I was doing my best to do nothing for a few days to let my hip (arthritic) heal. So what better than to try to do a swim fin comparison? Actually, I should have given them all a coat of neutral color. Black fins are as bad for photos as black cats or original-color Labrador retrievers.

So here's an early try. L to R:

. MS Viper (Mike Stewart design)

. Viper V-5

. Viper V-7

. Leblon (a new product)

. DaFin (Vissla color)

. DMC Repellor

. POD Fins 3 - PF3 Evolution (from Australia, no US distributor)

The owner of PODS says the circular holes were originally needed to hold the fin in place during manufacturing, not for drainage. The Leblon has its drain holes on top.

Edited: 10/05/2018 at 06:30 PM by ww

Now, later on, a new pair of Yucca fins arrived from Costa Mesa and the Vipers and DMCs have been taken out. Different pair of POD3. Yucca seems to be a tiny brand in Orange County, California. The pads are optional ($20 extra

.

L to R, Leblon, Yucca, POD 3, DaFin, and MS Viper

One major difference among the fins is the degree to which they're integrated into the fin pocket. In the original Viper V-5 and V-7 and the MS Viper, they're tightly connected. Pretty much the same with Yucca, whose design (or at least general appearance) seems derived from Viper. Leblon has a foot pocket that can move somewhat separately from that big rail. POD3 is somewhat in between. The POD3 and Leblon seem to me the most carefully designed. POD foot pocket seems designed for actual feet.


Edited: 10/09/2018 at 06:35 PM by ww

Side view. L to R: MS Viper, PODS 3, Jetty, Leblon, and DaFin

Another side view. Left to right, MS Viper, DaFin, POD 3, DMC Repellor, Leblon, Viper V-5

Edited: 10/09/2018 at 06:45 PM by ww

Interesting comparison.

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