BRANDON W : Are these positively or negatively buoyant? Also...how stiff of a fin are these?Steve S : They are negatively buoyant. They are a bit stiff, but not bad.JEFF L : I'm pretty sure they're negative but I never took them off underwater to check. I'd say they're medium stiff--stiffer than most splitfins, less stiff than jets or any of the hard plastics.AUBREY W : They are slightly negatively buoyant. They are moderately stiff with a more flexible center channel. Sort of the best of both worlds. I haven't had any cramping issues, yet they work well for frog kick and in current.KENNETH R : My experience is that the fins are negatively buoyant, but depending on the body of water you're diving. A recent trip to the salt-heavy waters of the Turks & Caicos Islands had them neutral. And they're completely comfortable but a bit on the stiff side. Personally, I liked the combination as it meant with a couple of strong kicks I could get anywhere I wanted/needed quite quickly, especially reassuring when diving with my Jr. OW certified children. RUSS D : Neg and kind of stif
Roberto V : I intend to use this boots for tropical diving. Can you use them without boots or socks, or is it too uncomfortable?ROBERT M : You'll need boots for proper fit and comfort. I wore my fins with both 3 and 5 mm boots for tropical diving. PHILIP M : It might be uncomfortable. I have size small small and my foot size is 8 (41 Euro) width D and with a bare foot the gaps between the sides of the fin pocket are huge.JUNE H : These fins are designed to be used with boots. The foot pockets are roomy and they will not be comfortable or efficient when used barefoot. AUBREY W : The foot pockets are designed and sized for a boot. I use a light 2 mil tropical boot. I also use the Mares bungee straps for easy on/off.RUSS D : In no way possibly could these be used without bootsLINDSAY D : No, I would not use these without boots. These are meant to be worn with boots (I would not really recommend them for warm weather otherwise) and I would expect that without boots they will not fit your feet snugly enough when you kick (even wearing socks, I think your foot would be flopping around inside). Also, you will probably get blisters or cuts without boots because they are fairly rigid. I have to say that these fins are HUGE. I have some US Divers (Aqualung) barefoot fins and these were about a whole 1/3 larger in length, and weighed probably double --- and I was wearing a women's XS! These would definitely NOT fit into a carry on rollerboard, even a normal suitcase I would probably have to place them diagonally. On the other hand, they do provide good propulsion when kicking.SCOTT F : We have always used these with lightweight boots. They come standard with the thick rubber mares strap and I would imagine could become very uncomfortable. THOMAS K : I think you need to use them with some sort of boots, otherwise they will not be comfortable, and are really too big to fit on a bare foot.
I use Mares Equator 2mm Dive Boots. They actually help to walk on the boat/shore. And, even in tropics, they are fine.
Lindsay D : Hi will the seasoft 3mm sunray boots in size xxs fit into the xs mare waves?PHILIP M : Not sure. I have the size small (S). But, they are very wide. I use 3mm Cressi and XS Scuba boots and you can easily fit a finger between the sole/base of the boot and the side of the foot pocket. The top to the foot pocket just touches the top of my boots, but as you move toward the toes you can fit one finger between the top of the boot and top of the foot pocket.
With my Atomic Aquatics size small, my 3mm boots are a nice snug fit.JOHN B : We found that the size 4 Tusa Imprex 3mm dive slipper (smallest we could find at the time) worked with the Mares Avanti X3 Open-Heel XS fins. The straps are cinched all the way pretty much but it works ok.MIYUKI S : Yes they will fit.RUSS D : I love my fins fit good with booties