Best Scuba Fins of 2021: Reviews with Comparisons

If you are looking for the best scuba fins, you have come to the right place.

So let’s not waste any more time and get right to helping you find the best scuba fins out there.

Best Scuba Fins: Reviews

Scuba Pro Seawing Nova Open Heel Fins

We thought we would start off with a very high-end pair of scuba diving fins. These fins are not cheap, but they are built to last, and moreover, you know what they say, you get what you pay for, and what you get here is quality.

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One of the most impressive features is that they’re made of Monprene. This is a unique thermoplastic polymer that is extremely tough. The bottom line is that these diving fins are nearly indestructible. In addition, they are significantly impact-resistant, the parts won’t rip or tear, and they are temperature resistant.

What is also worth noting is that these fins have a marine-quality bungee heel strap that is highly durable yet also very soft and easy to adjust. So you’ll be able to get the most comfortable and secure fit possible.

These are some of the best scuba fins in terms of build quality. The ergonomic foot pocket combined with the extended heel plate should allow for maximum propulsion and energy transmission without your movements being wasted for overall comfort.

These fins have an articulated joint that allows the blade to pivot to generate thrust while you swim. So no matter how hard you swim, the angle is always optimized to provide you with the most thrust possible.

Moreover, these fins have so-called clean water blade geometry that allows for optimal propulsion, assisted by the variable pivot ribs. As a result, water is free to flow onto the working section of the blade, thus reducing drag and increasing thrust.

Pros

• Superior build quality
• Adjustable fit
• Very comfortable
• Allow for maximum propulsion no matter the kick strength
• Less wasted energy

Cons

• Not cheap
• Not rigid enough for frog kicking

Cobalt Cabo Adjustable Scuba Fins

Going in the other direction, this is a very affordable and beginner-friendly pair of snorkeling and scuba fins. They’re nothing overly special, but for the low price, there’s really nothing to complain about. These are a great pair of beginner scuba fins.

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What is convenient about these fins is that they come in many different children’s and adult sizes, so you should have no problem finding a size that fits you. On that same note, there are also many other color options.

These scuba fins are made with relatively durable plastic. However, as we said, these aren’t the best in the world, but they’re definitely very durable and rigid considering their price.

For under $30, they should definitely last for quite a few scuba diving trips, and if you take good care of them, they should be able to last for a few years. What is also worth noting is that these fins are very lightweight, which should help reduce fatigue while diving.

Keep in mind that these are open-heel fins, and they come with a soft strap that is very easy to adjust and should not chafe your skin. The strap is easy to adjust to produce a very secure fit; just be careful not to overtighten it, as it’s not the most durable heel strap.

Although these might be some of the more affordable scuba diving fins, they come with an engineered performance design to maximize your forward thrust while minimizing fatigue and leg stress. They might not be the most advanced scuba fins, but they can certainly help you go forward without expending too much energy.

Pros

• Great price
• Many sizes
• Many colors
• Decent durability
• Decent performance
• Decent comfort
• Great for beginners

Cons

• Does not compare to high-end fins

Atomic Aquatics High Performance Full Foot Split Fin

This is a pair of mid-level scuba diving fins. They are split fins designed for thrust and comfort without costing a fortune. These fins are somewhere in between the first two we looked at in terms of quality and price.

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This is the first pair of scuba diving fins on our list that features this split-fin design. Most of the fin – the part that provides you with the propulsion you need to move forward – is split in half down the middle. This is very beneficial in terms of propulsion.

In addition, the split design is much more efficient in terms of energy use. Compared to traditional scuba diving fins, split fins provide more forward force with less energy.

These fins are very thin and streamlined provide you with maximum forward propulsion with minimum energy expenditure. What is also important to note is that these fins are about half the weight of traditional open-heel diving fins, thus making them more than ideal for travel.

However, these are one-size-fits-all fins. They don’t have an adjustable strap, which means that the size you get has to fit you perfectly, so be sure to choose the right size. In terms of comfort, the foot pocket is comfortable enough.

Keep in mind that they need to be pretty tight because they cannot be adjusted; you don’t want the fins to come off your feet when you’re kicking. This is one of the only issues – that they may come off if you don’t have the correct size.

Also, they’re not the most comfortable scuba fins in the world because the heel can dig into your foot a bit but shouldn’t be a deal-breaker.

Pros

• Good price
• Lots of propulsion
• Fatigue reduction
• Energy efficient
• Lightweight and portable
• No adjustments necessary

Cons

• May slip off if you don’t choose the right size
• Can dig into your heels a little bit

Cozia Design Travel Size Scuba Fins

This is a small and affordable pair of scuba fins that you can just shove in your suitcase and take on your next dive trip.

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As mentioned above, these fins are highly portable. In addition, they’re designed to be extremely lightweight, and they won’t weigh down your baggage. On that same note, they’re shorter than most other scuba fins, which just adds to their portability.

However, you do sacrifice a bit of thrust due to this short length, but they’re definitely convenient if you plan on traveling a lot. These fins are designed to allow for maximum propulsion with minimum energy expenditure. Considering the small size, they still provide a decent amount of propulsion without kicking too hard.

Although these might not be the most durable scuba fins, they’re about as tough as you could expect them to be for the price. They will last for a few years of scuba diving, especially if you take good care of them.

That said, they’re tough enough to handle a couple of bumps with ease, something that the reinforced blade rails help with.

It is worth noting that these scuba fins are relatively comfortable. They come with an ergonomically designed foot pocket for maximum comfort. In addition, the foot pocket is designed to be pretty flexible, so you get extra propulsion.

They also feature a click-and-pull buckle system with a soft strap that won’t dig into your heel; the strap allows easy adjustment. There’s an anti-slip sole.

Pros

• Super affordable
• Very portable
• Lightweight
• Decent durability
• Decent energy efficiency
• Easy to adjust buckle system
• Ergonomic foot pocket

Cons

• Propulsion and efficiency are not comparable to high-end fins
• Straps and buckles could be tougher

Mares Avanti Quattro Plus Open Heel Fin

We’ll round off the list with a relatively high-end pair of scuba fins designed for maximum comfort, thrust, and durability. They come in five different color options to complement your gear or make a fashion statement.

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These scuba diving fins are made with composite materials, unlike anything that you’ve ever seen before. The result are fins that are incredibly lightweight compared to how strong and rigid they are.

Although they’re not particularly short, they’re very light, which helps in terms of portability. When it comes to overall durability, these fins are super tough and can handle bumps and scrapes without issue.

For comfort, these scuba fins feature an ergonomically designed foot pocket that is durable. Yet, it is also intended to be relatively inflexible to provide maximum propulsion combined with minimum energy expenditure. A bungee strap buckle system is easy to adjust and quite comfortable to help achieve a secure fit. These fins will stay on your feet if you tighten them enough.

These fins feature excellent responsiveness and thrust in terms of overall performance. This is due to the quadruple channels located along the length of the fins. These Mares fins allow you to go far and fast without having to work too hard.

Considering the price, we think that these are some of the best for scuba diving or snorkeling.

Pros

• Lightweight and portable
• Superior durability
• Easy to adjust
• Very comfortable
• Provide lots of thrust
• Minimum energy expenditure

Cons

• The sizing is not very accurate

Buyer’s Guide

Before you shop for scuba diving fins, there are a few factors and features to keep in mind so that you can make the best purchase possible.

Open Heel vs. Full Foot

The first thing to consider is whether you want open-heel or full-foot scuba fins. Open-heel fins are great if you wear boots to scuba dive, and they are ideal because the straps can be adjusted.

On the other hand, full-foot scuba fins are best if you do not dive with diving boots or socks. Moreover, full-foot fins are easy to deal with as there’s nothing to be adjusted; however, achieving a secure fit can be a problem because they cannot be adjusted.

Fin Type

The next thing to consider is the fin type or design. There are various scuba fin designs, each having its own advantages. Before choosing a specific pair of scuba fins, we recommend doing some research on blade fins, channel fins and split fins.

If you’re looking for a combination of maximum propulsion and minimum energy expenditure and maximum maneuverability, go for either channel or split fins.

Material and Durability

Determine what the scuba fins are made of. Generally speaking, a hard plastic will do fine, although modern composite materials feature an excellent combination of durability and light weight.

Whatever the case, make sure to choose fins made with tough enough materials to take some punishment, soft enough to be comfortable, and flexible enough to allow for good maneuverability and propulsion.

Size and Weight

The other thing that you want to consider is how large and heavy the fins are. Generally speaking, larger and longer scuba fins will provide more forward thrust, but of course, larger fins are less portable.

FAQ

How Do I Choose the Right Size Scuba Fins?

When choosing the size of fins, particularly with full-foot fins, select the same size as your regular shoe size. However, for open-heel fins, you may want to choose a size larger than your normal shoe size to accommodate diving socks or boots.

Can I Wear Open Heel Scuba Fins Without Boots?

Sure, you can wear open-heel scuba fins without boots or socks, but that said, you won’t be nearly as comfortable as if you wear them.

Why are Split Fins Better?

Split fins channel water in and out of their opening rather than over their sides. This provides a spring-like action that results in a very effective kick that produces a lot of propulsion.

Can I Use Scuba Fins for Snorkeling?

There is no reason why you could not do so, although scuba fins tend to be a bit longer than snorkeling fins.

Conclusion

When it comes down to it, we think that the best scuba fins at this time are the Atomic Aquatics High Performance Full Foot Split Fin. The performance they provide you with is truly fantastic!

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