The Slipstream sports a design similar to the venerable Jet Fin, but instead of rubber, it’s made out of Monoprene resin –– a thermoplastic elastomer that delivers rubber-like performance but is much lighter. Indeed, this fin looks heavy, but it weighs no more than many modern fin designs. It comes with a stainless-steel slide buckle and standard heel strap (spring straps are available as an option). The smallest available size is large, so this is a fin that clearly caters to wetsuit and drysuit divers who need extra room for heavy-gauge neoprene or drysuit boots.

Performance
The Slipstream was able to clock some impressive speeds in this year’s tests, but it was a punishing feat. Clearly not designed to be a go-fast fin, it’s just too stiff to get any acceleration without shredding your legs muscles. But as a cruising fin, this big boy’s a contender. A slow, easy kick generates plenty of power. It’s highly maneuverable too and easy to fin backward. However, virtually all test divers found the fin pocket just too stiff, and nobody liked the buckles, which make strap adjustment a real hassle — at least compared to modern buckles.

Bottom Line
The Slipstream proves that an old-time design doesn’t have to mean old-time performance. This fin will deliver good power if you have the muscle for it. The tec divers appreciated the fin’s maneuverability, but even they lost patience with the strap buckles. Our advice: Pay the extra $52 and get the fin with the optional spring straps.

||| |---|---| |Stats| | |Top Averaged Speed|2.2 mph| |Ergo Score| 49| |Top 5 Points| 3|

||| |---|---| |Specifications| | |Warranty|One Year| |Sizes| L, XL, XXL| |Colors| Black| |Weight| 2 lbs., 7 oz. (size XL)| |Bouyancy| Slightly Negative| |Price| $116| |www.omsdive.com |

See Below for the Full Scuba Lab ** Fin Reviews from the May 2010 Issue**