, not neoprin). It’s a one size fits most type of monofin, there’s no specific foot pockets. It’s opened on the end and the Lexan is removable (not easy though), so your feet do touch and because it’s neoprene, it’s very comfy. There isn't a ton of propulsion, but I can get to one end of the pool to the other in one breath. Something like a Finis Wave or Competitor will give you more propulsion. The FinFun is made to look like a mermaid tail and be fun, it's not meant for swimming incredibly fast. Because the monofin is made with neoprene, it isn't as simple as drying off with a towel and throwing into your trunk to go home. It takes time to dry. I don't mind, I usually let it sit and drip for a bit, wrap it in a towel to go home. I will let it sit bathtub to drip as upright as possible. Once it's no longer dripping I let it dry fully by hanging it with a fan underneath.
The fabric is sewn together so perfectly. There is no elastic, it stays up just fine, but if you do want it added, they will add it for an extra fee. They also have a basic sizing system, which is nice because they have them pre-made so that you don’t have to send in measurements, then have it made, then shipped. As soon as you order (as long as it’s at a time they can still ship it), it generally gets shipped the day you order. If you don’t see a size that may fit, you can custom order at an extra cost.
There is a slight difference in a couple of their fabrics, they are all swim material, but the scaled prints are on a thicker spandex material. The durability is the same, as the sewing is so fantastic, but the orange one can show through and you may see the black monofin.
I was so happy with my original tail that I decided to buy another tail and matching swimwear. I now own Ariel Green tail, matching bottoms, a purple sparkle bikini top, and Caribbean Sunset (orange) with matching bottoms and bikini top. They do make Tankini’s for those that would like a bit of cover and the modesty panel that is sewn onto the tops helps keep the girls (boobs) in.
Swimming in this for the first time was very easy for me (please note, I’m an excellent swimmer, as I've been swimming since I was about 4 years old). The tails look so gorgeous in the water and kids (I swim at a YMCA) are usually very interested. I had several parents ask where I got the tail and at times feel like a spokesperson for FinFun! The scale printed does lose its color over time. The actual scale prints don’t totally fall off, but they've gone from a very bright green to more of a silvery faded green. My Caribbean Sunset has yet to lose any color, but I do tend to use my green tail more. I also want to point out that it’s been used at a beach once and chlorinated pools at least 50 times for about 2-4 hours each time. I expected the colors to fade a little. This doesn't bother me too much as I know I can always buy a new “skin” to replace an old faded one and that the cost isn’t a ton. I’m willing to pay that price for the fading.
Their customer service is excellent, never had to contact them for an issue, got confirmation e-mails immediately, and tracking numbers ASAP. Most items will be at your house within a week. (USA orders) I always chose the cheapest shipping, and my things came within 3 days of ordering.
Pictures!
Unboxing
Trying on! Pretty Colors!
Second Order: Matching Swimsuits and Caribbean Sunset (Orange) Tail
Swimming
Beach Use Note: the ends are totally opened, if you pull the layers back you can see toes, this is why I don't recommend (after making this mistake myself) using on the beach wet, unless you plan to swim and not wade in the water... the corners that are sewn up on both the monofin and the fabric tail were FILLED with sand. It was a pain in the butt to remove, I had to remove the Lexan, turn the monofin inside out to rinse out all the sand. The Lexan is easier to get back in wet than dry, so getting it back in was a pain because I let the cover dry. I also had to wash my fabric tail, basic rinsing wasn't doing it to get the sand out. Thank goodness my washer has a "hand wash" cycle! It's not recommended that you wash in this fashion, but after the beach it was necessary.
Other folks Swimming in my tails!
Adorable Anita
I even made a tail and it happened to fit my niece wonderfully!
Even got my Brother's best friend (who is practically my brother) into it as well!
Please note that the over-use from that family reunion, the Laxan was bent. That is by no means FinFun's fault, it was my niece bending it the wrong way while playing with it in the pool. There is an easy and relatively cheap fix though - FinFun knows this is bound to happen with kids, and they offer a replacement for only $20. I had a coupon code for $5 off so it was only $15 to replace! It will be here tomorrow! (I'll post pictures of the damage, and how to take out & put back the Lexan replacement piece. It is a bit difficult.)
TL;DR: Excellent prices, timely shipping, fantastic customer service. Scale printed tails will fade with use. You do have to buy their monofin; however it’s made of soft neoprene and a Lexan insert. Monofin is made well, but is neoprene, so it takes time to dry. Lighter colors, like the orange, can be see-through, but not too horribly when wet.
Bookmarks