Comments about Hollis Gear Hollis Open Heel Dive Fins F-1:

Ok Weight.... Not a factor in the water only slightly negative.
Size... fits over my rock boots which my splits didn't

I am a cold water dry suit diver and photographer. Prior to these I wore only split fins because of the reduced stress on my old legs. The first couple of outings I thought they were going to kill me but after that they became my favorite fins. They do increase your speed and power especially against current.

The thing I really like is the maneuverability. When doing photo work they excel at fine movements with little effort and holding position in current and for frog kicking they work great. They work well with just about any kick style.

If your a warm water diver in light gear they might be too much but in a drysuit they just the ticket.

Comments about Hollis Gear Hollis Open Heel Dive Fins F-1:

First let me say that comments such as "unbelievably heavy" are in my humble opinion, unbelievably stupid. If you need to wear weight when you dive and if weight on your feet will help to trim you into a more streamlined configuration, then you NEED a pair of heavy fins. If you tend to trim head up, by all means obtain the lightest pair that suits your swimming style. One of the silliest things I have ever seen is a dive buddy of mine who insists on wearing her ultra-light fins with 5-lbs ankle weights. She refuses to schlep "heavy fins" around, but she'll unabashed carry 10 extra lbs of lead ankle weights in her dive bag?!?!?!

Weight considerations aside, the only thing a fin review really needs to address is how well the fin works. Again, this is going to vary from diver to diver based on style of kick and type of diving. On the whole, the Hollis F-1's are my favorite fins by far.

I, like most divers, have accumulated a numbers of fins over the years. I was using a pair of Apollo Pro-C split fins, but frog kicks and helicopter turns are difficult with splits and after borrowing a friends F-1's, I was hooked.

First, they feel very comfortable and are a nice blend of power and maneuverability.

Secondly, they are built like a tank and will stand up to a lot of abuse.

Thirdly, not only do they come with FREE spring straps...the straps are ADJUSTABLE!!!

Comments about Hollis Gear Hollis Open Heel Dive Fins F-1:

Great fin for frog kicks. A little tiring on the knees and leg muscles if you flutter. Love the spring straps.

Comments about Hollis Gear Hollis Open Heel Dive Fins F-1:

Look, ignore all the comments about the weight. If you are like me and either need or don't mind a bit of weight near the ankles, fine. If your balance is the other way, buy some ultra-lite composite fins. Just don't bash these fins because of their weight. That is just stupid. If the fins work well for you, does it matter if you carry less lead in your BC, especially if it improves your trim. I have purchased 8 sets of fins over the years and these are the ones (so far) that work the best for me. I find these fins give me a good powerful stroke and are easy to don and doff.

The other factor that sold me on these fins is that they come not only with spring straps, but ADJUSTABLE spring straps. That's a pretty good deal for a power fin for less than $150.

Comments about Hollis Gear Hollis Open Heel Dive Fins F-1:

Hollis F-1 is very high propulsive fins.

During my one fin kick, my buddy have to kick more(regular fins)

And it feels a small bit heavy(weight is about 1.8kg per each)

Strap is basically spring heel strap. it's good for tighten my foot on the pocket.

But the adjustable mounting position is only 2 for each side, I think it may be better have more mounting holes.

The rubber skin is very soft and feel like waterproof..

So it's not wetted well, just waterdrops are formed on the skin.