Fin Review: What's the Best Fin for You?
Sport Diver Staff PhotographerATOMIC AQUATICS HIGH-ENERGY COMPOUND SPLIT FIN
›› Lightweight, multicomposite plastics deliver a powerful kick with less stress and strain
›› Semi-rigid flex battens set in the elastomeric blade control wing shape to optimize thrust and reduce drag
›› Substantial power rails act as the backbone of the fin, providing stability and control to each kick strokeA time-proven go-getter, Atomic Aquatics’ split fin delivers just the right balance of flexibility and rigidity, enabling you to generate some serious propulsion, using all kicking styles, without straining ankles or trashing leg muscles.
CONTACT: atomicaquatics.com MSRP: $259
Sport Diver Staff PhotographerMARES POWER PLANA
›› All-rubber construction incorporates substantial side rails for strength and stability
›› Unique bungee heel strap includes an easy-to-grab finger loop
›› Power Plana is protected by a limited lifetime warranty
One look at the Power Plana and you know this beefy black fin, with its broad blade and generous foot pocket, will handle just about any diving situation you’re ready to throw at it.
CONTACT: mares.com MSRP: $160SHERWOOD SCUBA ELITE
›› Lightweight, high-performance dual- composite blade features full-length power rails and a central flex channel
›› Roomy foot pocket provides a comfortable and secure fit
›› Includes a high-stretch heel strap
The Elite’s blade is made with soft elastic panels interspersed with rigid battens and flanked by moderately aggressive side rails. The result is a good combination of rigidity and flex.
CONTACT: sherwoodscuba.com MSRP: $120AQUA LUNG SHOT FX TWILIGHT
›› Foot-pocket design and sizing result in a better fit and increased comfort for female divers
›› Elastic blade insert creates a “spoon effect” that increases efficiency
›› New spring strap offers a soft heelpad along with proprietary buckles
Part of Aqua Lung’s new line of female- specific gear, the Shot FX has a shorter, softer blade, and a customized inner sole that prevents booties from slipping inside the foot pocket. CONTACT: aqualung.com MSRP: $169
Sport Diver Staff PhotographerAQUA LUNG X-SHOT
›› High-performance power band and blade maximize kicking power
›› Foot pocket features a power-transmission zone, reducing wasted energy
›› Special spring strap with easy-grab heel pad simplifies donning/doffing
This fin’s elastomer blade has been designed with a high-flex center panel that teams up with a unique “Power Zone” blade-to-foot-pocket connection to send more kicking power from foot pocket to fin tip.
CONTACT: aqualung.com MSRP: $169CRESSI REACTION
›› Longer, lighter and more flexible blade increases power while decreasing muscle fatigue
›› New polypropylene material allows for a more responsive fin kick
›› Sole is made from nonslip material to provide a good grip on wet surfaces
The Reaction is relatively light and easy to use. This is due in large part to a blade whose thickness gets progres- sively thinner toward its tip to maximize the blade bend in every stroke.
CONTACT: cressi.com MSRP: $119.95MARES AVANTI QUATTRO +
›› Increased kicking efficiency from a new high-flex blade material
›› Four-channel blade design enables the fin to deliver optimum thrust
›› Anatomical foot pocket maximizes power transfer to the blade
This latest version of the time-proven Avanti Quattro features a new high-flex material, which makes the blade more responsive while cutting down on leg strain. The new bungee heel strap is pretty cool too.
CONTACT: mares.com MSRP: $139
Sport Diver Staff PhotographerAPOLLO BIO-FIN PRO C-SERIES
›› 100 percent natural-rubber construction gives the blade maximum flex
›› The rubber durometer varies by color, offering choices of blade stiffness
›› Rubber comfort bumpers on the stainless-steel spring straps have oversize finger loops
They’re fast, flexible and maneuverable, with virtually no leg or ankle stress. The spring strap on the Pro C-Series ramps up the cool factor.
CONTACT: apollosportsusa.com MSRP: $279 ($229 with standard strap)CRESSI FROG PLUS
›› Dual-density techno polymer combined with a silicone-based material creates the blade’s channeling effect
›› Rubber from foot pocket extends up the side rails to increase stability
›› Foot pocket placement increases the working surface area of the blade
An efficient channeling design — which enables maximum power transfer on both up and down strokes — along with a foot pocket mounted beneath the blade creates an efficient kicker.
CONTACT: cressi.com MSRP: $99.95CETATEK AQUABIONIC WARP1
›› Constructed from three thermoplastic materials chosen for performance
›› Actuators control rigid blade member arc of motion, changing the geometry of the blade under load
›› Forced adaptive dynamic cupping and spreading makes for efficient propulsion with minimal side spill
This fin changes size and shape using Water Adapting Responsive Propulsion — warp — technology to provide efficiency for any strength or style of kick.
CONTACT: cetatek.com MSRP: $225
Few things can match the adrenaline rush you get kicking through the water with a good pair of fins strapped to your feet. Propelling effortlessly into currents, bobbing and weaving between coral heads, all while in complete control and without the hint of leg or ankle strain — that’s what a good fin promises. Whether you prefer a split fin or a modern paddle fin, a flexible blade or one that provides more feedback, there are plenty of models to choose from, all designed to deliver more diving pleasure with less effort.
