BEST SCUBA DIVING FINS 2023

Cressi is no stranger to the deep waters and what one might need for great dives. The Pro Light best scuba fins are a testament to that. Aside from being lightweight, they are designed in a way that maximizes performance while minimizing physical effort. They are ideal for both beginners and professional divers. The foot pocket and the open heel concept make these fins comfortable to wear.

FOOT POCKET TYPE: Open Heel
BLADE TYPE: Paddle with channels
SIZE: 20”
WEIGHT: 2 lbs

The Apeks RK3 are what is termed ‘military-style’ as they were designed for public service divers. They’re made from durable thermoplastic rubber without joints which makes them extremely hard wearing. The blade is short but heavy and powerful, and while their size lends them to easy packing, you might want to keep an eye on the weight of your bag. The blade features vents that reduce the strain on the ankle and improve thrust by channeling the water flow. This type of fin was designed to meet the toughest demands of special ops and coast guard activities, and they’re popular with advanced divers who favor frog kicking, helicopter kicking and have the need to reverse. A nice feature of this fin is the hanging loops provided in both fin tip and heel. These holes mean that these fins can be easily stored on a peg or attached to anywhere via the use of a carabiner which is a very handy feature when diving from a boat in choppy seas.

FOOT POCKET TYPE: Open Heel
BLADE TYPE: ‘Military-style’ paddle with vents
SIZE: 19”
WEIGHT: 6.6 lbs

Another great CressiI product on this list. The Frog Plus scuba diving fins are designed to keep your foot comfortable while giving you the best performance possible. They’re made from dual density techno polymer in combination with a 3rd layer of silicone material. The Frog Plus also features the Cressi patented foot pocket, which is deliberately positioned underneath the blade, to increase the working area up to 20%.

FOOT POCKET TYPE: Open Heel
BLADE TYPE: Paddle with channels
SIZE: 14″
WEIGHT: 1.5 lbs

This Mares scuba fin has a space-age look about it and the technology employed does sound a lot like rocket science. OPB or optimized pivoting blade ensures that the blade produces a constant thrust throughout the stroke by maintaining the optimal angle for the duration of the kick. Soft inserts provide water channeling and ribs and stabilizers complete the propulsion delivery. Some say that this is the most efficient full foot fin there is. Compared to others of its size it’s light, but the length can preclude some from traveling with it, it makes a great snorkeling fin though. The only downside to this model is its durability; if you love them, you will be replacing them quicker than most. Note that these Mares scuba fins do come as an open heel fin too but their lightness combined with booties makes the open heel version quite buoyant.

FOOT POCKET TYPE: Closed Foot
BLADE TYPE: Vented with channels
SIZE: 27”
WEIGHT: 3.5 lbs

Tusa has been on the scuba gear market since 1952 and has delivered some great products over the years. The SF-22 Solla fins are another great product in Tusa’s rich history. They are powered by ForcElast, a proprietary thermoplastic elastomer that maximizes performance with minimal physical efforts. They also feature Tusa’s patented Angled Blade Design (A.B.D.) and serve to increase comfort as well as efficiency.

FOOT POCKET TYPE: Open Heel
BLADE TYPE: Three Channel fin
SIZE: 22.7″
WEIGHT: 3.6 lbs

Scuba Pro split fins employ different technology versus a standard paddle fin; their split hydrofoil design allows water to flow between and around each of the four blades. The four blades also flex independently and produce an effect like a propeller. The blades are re-enforced on the outer edges by semi-rigid rails. The large vents reduce drag, and the foot pocket has been extended to increase the power transfer to the blade. The scuba split fin debate is always polarizing but what is undeniable is their reduction in stress to the knees and ankles. Those who love them cite their power efficiency and increased maneuverability and those that don’t say they’re awkward to dive with and can’t deliver powerful enough propulsion when you need it. This ScubaPro split fin is heavy and long and quite bulky so not ideal for travel.

FOOT POCKET TYPE: Open Heel
BLADE TYPE: Split and vented
SIZE: 30”
WEIGHT: 4.6 lbs

Mares are renowned for producing great fins, and these Mares Super Channels are a good value full foot option. They employ tried and tested technology from Mares to deliver power and efficiency for both snorkeling and diving. The foot pocket has an open toe to provide for drainage and to reduce drag and while they are designed to be worn barefoot a scuba sock could be worn for extra protection and warmth. These Mares fins are durable and come in a range of colors.

FOOT POCKET TYPE: Closed Foot
BLADE TYPE: Paddle with channels
SIZE: 19”
WEIGHT: 3.8 lbs

If you want a pair of travel scuba fins, and by that, I mean very lightweight and easy to pack then the ScubaPro Go Travel Fins are a great choice. Weighing in at just over 2 lbs they have been designed to fit into carry-on luggage and have a unique piggyback system which allows them to pack neatly on top of each other saving as much space as is possible. These fins are new to the market, but I would expect them to be up there in the choice of best travel fins. As a fin, even though they are lightweight ScubaPro claim they’re virtually indestructible: they are made with 100% Monprene without joins or hinges and power bars on the underside strengthen the blade which is designed to propel water to the tip. All that said, they are still lightweight, and if you’re used to a heavier stronger fin, you might not feel that these deliver particularly in a current. Even though these are open heels, they are designed to be worn barefooted, the foot pocket and bungee strap are comfortable without but you can wear a scuba sock with them for some additional warmth. There’s a hanging hole at the tip of the blade for easy storage.

FOOT POCKET TYPE: Open Heel but designed to be used without boots
BLADE TYPE: Paddle with channels
SIZE: 22”
WEIGHT: 2.2 lbs

Hollis F2? Well, if you like military style fins but wince at their size and weight for travel these fins could be what you are looking for. As travel fins go, they’re not light, but they are a lot lighter than standard military style fins. They’re tough, but their weight reduction does mean you’ll see a reduction in power versus a heavier fin of this style. If you’re a tech diver using a dry suit and hung with multiple tanks, you might not find them adequate. The fin itself has a double blade design which has increased the surface area and allowed for the reduction in length. The lower blade of the two is vented which reduces stress on the ankle and accelerates the water. The fin comes with adjustable spring straps fitted with an easy to use thumb loop. The foot pocket does tend to run larger; if you’re on the cusp of sizes, go for the smaller option.

FOOT POCKET TYPE: Open Heel
BLADE TYPE: Dual paddle with vents
SIZE: 19.8”
WEIGHT: 3.9 lbs

The Oceanic Viper full foot fin is a good basic fin. These fins are light and feature a channel for thrust which is bolstered by side rails which also help to stop spillage of water off the blade. A nice touch on this fin is the toe vents which not only reduce drag but help alleviate the vacuum effect closed foot fins can exhibit when you try to take them off. There are an array of colors available in this fin so expect to be able to choose one that suits your style. This fin performs well both snorkeling and diving.

FOOT POCKET TYPE: Closed Foot
BLADE TYPE: Paddle with channels
SIZE: 22”
WEIGHT: 4 lbs

The ScubaPro Seawing Nova is a very unusual looking fin and, while it is not a split fin, if you are looking for the best split fins I would advise that you consider these too. These ScubaPro fins are popular with those replacing split fins due to their lightweight and the reduced effort required to power them. The articulated joint allows the winged paddle to pivot which both reduces drag but maximizes the scooping effect in the water to provide propulsion. The foot pocket is longer which allows for greater power transfer and comes with bungee straps and a thumb loop. These fins are easy to get on and off, but the under-sole grip is what lets this fin down; don’t rely on it for traction. There are a range of colors to choose from.

FOOT POCKET TYPE: Open Heel
BLADE TYPE: Articulated pivot
SIZE: 24”
WEIGHT: 3.4 lbs

There are a number of choices to be made when selecting the best scuba fins. The key thing to remember when reading a scuba fin review is that the product must meet your requirements. The best scuba diving fins selection for your buddy might not be the best scuba fins for you. Think about how you dive, where, and how often you will use them. Do you flutter kick or frog kick, dive in cold water or warm water, only on holiday or mostly at home, from the shore or boat? Your diving lifestyle will help determine your choice. Keep this in mind when reading about the key features below.

FLIPPERS vs FINS

Scuba diving flippers and scuba diving fins are the same things, and the description is interchangeable, it’s just that flipper is an older term for the more modern term fin. Although you can use either; don’t be surprised if you’re told, “Flipper is a dolphin, we use fins!’’ if you stick to the old school rules.

OPEN HEEL or FULL FOOT

Most divers believe that open heel fins are the best fins for diving for a number of reasons. As the terminology suggests the foot pocket doesn’t enclose the heel; your forefoot slips into the foot pocket, and the fin is secured to your foot with a strap that goes around your heel much like a pair of sandals. They are designed to be used with a bootie made out of neoprene which will not only keep your feet warm but also protect them on the boat or shore. Sure, you have the extra task and cost of finding the best dive boots, but it will mean that you can use these fins in either cold or warm water. An open heel fin is on the whole larger, heavier, and bulkier than a closed heel fin; it does require more power to use, but you do get better propulsion.

Full foot or closed heel fins – they’re the same thing – have a foot pocket that encloses the heel as a normal shoe does. These are not worn with a boot and for this reason are only really suitable for warm water. Their design makes them less forgiving when it comes to fit; poorly fitting closed heel fins will cut, blister, and rub your feet. The materials used for the foot pocket itself also dictates their comfort; good quality, soft and pliable materials are the best. All that said, it doesn’t mean that full foot fins should not be considered. They’re mostly lighter than open heel fins which does mean you need less power to use them and, because you don’t use a boot, they’re less buoyant too which makes them a good choice for the best snorkeling fins. If you are buying fins to use on holiday in warm water where you might also spend time snorkeling, they could be the best scuba fins for travel.

BLADE TYPE

There are two types of blade to choose from, and the discussion around whether to use paddle or split fins for diving can be impassioned.

A standard paddle fin has the most resistance in the water which means it does require greater power than a split fin but, in turn, you get greater propulsion. Scuba split fins have less resistance in the water and are a great idea if you have knee or joint problems. A split fin does favor a flutter kick dive style, however, and they can take a little getting used to.

In simple terms, the larger, heavier, and more rigid a fin design is the more power you will need to use to propel yourself. Of course, you get the best propulsion from this, but you need to be able to manage the fin comfortably.

BLADE TECHNOLOGY

This is where scuba fin reviews can start to get confusing but understand that any design features attributed to a blade are there to increase its efficiency versus effort. Manufacturers have looked at propulsion technology to try and increase the power a fin offers while reducing effort. The most common features you will see are as follows.

Channels are interspersed along the blade most often using a different and more flexible material than the blade. These u-shapes capture the water causing a more efficient kick and improving propulsion due to the focused jet of water they produce.

Side Rails are for stability and control, they bring strength to the blade and make sure the water doesn’t ‘slip off’ the blade and reduce propulsion.

Vents are slits, and these reduce resistance and drag and designed to be placed where there is little water flow thus reducing the drag in an area that doesn’t deliver against propulsion.

When reading a diving fins review bare in mind you don’t need a fin with all of these features, you need a fin that suits your purpose so don’t get dazzled by all the scientific terminology.

BUCKLES and STRAPS

Open heel fins attach to your foot with a strap that fits around your heel, but they are not all the same. The basic strap is ridged for grip and passes through buckles on either side of your ankle. The gripped strap stops it slipping, and the buckle snaps it in place. To take them off you can either open the buckle or loosen the strap.

There is another option which is essentially a long, tough metal spring or bungee. Once fitted there is no strap to adjust or buckles to deal with. This system is far easier to use with cold or gloved hands and less cumbersome if you have trouble reaching your fin straps. This type does not come as standard on all fins, but you can buy them separately and replace the strap and buckle design as they do tend to fit most fins.

COLOR

While there is some discussion as to the color of fins liked by sharks; apparently, they are attracted by lighter colors, I would say the more pertinent point to consider is the conditions that you dive in. Brighter fins are more easily seen in low visibility. Otherwise, it’s just personal preference and perhaps a question of style if you like your gear to match.

As a final thought, in a scuba fins review, a lot is made of the speed, and power potential of a fins’ design, however, do remember that you are not speeding around the ocean in any record-breaking attempt. Scuba diving is a slow and minimalist action activity where you see more and enjoy the experience more the slower you take it. Do you need a super-powered fin guarantee to deliver speed and drive? Sure, you need a fin that will deliver you propulsion when you need it but don’t get sidetracked into a quest for the most powerful fin; remember you are looking for the best fin for you so keep this in mind when you read our best scuba fins 2023 selection.