The Best Scuba Diving Fins: How to Choose

Finding the best scuba fins for your dive can be a hard decision, and they may not be top of mind when you are getting all the gear needed. However, they are one of the most important purchases you can make for a lifetime of successful dives. The best scuba fins will fit well, allow you to swim comfortably through the water, and deliver power when you need it.

There are a variety of fins out there, and it can be difficult to parse through all of the information to find the best fins for scuba diving. The type of fins that will work best for you depends on a number of factors, like how often you dive, the diving conditions you’ll be in, and your level of comfort as a diver. Some divers prefer different fins for different dive conditions (cold water, travel, currents, etc.)

Because of all of these variables, we’ve compiled a list of pointers and important tips to take into consideration before you make your purchase. This guide will provide all the info you need to ensure that you pick the best type of scuba fins for your dive.

What to Consider

The options available to divers are vast, so let’s take a look at how you can evaluate which fins will meet your individual needs.

Type of Diving

Scuba diving is often used as an all-encompassing term for any type of dive activity, but there are differences.

• Open water or recreational diving - Open water diving is open to all experience levels, letting divers take in views of marine mammals, sea critters, plants, corals, and more. While most divers prefer open-heeled fins, full-foot fins are a more affordable option and are a better choice for warm water dives.
• Travel diving - For travel, the best types of fins are lightweight, compact, and efficient. This can be a difficult combination to find, but the SCUBAPRO GO Travel Fin ticks all those boxes. The compact blade generates power, is optimized for maneuverability, and is lightweight and comfortable.
• Shore diving and dive resorts - Shore diving can include traversing stairs or rocks to get to the water’s entry point, so you’ll want to bring both durable dive boots and open heel fins. The GO Sport Fin features a “boot-fit” design, while also featuring some of the benefits of other full-foot fins, like being lightweight and easy to walk around in.
• Technical Diving - Technical divers have unique requirements when it comes to fins. Built from durable Monprene®, the S-Tek fin is designed with an ultra-streamlined profile and a 30° pre-angled blade, making it easier to achieve the desired angle of attack, especially in frog kicks, backward kicks, and helicopter turns.

Heel Type

There are two prominent heel types for fins. The first is known as an open heel foot pocket that uses a strap and is worn with a boot. The second is a full-foot fin, with no boot needed. The type you choose will depend on the type of diving you want to do and your experience level.

The pros of open-heeled fins include:

• Better for cold water diving, due to fin boots that help regulate temperature.
• Less buoyant than full-foot fins.
• Bungee straps allow for micro-adjustments for a more accurate fit.

The pros of full-foot fins include:

• Ease of use—no adjustments or boots needed.
• Better energy transfer from foot to blade.
• Often a more affordable option.
• Excellent for warm water.

To experience the benefits of both full-foot and open-heeled fins, try our Seawing Supernova fin. The innovative two-piece design makes transport easy, and with the optional full-foot pocket, the fin can be modified to handle any warm-water dive scenario.

Ease of Putting On and Taking Off

Fins are one of the most important parts of your dive gear. Open heel fins are the easiest dive fins to take on and off. With adjustable straps or an easy buckle adjustment system, you don’t have to worry about cumbersome fins.

Comfort and Fit

Trying on fins that fit in the store may not translate to fins that fit perfectly in the water. Your fins should fit snugly on your feet, like hiking boots. If your fins are not snug enough, they can cause chafing and blistering, or slip off during a dive.

Size

Fins aren’t separated into men’s or women’s sizes. Men should start with the same size as their shoes, while women should go two sizes smaller. Make sure to check size charts or try on a fin at your local dealer.

Ability to Adjust

Open-heeled fins provide the ability to adjust the fin for fit and comfort. Bungees, springs, or traditional straps allow divers to adjust their fins as needed, especially when compression changes the fit of a fin mid-dive.

Kick Stability

Kick stability is about staying stable regardless of your kicking style. Long blades generate more thrust but require good technique, while short fins are easier to maneuver in tighter spaces.

A great fin for kick stability is the Seawing Supernova fin, which adjusts its angle of attack based on the strength of your kick, providing optimal stability and maneuverability.

Power vs. Effort

Power vs. effort refers to how much power is produced versus the amount of effort put into the kick. A split fin design, like the Twin Jet II Fin, slices through water with minimal resistance, providing excellent power with minimal effort.

Maneuverability

Maneuverability is essential for divers, especially in tight spaces. Lightweight, compact fins with an effective blade are best for maneuverability.

Acceleration

How quickly you can increase speed depends on the type of fin. Open heel blade fins, like the Seawing Nova Fin, excel in providing power and acceleration in the water.

Kick Style Performance

Flutter Kicks - Effective for quick acceleration and swimming against currents. Full-foot fins are ideal for this style.

Frog Kicks - Used to conserve energy and reduce sediment disturbance. An open heel, stiff blade is best for this technique.

Surface Swimming

Blade angles are important for surface swimming. Angled blades help keep a diver’s foot in a more natural position. The Jet Club Fin is ideal for surface swimming and snorkeling.

Fin Accessories

Once you’ve selected your fin of choice, you may want to invest in fin accessories to optimize your dives.

• Skegs help minimize sideslip. The Go Sport Skegs maximize stability when kicking and maneuvering. They come in a variety of colors and are compatible with Go Sport and Seawing Supernova fins.
• Extra fin straps, like the Go Bungee Fin Strap or the Seawing Nova Fin Strap, are essential for replacement when you’re out on a trip.

Color and Style

Once you get into diving, it can be fun to start color coordinating your diving gear. SCUBAPRO offers a wide variety of fin color options from pink and blue to camo and neon yellow.

The Best Scuba Dive Fins Depend on Your Style and Type of Diving

There are many variables that go into what makes the right dive fin for you, like kick style, type of diving, diving experience, and more. This guide was designed with all of those elements in mind. Now that you’ve got a baseline, you can head into your local dealer and start scuba fin shopping!