Bjorn absolutely loves his shinfinTM fins because they allow him to snorkel again in comfort, without back strain and also to wear his flexible reef boots to walk and swim. Furthermore, he really likes the natural feel of shinfinTM fins. The finds them close to normal smooth swimming with power from his hips. This is all in complete contrast to normal foot fins, which previously caused him so much back pain that he nearly gave up snorkeling altogether!
Bjorn’s review from Currumbin Valley, Australia
“I went snorkeling and have to say that they were absolutely fantastic! I bought the fins primarily to reduce the strain exerted on my lower back. In the water for many hours, over several days, and I never once felt any back pain! Truly remarkable! Not only were the fins great for my back, they allowed me to swim while wearing my flexible reef boots. This allowed very easy getting in and out of the water and walking over the hard coral beaches, while others looked on with curious envy. Overall I am extremely satisfied and can say that I absolutely love my shinfinTM fins!”
Bjorn’s review: Less back strain snorkeling fins & walking with reef boots
“Tried my shinfinTM fins for the first time last month when I went snorkeling at Lady Eliot Island. I have to say that they were absolutely fantastic! I bought the fins primarily to reduce the strain exerted on my lower back, as I have previously felt back pain after using normal feet fins when using them for as little as 1 hour. So I was about to give up my new found love of snorkeling altogether. This time, I was in the water for many hours, over several days, and I never once felt any back pain! Truly remarkable!”
“Not only were the fins great for my back, they allowed me to swim while wearing my flexible reef boots. This allowed very easy getting in and out of the water and walking over the hard coral beaches, while others looked on with curious envy. I also combined my setup with some finger webbing gloves to increase my speed and power in the water and to make up for the slight reduction from using the shinfinTM fins with reef boots.”
“Overall I am extremely satisfied and can say that I absolutely love my shinfinTM fins!”
Reply
That’s great to hear how fantastic you found the shinfinTM fins for your snorkeling. Especially how they don’t strain your back. This is because they encourage you to do a streamlined kick from your hips, with straighter knees. That lifts your knees and thighs higher in the water. So your back is straighter and there is less stress on your lower back.
Did you feel this streamlined kick from your hips? The shinfinTM kick is like a proper swimming kick. The more you strengthen for it, the faster you get. Reef boots will cause a bit of drag but the shinfinTM fins tend to reduce this. Reef shoes with flexible, thinner soles and smooth heel areas tend to minimise drag. They also allow you to point your toes.
Like you found previously, regular foot fins often trigger back pain. That is because they make you bend your knees too much. That drops your knees and thighs too low in the water. And that causes you to arch your back to maintain stroke balance, putting painful stress on your lower back. So the bent-knee kicking style required by regular foot fins is what hurts your back.
Does this make sense? I’d be very interested in your further comments.
Thank you for your kind feedback.
Bjorn
“Yes, I did feel as though I was swimming with close to normal swimming kicks coming from the hips. I very much liked that natural feel to using them.”
“When I said I used reef boots, I actually meant shoes. I used tight fitting thin flexible quicksilver reef shoes. So I was able to point my toes like as if I wasn’t wearing any. Whilst thin (I think 2-3mm), they still provided enough comfort for me to be able to walk for short distances on the coral.”
Reply
Yes, a lot of people really like the natural feel of swimming with shinfinTM fins. And also that they encourage a proper streamlined kick from the hips. That is why strengthening with them for swimming and snorkeling etc. also speeds up your no-fins swimming.
Can I ask a favour please? Would you mind if I put some extracts from your emails on the website? I think it would be useful for other people to read what you have said. Especially about reducing the strain on your lower back. Please let me know.
Bjorn
“Sure, go ahead. Happy to help promote them. Feel free to summarise what I’ve said in fewer words if you’d like to.”
Reply
Thank you for your kind permission Bjorn. Personal recommendation is very important to help a new product like this along, so I really appreciate it. The shinfinTM word is spreading well thanks to people like you. Happy snorkeling! All the best.
Conclusion
shinfinTM fins allow you to snorkel in comfort, without back strain and also let you wear flexible reef boots to walk and swim. What’s more, you will really like the natural feel of shinfinTM fins. This is because power comes from your hips, with supple ankles and relaxed feet so they also avoid ankle strain. Furthermore, they give you a swimming style close to normal smooth swimming. This is all in complete contrast to normal foot fins that strain your back, ankles and feet.
These further reviews illustrate snorkeling with no back pain and wearing fins with shoes, less back and foot pain, less calf strain and less ankle strain too.