I had someone email me and tell me that when they go snorkeling, sometimes they get a cramp in their foot while snorkeling. They wanted to know how to avoid this.

I told them there their maybe a couple of reasons  may be a couple of reasons why you are cramping up while using fins.

1. You may have fins that are too small. If you are using full foot fins and you have wide feet or high arches, you will usually cramp up in the arch of the foot or the front part of the foot. If that is the case then I would suggest getting a more correct size or switching to strap fins.

2. Another answer could be that the blade portion of the fins you are using may be too stiff. Snorkelers use fins that have a reasonable degree of flexibility in the blade area to help reduce stress on the calf and thigh area of the user. The stiffer the blade, the greater the chance for cramping.

3. Or maybe you may be using improper kicking or kicking too hard.. When using fins the legs should be kept as straight as possible and the kick should be more from the hip rather than below the knee. If your knees bend when you are kicking then you are kicking too hard. Here is a video of a good example of a good snorkeling fin kick.

4. You may be low on potassium in which case bananas or avocados will help in that respect.

Here is a good article on How to Select the Right Snorkeling Fins.

U.S. Divers is a reputable brand for snorkel gear and they continue to rejuvenate their snorkel gear including their snorkeling fins. This video shows the Midwest Regional Sales Manager for Aqualung, U.S. Divers & Deep See, Jeff Wandschneider explain the difference of their most popular snorkeling fins, U.S. Divers Travel Trek Fins and the U.S. Divers Blast II Fins.  Enjoy!

We consistently talk to snorkelers who have wide feet, men specifically. I feel bad because there is not one snorkeling manufacturer who makes a snorkeling fin pocket that is generous in the width of the pocket.

What are their options? Purchase scuba fins and yes, they can be used for snorkeling also. Scuba fins can run up to $189.95 and as low as $59.95. The Oceanic strap fins, Viper, are a great fin whether you choose to use them for scuba or snorkeling and priced at only $79.95. Some features are that Oceanic does have a generous foot pocket in the width and is true to size. The Viper is ideal for all levels of snorkeling and scuba and can fit wide feet over the size of 12+. Boots are required.

The full foot fins, Oceanic V-6 are a great buy at only $59.95 and have a generous foot pocket. The features and benefits with the V-6 fins is that you do not have to purchase a boot, they are light-weight fins and they have the dynamics of the split fins. The split fins provides more speed and power than larger open heel (strap) fins with less effort.

With wide feet, you probably have problems finding neoprene boots. The Deep See Aqua Purge is also generous in width but we recommend that you purchase 1 size larger than you need. You ask, why do you need boots? Anytime you are involved in water sports it is wise to always carry neoprene boots, they are great to wear on a snorkeling boot, walk on the beach, climb over rocks on the beach, take them to the pool and even wash your car.

Wide feet are caused by numerous reasons but because I am not a doctor, I will not get into this. How do you know if you have wide feet… well that is easy, you dont fit in normal shoes. Ok, let me be more specific. When you purchase shoes, they are normally a D width. If you have narrow feet, you would purchase a C width. And for those that have wide feet, you would wear an E and it goes up to a EE and then a EEE. Now womens shoes dont go by letter sizing, they are just actually Narrow, Average, Wide & X-Wide.

Product reviews, including snorkeling gear, are an important part of shopping in todays world. Though SnorkelingOnline does not have a review program at this time, we still do have reviews from customers. We sell online, not only on our website, but we do have a presence on Amazon. Here is one of our top most popular snorkeling fins and a few customer reviews that have purchased the U.S. Divers Grande Vista Purge Mask, Total Dry Snorkel, Trek Fins, Strap & Bag.

5.0 out of 5 stars Very nice quality snokel gear
By Catherine W. “CW” (Dayton, Ohio)
We bought these for a trip to the Caribbean so we would not have to rent equipment. Glad we did since this is very nice quality gear. Comes in travel bag that is ventilated so equipment can dry out even when stowed in the bag. Mask is nice 1-piece glass (better viewing under water), snorkel is terrific and does not let in water if you dive below water level, and fins are compact for travel, but work very well. Highly recommend purchasing this equipment rather than renting junk if you go on vacation!