TYRSPORT EBP Burner Fin (Color of Fin is By Size)

I really wanted to try something different and to like these TYR BP Burner Fins LG (size 11 -- Red & Black) with the closed foot pocket, usually preferring an adjustable heal strap and open heel. I needed a size 11 short fin for long distance endurance swimming in a harness in my pool year-round. I did not need a fin that was too buoyant and would make me lazy in my kicking.I compared the yellow and black Phantom Aquatics Speed Sport Adjustable Snorkeling Fins L/XL (size 9-13); the US Swim Divers Grey and Black Large Fitness Fins; the black and yellow Cressi Palau Short Snorkeling Fins size LG--XLG; the SEAC Black (Large 9.5 --11) Fins with the fixed heal strap and open heel; and the TYR BP Burner Fins LG (size 11 -- Red & Black).First off I had to send back the large SEAC's and large TYR EP Burner's to get the XL size in each. Both of them were painfully tight on my size 11 feet.The worst first. The yellow and black Phantom Aquatics Speed Sport Adjustable Snorkeling Fins L/XL (size 9-13) are for snorkeling and not for training of any kind. The boot and heel strap are amazingly comfortable and strong, but the composite fin is too long and whippy for training in either a pool or open water. I would not even want to do kick sets with these. I personally would not even want to use these for snorkeling because I would always be waiting for the tips of my fins to catch up to what I was trying to do in the water to position myself for snorkeling/sightseeing.The disappointment next. The U.S. Swim Divers Large Fitness Fins had an open heel which I generally prefer because I wear different booties during the 12 months of the year. The length of the boot was perfect, the heel strap was strong, easily adjusted, and comfortable, and the boots felt really comfortable in shape and foot support EXCEPT for the constant pressure on the knuckle of the little toe on each foot. I'm absolutely a typical size 11, but they hurt my foot, and if you have a slightly thicker or wider size 10.5--11 foot go up to the XL. I personally didn't order the next size up because while I was kicking with them I could really feel that this fin was not stiff enough for training, and certainly not for kick sets. The rubber fin was bending too easily on every kick at the seam just beyond my toes on both fins - IMOP a serious design flaw for a "fitness fin." I could never do kick sets in these, but I could use these for snorkeling since the tips of the fins do spring back almost quickly enough to be responsive to my changes in direction and speed.SO COMFORTABLE BUT SO LONG. The black and yellow Cressi Palau Short Snorkeling Fins size LG--XLG had a great shaped boot, a strong, easily adjusted, and flexible heel strap, and they were absolutely the MOST comfortable boot of all those I tried, BUT these were definitely a better snorkeling fin and/or an open-water training fin. They were absolutely strong enough for open water training (which I rarely get to do anymore), but too way too long for endurance training in a pool with a harness. If these were 2 inches shorter they would have been my overall pick of a stiff training fin.I liked the way the SEAC Black Fins looked, but had to go up to the X-Large (11-12.5) and they were perfect. They have the fixed heal strap which I usually don't prefer, but this one is strong and stretchy enough to be very comfortable. The open heel did not make my feet feel unsupported at all. With barefeet they were a little soft, but with a 2mm or 5mm neoprene bootie they fit my feet perfectly. The front of the boot is comfortable lengthwise and widthwise, and there's no unnecessary gimmics in the fin design. As the ad says these are ideal for open water snorkeling for a good swimmer, and ideal for pool training. The fin is short enough and stiff enough for what I wanted to do. I can do flutter kicks or slow subtle kicks just to keep my feet afloat when I am working on my upper body. The fins do not add any extra buoyancy which I don't need with easy kicking or with a wetsuit on six months of the year. I am so glad I loved these.The TYR Red's were too small for my size 11 feet so I traded up with Amazon Prime. The TYR Blues (XL 11-12.5) feet my naked feet perfectly, but the strong yet flexible boot rubber ALSO means I can wear these with 2mm or 3mm booties when I train in colder water. The fins of these are just perfect in length for training in a pool with a harness, and I would train with them in open water, or snorkel with them because the fins are just firm enough to be very responsive to what I am trying to do in terms of acceleration, or changing my body position while snorkeling. I wouldn't use these for cruising long distances to get to a snorkeling site unless I was doing it just to work in some extra training time.I traded up in size to the XL-Blues and my endurance and sprinting workouts are great while my feet stay comfortable.

These are very nice and very comfortable swim fins! They are compact to easily fit in a backpack.They do work well for open-water swimming, but hang on to them when you come back through the surf line (see below)!Also note that these are very compact fins and give proportionally lower thrust. This is nice for swim leg workouts and for covering more distance in open water while still using a normal stroke. Bigger fins tend to hurt my feet.It is also nice that they fit a variety of sizes. The XL easily fit size Men's 11.5 feet and also worked well enough for size 9. For pro and con, this meant my other family members would borrow them. The open toe was very nice and helped fit lots of feet. They are also so soft!We used them in the pool and also for a week in Hawaii for swimming and snorkeling (see below).Now to explain the drawbacks. I had hoped these would work for bodysurfing...but they just don't stay on in the surf. Maybe a smaller size would work for that, but then they would not be as comfortable. I'm not taking away any stars since that is not what these fins are for.Also, although we used them for snorkeling, they don't have nearly the thrust of dive fins, but better than going without any fins. Again, they were so comfortable and convenient we alway had them with us and someone would invariably use them.

First, a big THANK YOU to reviewer Lacey for copying the actual size chart! Excellent information that should be in the product description.Fins are comfortable, weighted and angled the same, and are small enough to fit easily in my mesh bag. Exactly what I was looking for.EDIT: As much as I love these I do have a problem with the fit - I have a high instep and I think these are just a bit snug. After a while, as a result of them being just a bit too tight on the top of my foot, I get this yucky-looking red mark and some pain. Using Vaseline on the top of my foot does help keep the red mark smaller but I don't swim extreme distances in these to limit the pain. Maybe a bigger size would have helped just to get some added foot space, but the medium is perfect side to side and in length. Oh well. I still use them, and still love the way I move through the water with them on!

Anyone who swims competitively or simply to stay in shape should get a pair of these! I used them several years ago while on a swim team and forgot how good they are, so I bought another pair recently. A few things about these fins:TYR's sizing chart worked great for me. I wear 10.5 shoes, so I bought size large for shoe sizes 9-11. This worked perfect for me. They slip on easy, and they seemed to stay on fine. Once they were on I never had to adjust them. I would recommend putting them on once in the water. They are also quite easy to walk in, and I had no problem at all doing flip turns with them.These fins are definitely geared toward competitive swimmers because they have short blades. This allows you to kick at a faster cadence, unlike long blade fins that require minimal kicking. I would highly recommend buying these instead of long blade fins if you are a lap swimmer. They give you a great workout and really make your legs burn.I have no issues with mine. The fit is perfect, the material is a strong rubber, the color on my large fins is a nice looking red and black. No issues with them hurting my feet or toes. It is possible to get blisters on the back of your ankles if you do not buy a correct size, and/or wear these for a long swim, so keep that in mind. Some people wear socks which helps if the fins are too big, but I would just follow their size chart and you will be fine.Highly recommend for the price and what they do for your workout.