I believe this is a new design, that adapts to a Wading Boot: http://www.cabelas.com:80/cabelas/en...449&hasJS=true
This is a good price compared to other retailers. The Reviews are interesting!
Doug
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I believe this is a new design, that adapts to a Wading Boot: http://www.cabelas.com:80/cabelas/en...449&hasJS=true
This is a good price compared to other retailers. The Reviews are interesting!
Doug
i believe they have been out for quite a few years. maybe cabelas are just now carrying them
Doug,
They have been around for several years. I picked up a pair at Sportsman's Warehouse right after they opened at a very good price. I haven't seen them in there lately. I'm not sure what the going price is now. And yes they will fit over wading boots.
Some of the reviews had me scratching my head. "can't turn"???? I have no trouble at all turning with mine.
I guess that I never checked the Force Fin site, for these fins, because it never occurred to me they could update the regular model. I wonder if this is a case of "If it aint' broke don't fix it"?
Doug
I've had the adjustable FF for about 5 years or more and they are great.
I hope some day I have to race or out manoeuvre some of the reviewers because if they can't figure out how to turn in a float tube....
;)
Bamboozle,
If synchronized float tubes ever becomes an Olympic sport, we'll have to team up and show 'em how it's done. I was practicing my pirouettes yesterday.
Over five years here on the FF. I too bought mine at Sportsmen's and they were barely over $100. Still in excellent condition...no wear on the neoprene at all and I can honestly say, these are THE ONLY flippers I have used that are NOT hard on the boot/shoes. Other fins I had literally cut my boot/shoes.
The only other flipper I have considered are these:
http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f1...ss/NFOFins.gif
You have chosen wisely grasshopper. We have a review of those ( http://colo2.flyanglersonline.com/prorevw/flipfin.php ) and guess what. They are a new sponsor too. They seem to be pretty good. :)
I can see they are good looking fins, but what make Force Fins worth $150? I do pretty good with a pair I paid $3 at a garage sale. Hey, I'm cheap, born poor and never fully recovered.
Force Fins are SPOON shaped. They curl up on the end so you can walk forward in them. The "V" shape makes them cut through the water better, then on the forward they SCOOP the water.
When bad weather hits you and you are in the middle of the lake, then you will appreciate this.
....and people think that fly fishermen dress funny.....:rolleyes:
http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f1...ss/NFOFins.gif
REE...will they fit over extra large wading boots?
I'm intrigued, but a little confused as to how they work. :confused:
It seems that on the "up stroke" they would propel you forward, but on the "down stroke" the would propel you backward. It seems that you wouldn't end of getting anywhere. Of course, I still haven't gotten the hang of regular fins for float tube use either. :roll:
They 'snap' in place; stick out like regular ones then.
With Force Fins it is the same motion as bouncing a child on your foot while seated.
With the longer scuba fins, you can put your legs more straight out in front and move your feet the same as swimming so you would actually be propelling yourself on the up and down stroke.
It took me a long time to figure this out.
I have always been the type, the scoops the water up, then pull my heel back through the water and repeat on the other side.
But came across a group the uses these scuba fins. Of course, it still seems to me you would have to somewhat lean back and some boats don't make this comfortable, so it is still up to the individual.
I appreciate the remark about the bad weather coming up when in the middle of the lake. That's when I do aerobic float tubing, it is also the reason I carry a couple of hand paddles, cut from the side of a 5 gallon bucket with a flip flop sole handle. You can greatly increase your speed when Mother Nature calls you to leave the lake.
Very clever UJ.....I used to use ping pong paddles....
Right on Uj....great idea, allot of people don't think about adding arm power.
When you are on the far side of the lake and a thunderstorm slips up on you, realizing you are the high point of the lake and real slow is top speed, arm power helps. Lightning overhead is a great motivator. I happen to know I'm allergic to lightning.
One friend uses plastic dustpans and another frisbees.
I bought a PONTUBE that has oars...in fact I can add a motor, right Duckster!
Right, FG....notice I used the past tense in my post;);).
I didn't know I had a Pontube until you used the term and I had to look it up. It's always good to know exactly what you bought [Fishcast LCS4]. I had just been call it a float tube.
Actually, that is a "V" tube. A pontube is a pontoon and a tube in one. The Navigator II is 9' long but the back unzips for a motor and it comes with oars and oar holders. It looks like yours on steroids.
And you don't have to fuss with a frame....:cool::cool:
I just hope you don't end up testifying before Congress about those steroids you are using on your fishing equipment.
Sorry, Ducks, I missed your question. Yup, those fins will fit over just about any wading boot out there. Once the fin blade is locked in place you can move a lot of water with them with very little effort.
Uncle Jes:
You really have to see the adjustable Force Fins in person to see why the high price is justified. When you pick a pair up, you will know instantly that you have some serious equipment in your hands.
Besides all of the performance accolades the other fans out there have given them, they are built to last forever and I have a feeling mine will after more than 5 years of constant use. The strap system is excellent and hardware is attached to the plastic part of the fin with screws or rivets made of brass or bronze hardware. There are also protrusions on the bottom of the flipper which help with traction if you launch off a slippery bank.
I am a flippering fool and have done as much as 6 miles in my Force Fins on a days outing. The upturned flipper really does help with propulsion and it flexes which makes the whole process easier. Another advantage is the overall flipper length. Force Fins are the perfect length for float tubing IMHO. Long flippers seem to be best suited when your ankle is NOT at a 90 degree angle like when scuba diving when your quads can do most of the work to move the long flipper. When you are float tubing, because of your ankle angle, a large portion of the work gets done by the three muscles in front of the shin, the hamstrings and the quads. When I started using Force Fins, I noticed leg cramps seem to be significantly reduced over other fins I've tried and that's a big deal to me when I have to get to the other side when thunder rumbles.
While the upturned flipper also helps with walking, I still walk backwards when launching. IMHO being able to walk forwards isn't such a big deal, besides it takes a second to release the buckle on the FF to take them off if I feel the urge to look where I am going.
Obviously price may be an issue to some, but the quality and performance is evident when you try Force Fins. You do get what you pay for.
BTW-I believe Force Fin brand products are the choice of those pirate popping US Navy Seals!!
;)
if the SEALS use em they dont sell em in the NAVY SEAL store!
http://www.usnavysealstore.com/index...ion=11&cat=188
plus i thought it was a sniper rifle that popped the pirates off :confused:
All I can add to this is, I have had many, many different fins. But, for the past six years FF has been my choice. My boot foot waders and my Simm's boots look great also. There is NO WEAR on them from the fins......you can't say that about ALL fins. I had to replace both from the hard plastic fins wearing the sides of the boots out.
And B is right....my fins look as good today as they did new. No strap or hardware to replace.
But you got to remember, Force Fins probably cost as much if not more than some peoples choice in watercraft, so it is hard to justify to them.
When all there is between me and open water is my gear, you can bet your sweet A__ it is going to be top notch gear. No penny's pinched when it comes to life.
Funny thing about my Forcefins -- when i first bought a float tube a few years back, my buddy and I were headed out later that day for our first boat test drive. He bought Remington fins for $50, but the fly shop didn't have 2 pairs...all they had left was Forcefins so I got 'em despite the price, we wanted to get on the WATER, not dink around in town finding cheap fins.
Now when I try other fins, I hate them! And get sore leg muscles....seems to me the motion is different with the Forcefins, and they are easier on certain muscles. My Dad compared also, and went with the Forcefins too.
I'll never go back.
DANBOB
Don't be so easily deceived! That web site is owned by:
Global Business Support Systems, LLC
San Diago, California
Serhat Pala, President
There are not in any way affiliated with the United States Navy or the Navy Seals!
Their web site is very misleading! If you check out their products, none of them show any official logos or trademarks of the U.S. Navy! The U.S. Navy can not and does not endorse products!
Also, they are not Force Fin Dealers!
Yes, many U.S Navy Seals do use Force Fins. In fact, the Smoke Black color that is available in some force models came about because it was a special request of Bravo Company, U.S. Navy S.E.A.L. Team 5.
Some reasons why I, and others use Force Fins is, they are the extremely comfortable and efficient. Bob Evans, Force Fin's creator, has won critical acclaim and many design awards for fins. The right amount of flex is designed into the blade to give you maximum thrust without stressing muscles. Using stiff fins that stress muscles can produce severe cramping, I know because I have tried many! The design and performance requirements of Force Fins are possible because they are constructed with the finest materials available including very expensive polyurethane materials. Even though Force fins are easier to walk in because of the upturned tips, I choose fins for there efficient and comfortable use in water propelling me in my float tube or pontoon, not walking on land! I have heard the previous comment made by danbob many times after people use Force Fins, "I'll never go back.", there's a reason for that!
By the way, the Adjustable Force Fin model is not new, it has been around for over 10 years. There are new designs in the works.
Thanks for that information flyfisherjoe.
Due to recent current events, I am extremely offended after doing some further research on the "navysealsstore.com" and their "specialforcesstore.com"
I could not find ANY sort of disclaimer on their websites proclaiming that they have nothing to do with US elite military forces other than selling a few gewgaws with military logos, and a few items that happen to be used by our SEALs.
Misleading is an understatement -- they go out of their way to look official. I suppose our military doesn't want to look 'bad' by shutting them down ... and of course trademarks and copyrights don't apply the same way to the US government as they do to private industry. Most of what the US government produces in publications, logos and such are public domain, unlike private industry.
***
This whole business of these websites besmirches the stellar performance of 3 SEAL snipers recently, and the commanding officers who gave them the green light...and that goes right up to the very top level of command in the White House. Nice to see that attitude of "you DON'T **** with America" again.
I will never patronize these businesses, and will tell all my friends not to also. I wonder what country all those Navy SEAL t-shirts, caps, tie-tacks, and lapel pins they sell are made in???
DANBOB
There is different site http://www.navyseals.com/ that may or may not be more palatable. At least they have a discliamer and claim to support some related charities. I have not done business with either one.
all i know is when i had to provide a stowage for flippers for the Special Operations Forces (SOF) aboard submarines, they weren't "Force Fins"
and watching videos at work of the SOF exiting the submarine, they weren't using "Force Fins"
sorry but if i told you more, well you know the saying....
Couldn't agree more with you danbob! I do not like people pretending to be a respected and heroic part of our Armed Forces and selling people junk by fooling them!
Well Normand, no one said that the U.S. Government doesn't use equipment from more than one supplier. I just said that The U.S. Navy Seals do use Force Fins. Maybe some pictures would help demonstrate that:
Here's a few images from wikimedia.org:
http://www.classactmall.com/pics/M80...Navy_SEALs.jpg
Close up of the Force Fins:
http://www.classactmall.com/pics/M80..._SEALs-clo.jpg
Another picture:
http://www.classactmall.com/pics/Nav...aining_USN.jpg
Close up, notice the open foot pocket at toes. This is part of the design to prevent cramping:
http://www.classactmall.com/pics/Nav...ng_USN_clo.jpg
Jayatwork, while the site you referred to does have a disclaimer, it is very small print disclaimer, it's buried at the bottom of the page and it's only on the one page. I suppose tha't slightly better than the other site I did find the folowing statement, (that's appears boldly and often) misleading:
Our exclusive "SEAL of Approval" products come with a 100% guarantee.
I feel this may lead someone to believe the SEALs approve this site; they do not!
I'm watching Ollie North's TV on special ops...and there are some good visuals of the seals....and they are not carrying force fins ...at least then.
I know one thing. I've never seen a Navy Seal use a float tube while on duty. I bet they'd use an Outcast Fat Cat. This thread kinda got side tracked it seems.