Best Free Diving Fins of 2021: Complete Reviews With Comparisons
Every diver should have the best free diving fins that don’t restrict your movement and allow you to seamlessly glide through the water. Just as important as any other piece of equipment, you need the perfect pair of fins to make the experience more enjoyable. The following three pairs of free diving fins are highly recommended for experienced divers and beginners alike.
Best Free Diving FinsComparison Chart
Best Free Diving Fins Reviews
1. Cressi Long Blade Fins
![Cressi Gara Professional LD [44/45]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41t02hTHvxL.jpg)
The Cressi Long Blade Fins is thin and sleek, making it the perfect partner for spearfishing. Designed with performance in mind, these fins feature improved anatomy and allow you to channel your maximum level of power with minimal effort.
Product Highlights
The main features of the Cressi Long Blade Fins include:
- High-Performance Design
You surely won’t want to invest in a pair of fins that force you to put a lot of effort into your free diving. With the high-performance design of these, you’ll require very minimal effort to load the blades.
Hence, they are ideal for underwater activities. You’ll also be able to limit your leg fatigue, so you can free dive for longer periods.
- Elastomer Polypropylene Construction
The fluidity of the Cressi Long Blade Fins is one of its largest selling features, as it is constructed using a sleek and stable elastomer polypropylene. This material also helps to preserve the integrity of the fins, so they last substantially longer than lower quality brands. Also, they are incredibly soft in the water, so your kicks are more fluid and less exhausting.
- Full Pocket Hold
With the full pocket, your feet will become one with the fin, giving you the streamlined diving experience you’ve always desired. You also won’t have to worry about the fins slipping off your feet when you move, as they are an extension of your body.
- Thermo-Rubber Soles
For a little bit of additional grip, you’ll love the thermo-rubber soles integrated into the pockets. This gives you far more control over your kicks.
![Cressi Gara Professional LD [44/45]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41t02hTHvxL._SL160_.jpg)
- Sport Type: Outdoor Lifestyle
What to Like About It
The Cressi Long Blade Fins is highly recommended for people who are interested in reducing ankle and leg fatigue, as the fins are incredibly soft and require less effort to move. It’s also important to mention how perfectly the fins fit when sized correctly. Most likely, you won’t need to use neoprene socks for a more custom fit.
Designed to be an extension of your legs, you’ll easily be able to generate momentum while diving for increased speed.
What Not to Like About It
When worn, the Cressi Long Blade Fins isn’t as beneficial on top of the water as it is under the water. Also, since the fins aren’t as stiff as other fins, acceleration is a little tougher. When ordering, finding the correct size may be difficult, and these fins only size up to 12.
PROS
- checkReduce fatigue
- checkRequire little effort
- checkFit comfortably without socks
CONS
- Acceleration is tough
- Poor size selection
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2. Mares Razor Pro Dive Fins
Another notable brand in free diving gear is Mares, and their Razor Pro fins have a simplistic design that will offer plenty of benefits. One of their largest advantages is that they were designed in coordination with advice from a leading Italian podologist to ensure they are comfortable and ergonomic to use.
Product Highlights
The main features of the Mares Razor Pro Dive Fins include:
- Interchangeable Blades
Compared to other fins where you have to replace them entirely, these offer interchangeable fins. This means you can alternate styles depending on the underwater activity you’re doing, instead of having to buy whole pairs of fins for each task.
- Specially Designed Foot Pockets
The foot pockets in these fins were designed with assistance from a podology clinic in Italy. They feature a thicker instep and tensioners placed under the arch so you’ll achieve maximum efficiency with limited energy expulsion. Wearers will also find that the fins are some of the most comfortable on the market.
- Variable Thickness
The blades on the Mares Razor Pro Dive Fins feature variable thicknesses that help to make them more efficient through different finning movements. You’ll have an intuitive flexion curve for optimal elasticity and agility.
- Side Ribbing
The side ribbing, also known as stringers, on the fins help to channel water flow more effectively so that you can move seamlessly through the water. It also helps to reduce lateral slippage and increases thrust.
- Technopolymer Construction
With the use of technopolymer, the fins offer stability and strength in areas where other fins wouldn’t. Your movements will be effortless yet still powerful and they will remain lightweight when on your feet.
- Foot pocket incorporates comfort and efficiency
- Side ribs support blade, channeling water flow
- Ample 22 degree angle of blade natural extension of the leg
- Side ribs (Stringers) prevent lateral slippage
- Design consulted by leading Italian podologiest
What to Like About It
You’ll immediately notice the lack of effort you need to put into free diving with these fins, which makes them an exceptional choice for beginners. You’ll also get a fantastic thrust off and be able to easily move through the water. Besides, they fit as if they are an extension of your legs, which makes your underwater movements natural and fluid.
What Not to Like About It
The Mares Razor Pro Dive Fins isn’t the best option for travelers, as it is slightly difficult to pack. With that said, you can remove the fins to make them more compact. Divers have also noted they are a little difficult to get into and the sizing is slightly off by half a size, so you may need to consider wearing neoprene socks.
PROS
- checkRequire limited effort
- checkPerfect for beginners
- checkGreat thrust off
- checkFluid underwater movements
CONS
- Difficult to pack
- Hard to get into
- Sizing may be off
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3. MAKO Spearguns Hunter Fins
These free diving fins are best for the budget shopper who is still looking for a reasonable level of performance. With many features you’d find in higher-end fins, they’re adaptable to all diving styles. Designed for stealth while underwater, these are highly recommended for spearfishing.
Product Highlights
The main features of the MAKO Spearguns Hunter Fins include:
- Polypropylene Composite Construction
Both fins are made entirely from polypropylene composite so that you have the highest level of stability and the easiest experience with thrust. The agility you’ll experience when underwater can assist you with capturing your prey with far less effort.
- Soft Foot Pockets
The foot pockets are the perfect combination of soft and hard, where needed. You’ll find they’re quite comfortable, especially when compared to other free diving fins around the same price point. They also have a stiffness that ensures you have a higher amount of transferred energy to put to good use.
- Entry-Level Design
Overall, the MAKO Spearguns Hunter Fins is designed with very minimal features, which is ideal for people who are new to free diving. You won’t have to worry about any high-tech components; all you have to do is slip them on and get into the water.
- Freediving fins with polypropylene composite blades designed to maximize thrust and stability
- Foot pockets are soft for comfort where needed, but stiffer where needed for increased transfer of energy
- Fixed blade freedive fins (foot pockets permanently attached) for any skill-level, including beginner free divers
- High-quality freedive fins provide excellent power, control, and comfort
What to Like About It
As someone who is testing the waters and determining whether free diving is right for them or not, these are a great pair of fins to consider. They are very basic but help you to understand the ins and outs of diving. One of the most notable advantages is how they are very efficient, helping to reduce fatigue.
What Not to Like About It
The quality of the MAKO Spearguns Hunter Fins leaves much to be desired, as the harder plastic is prone to breakage. You may also find that depending on your skill level and experience, they may be a little too stiff for long underwater excursions.
PROS
- checkEasy for beginners
- checkSimple to get into
- checkEfficiently designed
CONS
- Quite stiff
- Poor quality
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Buyer’s Guide
Without the proper free diving fins, you’ll be exerting far too much energy when you submerge, not to mention you won’t be able to maneuver your body with ease. There are multiple features that the perfect fins should have, including:
1. Blade Material
There are a few different materials your fins might be made out of, each of which has its advantages and disadvantages. The most popular include a polymer (plastic), fiberglass, and carbon fiber.
- Polymer: This is a fantastic material for beginners who need durability and affordability. It’s likely you’ll be dragging your fins against rocks and other hard surfaces when you start, you’ll need a more rugged material. For experienced divers, polymer typically has less power transfer and over time, they may lose their shape.
- Fiberglass: If you’re interested in going deeper with your dives, you’ll want to consider transitioning to fiberglass as it gives you better snap and better power transfer. Over time, they won’t lose their shape or stiffness. With that said, fiberglass is also far more expensive than polymer and they’re also more fragile.
- Carbon fiber: Many free divers prefer carbon fiber over all else as they offer the best performance and are lightest blades to wear on your feet. They’re highly reactive and give you the ability to easily navigate through all types of weather conditions. However, they are the most fragile material and require a lot of attention and care if you’re packing the fins or wearing them in shallow water.
2. Foot Pockets
The foot pockets are where your feet will slide into the fins so that they become an extension of your body. Not only should they be comfortable, but there are also two different types to choose from: separated and integrated (full).
- Separated: These foot pockets will usually be fastened using two clips on the side rails, which is ideal for people who are constantly taking their fins on and off. They’re also recommended for people who frequently switch their blades due to wear and tear.
- Integrated: Integrated foot pockets can be more comfortable, especially if you want your fins to feel like they are a part of your body. This design is far more streamlined and reduces a lot of drag once you’re in the water.
3. Tendon Thickness
Commonly referred to as the rails, the tendons on your fins give them the support they need. If you opt for fins that have thick rails, they’ll make the fins stiffer, whereas thin rails will make the blade less supported. The thicker the rails, the less likely the fins will be overstressed to where they break.
4. Comfort
The majority of your comfort will come directly from the foot pockets and as you will be under the water without any excess equipment, you need to make sure you don’t have anything impeding your diving.
All foot pockets are created differently, though it’s advised you consider fins that are designed with orthopedic support in mind. They should be fully cushioned and should also be sized properly to your feet.
5. Stiffness
The stiffness of the blades on your free diving fins will depend mainly on your experience level and preference. Some divers prefer stiff fins, whereas others find they impede their efficiency. It’s all about finding the perfect medium for how you prefer to move in the water.
Fins that are too soft typically require extra movement, which means you’re likely to become more fatigued and use up more oxygen. Another downside to soft fins is the likelihood of lactic acid build-up. Stiffer fins, on the other hand, help you to go deeper with less effort.
Best Free Diving Fins FAQs
1. How Do I Size Free Diving Fins?
When you’re sizing free diving fins, you’ll want to pay attention to the foot pocket. Depending on the manufacturer, it’s likely the foot pockets are sized similarly to regular shoes. For example, if you wear size 10 shoes, you’ll need a size 10 pair of fins.
It’s also important for you to think about available space in the fin. If you’re ordering your fins online and find they are slightly too large but not too big to wear, you need a new size.
You may need to consider wearing neoprene socks to make them fit perfectly. If you want to wear socks with your fins, it’s recommended you size up from your regular shoe size.
2. What Is the Best Stiffness for Free Diving?
Professional free divers suggest that very stiff fins are the best option for people who want to dive deeper with less effort. The blades of your fin will easily cut through the water so that you have the most fluid movements possible. For beginners, though, choosing a softer fin is more beneficial.
With soft fins, you won’t have to worry about breaking them in the water if you accidentally kick past a coral reef or a rock. Also, they allow you to get the true feeling of free diving fins.
3. How Do I Free Dive with Fins?
There are multiple finning techniques you can use once you’ve received your fins in the mail. It’s highly recommended you consider testing them out in a pool before heading out into a lake or an ocean, as it will help you to learn which technique is best for you.
Beginners should use the following tips when figuring out the correct positioning:
- Keep your head in-line with your body
- When kicking, use even strokes with straight legs and move the fins equally as far backward and forward
- Keep your upper body parallel with the bottom of the pool
4. What Are the Best Fins for Spearfishing?
There are three main features that best spearfishing fins should have, and they are reactivity, comfort, and durability. Your ideal pair of fins should limit the amount of energy you expel as you move throughout the water, allowing you to reserve more energy.
If you’re serious about spearfishing, it’s highly recommended you invest in carbon fiber fins with a comfortable foot pocket that you can wear for hours on end.
5. How Do I Wear Free Diving Fins?
If it’s your first time wearing free diving fins, knowing how to put them on quickly can be a process until you get a little more experience. With these easy-to-follow steps, you’ll be able to get under the water quickly:
- Step #1: While standing, cross one leg over the other and lean against a friend or a wall.
- Step #2: Using the opposite hand, take your fin and slide it onto your foot, repeating this step with the other leg as well.
- Step #3: Adjust your fins as necessary if you’re wearing separated instead of full foot pocket fins.
Our Final Recommendation
Our recommendation for the best diving fins is the Mares Razor Pro Dive Fins because it is great for beginners and advanced users alike. The fluidity of the fins gives you the ability to navigate through the water with minimal effort. Also, they fall well in between stiff and soft, so you’ll be able to use less energy when you dive.
