Freediving doesn’t require much equipment. This sport is all about connecting with the ocean and using the power of your own body. With that being said, one essential bit of gear are a pair of freediving fins.
Having the right pair of freediving fins will help you to dive deeper, propel you faster through the water, and use less effort (and wasted breath). Ultimately, a pair of powerful fins will make freediving easier and more enjoyable.
There are many considerations to make though, with all of the different styles and materials available. Here is our guide to finding the best freediving fins currently available.
What Are Freediving Fins?
Freediving fins, also known as flippers, are used to propel the diver through the water with ease. Fins are worn on the feet, allowing for more thrust and power when kicking.
The main thing to note about freediving fins compared to regular swimming or snorkelling fins is that they have a larger surface area. They are significantly longer, allowing the diver to displace more water – resulting in more power. Freediving fins also feature a “snap” blade which provides a second boost while swimming.
Types Of Freediving Fins
Freediving fins may seem like a basic piece of equipment, but there are a number of different styles and considerations.
The foot pockets are a good starting point. These can either be integrated with the blade, or attached separately. Separate foot pockets can be more convenient for travel and are easier to repair if your blade breaks.
Then there are different lengths of fins to consider. The more length you get, the more power the fin will have., However, this will also make the fins more difficult to travel with and handle. You can also choose between blades with a “snap” and ones without.
Then there is the type of material used in the blades. Different styles of fins use different materials – offering a unique experience and style. Some are more rigid, some are more durable, some are more flexible. Your choice affects the overall power of the fin, as well as how it will perform in certain waters.
What To Look Out For When Buying Freediving Fins
Having the right pair of freediving fins for your circumstances will really make all the difference to your experience in the water. Here are some f the most important things to look into before choosing a pair.
Thickness
Always consider the thickness of the rails, or tendons. These parts of the blade can provide a significantly different experience based on their thickness. Sometimes the rails are noticeably thicker – resulting in a stiffer blade. Rails that are too soft though could result in a blade that gets overstressed, and could break easier.
Blade Angle
DIfferent blades come at different angles. The angle will affect the performance of the blade while swimming. Blades that are more angled tend to make surface swimming easier than straight blades.
Material
The material that the blade of your freediving fins is made out of is one of the most significant aspects to consider. Typically, blades are either made using plastic (polymer), fibreglass, or carbon fibre.
Plastic fins are the most affordable, durable, and suitable for beginners. However, the lack the snap and can easily lose their shape. Carbon fibre fins offer the best performance and snap, but are more pricey and fragile. Fibreglass fins offer a good middle ground for intermediate divers. They are very reactive and maintain good stiffness, but are very fragile.
Length
Basically, the longer the fin the more power you get. Freedivers prefer long fins in the water. The only issue with long fins is that they can be difficult to travel with – something that freedivers tend to do pretty regularly.
Stiffness
Finding freediving fins with the right level of stiffness is crucial. Softer fins will provide less thrust, while stiffer fins can be more difficult to control. Stiff fins are often more energy consuming as well – using up more oxygen.
The stiffness of the blades should be chosen with regards to your body and muscle. Smaller, lighter divers are better suited towards plastic fins while stiff carbon fibre ones are great for larger, stronger divers.
Best Freediving Fins
Choosing the best freediving fins can be a challenge as there are so many different options and styles available. Always remember that these fins need to suit your body and specific situation – it is not just a case of the most expensive products being the best. Here are some of the top product choices available for freedivers.
SEAC Motus Long Blade Fin
- Interchangeable blade
- Special technopolymer blade material
- Thermoplastic rubber foot pocket
- Emphasized flexibility
The SEAC Motus freediving fins are a powerful choice for deep divers. They feature separate foot pockets which allow for an interchangeable blade. This is ideal for travel, as well as those wanting to change the style of their blade over time. The foot pockets are pure quality, with a hard thermoplastic build and softer density rubber around the foot. This allows for optimal comfort and performance.
The blade material is a special technopolymer made with a formula that emphasizes flexibility and responsiveness. These fins are durable, flexible and user-friendly.
Cressi Pro Star Diving Fins
- Full foot pocket style fins
- Lightweight and comfortable
- Multiple compounds
- Stabilizing and directional rails
Cressi products are always popular amongst divers, and these freediving fins are a convenient choice. They are a full foot pocket style designed to provide ultimate comfort. The blade extends right from the top of the foot pocket for maximum surface area.
The blade is made from a seriously light polypropylene which is also very reactive while in water. The blades have a slight angle for ultimate efficiency while kicking. There are also stabilizing and directional rails, as well as power transmission side rails.
Scuba Pro Seawing Nova Open Heel Fins
- Made using Monprene
- Features a proprietary articulated hinge
- Wing-shaped blade
- Powerful propulsive snap
These may be some weird looking freediving fins, but they are able to produce serious power. This is thanks to the unique articulated hinge on the fin. This hinge allows for a complete pivot of the blade, and it produces impressive snap propulsion when kicking. The blades are also wing-shaped, allowing you to produce more force in the water.
These fins utilise clever engineering tricks and specialised design elements to create something completely one of a kind. They do produce amazing results though for the serious diver.
SEAC Shout Camo Fins
- 88cm – 1m in length
- Thermoplastic rubber foot pocket
- Thermoplastic technopolymer blade
- Long-blade fins
These long fins from SEAC offer everything a diver needs. They have plenty of surface area and flexibility for easy propulsion. The fins come in five different sizes and are suitable for all kinds of different skill levels.
These fins are best worn with neoprene booties. They are well known for their superior level of comfort. This model is available in an attractive dark camo colour – ideal for deep diving and spearfishing.
SIER Fins
- Split fin design
- Vertical stabilisers
- Full-pocket long fins
- Anti-slip bottoms
The SIER fins feature a clever split design down the blade. This is to create more lift and thrust with each kick – allowing you to cut through the water with greater ease.
There is less surface resistance and drag which results in less fatigue while swimming. These fins also feature vertical stabilisers which create micro tracks for enhanced performance.
Mares Razor Pro Fins
- Technopolymer material
- Long-blade fins
- Suitable for 3mm socks
- Fixed foot pocket
These freediving fins by Mares offer just the right amount of stiffness and flexibility. They offer a great, quality product for the price, and can be enjoyed by beginner or experienced divers.
The fins have a comfortable foot pocket that is designed for use with 3mm neoprene socks. Long blades, plenty of surface area, a comfortable fit and good flexibility/stiffness ratio. Everything you need in a pair of freediving fins.
Mako Spearguns Freedive Hunter Fins
- Polypropylene composite blades
- Available in a range of sizes
- Soft foot pockets
- Fixed blades
For an entry-level pair of fins, these really stand out in terms of quality. They are made using durable polypropylene composite material which provides a great level of stiffness, thrust and stability.
The fixed foot pockets use a combination of soft and harder rubber to ensure optimal comfort and performance.
Atomic Aquatics Full Foot Split Fin
- Streamlined fin
- Split fin design
- Open toe foot pocket
- Super lightweight
If you are looking for fins that are great for travel, then these would be a wise choice. They are seriously lightweight and easy to manage. With a clever split fin design, the diver will use significantly less energy and wasted breath.
There is also a comfortable open toe soft full foot pocket.You get high performance and great power in a comfortable, lightweight and convenient pair of fins.
Where Can You Buy Freediving Fins?
Finding flippers is pretty easy, and can be done at basically any major sport, dive, or surf shop. Finding specific freediving fins can be a little bit more tricky though – heading to a more specialised dive shop would be a good idea. However, there are loads of great products (including all of the ones listed above) available online. Shopping online is a great idea, as it allows you to choose the exact product and specifications that you are after.
Conclusion
The right set of fins are essential for anyone doing freediving. They will help you to really enjoy your time underwater and swim deeper, further and stronger. Choosing the best pair of freediving fins depends on your specific situation and strength level. All of the products listed above will make an excellent choice though, so be sure to check them out when stocking up on this necessary piece of gear.
FAQs
Can you scuba dive with freediving fins?
Yes. Scuba and freediving fins generally fall under the same category as they are both long, strong, and made for high-performance underwater swimming.
Why are freedive fins so long?
Longer fins have a greater surface area which displaces more water. This means that they provide more power and thrust when kicking – allowing divers to get deeper on a single breath.
How should freediving fins fit?
They should fit tightly around the foot with no room for wiggling. The foot still needs to be comfortable though, without any blood circulation being restricted.