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Below knee amputation (BKA) fins reviews

shinfin™ fins give many helpful benefits for single and double below knee amputations (BKA), as seen in the BKA fin reviews below. Please also see the below knee amputation fins main article.

You can wear them on your BKA stump, with or without a stump sock. Or you can wear them on your waterproof BKA prosthesis. Because shinfin™ fins flex to match your stump or prosthesis shape, and the straps are highly adjustable, they fit whatever your choice.

If your stump is about 15 cm (6 inches) or longer, you will probably fit the fin directly on your stump. If your stump is shorter, or very tapered, a protective stump sock can increase the strap grip so you can fit the fin higher. What’s more, the straps can even cross behind your knee joint, with extra padding behind your knee. In all cases, your knee joint helps to control the fin angle.

Below knee amputee with shinfin™ fin on stump sock, rear view.
Below knee amputee with shinfin™ fin on stump sock.
Transtibial amputee, bent knee with shinfin™ fin, side view.
Transtibial amputee, bent knee with shinfin™ fin.
shinfin™ fins attached to bilateral below knee amputee prostheses.
shinfin™ fins attached to bilateral below knee amputee prostheses.

The following BKA reviews show that shinfin™ fins balance your stroke to give you smooth, horizontal swimming. It is generally best to wear two shinfin™ fins to optimise your water balance.  Single BKAs usually wear one fin on their stump and the other fin on their full leg. Double BKAs usually wear one fin on each stump. Furthermore, you can adjust the fin heights and fin angles to be different on each leg, to fine tune your kick balance.

Below knee amputees use shinfin™ fins for the same water activities as able-bodied people. From rehabilitation, exercise and weight loss, pool training and open water swimming, through to snorkeling and scuba diving. Read on for the below knee amputation fins reviews.

  • Strengthening & propulsion: below knee amputee 1 & 2 fins

    Rob, a below knee amputee, finds shinfinTM fins work really well for strengthening his leg and giving better propulsion. He finds the resistance and extra propulsion from just one fin on his stump helps him strengthen that leg. However, wearing both fins gives him better overall swimming and more propulsion. This is because shinfinTM fins encourage a streamlined kick with minimal knee bend, for amputees and non-amputees. So this gives him kick power from his hips which strengthens the larger muscles in his core body, buttocks and thighs.

    Rob’s review from Whitethorn, USA

    “I’m doing really well with my shinfinTM fins. You might like to know I am an amputee (left, below the knee). I find that it’s best for me to just use one fin on my residual limb. Without the fin there’s not enough resistance and with it I get more propulsion than the other leg. It works really well for me. I did try it with two fins and it works good. It’s better with two. But for now I need to strengthen my one leg, so I’ll continue to use just one. It’s a great product.”

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  • Clubfoot & below knee amputation fins

    With severe clubfoot and a below knee amputation, Krista finds shinfinTM fins wonderful for swimming and treading water aqua aerobics exercises. This is because shinfinTM fins help lift both her legs horizontal for less drag. So this raises her body horizontal and gives her smoother swimming strokes. Furthermore, they also reduce drag from water flowing over her clubfoot. So they streamline her whole body to swim faster and help her to build stronger muscles during her swimming workouts.

    Krista’s review from Craig, USA

    “I am really enjoying my shinfinTM fins. I am a below knee amputee and have a severe clubfoot on the other leg. My legs finally are getting more of a workout and aren’t just dragging behind me. I can also tread water so much better and for a much longer time. Can’t wait to take my shinfinTM fins with me for snorkeling.”

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  • Below knee amputee lap swimming fins

    The very first time he used them, Dave, a below knee amputee, felt his lap swimming greatly improved by shinfinTM fins. They help him get up onto the water, lifting his thighs horizontal and his body streamlined. So he no longer drags his backside along. This is because shinfinTM fins encourage smooth horizontal swimming, with more flutter kick power from his hips.

    Dave’s review from Snoqualmie, USA

    “I am a below knee amputee. I wanted to get back into swimming and was finding that doing a normal flutter kick my progress was not good. In fact, I either stayed in the same place or actually went backwards. Used the shinfinTM fins and what a great improvement! Back to getting power out of the kicks. I was able to get up on the water and enjoy doing laps again rather than literally dragging my backside along. Thank you very much for creating and supplying them.”

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  • Foot amputee swimming & surfing fins

    John, a recent foot amputee, has re-invented himself using shinfinTM fins, first for swim fitness, then for stand up surfing. He finds them super light, strong and comfortable without chaffing, unlike conventional fins. Because of their natural design, shinfinTM fins enable him to iteract with the water with a peaceful experience. Overall, John says they are the tool that allowed him to rebuild himself after his foot amputation.

    John’s review from New Britain, USA

    “I lost my right foot last year. Brilliant concept and design. These fins are bullet proof! Super light. They stay in place and are a pleasure to wear, with no bothersome chaffing as with conventional fins. I now can interact in the water like I’m part of the whole peaceful experience. So pleased, thankful and blessed. shinfinTM fins have been an incomparable tool for self improvement, to rebuild oneself in so many ways. I’m now swimming and surfing and enjoying my retirement immensely. shinfinTM fins opened the door. If it weren’t for shinfinTM fins, I wouldn’t have pushed myself! And would not realize how fine it all can be!”

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  • Double below knee amputee: front & back swimming fins

    For over five years, shinfinTM fins have helped Alison, a double below knee amputee, to build her confidence swimming on her front and back, in ways she never imagined. The fins are so adjustable and flexible to fit her thin, skinny lower legs without rotating or slipping. Made from strong polyurethane, the fins are tough enough to bend when she pushes off from the pool wall with her leg stumps. She uses the fins to help strengthen her muscles in the lower half of her body. With the fins, she can even swim legs only, without using her arms. She used them to build her confidence to do a one mile open water swim.

    Alison says that shinfin™ fins have not only helped her to gain the confidence to swim on her own, but they have also helped her life in so many other ways. They have improved her physical appearance and overall confidence. They have helped her to strengthen muscles all over her body, including her knees. So her walking is straighter and she can even run up stairs!

    Alison’s review from High Wycome, UK

    “Thank you for all your help and thank you for getting me back into something I love. The shinfinTM fins are the best purchase I have ever made. It’s the first time I have ever been able to swim without using my arms. They have helped to build my confidence in ways I never imagined. I have used them both for on my front and back. I’m finding it perfect with what they’re designed for. There are not enough words to explain how thankful I am and I can’t wait to get more people ordering them. Thank you, thank you, thank you.”

    And 5 years later:

    “I just wanted to say, your shinfinTM fins have really helped change my life! I’m currently training for a mile swim in London and your shinfinTM fins with be there with me! If I didn’t have them, I don’t think I’d have the confidence to do an open water swim. Thank you once again! So due to shinfinTM fins, I now have the confidence to swim on my own. I also have more confidence in day to day life. I can run up the stairs! My knees are stronger. They used to knock together but now I walk straighter.“

    “My overall physical appearance is a lot better. They really have helped to build muscle all over my body. I don’t get as sick and run down like I used too. Also, I’m a lot more confident talking to people. People always ask about the shinfinTM fins at the pool and rather than shying away I talk to them! shinfinTM fins have helped change my whole life. I feel like the confident young lady that I was always meant to be. Thank you. Best wishes.”

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  • Bilateral below knee amputee lap swimming fins

    shinfinTM fins allow Amy, a bilateral below knee amputee, to lap swim again. The fins give her a natural linear balance with power from her hip flexors. This is because her forward motion causes water pressure on the fins, which lifts her legs and body linear and streamlined. So she finds that the fins give her an awesome whole body workout, critical for rebuilding her core body strength and endurance.

    Amy’s review from Harwick, USA

    “I am a 54 year old woman with both legs amputated below the knee and I have been struggling to swim again. I could not remain linear and my residual limbs provided no propulsion. The shinfinTM fins changed everything. I feel whole again. Swimming laps feels natural and my linear balance was perfect. I am in a state of sheer joy! Thank you! The shinfinTM fins enable me to to work on my hip flexors, which is important because I spend so much time in my wheelchair. The whole body workout is awesome.”

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  • Below knee amputee swimming with his kids again: pool fins

    Instead of swimming in circles, shinfinTM fins allow Paul, a below knee amputee, to enjoy playing with his kids in the pool again. He wears two shinfinTM fins, one on the stump of his below knee amputation, and the other fin in the normal position on his other leg. The fins have a very flexible size and are highly adjustable. So they can be strapped at different heights on each leg as required. Using both fins like this, is what gives Paul back his swimming control and freedom in the water.

    Paul’s review from Tainan City, Taiwan

    “I am a BK amputee and haven’t been able to swim properly since my amputation 2 years ago. Swimming in circles is really frustrating! Instant freedom! The fins were amazing, I’m really impressed. They are easy to put on and really help me swim and play with my kids in the pool. I’m already recommending the fins to my mates. Once again thanks for an excellent product.”

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  • Osseointegration below knee amputations: snorkeling fins

    Jeff has transformed his snorkeling with shinfinTM fins strapped to his variation of osseointegration prosthetic legs for his bilateral below knee amputations. He kicks using his upper leg muscles with a straighter knee. So the fins really help him to get more horizontal on the water. Furthermore, this minimises drag and gives him smoother, more efficient snorkeling.

    He loves shinfinTM fins as they are. In addition, he is considering ways of lowering drag and increasing thrust still further. This includes adding flotation to his osseointegration feet, as they are rather heavy and tend to sink. It also involves experimenting with strapping the fins at different heights to counter the drag from the fixed ankles of his osseointegration feet. Customers with fused ankles also optimise the height of the fins on their legs, for the same reason.

    Jeff’s review from Denver, USA

    “shinfinTM fins have transformed my ability to snorkel. We used them every day on our vacation. What I noticed the most is that they really helped get me horizontal on the water. Love them as is.”

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  • Below knee amputation with knee replacement fins

    Audrey’s shinfinTM fins allow her to enjoy swimming again after her knee replacement surgery and below knee amputation. They have made a huge difference to her swimming technique, ability and momentum because they give her equal kick power in both her legs. So she can now swim in a straight line again too! Also, her prosthetist altered the buckles because she has weak fingers due to arthritis.

    Audrey’s review from Victoria, Canada

    “I’m an amputee and they have given me back my enjoyment in swimming. They are just the best! Now I can swim in a straight line and with some momentum. Thank you! I now have equal kicking power in both legs. I’ve told so many people about these fins. I’m so glad to be able to get back swimming as I thought I would have to give it up after my surgery because it was such a struggle to swim with 1/2 legs.” And months later: “I’m still using the fins faithfully and thoroughly enjoying them. They have made a huge difference to my swimming ability.”

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  • Below knee amputee rehabilitation training fins

    Elle’, a below knee amputee, really benefits from shinfinTM fins for her rehabilitation, pool training and open water ocean swimming. They give her a smooth, level, relaxed and balanced stroke. What’s more, all without strain or calf cramps. She uses them for freestyle and backstroke, with and without a kickboard. The fin on her stump feels like a foot to her, because it gives a full workout of her amputated leg. Thus she fully strengthens her legs, stomach and back muscles. Not only for her swimming, but also for stronger walking with her prosthesis. Elle’ kindly shares her detailed story below, with photos and videos, so other amputees will benefit from shinfinTM fins too.

    Elle’s review from San Clemente, USA

    “Both legs are kicking evenly and my amputated leg is getting the full benefits of the workout. No more calf cramps. I found it felt like I have a foot. I am very aware of both legs working fully, rather than relying more on the remaining foot. I’m able to relax into my stroke, which is balanced, even and smooth. Enables me to completely engage my residual limb without stress or strain. And in turn build strength needed for wearing a prosthesis.”

    “The open water swimming in the past days has been wonderful! I did not have rehabilitation after my amputation and swimming with the shinfinTM fins has been the best thing I could have ever found! I can feel my stomach and back work equally now. And I find my body position is much easier to keep level in the water.”

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