As a freediver, there are three key pieces of equipment you need: a freediving snorkel, a freediving mask, and last but certainly not least, the best freediving fins you can get.
Freedive fins are probably the most recognizable piece of freediving gear because they’re much longer than scuba diving fins. Not only are they longer than scuba fins, they feature a full foot pocket that encases the entire foot for a comfortable fit that feels like the fin is a natural extension of the diver’s own legs.
Today, we are going to go over five of the top rated freedive fins. In this guide, you’ll find 5 mini freediving fin reviews where we talk about the features of the fin and what customers had to say about the product. To help you find the best fins for diving, we will go over important things you should take into consideration when buying fins.
We have a lot of ground to cover, so let’s get started!
Product Name | Our Rating |
|---|---|
Best Freediving Fins | |
Best Freediving Fins
Winner: Cressi Gara Long Blade Fins
The Cressi Gara Long Blade Fins are made from a durable and flexible elastomer polypropylene. Notable Features of the Cressi Gara Long Blade Fins include:
Divers wearing these flexible fins will be able to dive deeper without using a lot of force, which will allow them to dive longer without suffering from muscle fatigue. The foot pocket is made from an elastomer thermo-rubber material that creates a snug fit around your foot.
Experienced divers will appreciate how lightweight the fins are, but also how flexible they are. Divers can swim in cold water without worrying about the fins becoming stiff and difficult to use, which is a common problem with softer blades.
Source: cressi.com
OUR RATING
The fins are longer than regular scuba fins so you can expect to experience better forward propulsion, but since they are soft, they won’t help you dive faster, just easier.
When looking at what people had to say about these fins, many customers had great things to say. Customers appreciated that these fins are quite powerful. One customer reported being able to dive 30 feet with very little effort or muscle fatigue.
Customers went on to say that the foot pocket was comfortable and fit their foot well. People especially liked that they could dive in colder water without worrying about the fin becoming stiff.
On the other hand, there were a few people who didn’t have such great experiences with the fins. These customers reported that the foot pocket was on the narrow side, and those with wide feet would find these uncomfortable to wear in the water.
One person said they sized up and while the front of the foot pocket fit, the heel was loose, and they needed to wear thin neoprene socks to get a good fit.
Runner Up: Mares Razor Pro Spearfishing Full Foot Fin
The Mares Razor Pro Spearfishing Full Foot Fin was created in collaboration with a leading foot clinic in Italy. Notable Features of the Mares Razor Pro Spearfishing Full Foot Fin include:
This collaboration resulted in adding extra thickness to the instep and the tensioners located under the arch, thus making the fin much more comfortable and supportive to wear for those longer dives. Also, these fins feature blades that have varying thicknesses that helps the blade to bend easily throughout the various stages of the fining action.
These blades also feature channels and lateral stringers that help water flow toward the V-tip at the front of the blade. This design feature allows you to achieve maximum power without exerting a lot of energy. Not only will you achieve optimal thrusting power, but the tip also helps prevent against lateral slipping.
Source: ebay.com
OUR RATING
When looking at what people had to say about the Mares Razor Pro Spearfishing Full Foot Fin, we were impressed to see that most customers had positive things to say.
People liked that these fins were ideal for both novice and intermediate divers, and they were a great option for those who didn’t want to spend a lot of money on fiberglass or carbon fiber freediving fins. Customers also appreciated that the foot pocket was comfortable to wear with or without a boot.
On the other hand, several people were disappointed in the sizing for these fins. These customers reported that the sizing was way off and they actually needed to size down one or more sizes in order to get a good fitting fin. One customer recommended sizing down one size and wearing a neoprene sock to get that snug fit.
Customers also commented that while they appreciated having a removable blade, trying to get the blade back into the tracks are difficult, especially since the tracks tended to fold in on itself while trying to put the fin back in.
Alternative: Cressi Gara 3000 LD Fins
The Cressi Gara 3000 LD Fins are long blade, entry-level fins that feature soft blades perfect for those who are new to free diving or spearfishing. The soft blades allow for an effective transfer of power without requiring the diver to exert a lot of effort. Notable Features of the Cressi Gara 3000 LD Fins include:
This makes the fins much more comfortable and beginner-friendly. Of course, experienced divers will appreciate these fins because they’ll be able to dive deeper and longer without experiencing leg fatigue.
These fins are constructed using Cressi’s triple molding process that uses different compounds to create a flexible foot area but is stiff enough to generate enough power to get you where you want to go.
If you’re used to wearing neoprene socks with your fins, you may find that you won’t require them with these fins, as the molding process ensures a comfortable and snug fit.
Source: cressi.com
OUR RATING
When looking at what people had to say about these fins, we noticed that many customers had positive experiences with the fin. People commented that while the fins to feel heavy and even on the stiffer side, they were pleasantly surprised by how well the fins worked once they got used to them.
One customer reported they were able to dive down to 33 feet with no problem. Other customers were impressed by how much fin diving is with these fins, as you can go deeper without getting tired.
With the good, there will always be some bad. The small handful of customers who left a critical review of these fins reported that the foot pocket of the fin is narrow, so if you’re a diver with wide feet, you may find that these fins are uncomfortable.
Another concern a few people had was that their fins didn’t include the carrying bag and they couldn’t reach the vendor to get a bag shipped out to them.
2nd Alternative: Rob Allen Scorpia Fins
The Rob Allen Scorpia Fins are designed to provide divers with a fin that is the perfect blend of functionality, practicality, and budget-friendliness. Notable Features of the Rob Allen Scorpia Fins include:
The fins have been dubbed to be one of the best fitting fins currently on the market, thanks to the comfortable foot pocket that’s constructed from molded rubber. The rubber prevents the diver from over-flexing, which ensures no power is lost due to inefficient fining.
The blade of the fin is softer than other blades, which is perfect for reducing stress on your legs while diving. Although the blades are softer than others, the fins compensate for that by including numerous channels down the length of the blade so that water channels smoothly without the diver experiencing lateral slipping.
Source: ebay.com
OUR RATING
This is key to ensure the water is moved along the length of the blade from foot pocket to tip, thus giving you the power to dive with minimal effort.
When looking at what people had to say about the Rob Allen Scorpia Fins, many like that these are good budget-friendly fins that gets the job done. People appreciate that they can swim easily with the fins without using a lot of force.
One customer reported they were able to dive 40 feet down and even through the currents without any problems. Some have stated that for these fins being made of plastic, they don’t compare to fiberglass, but they are still a good fin for beginners.
In terms of issues, several people were disappointed that these fins aren’t good for swimming on the surface because the fins are stiff, and they float. This is a problem because as one reviewer stated, if you swim through tunnels or caves, your feet will want to float up, which could get caught on the roof of the tunnel.
This is why it is very important to always swim with a buddy so they can come to your aid in case of a situation like that.
3rd Alternative: Cressi Pluma Full Foot Pocket Fin
The Cressi Pluma Full Foot Pocket Fin is a fin that uses molding technology that once was only used for hi-tec Cressi models. Notable Features of the Cressi Pluma Full Foot Pocket Fin include:
With the help of the patented construction system of using three different types of materials, divers will experience a light weight fin with high performance ratings, comfort, and easy fining. The blade of the fins are made from a reactive polypropylene, which provides divers with a responsive rebound.
There are also supporting grooves and ribbing on the bottom of the blade to create a bend that is both progressive and controlled. Divers will appreciate having the ability to create a powerful and fluid kicking motion without experiencing the fatigue that sometimes happen with lower quality fins.
Source: watersportswarehouse.co.uk
OUR RATING
When looking at what people had to say about the Cressi Pluma Full Foot Pocket Fin, we were impressed by how many customers had great things to say about them. People liked that these fins felt like they were made exceptionally well, but they were also impressed by how nice they looked as well.
Customers loved the price point, which is perfect for those who are on a budget. Customers said the fins felt very comfortable, even when not wearing neoprene socks. People also went on to say the fins aren’t overly stiff and they provide you with the perfect amount of flexibility to glide effortlessly through the water.
At the other end of the review spectrum, there were some people who were disappointed in the fins because they weren’t true to size. Customers reported they needed to size down one size, but they needed to wear neoprene socks to get a snug fit.
Some people mentioned the fins felt a little too flimsy for swimming in shallow water. Another person reported their pair of fins broke after the first use. Others stated they started falling apart after a couple of uses.
Remember that these fins aren't the typical long freediving type fins. Although an experienced freediver would be able to dive to great depths with this the shorter blades are less efficient than longer blades of the same quality. For recreational snorkeling these remain an excellent choice.
What To Look For In The Best
Shopping for the best free diving fins is more than just picking up whatever pair of fins fit within your budget (although this is an important thing to consider).
There are three types of diving fins you could choose from:
Plastic
Plastic blades are great for beginner freediving fins because they’re affordable and durable. These blades aren’t going to be the best in terms of performance, but again, they are best suited for novice divers.
Fiberglass
Fiberglass blades are going to be more efficient than plastic and are excellent for intermediate divers that are interested in diving a bit deeper. These blades are going to be more expensive than plastic, but cheaper than carbon fiber.
Carbon Fiber
Carbon fiber blades are going to be your best bet if you want a blade that is lightweight, have a reactive snap and are made for optimal performance.
Along with the material and your budget, you will also need to consider:
Fit And Comfort
When wearing the fins, there should be a snug fit, but not so much that it feels like it’s going to cut off circulation. The foot pocket should be made of a softer material so that it’s comfortable on your foot.
Foot Pocket
Some fins feature interchangeable blades (therefore you also have interchangeable foot pockets) so you can adjust the performance aspect of your fins without having to buy brand new.
Blade Stiffness
The stiffer the blade, the more effort you will need to use to go far. Softer fins won’t take you as far, but you also won’t need so much energy to do so.
Final Thoughts
If finding the best freediving fins is at the top of your to-do list, we hope this guide was able to help. There are a lot of fins you could choose from, but these are, in our opinion, the best of the best.
The Cressi Gara Long Blade Fins in particular are our favorite because they promote comfort and optimal performance, without breaking the bank. Besides, the Cressi company is well known and respected because they create high quality products.
Leave us a comment below and tell us your experience with freediving. Are you a beginner just diving in, or are you a skilled diver interested in finding a fun set of fins for leisure? We’d love to hear from you!
