If you're independently wealthy or have a combination of high credit limits and loose spending habits, then feel free to tear this article out and use it to light the BBQ. If not, then we'll assume that cost is one of the key things you consider when buying dive gear. And, in the world of fins, the cost can sometimes be equivalent to that of an entry level dive computer. It's true that you get what you pony up for, and the latest fin technology is sweet indeed, but top-of-the-line fins can easily run you a couple of Benjamin's and sometimes more. For half that, say $100, you can get a great pair of blades that will perform well in a wide range of dive conditions and last for years. Better yet, you can choose any style you want – split fins, paddle fins, open heel, full foot – and still have enough left over to pay for a full day's dive charter. Or, you could use it to light a stogie, whichever you prefer.

Oceanic Viper Best for: All around diving. Middle-of-the-road flexibility strikes a nice balance between an easy-kicking feel and the responsive snap needed for power. Works Because: Every part of the fin is designed to funnel water off the blade's tip, where it translates into thrust instead of "spilling" over the side rails where energy is wasted. Highlights: Lightweight and nice for travel. Quick release buckles give a positive hold but are easy to remove. Streamlined foot pocket reduces drag yet still accommodates wider boots. MSRP $89.95 Contact www.OceanicWorldwide.com

AERIS Mako Best for: Normal sized divers looking for a workhorse fin. It's equally at home in a rock quarry or over a coral reef. Works Because: The oversized blade gives great punch, but a highly flexible center channel and some moderate venting at the sides help reduce kick resistance. The result is a well tuned blade that you can swim with all day. Highlights: Lighter than they look, these fins won't push you over the weight limit at baggage check in. They also have simple, reliable buckles that are easy to adjust and a foot pocket that's well proportioned and won't squeeze your feet. MSRP $89.95 Contact www.DiveAERIS.com

Scubapro Kinetix Best for: Divers who prefer a paddle style blade and want a great travel companion. Works Because: A trio of materials is used to enhance performance at each area of the fin. The foot pocket is soft and provides the scuba equivalent of a bedroom slipper feel. This is contrasted with a moderately stiff technopolymer base that's great for transferring energy down the blade. Finally, a more flexible tip provides a responsive snap at the end of each kick cycle for better thrust. Highlights: Relatively low profile, these fins are easy to pack. Quick release buckles are user friendly and a well-made foot pocket provides good stability on the dive deck. MSRP $109 Contact www.scubapro.com

Mares Avanti X3 Superchannel Best For: Paddle fin diehards. This new addition will be sure to please longtime fans of Mares' classic fin line. Works Because: Proven channel technology, used to force water down the long axis of the fin, has been put on steroids. A cavernous center scoop is paralleled on each side by long deep grooves that push water off the fin tip with a vengeance. Highlights: A well-shaped foot pocket never bites into the top of your foot and is wide enough to provide needed stability for kicking. And, for such powerful fins, these blades are not too long, which is nice for maneuvering in tight spaces. MSRP $90 Contact www.mares.com

Aqua Lung Caravalle ADJ Best For: New divers or those who can't dive as often as they'd like. Very forgiving, these fins accommodate a wide range of kicking styles and are easy on the legs. Works Because: Good chemistry has produced a blade material that balances resilience, memory and flexibility. Push down with this fin and it willingly gives in, putting it in the optimum position to snap back on the upstroke. This generates significant water flow behind the diver and good forward thrust. Highlights: Standard quick release buckles and an anatomically shaped foot pocket are comfortable and reliable. All of this is enhanced by an extended heel pocket that provides a larger area to push against while kicking for greater power. MSRP $90 Contact www.aqualung.com

Tusa Tri-Ex SF-6 Best For: Divers who are always in motion. Ideal for negotiating steady currents or for divers looking to cover as much ground as possible, the Tri-Ex blades are built for efficiency. Works Because: The foot pocket is angled at 20 degrees from the rest of the blade. This angle reduces the initial work load when starting the kick cycle, so it's easier to get up to speed. It also helps put the blade in a better position to push water rearward for thrust instead of out to the sides where energy is wasted. Highlights: Three fin materials are used to form stiff outer rails and softer inner pockets to help direct water flow. A generous foot pocket opening makes donning especially easy. MSRP $89 Contact www.tusa.com

Cressi Pro Light Best For: The weight-obsessed traveler who can't afford to compromise on power. Smart material choices reduce heft but maintain flexibility and kicking performance. Works Because: The blade extends from the top of the foot pocket, which helps increase the effective surface area of the fin and produce a stronger kick relative to both blade size and diver effort. Highlights: Cressi's multi-material design matches a more rigid, fork-shaped body with a flexible center blade that is long enough to take full advantage of the effort put into each kick. The soft foot pocket is also shaped to snug comfortably over the diver's boot for a secure fit. MSRP $90 Contact www.cressi.it

Tilos Maverick Best For: Cold water divers, or those who need to push a lot of gear through the water. The Maverick is sized and tuned for heavy work loads. Works Because: Stiff side rails and a more rigid center rib help form two large channels that drive water behind the blade with each stroke. A large vent, placed just at the base of the blade, also helps direct water flow and reduce overall kicking resistance. Highlights: A beefy foot pocket easily swallows up husky drysuit boots and the patented quick-release buckles are easy to use with gloves. MSRP $69.99 Contact www.tilos.com

XS Scuba Power Fin Best For: Everyone that believes there's no school like the old school. This enduring design still delivers solid performance and near indestructibility. Works Because: Generous vents at the base of the blade steer water across the surface of the fin, helping the diver move as much water as possible with modest blade effort. A unique rubber compound also produces a blade with great responsiveness. Highlights: Good weight characteristics for a rubber fin and shorter blades are excellent when navigating tight quarters. Classic buckle design is super low profile and durable. MSRP $85.00 Contact www.xsscuba.com

Sherwood Spinta Best For: Divers with moderate leg strength. Hinged blade design helps take the bite out of initiating the kicking cycle. Works Because: Optimal Piviot Blade technology, or in layman's terms, a special hinge that allows the blade to radically flex on the downstroke. This eases diver workload, but more importantly, it also puts the blade in prime position to produce thrust throughout the downward arc of the kick. Highlights: The foot pocket is angled to further increase the s efficiency of the OPB system and the easily adjustable heel strap has a generous grab-tab for easy donning. MSRP $100 Contact www.sherwoodscuba.com

Genesis Response Best For: Divers who need versatility. Unique paddle blade design works well with a wide variety of kicking styles, from the classic scissor to the stealthy flutter. Works Because: A series of channels, made from more flexible material interspersed among stiffer panels, helps control blade flex. The channel pattern provides real traction for good kicking power in a blade suitable for use by average Joe's or thick-legged frogmen. Highlights: A foot pocket built for comfort also delivers good stability on wet boat decks. Quick-release strap buckles take all the effort out of donning and doffing. MSRP $80 Contact www.genesisscuba.com

Akona AzioneBest For: Warm water divers who want all the technology of open-heel fins in a pair of tropic-ready booster rockets. Works Because: Optimal Pivot Blade technology has been married to a full-foot pocket that provides great energy transfer. The OPB blade shifts back on the down stroke to push more water behind the diver and less below, simultaneously creating thrust and eliminating unwanted lift. Highlights: Soft foot pocket is comfortable for longer dives and streamlined shape is lighter and easier to pack. MSRP $75 Contact www.akona.com.