Best Freediving Fins

What are the best freediving fins? This is a question that is often asked by many who are starting their freediving journey. The answer is not always straight forward. Yes, there are some types of fins that perform better than others but does that make them “better”?

A more important question to ask is “what is the best freediving fin for me right now”. The answer to that question will likely change drastically as you gain more experience. The best freediving fins for you will also depend on what type of diving you want to participate in.

In this article we will explore what separates a scuba/snorkeling fin from a freedive fin, the types of fins, and who they are best suited for.

Scuba/Snorkeling Fins Vs Freedive Fins

Go into most dive shops around the world and you will likely see racks of scuba fins, snorkeling fins, and if you are lucky a set of freediving fins. So, what separates these three types of fins?

Scuba/snorkeling fins are generally shorter, stiffer, and typically made of plastic. They can come in an open heel or closed heel design.

Open heel fins are ideal for those scuba diving in cold water that require dive boots. The open heel and strap configuration also means that these types of fins can be easily put on in the water. This makes them very appealing to Scuba divers that are entering the water from the land.

Closed heel fins offer a closer fit on the foot which can mean greater kick efficiency. Due to the closer fit, they can often only be worn with thin dive socks or barefoot. They are ideal for warmer waters and divers entering the water from a boat.

Freedive fins on the other hand will only come with closed heels to maximize your kick efficiency. As you are diving on only one breathe, it is key to maximize efficiency.

Freedive fin blades are also generally much longer, and more flexible than scuba fins. This is also to ensure maximum efficacy. Longer more flexible blades will displace more water, and thus create more thrust with each kick.

Plastic Freediving Fins

Plastic freediving fins are the most durable, cost effective, and forgiving type of freediving fin. As such, they are the best freediving fin for beginner freedivers.

Plastic blades hold up the best to any bumps or scraps that may occur as a beginner learns technique and builds endurance.

When freediving in a pool, plastic blades are ideal. They can handle the wear and tear of hitting the pool bottom better than fibreglass or carbon fibre. Due to their reduced cost, you can train with less worry and stress that you will damage them as well.

Plastic freediving fins blades aren’t very snappy, which results in a reduction in power transfer from the leg to the blade. This means decreased efficiency and greater exertion required for each kick. Plastic is also more likely to deform and lose its shape over time, further effecting efficiency.

Fiberglass Freediving Fins

Once a freedivers skills have improved, they might start looking into fiberglass fin blades. Fiberglass fins are the best freediving fins for intermediate freedivers or those looking for increased performance on a budget.

Fiberglass freediving fins are an ideal middle ground between the low cost of plastic fins with the performance of carbon fiber. They are lighter, snappier, and more efficient than plastic fins, but also cheaper, and more durable than carbon fiber fins.

As a lighter and snappier fin, fiberglass fins are ideal for deeper dives and longer dynamic swims. A snappier fin will push against the water with each kick to bring the blade back to its original shape. This “snap” back towards the fins original shape provides added thrust with each kick.

Fiberglass freediving fins, while durable, still need to be handled with care. Their blades are very thin and susceptible to puncture damage. Be sure not to stack weight on top of them or drop them.

Fiberglass freediving fins can often be purchased with a variety of stiffness and flexibility to suit the individuals strength, size, or diving needs.

Carbon Fiber Freediving Fins

Carbon fiber freediving fins are the best freediving fins for advanced or professional freedivers. They offer the maximum amount of performance possible with freedive bifins.

Due to the nature of carbon fiber, fins made from it are extremely light while also offering an extremely powerful snap for maximum kick efficiency.

Carbon fiber freediving fins do have their drawbacks. One, carbon fiber fins are expensive. Two, carbon fiber fins are fragile. They are not well suited to freediving near obstacles such as reefs where one careless kick could result in a broken blade. Like fiberglass freediving fins, carbon fiber freediving fins blades are very thing and susceptible to puncture damage and cracks.

Carbon fiber freediving fins are an investment to help propel you to greater depths, and help you reach your full freediving potential.

Carbon fiber freediving fins can be purchased with a variety of stiffness and flexibility to suit the individuals strength, size, or diving needs.

Monofins

Monofins are a special breed of freediving fins. Unlike Bifins ( one fin on each foot), a monofin encloses both feet. So why chose a monofin? Monofins provide the largest surface area of any fin type. As a result monofins provide the greatest amount of thrust and kick efficiency. To dive as deep and/or as fast as possible, a monofin is your best bet.

However, monofins are not without drawbacks. Diving with a monofin will result in greatly reduced maneuverability. They are not suited to snorkeling or recreational freediving to visit dive sites.

Other Considerations

Integrated vs Interchangeable blade

Whether your new fins have an integrated versus interchangeable blade system is an important consideration when choosing your next fin. Integrated blades form one solid unit with the foot pocket and cannot be swapped to suit the freedivers needs. Integrated blades may also present reduced risk of user error damaging the blade or foot pocket during assembly.

If choosing an interchangeable blade, it is important to consider if you have the tools and skills necessary for assembly. Some brands of fiber glass fins do not come with a mounting screw hole predrilled and require a power drill. Unassembled carbon fiber require specialized glue to attach the blade to the foot pocket.

Do not let the extra work of interchangeable blades scare you away. They do have several advantages. They are better suited to travel as they can be disassembled and packed away ( for more information on traveling with freediving fins read our article about it here). A damaged blade in an interchangeable blade system can simply be swapped out without needing a new foot pocket. As a freediver progresses in skill, they can upgrade blade materials without purchasing a whole new fin.

Blade Stiffness

Blade stiffness, and rail stiffness are important considerations when choosing a freediving fin. Freediving fin manufacturers generally gauge stiffness in 3 categories: soft, medium, and hard.

Soft fin blades are ideal for smaller stature, lighter freedivers, and those with less leg strength. Soft fin blades require less energy consumption when finning. This stiffness of fin are ideal for straight leg kicking techniques.

Medium fin blades are most suited to those employing knee-kicking techniques when they freedive. They are also suitable for larger divers and those with increased leg strength.

Hard fin blades are most suited to large and heavy divers, or those with strong legs. They are also ideal for divers needing to overcome currents. Hard fin blades are best suited to knee-kicking techniques.

It is also possible to fin extra soft fin blades which are ideal for small and light divers or those with reduced leg strength.

Conclusions

The number of variables to consider mean that the choice boils down to individual preference and need. Consequently, choosing a new freediving fin does not have a right or wrong answer. However there are some guidelines. New freedivers should opt for cheaper more durable plastic freediving. Intermediate freedivers can upgrade to fiberglass fins to gain more efficiency and performance. Advanced and expert freedivers can opt for the best of the best and get carbon fiber freediving fins in order to maximize their performance in the water.

Even with the above guidelines, buying new fins is often an emotional endeavour. So, do what feels best to you, with the information you have hopefully learned in the article above.

Happy Diving!