shinfin™ leg fins

Fix foot fin faults

Home » Buy fins » Open water swimming fins reviews

Open water swimming fins reviews

  • Legs & hips: football fitness swimming

    Tom really likes using his shinfinTM fins as a tool for swim fitness training of his hips and legs for football. Plus he enjoys swimming with them more because he goes faster and they help him learn to swim better. Furthermore, his improved swimming stroke stays with him even after he takes the fins off, including when he is open water swimming without fins. This is all because shinfinTM fins teach Tom to kick from his hips with power from the large muscles in his thighs, buttocks and torso. What’s more, the fins enable Tom to imprint this more powerful kick on his muscle memory, so that it continues even when he swims barefoot.

    Tom’s review from Swansea, UK

    “I am trying to get a really high level of fitness for playing football. I really like them. Swimming in them about twice a week. About 30 mins with the fins and then 10 mins without them, in each session. I feel my kicking has improved a lot due to now having much more level hips. They are making my pool workouts more fun and more rewarding, as I am progressing better than before. I feel my quads are getting a good workout. I did a 1.5km open water swim yesterday, which is the most I’ve done! Although it wasn’t with the fins.”

    “I do really like the fins and nearly always use them when I swim. They help me to stop my legs crossing over each other. And when I take them off, I can maintain the improved form. I also enjoy swimming in them a lot more than regular swimming, as I can move faster through the water.”

    (more…)

  • Triathlon training: bilateral below knee amputee

    Hannah really loves her shinfinTM fins for triathlon training, as a bilateral below knee amputee. She mainly swims freestyle in open water and pools. She finds that these fins give her a better workout because they lift her body horizontal and support a strong stroke balance. Furthermore, she finds that these fins improve her swimming form, which enters her muscle memory and so transfers to her swimming without fins in triathlon competitions. A paralympic athlete recommended shinfinTM fins to her and they have impressed her coaches as well. So now Hannah recommends them to other amputees too.

    shinfin™ fins for triathlon training on bilateral below knee amputee
    shinfinTM fins for triathlon training on bilateral below knee amputee

    Lee’s review from Coralville, USA

    “My daughter is a bilateral below knee amputee who competes in triathlons. She loves the shinfinTM fins. They have really helped her with improving her form and getting a better workout. Her coaches are very impressed with her fins and we have recommended them to other amputees that we know. She definitely feels that she is a stronger, better swimmer now. Even when she is not wearing them. Another paralympic athlete who is an amputee, recommended the shinfinTM fins to Hannah.”

    (more…)

  • Broken bone & torn ligament in foot: snorkeling fins

    Trishalana is very pleased that she can snorkel with her shinfinTM fins, even though she has a torn ligament and broken bone in her foot. This is because the fins strap comfortably above her ankles. So they don’t add extra pressure on her feet or cause her any foot pain like regular foot fins would. She can put on her fins in the water, and swim out and snorkel easily with them, even in choppy seas. Or she can put on her fins in the boat, and walk to exit the boat. Afterwards, she can climb up the boat ladder whilst still wearing her fins. shinfinTM fins are light and durable to make all this possible.

    Trishalana’s review from Kearneysville, USA

    “I am just returning from my Caribbean cruise where I snorkeled twice while away. The first time was straight off the beach. I was able to put them on in the water with little issue. I swam easily out, around and back in. It was smooth water. The second time was off a boat at a coral reef. I was able to put on the fins and exit the boat. The sea was very choppy but I had no trouble getting around and was able to climb the ladder back into the boat wearing them. I purchased these because I have a torn ligament and broken bone in my foot. These fins did not put any pressure on my foot or cause me any pain. I am very pleased with my experience and the ability it gave me to participate in the activity.”

    (more…)

  • Better kick, stroke, breathing & endurance: technique fins

    Over many years, the swim technique encouraged by shinfinTM fins has given Rick a better kick, improved stroke, relaxed breathing and a dramatic increase in endurance. He tends to swim freestyle about 5-6 km a week, fitness swimming in pools and in the ocean. What’s more, these benefits carry over to his no-fins swimming style too. This all flows on from the better aligned, streamlined horizontal body position that he feels the fins promoting. Importantly, he feels the incredible workout in his thighs, glutes and abdomen because the fins guide him to kick from his hips. Rick can see clearly that regular foot fins don’t come close in comparison.

    Rick’s review from Perth, Australia

    “Thank you for prompt service and a great product. By the second session I was already noticing marked improvement in my kick, but also more generally in my stroke and breathing, as a flow-on from the better aligned body position the fins promote. What I hadn’t really considered (the added bonus I suppose) is the dramatic improvement in my endurance, allowing me to extend my lap distance each session. And my no-fins kick is also improving. So, good on you for taking a strong concept all the way through the process of invention and manufacture, to realise an extraordinary Aussie design innovation.”

    4 months later: “I’m still using my shinfinTM fins three times every week, swimming an average of 5-6 km a week at present. I’ve found them kind of addictive! My endurance has improved dramatically, and so has my general fitness. I’m now much more relaxed in the water, and breathing smoothly and easily. The improved horizontality of body position has helped me work on my freestyle stroke, to streamline my swim technique. I’ve been able to really concentrate on technical aspects of my stroke, like kick beat, or bilateral breathing. The long, slow, strong 2-beat kick provides an incredible workout for my abdomen, glutes, thighs, and even my shoulders, as my arms are working stronger, to maintain momentum. I’m happy to help encourage more people to adopt shinfinTM fins, because I believe in the quality of the design and product!”

    4 years later: “I swear by the fins, for promoting a good horizontal body position, improving my stroke and working my thighs, quads and glutes. Regular fins don’t come close in comparison.”

    (more…)

  • Stronger muscles, better butterfly: pool & sea fins

    For many years, shinfinTM fins have helped to give Alona a better butterfly stroke and stronger muscles in her buttocks, stomach and legs, for improved swim technique in the pool and sea. This is because they encourage her to kick from her hips to give her a better swim style. Alona is also a Pilates instructor and there was some discussion about wearing shinfinTM fins on the arms for exercises to strengthen the upper body.

    Alona’s review from Jerusalem, Israel

    “Thank you for your great innovation! I am very happy with my shinfinTM fins, and I also get a lot of attention when I swim with them in the pool. I love how I can swim the butterfly better now! And I also love how they help me strengthen my buttocks and stomach too, as well as my legs!”

    5 years later: “I use the fins mostly in the swimming pool and it is great! At my last vacation in Greece, I took them with me to swim at the sea. Using the fins helped me to improve my butterfly style and strengthen my middle section. I just love them! Thank you Marc for inventing them! Thanks for being so dedicated to your customers!!!”

    (more…)

  • Snorkeling, open water & surf swimming fins

    Corin loves her shinfinTM fins for snorkeling, open water swimming and surf swimming. Unlike regular flippers, she can walk into the surf and they don’t hurt, rub or strain her feet and muscles. Before trying them, she thought the fins might drag on the upward kicks. However, the fins actually minimise drag, as they are designed to flex away from her legs on the upward kicks. Furthermore, they give her extra power from her hips on the upward kicks, in addition to hip powered downward kicks.

    Corin’s review from Sydney, Australia

    “I got back from my trip on Friday and just wanted to let you know I LOVE my shinfinTM fins! I used them everywhere! Sadly I was unable to scuba while away but I did do a lot of snorkeling! And I received many questions and comments on them from fellow travellers and guides alike! So I’ve referred them all to your website.”

    (more…)

  • 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.”

    (more…)

  • Pool, snorkel & dive: transtibial amputee fins

    Mike, a transtibial (below knee) amputee, loves his shinfinTM fins, starting with pool laps then open water swimming, snorkeling and scuba diving. Most important, to optimise water balance he wears one fin on his stump and the other on his full leg. Furthermore, he loves the fact that he can adjust the fin heights and angles on his legs. So he can experiment to get the most comfortable fin placements.

    Mike’s review from Homestead, USA

    “I love the fins! It is so nice not swimming in left hand circles:) No really, I am so happy with the shinfinTM fins and I love being back in the water. I love being able to do laps in the pool and getting ready for open water soon. Thanks for the fins! A happy shinfinTM fins owner.”

    (more…)

  • No Achilles pain or calf cramps: swim training fins

    Kate loves using her shinfinTM fins for swim training, even more because they avoid the Achilles pain and calf cramps caused by conventional fins. She enjoys them for full stroke freestyle and backstroke and also for kick exercise drills, with and without a kickboard. They give her many swim training benefits, with comfort too.

    Kate’s review from Perth, Australia

    “I love using them. Overall, I’m really happy with the fins and I get asked about them every time I swim! I use the fins for full stroke freestyle and backstroke. And for drills, with and without a kickboard. I have a chronic Achilles problem and was getting very frustrated with my swim training as conventional fins were out of the question. Just one kick and my calf would cramp up.”

    (more…)

  • Training, water running & snorkeling fins

    Peggy values the multipurpose nature of shinfinTM fins for her swim training, water running, snorkeling and open water swimming. She finds they help her immensely with body positioning, balance and overall compatibility with the water. This is because they promote a smooth swimming style and leave her feet free. Of course, this also allows her to walk into the water for snorkeling.

    Peggy’s review from Saskatchewan, Canada

    “I want to use the fins for swim training, water running and snorkeling. What a difference! Kicking seemed so effortless, yet effective. With almost no effort, I was cruising past people I normally don’t pass. Then I played, dolphined down the pool, tried some water running and had a great time. I’m sure I’ll enjoy them enormously, and will spread the word here. It is about balance, and I loved the way I felt more ‘compatible’ with the water.”

    “(Later) I continue to love the fins, and wore them snorkeling in Aruba with great success. People who were backing through the water with traditional fins did display some jealousy that I was able to walk straight in. I treasure them and will continue to take them ‘on tour’ with me wherever my swimsuit and goggles go.”

    (more…)