Reviewed by passionate scuba divers:
The Best Scuba Fins in 2021
Our experts at work
We gave our passionate scuba diving geeks a job:
Test the different Scuba Fins, swim with them, dive with them and write reviews of the best.
The result is 10 of the best Scuba Fins out there:
Torben Lonne
Scuba Diver and editor Torben is a water nut, with a passion for gear, diving and snorkeling.
Boby Taylor
Worked many years as scuba diving guide Boby has a passion for diving, and just as much snorkeling.
Scuba fins are one of the most important scuba investments you will make.
There are many options and it’s all down to personal preference. What is your swimming style? Do you want power or economy of effort?
Will you be mostly shore or boat diving? Will you be travelling with them often?
Let’s look at what to think about when choosing your fins.
Full Foot vs. open heel scuba
Full foot fins fit like a shoe. They are great if you’re looking for something for dive travel and are not shore diving. They are lighter than pocket fins and do not require booties so the energy needed to swim is reduced.
Open heel fins work with a range of foot sizes but require a bootie to be worn.
I prefer open heel fins for shore diving because you can walk out with your booties and put the fins on later. Personally, I find they are more comfortable if you are spending a lot of time in the water.
Source
Blade Style of your scuba fins
Now, what about blade style? There are a lot of options, the most common of which I’ve tried to group into categories. The best one for use depends on where you want to use it, its weight, and your swimming style.
Standard paddle fin
Your basic flat surface fin, usually with some reinforcement on the sides to keep water on the fin and provide greater strength.
Channel or Jet fins
Channel fins have different designs designed to contain water efficiently and releasing it as a focused ‘jet’. They are more popular with professional and technical divers than with novices. They tend to be heavy, which can help maintain balance if you are kneeling to teach but makes them less convenient to travel with.
They work well with various swimming styles, but I find they are the best for power when using frog kicks.
Split Fins
Split fins are inspired by fish fins, split up the middle to reduce drag. They provide better propulsion than a single blade fin with less effort. Some people find them too floppy, but it all depends on how you swim with them.
I get the most speed when using long vertical kicks. When I am guiding I can also use an unconventional horizontal side-to-side style to move slowly while not disturbing sand or silt.
Force Fins
Look a bit like a whale tail, and are supposed to provide the best power. They are light and efficient and cost an arm and a leg. Swim with a short flutter stroke for best effect.
Hinged Fins
Hinged fins have a pivot point where the foot meets the blade allowing the angle to be adjusted according to your needs. They are also useful for shore diving as the fin can be worn with the blade lifted out of the way allowing you to walk more easily.
Find a good pair of scuba fins that suites your needs
I believe that good, comfortable fins are second only to a comfortable mask when diving. They are one of the most important equipment purchases you will make.
Below you’ll find our recomendations on scuba Fins
Best Beginner Scuba Fins
We’ve gathered a selection of the best beginner scuba fins. All stable a reliable, but at a low cost.
Best Full-footed Scuba Fins
You’re diving alot and you want a pair of fins that meets your needs. Here’s the best full-footed scuba fins.
Best Open-heeled Scuba Fins
Best open-heeled scuba fins needs to be durable, realiable and easy to use. Here’s the best choices in the open-heeled scuba fins selections:
Best Beginner Scuba Fins of 2021
Beginner fins should be ‘fuss-free’ and easy to slip on and off. You don’t need to choose the most expensive fins available, just good, old fashioned, reliable fins that will help you to gain the experience you need over time.
Here are our recommendations on the best begginer fins
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Best Full-Footed Scuba Fins of 2021
Full-footed scuba fins are ideal for the travelling scuba diver. Not only are they lightweight, they are also great for diving in warmer climates, where a sock or boot is not needed.
Here are our recommendations for the best Full Foot Fins
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Best Open-Heeled Scuba Fins of 2021
Open-heeled scuba fins are by far the most common type of scuba fins. They are loved by all level of diver. Open heel fins are also the best use for shore diving because you can walk out with your booties on and put the fins on later. Personally, I find they are more comfortable if you are spending a lot of time in the water as well.
Here are our recommendations for the best Open-Heeled Fins
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This article is part of our Dive Gear Guides.
Full Face Dive Mask – Dive Computer – Dive watch – Dive Masks
Learn how to choose the right Scuba Fins for you
Choosing a fin is like choosing a new car. There are so many things to take into consideration, however choosing the prettiest most expensive fins are not necessarily the most beneficial when it comes to fins for scuba diving.
Let’s look at what to think about when choosing your fins.
Foot vs. open heel
Full foot fins fit like a shoe. They are great if you’re looking for something for dive travel and are not shore diving. They are lighter than pocket fins and do not require booties so the energy needed to swim is reduced.
Open heel fins work with a range of foot sizes but require a bootie to be worn.
I prefer open heel fins for shore diving because you can walk out with your booties and put the fins on later. Personally I find they are more comfortable if you are spending a lot of time in the water.
Full foot scuba fins
Credit: EmiDelliZuani
Buckles vs. straps
There are a few different ways open heel fins can be attached to your feet. A basic buckle lets you adjust fin tension once your foot is inside. I am not a fan of these as I find they can start to loosen after a while.
Some types of buckles have a quick release so you can adjust the fit once and then never have to change it. These are easier to put on while in the water than most full foot or basic strap fins.
Here’s more on Finning Techniques – How To Get The Most Propulsion From Your Kick.
I Love my spring kit system which entirely replaces the buckle and straps originally supplied with my fins. Spring tension cannot be adjusted, so I took my fins and booties into the shop and tried several sets before I found the right size.
Now I can put my fins on in seconds and they remain comfortable and secure for my entire dive.
Fin straps closed
Credit: Torben Lonne
Blade Style
Now what about blade style? There are a lot of options, the most common of which I’ve tried to group into categories. The best one for use depends on where you want to use it, its weight, and your swimming style.
Standard paddle fin
Your basic flat surface fin, usually with some reinforcement on the sides to keep water on the fin and provide greater strength.
Channel or Jet fins
Channel fins have different designs designed to contain water efficiently and releasing it as a focused ‘jet’. They are more popular with professional and technical divers than with novices. They tend to be heavy, which can help maintain balance if you are kneeling to teach, but makes them less convenient to travel with.
Here’s an Equipment Review on Turtle Fins.
They work well with various swimming styles, but I find they are the best for power when using frog kicks.
Split
Split fins are inspired by fish fins, split up the middle to reduce drag. They provide better propulsion than a single blade fin with less effort. Some people find them too floppy, but it all depends on how you swim with them.
I get the most speed when using long vertical kicks. When I am guiding I can also use an unconventional horizontal side-to-side style to move slowly while not disturbing sand or silt.
In case you disturb sand and silt, Here’s How To Survive A Silt-Out.
Split type scuba fins inspired by fish fins
Credit: Torben Lonne
Force Fins
Look a bit like a whale tail, and are supposed to provide the best power. They are light and efficient and cost an arm and a leg. Swim with a short flutter stroke for best effect.
Hinged Fins
Hinged fins have a pivot point where the foot meets the blade allowing the angle to be adjusted according to your needs. They are also useful for shore diving as the fin can be worn with the blade lifted out of the way allowing you to walk more easily.
Final Thoughts
I believe that good, comfortable fins are second only to a comfortable mask when diving. They are one of the most important equipment purchases you will make.
Rented scuba fins are best for trying out – Credit: Oculo
I always recommend renting or borrowing several different kinds of dive equipment and trying it out before purchase.
Finally, always try new fins on before getting into the water and kick your foot a bit to make sure it stays on!
What kind of fin do you use? Tell us why you use this specific fin, what do you like about it? Leave a comment below!
My husband always ends up with a sore on the top of his foot even with his boots on. Any suggestions on the best type of fin for him?
Hi Caroline,
Which fins does he use now? And what kind of fin-kick is most common for him?
Hello,
I have bought Cressi Frog Plus Fins, in XS size(the smallest size possible) with a pair of Cressi Isle boats, 5mm. However, the fit of the boats was a bit loose so I found a different pair of diving boats to use with my Cressi Fins. Now, the boats that I have fits perfectly to my feet but the fins are really loose.
Should I return to Cressi boats and try to wear them with extra socks, or try to fill them with extra neoprene, or should I try to use my current boats and try to fill the extra space between the fin and the boats?
Unfortunately, returning the fin is no longer an option.
I’m looking for a set of fins that will provide the best speed, I was considering the Mares Avanti Quattro Plus or the ScubaPro Twin Jet Max. Any thoughts?
Booth will do great in propelling you forward. I’ve used the ScubaPro Twin Jet for many years, and I can strongly recommend them.
Hope it helps.
Hi Ilke,
That’s a hard one. I’d say the most important part is protecting your feet, so keep the boots/socks as “fit” as possible. Otherwise, you’ll end up with sore feet and also risk making small wounds on your feet.
I’m considering the Scuba Pro Go Sport but am concerned about power in currents. Am also lookin at Mares Quattro+. I wear a size 7 men + 3 mm boot. Am advanced diver, recreational, warm water. Any advice.
Hi Greg,
It’s a good choice. Similar to the Mares Quattro+, the Scuba Pro Go Sport is a simple but good fin. Not a lot of fuss, but it works as a great all-around fin.
I have an artificial leg. I discovered a dive shop in Key Largo several years ago that had a bin full of Scubapro jet fins. I bought one. Now I’m looking for someone else like me or looking for a seller of fins that will sell me a single fin. Anyone got ideas?
Hi, I have an oppurtunity to get Scubapro Jet Sport OR Scubapro Seawing Nova both for very friendly price. What do you think would be better for woman? In the past with my old fins (no idea about brand) I had problem and needed help from my buddy to swim against currents. I am more like beginner diver, not really strong legs and mostly use slutter kick – but want to teach/try the frog kick this year too. Thank you for advice!
The Scubapro Seawing Nova is a great fin, but not the best for frog kicks. Really good for your knees and great for swimming, also in current.
The Scubapro Jet Sport would fit better if you’re serious about checking out that frog kick 🙂
Hi. We recently qualified as rescue divers and now looking for new fins. I prefer full foot, lightweight and small for packing. We tried the mares volo race fins (love these) but way too long for my suitcase. Can you advise on a suitable alternative?
Ps : we only dive once a yr in tropical waters
Many thanks
Rosie
My fins are Beuchat Contact Spirit.
They are so comfortable that I sleep with them !
But is it harmful to the feet ?
To sleep with them: No, it’s not harmful 🙂 You might dream about diving, but that’ll just make everything better.