MyPaipoBoards Forums

Anybody here tried the Hydro tech ocean fins?

any opinions on them?

There are actually 3 models: the original Hydros, the Hydro Techs and the Hydro Tech 2. I used Hydro Techs many years for cold water, where I would want to use between 3 to 7mm of fin socks. They weigh a lot and are rather stiff for my tastes. Not my favorite fin but I needed something for cold water. Hydro Tech2 were lighter and felt great but for me there was simply not enough thrust.

Now my fin of choice for cool-cold water (and warm water) is DaFin. For warm to cool water (1 to 4mm of fin socks) I use a size Large. For colder water (5 to 7 mm) I would step up to an XL.

All these fins are good for wide feet and accommodate fin socks (something that the Vipers won't do although I can use them for warm to cool water).

More here: http://mypaipoboards.org/flippers/flipp ... fins.shtml

I used the original version for a short time (I have quite wide feet) They laterally crushed my feet across the "ball" so bad they would force me out of the water after 45 minutes or so and my feet would hurt so bad I could hardly walk back to my car. Needless to say I got rid of them

Hi, I've used the tech 2 fins for a little over 2 years, find them a little stiff, but fit great with or without socks (3 mil). My only issue is I wish they floated I'm not a huge fan of extra gear to keep them on. By the way I usually have the socks on most of the time New England ,water is always frigg'n cold.

kfitz + wrote:Hi, I've used the tech 2 fins for a little over 2 years, find them a little stiff, but fit great with or without socks (3 mil). My only issue is I wish they floated I'm not a huge fan of extra gear to keep them on. By the way I usually have the socks on most of the time New England ,water is always frigg'n cold.

If by extra gear you mean fin tethers then I would recommend the rather unintrusive O&E ones which are also long:

What I like about these fin tethers

• strap width is ideal at 1-3/4 inches wide (the velcro portion is 1 inch wide),
• strap features nice soft padding for the ankle,
• a pull tab for easy removal,
• strap is 17 inches long so it should fit easily around your ankle (plus fin socks and wetsuit), and
• swin fin leash strap is a durable nylon material.

Hi rod , I'm not sure what O E tethers are.... Googled it and came up with a bunch of others....... the tethers I have work fine but are a pain to take off and on in the water. Could you break that down for me a little more? I'm always open to more options. Thanks for the heads up.

Sorry , just found them , these tethers look good, thanks .

So post up a link please...........

Below is a pic of the tethers. I believe that eBodyboarding.com carries them in addition to many others. O&E = Ocean & Earth.

They beat the green nylon click tethers I've been using... Bravo !