I am buying my first toon flippers. I have stockingfoot waders and have some flipper booties for them .
I assume from the feed back in the cabella site that all flippers are not created equal. Before I shell out the big bucks somewhere between $40.00 up to $150.00 I thought I’d better check with you guys first.
Are the $150.00 ones necessary or do you just go with the cheaper ones.
I bought newer lighter oars for my toon, cause I know they make a difference by the end of a long day.
Gnu Bee Flyer,
Hey buddy. I’ve been told several times by “those that know” Force Fins are the way to go. Less effort for the legs, greater propulsion through the water, easier to maneuver through turns and best design for walking with fins. Spendy but worth it, so I’m told. If I had the bucks, that’s the way I’d go.
The new Cabela’s may have them on sale. If not, they’re still worth the $$$$$$$.
C’ya soon,
Joe
“and best design for walking with fins.”
For the sake of discussion, Lotech, I disagree…
Thanks Joe, duckster, Its hard to believe but our local fly shop actually carries force fins, wonder of wonders, so I phoned and asked them to put a pair of adjustables aside for me. Same price as Cabellas catalogue.
I checked out the ones in your link duckster but the 3 reviews all trash them a bit.
GBN…I was only speaking to the ease of walking not other issues…
I have owned [or currently own] the entry level fins…scuba fins…graphite fins…the amphibifins…non adjustable force fins…and adjustable force fins…so I have my own opinions about all of them…and that’s all they are …my opinions…
ducksterman,
I honor your disagreement. I’ve never seen those fins before. I think the idea of putting the fins on top of the foot has it’s merit, but like GBF I have my doubts about them due to the reviews. I was basing my suggestion on Force Fins rocker type bottom which in effect lifts the toe of the fin off the ground enough to keep you from tripping while walking forward.
I do however, seem to get re-educated daily on many issues. 
I pray we never stop sharing our “opinions”.
duckster I sure would value your opinion about which one you think is best out of all those you have had.
I’m quite new to this toon stuff. I"ve only had it one season and couldn’t afford to both buy fins and go to the fish-ins too. So I had to wait till now to buy them. I want to get it right.
GBF…what’s your price point?
I think about $150 or so.
OK…so price basically isn’t an issue…
Folks will say Force Fins are the gold standard…my experience is I really can’t tell alot of difference between them and lesser models…you will be told that the Navy Seals use them…who can argue with that…maybe those that feel the government doesn’t know everything…
Last year I came across a website with obviously good people on it that didn’t universally accept the Force Fin mystic…
Having said that when I strap on fins now they are the adjustable Force Fins …maybe the main reason being they accommodate my big feet…and the cost doesn’t bother me…if you know your foot size with booties on you may be able to use the non adjustable Force Fins…a few less $$$
If the cost was a factor I’d stick to the Water Skeeter or Caddis entry level fins.
The Amphibifins are Ok but not magic… they are middle of the road cost…and yes you can walk in them fairly well but they have a fairly small surface area for propulsion… and the Force Fins walk pretty easy once you get the hang of it.
Bottom line…go with what is easiest to put on [I hate fighting putting them on]…and fits the best so they are comfortable all day…personally I think the propulsion qualities are over done … that is just my opinion …I’m sure others will disagree…
Sorry not to be more specific.
I thank you from the bottom of my sole…
I got some Force fins off ebay for less than $50 a few years ago. That would be a good place to start.
How much ‘toonin’ you plan on dooin’?
If you don’t do a lot, no need spending the scratch on the FF’s. If you plan on a couple times or more a month and making it an all day, might as well get the best. The adjustable Force Fins. I’ve have some for 4 years now, and the only drawback is I have a kickboat and a Navigator II. (Scadden frameless toon). On my kickboat I use hip waders. On the Navigator I use full waders and wading boots. Wading boots and hip wader boots are not built equal. FF’s are a major pita to adjust, but once you get them adjusted…(BTW cinch them up tight.) The water will make the webbing stretch a little.
All in all, my vote for fins are the adjustable FF’s. Everything after that is ?
Next invest in some good rod holders, 4 or more different sinking lines and a couple more rods.
A trolling motor (don’t forget to license your kickboat if you do get a motor) a good deep cycle battery, fishfinder/sonar, gps, Ipod, camera- still or movie, a good hat, some SPF45 sunscreen, a good anchor or two, brass oarlocks and oarrights for your new oars and that’s about it.
Dear Mr whizbang, I actuall have all that stuff you mentioned. I’m Just lacking the fins. To add one thing to your list how bout I add maybe a small fridge to keep the beer or pop cold?
Here’s a tip for everyone. I have a small wire basket with a secure lid on it. I attach a 20ft piece of rope to it. Securly tie the other end to the boat. Place a couple of beer or soda pop cans in the basket and secure the lid. Lower it down to near the bottom . Troll very slowly for about 2 minutes. Bring it up and you have ice cold beer on the hottest day.
Thanks everyone for all your good advice.
Hi there, woman’s view coming. I have had the ones that Duckster posted. Great idea, and yes a little heavy but so are the Force Fins. The felt on the bottom is killer when launching from cement boat ramps.
The flipper, fair water movement, all in all not a bad flipper.
I do use the Force Fins now. The are not only “V” shaped but sort of a bowl also and with little studs on the bottom they are actually not that hard to walk forward in.
I am going to say that any fin will work, specially if you are in a pontoon with oars and/or a motor. All the fins are is a way to steer and you can do that even without fins (a little harder and slower, but can be done) Plus maybe moving you real slow or maintaining one spot.
I tried the Browning also, thinking more fin in water, more movement. I got leg cramps with them.
I use FF because I don’t use oars and a motor all the time in fact certain waters the motor is not allowed and up till this year that ment float tube and no oars. I found through trying every flipper out there EXCEPT scubba’s that the Force Fins moved me better than anything else specially fighting wind.
Now I have the Navi like Duckster (the Float tube with oars), I still rely on my FF a lot (specially when I bring the battery but forget the motor…for a 4 day weekend…Argh.) I found out I didn’t miss my motor at all and there were some healthy winds and weather.