Tactical Fitness: Are Boots or Socks Best for Swimming with Fins in BUD/S?

Stew --

I have a few questions about diving fins, booties and the best way to swim using them. I bought dive boots and dive socks to wear with my fins. Is this how they do it at BUD/S? The boots made it much harder for me to get a good kick. With just the sock, I was much better and swam 45 seconds per 50 meters. Will I be allowed to wear just the sock and no boot at BUD/S? Also, is it better to use constant flutter kicks or big scissor kicks or dolphin kicks? 

• Rocket Fins
• Dive Booties
• Dive Socks

You wear booties at BUD/S. I had one with a sole to it, which helped a lot since you walk around in them during the dive phase, often while carrying a lot of heavy gear. But some candidates wore the socks with a thinner sole. This helps if you have a foot that's smaller or bigger than the well in the fin.

I do constant flutter kicks on my weak side, and in between, I do big scissor kicks and little flutter kicks on my strong side.

• See Strong Side with fins video critique
• See Weak Side with fins video critique

Stew Smith is a former Navy SEAL and fitness author certified as a Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) with the National Strength and Conditioning Association. Visit his Fitness eBook store if you're looking to start a workout program to create a healthy lifestyle. Send your fitness questions to stew@stewsmith.com.

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