Page 1: Introduction. Page 2: Open heel fins. Page 3: Closed heel fins.

Full Foot Fins:

Mares Plana Avanti Quattro Power full foot fin.

2 lb 2 oz; $144; +2.5 speed rating; negative buoyancy. I tested these twice over six months. These are long, heavy full foot fins. The fins are 29” long, and the size 8-9 fit me pretty well (just slightly large) with lycra socks. These fins are great, although heavy and stiff, for tropical diving. They are fast and powerful. Using these fins gave me foot cramps when I tried them first, but I did not get much discomfort when trying them again six months later.

I was able to shave 20 seconds off the normal time with the Avanti Quattro Power fins and it would have been even more time (faster) if I did not have to turn around at the ends of the pools each lap. I found the fins to be extremely fast and powerful, but also very tiring to use. Someone who has longer and more powerful legs than me will love these fins.

Cressi Free Frog full-foot fins:

1 lb 12 oz; $34 at scubastore.com; +1 speed rating; negative buoyancy; fins are 25 inches long and fairly flexible. Using the Free Frog fins, I was able to go slightly faster that I was with the Pod fins. It took a bit longer to get moving, but once I got moving, I moved slightly faster. My legs felt more tired. Part of this was due to the bad fit of the Free Frog fins; they were not tight on my feet.

These full foot fins can be hard to get on and off quickly. After using the longer fins, using the Pod fins almost felt like I had nothing on, and that they were not doing anything. These fins have been around a long time and I used them with success for years. However, I’d recommend newer models of full-foot fins rather than buying these, even though the price is low.

Atomic full-foot Split fins:

1 lb 7 oz; $89; +2 speed rating. The Atomic full foot split fins were very stiff, but good after I got used to them. It took a while to get up to speed, but then they were fast and efficient. Divers interested in ordering these fins should order a size up. I ordered a size 7.5-8 but the fins were a bit too tight for my feet. I’d like to try a size up with lycra socks, and to re-measure my swimming time with these fins.

Mystery Brand Split Fins that I Do NOT recommend:

I’ve bought two sets of fins by known, famous manufacturers from the bargain bins of dive stores.  Here’s a pair of fins that I will be putting in the trash.  I bought these in a dive shop in West Palm Beach.  They allowed me to swim in a straight line, but they were absolute impossible to use when I was underwater and trying to manoeuvre.  I have never used any fins that were so problematic underwater.  I’ve covered the name of the fins so the manufacturer doesn’t take offence at this post.  Sorry, these fins just did not work for me. 

“Mystery” fluorescent green open-heel fins from a famous brand; $40 at Bamboo Reef’s clearance bin; could not finish 400 yards with these; negative buoyancy; standard fit. These fins came in a size Small, which fit my foot in booties just fine. I had high hopes for them. Unfortunately, they just weren’t for me. My notes: “Seems to give a lot of power and manoeuvrability but is also a bit stiff, hard on the knees, when diving with a drysuit. could not swim with these in the pool, just too heavy and stiff. Worst fins ever, don’t name them. Tried swimming underwater with them, a little better but still slow. Had a bad experience using them with drysuit in Channel Islands. Very stiff, hurt my knees, did not swim well with them.”

To come:

Apollo Biofin Pro with stainless steel straps:

3 lb 2 oz per fin; $200 or so; speed rating to be tested; oversized by one size (+1). I have a pair of these fins in size Medium. The size Medium is pretty big – a bit too big for using in a wetsuit bootie; and a bit too small to use in my drysuit booties. Twin blade, but quite manoeuvrable. These are heavy fins. I wore these for a while in the tropics, but the weight is too much for me to travel with. They’ve therefore been sitting in my garage for several years. Perhaps Apollo will allow me to try out a pair of their size Small fins, but I doubt it.

In summary: The Apollo fins are oversize, their size mediums are equivalent to size large fins from other companies. They are the heaviest fins around. They do offer a stainless steel strap, but it attaches using screws on the fine, a proprietary attachment. You therefore can’t use other companies’ spring straps on these fins nor can you use the spring straps on other fins.

Mares Avanti Quattro pair full foot (black); to come. 

Scubapro Nova Seawing open-heel Split Fins:

2 lb 2 oz per fin in size L; $139; speed rating to be tested; standard size.  

Page 1: Introduction. Page 2: Open heel fins. Page 3: Closed heel fins.