Fourth Element Tech Scuba Diving Fins, Grey, Medium

One thing any seasoned diver, or dive professional, knows is there is plenty of hyperbole around fins and new "designs" and we are very weary of it because so little of it is actually true, if at all true. These fins cost me $208+tax but I figured, I'd give them a try....what a waste of money.1. The spring on these fins is far too "tough", it requires way too much effort to get on and for some people will cause fin foot issues, which I did.2. The foot pocket is both too short and too small, so even with a 3mm boot the top of the boot is always getting bound up by hitting the top of the fin. The foot pocket is so undersized it squeezes the living daylights out of my foot, these are the only fins where I have actually felt the fin on my foot and it wasn't pleasant whatsoever.3. I don't know why Fourth Element puts emphasis on the little hole at the tip of the fin, but its nothing new and it provides nothing in terms of a performance gain. They also tout the "strap" and boltsnap that comes with them. The boltsnap is not of great quality and anyone can find some generic fabric to loop around the holes, but most people simply don't use it, so this is just some little add-on to take your attention away from a lackluster pair of fins for a phenomenally high price4. Compared to the Apeks RK3 HD fins these fins provide no additional control or thrust. My Apeks RK3 HD fins go on easily, come off with ease, and stay on my foot without knowing I have them on my foot and I've never experienced fin foot from their use. Not to seem like an Apeks fanboy I also compared these to the Scubapro Jet fins, Hollis H1, and a set of Poseidon fins, all of which not only outperformed the Fourth Element fins, but were significantly better fitting.5. This is not just my own experience as a dive professional, others in my South Florida community have tried these fins and have come to the same conclusion based on the same issues I experienced, much like the Fourth Element masks which is another review I'll write about.For some people these fins may fit your foot, but if you blindly compared these fins to others in the similar tech fin category, you'll likely find these provide no additional benefit for the cost they demand. As of this writing I've also noticed the average price has gone up to about $220+tax for the fins, they are approaching the territory of just plan overpriced trash. Save your money and go with a tried and true fin.