TYR SPORT CrossBlade Training Fin

I recently took up swimming for fitness. I use mid-length fins to get a better workout when I swim. My first pair of fins (another manufacturer) gave up the ghost after 6 weeks of use. So I did some research and decided on Tyr CrossBlade fins as my replacement fins. My foot is a size 9 XW so I ordered the large size (size 9 to 11) CrossBlade fins (red). The length was OK but the width was a problem. The large fins were far too narrow (painfully so) to use... as a result, I contacted Amazon customer service and true to their stellar reputation, they cross shipped me the next size up which I got in 2 days and I returned the large pair. The XL fins are blue and while they are for a size 11 to 13 foot, I have no problems with the length of the foot pocket. The width is snug but comfortable for my XW size 9s. They are a bit stiffer (less flex) than my previous fins but I like this characteristic. My swims are typically 1200 to 2000 meters and in the week that I have been using these fins, I have had no cramping in my legs or feet... This afternoon I swam a personal best time on 1200 meters with these fins and they felt great and gave me no problems.And now for some (swimming) life hacks - baby shampoo! >>>First baby shampoo hack - these fins are a bit snug and don't necessarily go on easily even when wet without some ingenuity... 2 things make getting them on easy - first, I invert the heel of the foot pocket (folding the back of the foot pocket under the bottom of the heel... second, I put a drop of baby shampoo on the pad of my index and middle fingers and rub it onto the inside surface of the top, sides, and bottom of the foot pocket of the dry fins (at home before going to the pool). Then at the pool, I get in the water with the fins (still dry) on the deck next to my lane. I put the fins into the water (1 at a time) and immediately slide them on my foot (with the heel inverted). I then pop the back of the heel pocket up to its usual position and put on the other fin in the same fashion. With this method the fins go on quickly, easily, and comfortably - first time and every time.Second baby shampoo hack - goggles... All goggles eventually lose their anti-fog coating. I use a (wrist) stopwatch during my workout sessions to keep track of total distance and split times (per 100 meters)... fogged goggles would make that impossible... My solution it to put 1/2 drop of baby shampoo on the tip of my index finger and apply it to and smear it around the inside of each of the front facing lenses in my goggles. You only need a little - I use 1/2 drop for each side. Your not trying to gooey up the lenses just "dirty them up" a little on the inside. Just like the fins, I do this before leaving my house to go to the pool. This allows the baby shampoo to "dry". When I get to the pool, I leave my goggles (dry) on the deck next to my lane until I am ready to put them on. When I am ready, I get the goggles and dip them into the pool for a second or 2 and then lift them out of the water and shake any excess water out of them... and then put them on and seat/adjust them with my head above water... Then I swim my workout. Using this method, I have never had any fog problems with my goggles. My goggles occasionally leak a bit and I have never had a problem with burning eyes either - probably because it is BABY shampoo! ;-) Note: this hack also works for scuba masks used during scuba diving (that's where I first used this hack 20+ years ago)...I use the "travel size" of Johnson's baby shampoo - I put some in a dropper bottle but you can use the travel size just as well. I always have a bottle in my swim gear bag ("just in case")... In case you need a link, here it is >>> http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00LVUOL5I?keywords=1%20ounce%20johnsons%20baby%20shampoo&qid=1447216663&ref_=sr_1_5&sr=8-5

I wear a full size 13 shoe and got the gray, 13 to 15. I got the larger size mostly because I'm tired of stuff being too small. I probably could have gone down a size, but I'm fine with how these fit. So basically if you wear a size 13 I would probably go down to the royal blue instead of the gray. The main reason I would probably go down a size is then maybe I could wear these at the beach while I am boogie boarding but the size I have now would probably be a little loose and could possibly slip off. But if you are a 13 and a half or almost a 14 I would get the gray. But overall they seem sturdy and are useful for my swim workouts.

I swim 2-3 times a week, usually 1 mile of freestyle and then I have been adding 20-30 lengths of kickboard and fins to strengthen my legs. I wear a size 11.5/12 shoe and ordered an X-Large. My toes do stick out a tiny bit but into the area they are supposed to and not past the band. Overall the fit has been good for me. If they are too loose they wear away at your foot and cause blisters.So far they have been quite good, and aren't hard to put on if you do it in the water. I have been using them for 2 months and they are still holding up and they haven't stretched to a new size. They do take a little time to get used to, and for me they definitely tired my legs out. I would suggest when starting to do 2 lengths, then pause for 15-30 seconds, and then do 2 more, until you are tired and add a little distance each time.I do like the length of the fins also, as they allow me to kick in a normal flutter kick.

I have an 8.5 US women size shoe and ordered the medium. I used the sizing chart picture listed with the product on amazon. It fits the length of my foot fine with a little bit of wiggle at the sides (I have a narrow foot). Nothing that I thought would come off in the water and they held up fine during my swim. These were recommended to me for triathlon training and I'm glad I bought these instead of a different pair, as these seem durable and worth the money.

These are really nice fins. I had a pair approx. 5 yrs. old, so just ordered the same size and color (color also indicates size) when I noticed some tears. When the new pair arrived, I continued to use the old ones for a couple of months. Imagine my chagrin when I tried on the new pair and found that they did not fit like the old ones...MUCH TO BIG> As if they were a size up from the previous pair (same size and color and brand). Now I was beyond the return date. Lifeguard Store would not send me a return postage label even though I was willing to pay for it, so instead of $3.50 return postage, I was facing $11-12 !! Not worth it, so was disappointed in this not being resolved to my satisfaction. I had to order a new pair, so this cost me twice as much in the end. I donated the large-sized fins to a the recreation center, rather than return them at such a high shipping cost. I have attached a picture of the old pair next to the new one to show that the sizing has changed on these fins...

These fins work very well, much better than others I've tried. The fins are pretty heavy, however they are more comfortable while swimming than I was expecting when I first tried them on. Agree with others on the sizing issue, I wear a men's 9 1/2 shoe so I ordered the XL 11-13... go figure. They fit pretty snug but the manual says they are supposed to. My toe does stick through the opening in the front just a little, but I was relieved to see that the guys foot pictured in the manual does the same thing. Hope this helps someone.

They were too small. I wear a women's 7 to 7 1/2, if that helps anyone else. Also, when I tried the medium, which we got for my husband and were also too small for him, they felt too stiff and I could tell that they would rub in the toe. I have the Tyr Burner fins, which I love. They are quite a bit shorter than these and very soft and comfortable. We tried the Crossblade because we were looking for a smaller, pack able snorkel fin. We ended up with the US Divers Adult Trek Travel Fin.