10 Best Freediving Fins of 2020: Plastic, Propylene, Rubber
You can dive with any type of gear, but freediving fins have a specific design, and therefore, offer more advantages over other types.
Freediving fins are long and elegant. Their large size means you can easily displace a larger amount of water with a little leg movement and this makes all the difference when you've got a limited oxygen supply.
The problem, however, is the abundance of offers on the market and their variety in style, material, and overall design. This can easily overwhelm someone, especially when it's your first time.
But in this freediving fins review, you'll get a list of the market's top offers and an additional buying guide to help you make the right choice.
You can also read other product reviews of bodyboard fins , scuba gear , dive knife .
10 Best Freediving Fins – Review
|
IMAGE |
PRODUCT |
FEATURES |
|
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
1. Cressi Gara 3000 LD (Best Overall) |
|
|
|
|
2. Cressi Pluma (Best Budget) |
|
|
|
|
3. Cressi Gara Professional (Best Polypropylene Fins) |
|
|
|
|
4. Cressi Clio (Best for Beginner) |
|
|
|
|
5. Cressi Gara 2000HF (Best Triple-material Fins) |
|
|
|
|
6. Omer P7139 (22° Fixed blade Fins) |
|
|
|
|
7. Beuchat Mundial (With Technopolymer Blade) |
|
|
|
|
8. Mares Razor Pro (With Removable Blades) |
|
|
|
|
9. Mako Spearguns Freedive (Quality & Affordable) |
|
|
|
|
10. Rob Allen Scorpia (With Water Channels) |
|
|
PRODUCT |
|---|
|
1. Cressi Gara 3000 LD (Best Overall) |
|
2. Cressi Pluma (Best Budget) |
|
3. Cressi Gara Professional (Best Polypropylene Fins) |
|
4. Cressi Clio (Best for Beginner) |
|
5. Cressi Gara 2000HF (Best Triple-material Fins) |
|
6. Omer P7139 (22° Fixed blade Fins) |
|
7. Beuchat Mundial (With Technopolymer Blade) |
|
8. Mares Razor Pro (With Removable Blades) |
|
9. Mako Spearguns Freedive (Quality & Affordable) |
|
10. Rob Allen Scorpia (With Water Channels) |
1. Cressi Gara 3000 LD – Best Overall Freediving Fins
Photo: Cressi
- Sizes: US 7 - 13
- Materials: Propylene & thermoplastic
- Weight: 5.3 pounds
This Cressi Gara 3000 LD is designed for those who want the very best freediving fins at a great price. It features soft but very long blades to produce the softest thrust from the least muscle effort, making it perfect for long-distance diving. Plus, it comes with a carrying bag to make it our best overall freediving fins.
Cressi is a top brand when it comes to diving equipment, and these fins are based on Cressi's already popular Gara 3000 HF, but with improvements, such as the softer materials and the 15% increase in flexibility.
It's also more suitable for diving in cold water because cold water tends to stiffen materials. But these soft blades will guarantee you more flexibility at all times. Each blade is also designed proportionally to the diving fins' foot pocket sizing for comfort and efficiency.
When it comes to price, however, these freediving fins are one of the costliest on this list. But remember that they are Cressi diving fins and that nothing beats them for extended cold-water use.
Pros:
Cons:
2. Cressi Pluma – Best Budget Freediving Fins
Photo: Cressi
- Sizes: 3.5 - 12
- Materials: Thermo-rubber, polypropylene
- Weight: 2.7 pounds
Budget shoppers on the search for the best cheap freediving fins may appreciate this set of fins. The Cressi Pluma comes at an attractive price and it's made by molding thermo-rubber and polypropylene at the right places.
This set is also lightweight at just 2.7 pounds, so it's easy to get used to, especially by beginners. Keep in mind that it's not as long as most other freediving fins, but this makes it great for beginners, as well as for snorkeling and even scuba diving.
Its polypropylene blades ensure a powerful and fluid snap every time, while the two side ribs help you maintain better control and turns.
Because of its relatively shorter blade length, you can't go too far with these fins. But they are great for practice, offer comfortable full foot pockets, and the package includes non-slip inserts to help protect your feet.
Pros:
Cons:
3. Cressi Gara Professional – Best Polypropylene Freediving Fins
Photo: Cressi
- Sizes: US 7 - 13
- Materials: Polypropylene
- Weight: 5.3 pounds
Cressi's Gara Professional freediving fins offer you high quality and performance in one. These fins are designed to produce the maximum power with a minimum of force, thus making it perfect for long-distance diving.
The blades are very long and made from polypropylene for more fluid and longer-lasting kicks. Cressi also takes time in developing the foot pockets with a softer material for more comfort and safety.
You can also use these fins in cold water and for scuba diving. This makes it more versatile and perfect for all skill levels, including beginners and more advanced divers.
You have to keep in mind that having softer blades means less propulsion than fins with stiffer blades. In the long run, though, these fins help you save your energy over longer distances, making their softer designs very much worth it.
Pros:
Cons:
4. Cressi Clio – Best Beginner Freediving Fins
Photo: Cressi
- Sizes: US 7 - 11
- Materials: EVA, thermo-rubber
- Weight: 2.8 pounds
Designed with beginners in mind, these Cressi Clio diving fins feature ultra-soft and ergonomic foot pockets, making them perfect for divers of all ages and skill levels, including adults and children.
They are also very lightweight at just 2.8 pounds and are available in many colors, including blue , black , and yellow , so you can select a color to march your outfit.
These fins' blades are made from EVA and this makes them very responsive. So, you can use them to practice many diving forms, including snorkeling and freediving.
What you should keep in mind here, is that these fins don't have a perfect free-diving design, as they are too short and won't conserve much energy. But they are great for learning and practice.
Pros:
Cons:
5. Cressi Gara 2000HF – Best Triple-material Freediving Fins
Photo: Cressi
- Sizes: 6.5 - 11.5
- Materials: Propylene & two elastomers
- Weight: 4 pounds
This Cressi Gara 200HF is Cressi's most popular freediving fins and with good reason. It's the first set of fins in the world to combine three different materials in its production. Cressi also perfected and patented this technology.
It all starts with a soft elastomer to ergonomically secure the feet and transfer as much of the kick power as possible. Then there's the solid copolymer to harden critical points around the foot pockets and extend down to the blades.
The third material is a very reactive polypropylene, which is both lightweight and delivers maximum thrust with minimum kicks.
One thing that's not so impressive here is the price. But remember that it's a Cressi, and it's even the popular 2000HF that's one of the best spearfishing fins out there.
Pros:
Cons:
6. Omer P7139 – 22° Fixed blade Freediving Fins
Photo: Omer
- Sizes: US 6 - 14
- Materials: Thermo rubber, Polypropylene
- Weight: 6.4 pounds
Most free-diving fins feature a 15 to 17-degree angle between their foot pockets and blades. But these Omer fins feature 22° and this makes them more efficient because of better transfer of power from the feet to the blades.
An additional feature is its low price, which is interesting because these fins are performance fins. You can also remove the blades or interchange them if you want, and for the foot pockets, Omer uses thermo-rubber to guarantee the highest levels of comfort.
These fins are currently offered in black, and this is a bit disappointing because they would be perfect in nice and bright colors.
Pros:
Cons:
7. Beuchat Mundial – Freediving Fins With Technopolymer Blade
Photo: Beuchat
- Sizes: US 6.5 - 12.5
- Materials: Thermoplastic, technopolymer
- Weight: 9 pounds
Beuchat's Mundial fins are versatile fins with a bi-material construction for comfort and performance. They are great for both beginners and intermediate freedivers.
The foot pockets come from a thermoplastic elastomer that provides comfort, safety, and correctly transfers power from the feet to the blades. The blades come from a techno polymer to provide the diver with the right amount of flexibility and stiffness.
They also come with stabilizers that combine with these fin's fishtail shape to better guide the water flow and deliver more efficient kicks.
Two issues to consider here is that you can't change the blades and the fins are relatively heavy. Else, they are perfect for anyone who desires to perfect his/her diving skills.
Pros:
Cons:
8. Mares Razor Pro – Freediving Fins With Removable Blades
Photo: Mares Razor
- Sizes: US 5.5 - 13
- Materials: Technopolymer
- Weight: 6 pounds
If you are on a budget but you want fins that are nearly as good as the best carbon fiber freediving fins, then consider an option like these Mares Razor Pro fins.
Mares invested a lot in developing these fins and it paid off. You get interchangeable blades, a v-tip design to prevent slipping sideways, and a variable thickness blade for perfect elasticity and agility.
It's also a relatively lightweight set of fins and Mares offers five sizes to choose from, ranging from US 5.5 to size 13.
Unlike many other freediving fins, however, you must wear this one with 3 mm neoprene socks. But that's a small price to pay for this premium-quality set of fins.
Pros:
Cons:
9. Mako Spearguns Freedive – Quality & Affordable Polypropylene Fins
Photo: Mako Spearguns
- Sizes: US 6 - 13
- Materials: Polypropylene
- Weight: 6 pounds
The Mako Spearguns Freedive package offers you a set of polypropylene fins designed for beginners and offered at a low and attractive price.
One nice thing about this set though, is that it includes most of the features of much costlier brands, but at a cheaper price. For example, soft and comfortable foot pockets, with reinforcements only where necessary.
These fins also feature water channels and a V-tip for better water control, making them highly efficient fins and a great option for those looking to buy the best hammerhead freediving fins.
The only issue is that you can't change the blades because they are mono-fins. They are, however, beginner fins and most beginners don't care or worry about changing blades, at least for the moment.
Pros:
Cons:
10. Rob Allen Scorpia – Plastic Freediving Fins With Water Channels
Photo: Rob Allen
- Sizes: US 3 - 15
- Materials: Plastic
- Weight: 10 pounds
Rob Allen's Scorpia fins offer the beginner and intermediate the functionality and practicality of premium fins, but at a more affordable price.
These fins are designed for durability and the foot pockets feature a molded rubber construction to make them perfectly fitting while staying secure and comfortable.
Then, there are the softened blades with water channels for optimum control. Plus the green camo design to fit the rest of your gear and set you apart.
One issue with this offer, however, is the fins' weight, because they are the heaviest fins on this list. The good news though, is that they are only two pounds heavier than the next fins.
Pros:
Cons:
How to Buy the Best Freediving Fins
Photo: flickr.com
1. Size & Fitting
Freediving depends on perfectly-fitting fins to work, so it's of utmost importance that you first consider how well any pair will fit you before considering other factors. What you want is a foot pocket that feels like an extension of your legs.
If the foot pockets are too small, then they might cramp your feet and cause you some discomfort, which can ruin your entire freediving experience. If they are too big, on the other hand, then the fins won't work as intended. So, you may just end up wasting your energy without really moving.
Also consider wearing neoprene socks, as they can make a slightly bigger set of fins fit snuggly, as well as protect and keep your feet warmer. Remember to check the sock's thickness and then factor it in when going through the fin manufacturer's sizing chart.
2. Construction Materials
You'll find the best freediving fin blades from different materials, such as plastic, fiberglass, and carbon fiber. Each of these materials offers advantages and disadvantages, as you can see below.
Plastic Blades.
These are cheap and durable, so they are perfect for beginners. You don't need to take special care of plastic blades, unlike the other types. They do have disadvantages though, and this includes poorer performance and degrading effectiveness with time.
Fiberglass Blades. This material offers efficiency than plastic and it's a good choice for intermediate freedivers. The disadvantages of the best fiberglass freediving fins include a higher price tag and their fragility, which means you always have to take special care of them.
Carbon Fiber Blades. Carbon fiber blades are the most efficient and effective. They are also the most expensive and very fragile. But they are preferred by expert freedivers.
3. Skill Level
Your skill level also helps to determine the perfect set of fins for you. If you're just starting, then plastic mono-fins can do. Else, you may have to choose a more complex combination of materials and design to suit your skill and comfort level.
4. Mono-fins & Modular Fins
Freediving fins either have their foot pockets integrated with the blade, in which case they are called mono-fins, such as these Mako Spearguns fins . Or the blades and foot pockets are separate and referred to as modular fins, such as the Mares Razor Pro fins .
Mono-fins are great for beginners, but most experts go for modular fins for good reasons. First, you can choose a foot pocket from one manufacturer, but use the blades from a different manufacturer of your choice. Secondly, you can begin with affordable plastic fins and later switch up to fiberglass or carbon blades.
5. Performance
Your performance with any particular pair of fins goes beyond its size and construction materials. It also has to do with your body type and the fins' stiffness. In simple terms, you have to suit their stiffness to your body type to get the best results.
If the fins are too soft for your body musculature and abilities, then you'll need extra movement. If it's too hard, then you'll need extra energy to get going. So, you need to consider your build first, then get a pair of matching freediving fins.
For small-bodied divers, soft fins will do. For freedivers with a medium build and some muscle, medium-stiff fins will do, and for bigger divers or those with strong leg muscles, hard fins are the answer.
Conclusion
We've come to the end of this freediving fins review and you've seen the market's top offer with all their great features. Now, it's your turn to make a choice.
For a simple selection with all the right features, we recommend the Cressi Gara 3000 LD fins , which offer thicker foot pockets, proportional blades, and are very helpful for long distances.
If you are on a budget, we recommend the Cressi Pluma fins offer, with its low price, 2.7-pound lightweight, and soft thermo-rubber foot pockets.
Or, you could go for the Omer P7139 freediving fins , if you want performance freediving fins at an attractive price.
-
10 Best Freediving Fins – Review
- 1. Cressi Gara 3000 LD – Best Overall Freediving Fins
- 2. Cressi Pluma – Best Budget Freediving Fins
- 3. Cressi Gara Professional – Best Polypropylene Freediving Fins
- 4. Cressi Clio – Best Beginner Freediving Fins
- 5. Cressi Gara 2000HF – Best Triple-material Freediving Fins
- 6. Omer P7139 – 22° Fixed blade Freediving Fins
- 7. Beuchat Mundial – Freediving Fins With Technopolymer Blade
- 8. Mares Razor Pro – Freediving Fins With Removable Blades
- 9. Mako Spearguns Freedive – Quality & Affordable Polypropylene Fins
- 10. Rob Allen Scorpia – Plastic Freediving Fins With Water Channels
- How to Buy the Best Freediving Fins
- Conclusion