Hi fellow divers, I'm moving onto a new pair of fins. Have picked out which make and style I want, yet . . . having a lot of trouble finding a good review of the buckle system. During in-the-dive-shop tests, I'm finding Mares supposedly "latest and greatest" buckle system with the two sided squeeze release quite difficult to open. Do any of you out there, currently use or have recently used this Mares buckle, and how would you rate the ease of doffing? Thanks so much for your help.

useless. I replaced them with these spring straps - 6 years on and they're awesome.

I use Mares quatros the buckle system is terible. Spring straps are the only way to go once you try them you will never go back. The only negative with the Mares spring straps they start to dig into the side mounting nubs a little bit.

Hey, sunrisesky and padennis, thanks so much for answering! Yes, I've been considering the spring straps too. sunrisesky, the buckles I'm talking about are the new generation ABS side release buckles, not the ones with the red sliding lock feature, and the pull-up release. These buckle clips, need to be pressed with finger and thumb on either side, similarly to our BCD buckles.

padennis, how long does it take for the Mares spring straps to start to dig into the side mounting nubs? Does it bother your foot any?