Molchanovs Hand-Built Foot Pockets: Standard Size or Custom Size?

By Kristina Zvaritch
Updated on 31 May 2024

Did you know that Molchanovs PRO Line bifins and monofins hand-built foot pockets are famous for being ultra-comfortable?

PRO Line bifins and monofins are excellent investments that can last you through plenty of diving seasons, so it’s important to make the right choice regarding comfort and proper fit. But the question is - should you get a standard EU-size foot pocket or spend the extra money to go custom?

The answer: If your feet are an ordinary shape and size and you want your product as soon as possible, you should choose standard foot pockets. But if your feet have unique features, such as a noticeable size difference between each foot, wider feet, or especially high or low arches, you should consider getting custom foot pockets.

Overview of the Molchanovs Hand-Built Foot Pocket

Molchanovs took customer feedback from the first generation of hand-built foot pockets and implemented several specific changes to the next-generation models.

Features of the Molchanovs hand-built foot pockets:

• Heavy-duty, wear-resistant, and UV-resistant
• Custom open-heel foot pockets for full ankle flexibility
• Built-in arch support to decrease fatigue and keep the foot in the optimal position to maximize small-muscle use and minimize drag
• Comfort Lining interior with soft micropore for maximized comfort, removing the need for socks
• Increased toe space for added relief
• Engraved Molchanovs logo on the front

While most foot pockets on the market are constructed from a factory mold, each hand-built foot pocket is built by hand from start to finish. Instead of being solely made of rubber, they contain a softer micropore on the inside (Comfort Lining), soft arch support, and a fine-tuned plate of fiberglass inside the sole of the foot pocket. This type of construction ensures the best performance and is just not possible to replicate from a simple factory mold.

Hand-built foot pockets guarantee a high-quality product with attention to comfort and detail.

Who can use standard EU foot pockets?

If your feet are of standard size and shape, there is really no need to invest in custom-sized foot pockets. Molchanovs hand-built foot pockets are premium foot pockets, hand-built for attention to detail, and designed specifically for comfort. They’re assembled from the best possible materials for performance and fit standard feet comfortably.

Choosing standard sizes as opposed to custom sizes will not affect comfort or performance - in fact, Alexey Molchanov made a world record dive to 111m (364ft) in the Constant Weight with Bifins discipline in standard EU foot pockets. His regular shoe size is 42.5, and he chose the 38 - 40 foot pockets for his performance (athletes wear a tighter fit for competitions to maximize energy transfer).

Who needs custom foot pockets?

Custom-sized foot pockets may seem like a must-have for freedivers, but this is far from the truth. While custom freediving wetsuits might be a better choice for some since our bodies come in many different shapes and sizes, the same is not necessarily true for our feet! Feet require much fewer measurements and customizations, and many people have ‘standard’ feet.

But if any of the following apply to you, you can consider getting custom foot pockets:

• Very wide or very narrow feet
• Very high or very low arches
• One foot is noticeably longer than the other foot

What measurements do custom foot pockets require?

If you decide to choose custom foot pockets, you’ll need to have a friend help you take some measurements and make some decisions.

You’ll need to measure:

• Foot length
• Foot circumference

If you want arch support, you’ll also have to measure:

• From your big toe to the start of your arch
• From your big toe to the highest point of the arch
• From your big toe to the end of the arch
• Height of the arch

Check out this video for taking foot measurements if you need a visual guide!

You’ll also have to choose whether or not you want Comfort Lining and what kind of foot pocket ‘fit’ you want:

• Comfortable - Allows for a little extra space inside of the foot pockets for your feet. They’ll feel like they’re on the verge of movement but will not actually have movement (since any friction between your foot and the foot pocket will cause blisters). They’ll be comfortable for about 2 hours of wear.
• Normal - More comfortable compared to the ‘Tight’ fit. There’s slightly more space inside for your feet, but not enough space for extra movement. This fit 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 your feet are very compressed, with no space for any extra movement inside of the foot pocket. This will be suitable for about 10 - 30 minutes of wear.

Shipping time and cost differences

Another factor to consider is the extra time it takes to create a custom-sized foot pocket. For custom foot pockets, up to several weeks might be added to production time, which means that you could end up waiting much longer for your bifins.

On the other hand, standard EU foot pockets are often readily available upon purchase!

There’s also a cost difference between standard EU size and custom foot pockets, which you may want to consider if you have a specific budget.

Final thoughts

When purchasing your bifins or monofin, take the following into consideration:

• Are your feet of standard shape and size?
• Is your purchase time-sensitive?
• Are you on a budget?

If you answered ‘yes’ to any of these questions, you should consider ordering standard EU foot pockets with your purchase.

But if you have very wide feet, noticeably asymmetrical feet, or exceptionally low or high arches, and cost and shipping speed are not important factors for you, then custom size foot pockets may be the best choice for you.

Whether you choose standard size or custom size Molchanovs hand-built foot pockets, you can trust that quality, performance, and a comfortable fit are guaranteed. Developed by freedivers for freedivers.