I know you said you can't afford the Force Fins, but if you (or anyone else) eventually want to get a great pair of fins, Flip Fins are probably the best I've used. Been float tubing and kickboating for 20 years now and started out with some old Brownings. I've had the Outcast Step In Fins (not with Outcast's name on them) Still have the backpacking type- shown as the Creek Company lightweights in your post, Turtle Fins and the adjustable Force fins. Out of all these the FF were the best. Then this year I got the Flip Fins for my birthday. After the first time in the water, I sold the Force Fin's immediately. Whether fishing from a tube or 'toon these fins excel. They're wider and longer, easier to adjust and lighter weight. $160 from Northfork Outdoors. Another plus is you can walk in them and they're less expensive than Force Fins.