SIZE AND CUSTOMIZATION GUIDE PRO Bifins 3
Standard Molchanovs Hand-Built Foot Pocket Sizing
Please note: If you have a standard foot shape, we recommend choosing standard-size foot pockets. However, if you have a noticeable size difference between each foot, wider feet, or especially high or low arches, we suggest ordering custom foot pockets. Follow the ‘Custom Hand-Built Foot Pocket Measurement Guide’ below to measure your feet correctly.
Custom Hand-Built Foot Pocket Measurement Guide
Custom Foot Pocket Fit Guide
The desired fit determines the tightness of the foot pockets. Three options are available:
Comfortable: Allows more space inside of the foot pockets for the feet. The feet will feel like they are on the verge of movement, but will not actually have movement since any friction between the feet and foot pockets will cause blisters. Comfortable for about 2 hours of wear.
Normal: More comfortable compared to the Tight fit. There is slightly more space inside for the feet, but not enough space for extra movement. Allows for about 20 - 50 minutes of wear.
Tight: Specifically designed for performance, which means that the fit is especially tight. This gives you the best control over the blade as the feet are very compressed with no space for any extra movement inside of the foot pocket. Suitable for about 10 - 30 minutes of wear.
Please note: The maximum time a freediver can wear foot pockets (especially Tight fit) depends on their level of experience and how flexible their feet are. If you would like to improve your foot flexibility, watch this video.
Choosing Bifin Blade Size
We offer three different bifin blade sizes: Small, Regular, and Large. Choose the blade size according to your height and weight listed in the table below for the perfect balance of maneuverability and power spent on kicks. Small blades feature 5% less surface area than regular blades while Large blades have 5% more surface area than Regular blades. Each size’s blade length and width are adjusted to maintain balance, including the ‘bottleneck’ shape to maintain blade efficiency.
Please note: While the blade-layering structure of all blade sizes are the same, the reduced surface area of Small blades can make them feel softer than Regular blades, and the extended surface area of Large blades can make them feel stiffer than Regular blades.
| 165cm / 170cm (5'5" / 5'7") and shorter | 165cm / 170cm - 180cm / 185cm (5'5" / 5'7" - 5'11" / 6'1") | 180cm / 185cm (5'11" / 6'1") and taller | ||
| 65kg (132lb) or less | Small | |||
| 65 - 80kg (132 - 176lb) | Regular | |||
| 80kg (176lb) or more | Large | |||
Choosing Bifin Blade Stiffness
Blade stiffness depends on your height, weight, technique, experience, training goals, and blade size. Below are general tips on how to choose the right stiffness. If you are not sure, e-mail info@molchanovs.com with a video attached of one of your dives for a recommendation.
Soft: Suitable for smaller and lighter freedivers, freedivers with less lower-body strength, and also for experienced freedivers with excellent ankle-driven technique. Softer blades are more economic in terms of energy consumption, although it mostly remains a preference among freedivers with more strength whether to choose a soft or medium stiffness.
Choose Soft stiffness if:
- You’re a smaller and/or lighter freediver with less lower-body strength
- You dive in little to no current and with no extra gear (underwater camera, spearfishing equipment, thick wetsuit, etc.)
- You use a more ankle-driven technique and want efficiency
Medium: Suitable for larger and heavier freedivers, freedivers with more lower-body strength, or for freedivers who need more power.
Choose Medium stiffness if:
- You’re larger and/or heavier and have lower-body strength or need more power
- You’re unsure whether to choose soft or medium fins
- You’re a safety diver, underwater photographer, or spearfisher
- You dive with extra gear
Hard: Suitable for freedivers with a lot of lower-body strength who need more power.
Choose Hard stiffness if:
- You have a strong lower body and require a lot of power on your dives
- You dive with a lot of gear
- You’re a spearfisher