Product Review: Omega Amphibian Navigator Float Tube Fins

If you’ve ever fly fished from a float tube, you know what a pain it can be to get in and out of those belly boats – especially if you’ve got fins on.

Enter: Omega Aquatics Amphibian Fins.

If there was ever a fitting name in the fishing gear business, this is it.

Description

OA’s Amphibian Navigator Float Tube & Inflatable Pontoon Boat Fins ($169 at www.flipfins.com) are built for land and water with fins that flip up and out of the way while walking and flip down when you need the fins for kick paddling.

These things are like something out of Transformers, built with stainless steel springs that push the flip fins up against your shins while walking around on shore, then having the ability to flip down into swimming position once you’re in the water. You can actually lock these things into place manually or by giving one swift kick in the water.

And they work with either boot or stocking foot waders.

Likes

There are so many pros to these flip fins it’s tough to no where to start. So let’s just go with bullet points. Here’s what you get with the Amphibian Navigators:

- The flip fins are unlike any other I’ve seen, flipping up while on shore and down in the water when you need to paddle around.

- They’re pretty light for how high-tech they are.

- They’re made in an olive and black color, that not only matches most float tubes but also the underwater environment you’ll be kicking through.

- The blades are long and strong, with plenty of kick.

- The quick release buckles and rubber straps are make these fins a snap to get on and off.

- And if that’s not enough, Omega also throws in a hat and bag for your fins.

Dislikes

Can I say none?

Since I’ve never said that on a review, I’ll bring up the price.

At $169, these fins cost more than some low-end float tubes. And I’d really hate to lose one of these if a strap somehow popped off, so it would be nice to have some kind of leash on there that you could tie or clip to your boots.

What I typically do on my float tube fins is tie a string or bungee from the fin itself to the loop on the back of my boots just in case I throw a fin. Then again, I’ve never thrown a fin in my many years of float tube fishing, so I guess I’m being overly cautious. And I can also say I’ve never seen such a useful pair of fins for both float tubes or pontoons. You won’t be able to find a pair of fins better than this, so if you can afford them, get them. These things are one of a kind. Just hope you don’t turn into a frog from using them so much.