For about 15 years, shinfinTM fins have allowed Francis to swim laps again, with a smooth swimming style that doesn’t aggravate his Achilles tendons. He finds them fantastic for freestyle and backstroke, feeling them adding strength to his hip areas and the rest of his legs. This is because they give a smooth kick action which is more comfortable. Being lightweight yet very tough, they allow relaxed feet and supple ankles, which takes the strain off his Achilles tendons.
Francis’ review from Mount Eliza, Australia
“The shinfinTM fins have been fantastic. Great for swimming smoothly, controlling the fast-paced foot kicking action that aggravated my Achilles. Allowing me to continue lap swimming, something I really want to do! So they have been great, worth every cent!”
“I have had my shinfinTM fins now for close to 15 years and absolutely love them. Put simply, they allowed me to keep swimming! Ironically, I damaged my Achilles using regular flippers and was told by a doctor that continuing to swim might hurt it again. Especially as I have a sort of flapping action when I kick my feet, whipping them up and down in the kicking action. The shinfinTM fin requires you to kick more from the thigh down, and takes the pressure off the feet. So I swim a reasonably long way, and on a regular basis, without pain. I highly recommend them.”
Francis’ review: Smooth lap swimming fins that don’t aggravate Achilles tendons
“Thus far really enjoying the fins. Though I have not yet worked out how to get the tension right, as one is slipping a bit. Not a problem with the flipper. Just something I am doing wrong in putting it on.”
“I got these flippers because I have Achilles problems, to the point that I could not swim naturally. My kicking style aggravated it. So far these flippers don’t seem to pose any problems in that regard, which is great.”
“Anyway, will stick at it. All the best.”
Reply
I’m glad to hear you are really enjoying your fins and getting the benefits from them.
Yes, we have lots of customers using shinfinTM fins to help strengthen themselves after injuries and operations, especially ankles, Achilles, knees, hip and back. These benefits arise because shinfinTM fins promote a streamlined kick (like good swimmers use), with smooth delivery of power from your thighs and torso, and only a little knee-bend.
I’m sorry the straps aren’t as intuitive as I’d like but I think I can help you with these tips.
Francis (after 5 years)
Ordered spare straps, as his dog chewed the original straps!
Reply
I noticed that you have had your fins for about 5 years. So I’d love to hear how you have been going with them and how they have helped you, if you get a moment to email me please. Also, did the original straps wear out?
Francis
“We got a new dog for my children and he chewed the straps! They had started to lose a little of their grip anyway, as in they could pull lose a little of their own accord, which I think was due to extended use.”
“I purchased the shinfinTM fins because I had Achilles problems and could not lap swim with any regularity, well not without aggravating them.”
“The shinfinTM fins have been fantastic. Great for swimming smoothly, controlling the fast-paced foot kicking action that aggravated my Achilles. And, as I say, just allowing me to continue lap swimming, something I really want to do! So they have been great, worth every cent!”
Reply
That’s the second dog story in a couple of weeks! (The other one was a large “Rescue Dog” of some sort, that actually chewed through the tough polyurethane of the fins!)
That’s great that you have found the fins fantastic, without aggravating your Achilles.
Francis (after 14 years)
Ordered replacement straps.
Reply
How have you been going with your lap swimming with shinfinTM fins, over the last 14 years or so? I’d love to hear please.
Are you still enjoying the smooth swimming without aggravating your Achilles? How frequently do you swim?
Francis
“Yep, still actively using my shinfinTM fins after all this time. I love them!“
“I have had my shinfinTM fins now for close to 15 years and absolutely love them. Put simply, they allowed me to keep swimming!”
“Ironically, I damaged my Achilles using regular flippers and was told by a doctor that continuing to swim might hurt it again. Especially as I have a sort of flapping action when I kick my feet, whipping them up and down in the kicking action.”
“The shinfinTM fin requires you to kick more from the thigh down, and takes the pressure off the feet. So I swim a reasonably long way, and on a regular basis, without pain.”
“I highly recommend them.”
Reply
It was good to speak with you today. Your replacement straps are already on their way. I’m glad you are pleased that the straps last for many years. The pool chlorine does degrade the straps gradually over the years. The fins are made from a tough polyurethane designed to keep on going and going.
Thank you for your helpful words to add to the website review. That is very kind of you and I appreciate it very much.
On the phone, you also mentioned that, as well as mainly using them for freestyle, you also enjoyed using them for backstroke. So I’d be very interested to learn a bit more about how you feel the fins work for your backstroke please. In particular, in relation to your damaged Achilles.
Francis
“The backstroke side of things does not really have to do with the Achilles. Or at least I don’t think of the benefit that way. The fact you bring your leg back up and displace the water, adds a nice amount of pressure (which you can easily regulate). And it feels like it adds strength to the hip area and the rest of the leg, which is good when you start getting older.”
Reply
Thank you for explaining how the fins feel for backstroke. Yes, I think many people feel similar to you. People feel the fin power coming from their hips when they swim on their front doing freestyle and butterfly, and also when they swim on their back doing backstroke. This page explains the hip action further.
Please let me know how you progress every so often. It is always helpful to discuss swimming styles and kick actions with people like yourself, who are clearly interested in how their fins, and their body, move through the water.
Any questions just let me know. I’m here to help you get the best from your fins.
Conclusion
shinfinTM fins give you a smooth lap swimming style that doesn’t aggravate your Achilles tendons because they give you a smooth kick action which is more comfortable. In particular, they take the strain off your Achilles tendons by being lightweight yet very tough and encouraging you to have relaxed feet and supple ankles. You can feel them them building strength in your hips and the rest of your legs. Enjoy them for freestyle, backstroke and fly.
These other reviews show how shinfinTM fins avoid Achilles pain, at the same time as avoiding gout arthritis pain, calf cramps, toe cramps and chafed heels and tired ankles. Further reviews demonstrate shinfinTM fins aiding Achilles rehabilitation, at the same time as aiding recoveries from a broken foot and back fusion and knee reconstruction.