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Strong & light fins reviews

Tough, strong, light fins (not quite as light as a feather!)
Tough, strong, light fins (not quite as light as a feather!)

Strong and light are key benefits of shinfin™ fins, as shown in the customer reviews below. You will find them natural and lighter to kick. The fins are made from extremely tough, flexible polyurethane. The straps are made from a highly tear-resistant, natural rubber. Tough and durable, they will last you many years.

The fins gain extra strength from being strapped around your legs. So this also stops them falling off in waves. Furthermore, with no foot pockets, they are lightweight and easier to pack for travel.

Enjoy the customer strong and light reviews below. To learn more, please also see the strong light fins article and the strong light fins FAQ. Learn about related fitting benefits in the adjustable fins article, the comfortable fins article and the feet free fins article.

  • Arthritis, fibromyalgia & fused ankles: fitness fins

    shinfinTM fins have given Annie 15 years of joyous fitness swimming, helping her cope with mobility issues fom severe arthritis, fibromyalgia and both ankles fused. This is because the fins lift her lower body horizontal to increase buoyancy and reduce drag. Most important for Annie, they improve her kick efficiency and help her to maintain leg strength. Plus, they achieve all this without aggravating her fused ankles and dodgy feet, because they strap above her ankles. Strong and durable, her first pair of fins still work and only look worn, after 15 years of regular use.

    Annie’s review from Castlemaine, Australia

    “Both of my ankles are surgically fused due to severe arthritis. Having lost my natural kicking motion, I had to rely on a pull buoy to maintain lower body buoyancy and reduce drag. I immediately saw how they’d help me. With the fins, I’m able to produce an efficient kick and maintain some degree of leg strength, without upsetting my dodgy ankles and feet. I’m enormously grateful to you Marc. The fins have given me fifteen years of joyous swimming and I don’t intend to stop anytime soon!“

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  • 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.”

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  • 10 years of fitness: freestyle & backstroke fins

    For 10 years, Gary has been loving his shinfinTM fins for pool fitness, mainly freestyle and backstroke, swimming at least 75% of the days. Swimming in both salt and chlorinated pools, he finds the fins strengthen his lower back and improve his kicking technique, which continues even when he is swimming without the fins. This is because the fins encourage him to kick from his hips. Plus, they don’t hurt his ankles like regular foot flippers. Gary varies his fitness routines, sometimes using a kickboard, snorkel and hand paddles. He also uses them for water walking exercises, walking backwards wearing his fins to strengthen his back. He has just replaced his straps and is now looking forward to another 10 years or more with his fins.

    10 years of swim fitness with shinfin™ fins for freestyle and backstroke
    10 years of swim fitness with shinfinTM fins for freestyle and backstroke

    Gary’s review from Central Coast, Australia

    “As the months went by I found my kicking style improving with every swim. Now I just love them. When I swim without them, I notice that my kicking technique is much better than most. Certainly no ankle problems like most flippers. I also have a lower back problem and found that the shinfinTM fins really help strengthen my lower back.”

    I have just had to replace the straps after 10 years’ use. While I didn’t swim every single day of those 10 years, I can guarantee that I swam at least 75% of the days in those 10 years. I highly recommend this product for any type of swimmer. Also, correspondence with Marc is, and always has been, exceptional. Anyway that’s all for me and I hope that you enjoy your shinfinTM fins as much as I have. I hope to get as much joy and fitness out of them for another 10 years or more.”

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  • Broken ankle rehabilitation swimming & snorkeling fins

    After breaking her ankle, Betsy is so glad she had her shinfinTM fins for quick rehabilitation swimming, and then for swimming and snorkeling in Hawaii. Because they strap above her ankles, they don’t stress her ankle joint like regular foot flippers. The fins also allow her to recover from ankle replacement surgery, by minimising stress on her new ankle whilst allowing supple ankle movement. As an extra benefit, she found her shinfinTM fins take up less luggage room than regular snorkeling fins. This is because shinfinTM fins do not need a foot pocket, so they are flatter, stronger and lighter.

    Betsy’s review from Cincinnati, USA

    “I have used my shinfinTM fins on several trips to Hawaii, and couldn’t be happier. So glad I bought them! After I broke my ankle, I used the shinfinTM fins to help rehabilitate in my neighbor’s pool. And it was important for me to rehabilitate quickly, because I had a trip planned to visit my son in Hawaii – where I was able to walk, swim, and snorkel!”

    “I’m so grateful that I found your website, and I think your product could be helpful for a lot of other people. An added benefit of shinfinTM fins is that they take up less room in my luggage than snorkel fins. Thanks again!”

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  • Feet disabilities: para-swim training fins

    Owen, with disabilities in both feet, has been para-swim training with his shinfinTM fins for about five years. They adjust to fit on his legs. He has been so successful, that he has reached number one UK rankings in his para-classification. These include 50 metres freestyle, 100 metres freestyle and 100 metres breastroke. He is also captain of the University of Nottingham swimming team and on the England Para-swimming Talent Development squad. Owen finds shinfinTM fins extremely helpful for improving his kick action because they lift his thighs and body horizontal. This gives him the best swimming style. Furthermore, he finds them extremely helpful for improving his leg strength because they encourage proper kick power from his hips.

    Owen’s review from Nottingham, UK

    “shinfinTM fins have been extremely helpful in helping improve my kick action and leg strength, letting me participate in sessions I previously wasn’t able to.”

    Mark (father): “So, thank you. The fins have been really effective and they allow Owen to train with able-bodied swimmers. We purchased two pairs of shinfinTM fins and Owen hasn’t looked back since. Now when kicking drills are ordered in training, he can match the able-bodied swimmers and the session is no longer an exercise in disheartening futility!”

    Champion para-swimmer wearing shinfin™ fins
    Champion para-swimmer wearing shinfinTM fins
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  • No foot cramps: lap swimming fins

    Alan has loved his shinfinTM fins for over four years, swimming laps for an hour or so up to five times a week, especially because they don’t cramp the small muscles in his feet like regular fins do. He feels the fin propulsion being transferred directly to his shins, so avoiding cramping his feet and making them more comfortable. What’s more, the lifeguard instructor at his pool thought they would be good for lifeguards, as you can even run wearing them and then get extra propulsion in the water.

    Alan’s review from Newark, USA

    “I just swim laps in the pool, but I swim a lot of laps. For three of the last four years I was using them 2 or 3 times a week, sometimes 5 times. I guess that averages to something near 600 uses. What happened with regular fins is that they work in such a way as to cause cramping of one the little muscles at the bottom of my foot. This would cause me to have to stop swimming. The shinfinTM fins work in such a way as to transfer all the propulsive effort from the foot, to the shin. This has worked great for me. I was easily swimming an hour at a time. Folks often ask about the shinfinTM fins. I always tell them, because it is true, that I love them. Then refer them to you. Good luck with your unique product.”

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  • No gout arthritis pains in ankle, foot, heel & knee: lap fins

    For many years, Harley has found shinfinTM fins fantastic for his lap swimming because they don’t bend his ankles, so they don’t trigger gout arthritis pains in his ankle, foot, heel and knee. This is because they strap above his ankles, leaving his ankles and feet free. In contrast, conventional foot fins strain his ankles, which can cause a gout arthritis attack.

    Harley’s review from Brisbane, Australia

    “I have had the fins for about 4 years and have used them every year for about 3 months in summer swimming laps. They have been fantastic, as they put no bending moment on my ankles. I suffer from gout from time to time and if I use conventional swim fins my ankles take strain and that can lead to a gout attack. This is not a pleasant experience believe me. Your shinfinTM fins are a marvellous invention.”

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  • Freestyle retraining fins: no knee or foot issues

    Importantly, after following the fin fitting tips and positioning her fins to suit her kick, Tamra really loves her shinfinTM fins for retraining her freestyle, and without foot or knee issues. They allow her to smooth her stroke so they retrain her away from a choppy freestyle. She really feels the difference in her hip flexors and back. This is because the fins are designed to lift her hips and encourage power from her hips using the stronger muscles in her thighs and torso. She uses them daily, enjoys her pool time again and bought a second pair of fins about six years later.

    Tamra’s review from Albuquerque, USA

    “I am loving my fins!! Sending people to your website. Really notice the difference in my hip flexors and back. Awesome in helping me retrain my choppy “fight the water” freestyle. No issues with knees or feet. Gets easier putting them on and taking off. Just enjoying pool time again! Thanks for inventing these beauties! I use them every day!! I love my shinfinTM fins more than any piece of equipment I own!!”

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  • Lighter snorkeling, walking & workout fins

    Cynthia finds her shinfinTM fins much lighter and great for snorkeling, better for walking, and better for her workouts too. What’s more, they fit easier into her suitcase for snorkeling trips. Also, they don’t bother her ankles like regular foot fins. This is because shinfinTM fins are lightweight and made from tough polyurethane. They strap above her ankles, so they leave her feet free to snorkel, swim and walk easier. So she bought two more pairs, for her husband snorkeling and for a friend for resistance workouts.

    Cynthia’s review from Kansas City, Missouri

    “They are great. I am using the shinfinTM fins for snorkeling whenever I travel. They fit in my suitcase easily and are much lighter than my other fins. I find that they work very well for me. I like that I can walk around, and they don’t bother my ankles like regular fins can. Plus they are a better workout. My friend needs to work out every day. Once he tried my shinfinTM fins, he was using them every day. He said they were a great workout. He didn’t have to swim as much. And he liked to walk in the water for the resistance training too. I just ordered 2 more pairs. Thanks.”

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  • Swimming with tumble turns & aqua aerobics fins

    Loving her shinfinTM fins, usually daily, for nine years and more, Gillian uses them for pool swimming with tumble turns and a tougher aqua aerobics workout too. It only took her a short while to become comfortable swimming, doing tumble turns and adjusting her fins without much strength in her hands. She “motors down the pool” with great swimming style doing freestyle, backstroke and breaststroke arms with butterfly legs. The fins guide her into a streamlined kicking technique from her hips. This review shows Gillian’s progression with her fins over her first few days and then at 6 weeks, 10 weeks, 2 years, 5 years and 9 years. shinfinTM fins are strong and long-lasting!

    Gillian’s review from Blakeview, Australia

    “I found them terrific for backstroke. Wow! I swim from the hips anyway, so had no problems adjusting to this type of swimming. Foot flippers always made my shins, ankles and knees ache. My program consists of 50m freestyle, 50m reverse fly kick, 50m fly with breaststroke arms, 50m backstroke, repeated until I run out of time. Generally between 1000m and 1600m. I feel as though I am “motoring” down the pool. I can now do tumble turns at both ends of the pool. Using them to keep me mobile. Love the fins. I’ve shown them to a lot of people at the pool, usually the older generation, like me. I’m happy that my fins have outlasted five pairs of foot flippers. Two years of discomfort before foot flippers snap across the middle!”

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