10 Best Scuba Fins for Deep Water Diving

Scuba fins are often called flippers and blades as well, moreover, back in the day, they were made from a variety of materials such as plastic, latex and even wood. However, regardless of their material, scuba fins are needed to aid the diver in swimming or snorkelling. They help the diver move much faster without exerting too much energy plus with scuba fins, you would not need to move your hands as fast. Manufacturers of scuba fins are constantly inventing new technologies and thus improving the design of scuba fins.

Nowadays, there are a great number of scuba fins designs that range in appearance, weight, comfort, size and of course, price. Most scuba fins are made from high-quality rubber, polypropylene or lightweight and bendable plastic. Most new divers simply buy scuba fins that fit their budget, however, such move is not very wise because wrongly selected scuba fins will require high energy powered kicks and this will get you tired in no time.

Plus, this will also affect your air consumption as you will begin to breathe more heavily thus you will use your oxygen tank much quicker.

Closed Heel or Open Heeled Scuba Fins?

Open-heeled scuba fins are widely available in most specialized shops and even large hypermarkets, they are great because they have a much larger pocket for your foot.

However, open heeled scuba fins are designed this way so as to allow you to wear and use dive Waterproof boots. Dive boots are necessary because they help protect your feet from blisters as well as small cuts you can acquire from sharp rocks and corals plus they will also help keep your feet in optimal temperature when you will be diving in cold waters.

Furthermore, open heeled scuba fins are great to be used for diving in locations that are rich in rubbles, sand, rocks, and sharp corals. On the other hand, closed heel scuba fins are great for beginners and swimmers that mostly snorkel rather the deep water dive.

Moreover, they are much more affordable than their open heeled counterparts. However, sadly they do not have any thermal protection whatsoever. Hence, you can only use them in warm waters. Plus, closed heel fins cannot be adjusted according to your heel size as they do not have a strap. Also, most divers report that closed heel scuba fins often cause blisters and small cuts.

Lastly, they might also slip right off your feet when you will be swimming or diving especially if you have bought wrong sized ones.

Comparison of 10 Best Scuba Fins in 2019

Top 10 Best Scuba Fins Reviews in 2019

#1 ScubaPro Twin Jet Open Heel Scuba Fins in Assorted Color

ScubaPro is a famous manufacturer of high-quality scuba fins from premium rubber and durable latex heel straps. This model is made from patented monoprene material and is available in over 6 sizes hence you will definitely find the right one for you.

Divers have reported that the patented split fin helps to create lots of propulsion with very little effort needed from the diver. Moreover, this pair of scuba fins has very little drag thanks to the vents on either side of the foot pocket.

Plus, you can easily clean them by simply rinsing the scuba fins under running water. However, if you will stain them then just wipe the dirt off with a wet wipe but do not use harsh cleaning agents.

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#2 Mares Avanti Quattro Plus Open Heel Bungee Strap Scuba Fin

Mares Avanti Quattro Plus Scuba Fins are made in Italy from a highest quality rubber material and are designed as open heel scuba flippers meant to be worn with dive boots.

Moreover, the bungee heel strap is durable and customers have reported it to be hard enough not to slip off while soft enough not to cause any blisters. Their sleek and modern design will look good with any scuba costume while their relatively lightweight construction will not strain your legs while diving or snorkelling.

Sadly, lots of customers have reported having a hard time picking the right size as the size chart is way off.

#3 Cressi Adult Diving and Snorkeling Closed Heel Scuba Fins

Cressi diving and snorkelling boots are available in a variety of sizes as well as three colours hence you will always find what you need.

They are made from reinforced rubber that makes them extra durable but a little stiff, hence most professional scuba divers suggest these scuba flippers only for men as most women have reported these Cressi Closed Heel Scuba Fins slowing them down instead of helping them swim.

Moreover, they are closed heel scuba fins and you would need to buy some thermal socks to go with these scuba fins otherwise you might risk getting blisters. The size chart has been reported to be relatively accurate however all Cressi scuba fins tend to run small so keep this in mind.

#4 ScubaProSeawing Nova Open Heel Scuba Fins

Divers love this model of ScubaPro open heel fins because they are soft, comfortable and easy to wear. They have very low drag so your feet will not get tired and you could spend plenty of time exploring the beautiful underwater world with various fish, corals and even turtles.

Moreover, they can be worn when you need fins with strong thrusts to go against currents or big waves. The high level of comfort is mainly contributed to the ergonomic foot pockets that help obtain streamlined movements that will help you move quickly.

The bungee strap is great because you would not need to adjust the strap every time as you would only need to put over your heel. This is great especially when you often wear thick diving Fishing gloves that will limit the movement of your fingers.

#5 Dive Rite Open Heel XT Scuba Fins

Dive Rite XT Scuba Fins are made from patented monoprene material that is great for frog kicks or swimming against strong currents. The strap is made from soft rubber however the strap will not break or snap because it is reinforced with a thin marine grade steel rope.

These scuba fins are great for women and men alike plus the size chart is very accurate so you should have a problem selecting the right type of scuba fins for yourself.

Furthermore, these scuba fins are great for diving or swimming in warm water with strong waves or currents.

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#6 Aqua Lung Stratos 3 Foot Fins

Aqua Lung Stratos 3 Foot Fins are made from a soft rubber material that has been tested and found great for frog kicks however these scuba fins are not great for swimming or snorkelling in high currents.

But, the scuba fins have been reported to be very comfortable to wear thanks to their ergonomic foot pocket design and extra rubber padding.

Moreover, they come with side wings that aid in precise swimming as well as improve stability.

#7 Mares Wave FF Full Foot Dive Black Closed Heel Fins from Rubber

Great scuba fins from Italian brand known as Mares, they are designed to be a closed heel and used in waters with strong currents. Moreover, their hydrodynamic design and a great blend of rubber and latex makes them lightweight and very comfortable to put on and take off.

The fins are slightly bigger than their standard counterparts but this makes them even better for diving in deep waters with strong currents as they will have much better thrusts.

Customers have said these Mares Wave Full Foot scuba fins are very responsive and great for men and women alike.

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#8 Sherwood Open Heel Black Scuba Fins

Great old school fins that you can use with or without the diving costume. They are made from rather stiff rubber and might need some extra energy for thrusting.

Hence, most diving specialists recommend them for men rather than women but on the good side they do offer good speed and are very responsive.

The open heel design will require you to buy diving booties separately but the steel reinforced strap was said to hold them perfectly in place. Plus, you can choose from several sizes as well as colour options.

#9 Atomic Aquatics Split Fin

Atomic Aquatics Split Fins are made from a patented mix of materials that makes them lightweight, durable and very fast. Moreover, divers love them and have often cited them as the best scuba fins for warm deep water diving as well as surface snorkelling.

They are easy to put on and take off plus you can easily bend them for travel as this will make much more compact. Also, they are available in several fun colour patterns and the size chart has been reported to be accurate for men and women.

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#10 ScubaPro Jet Fins Open Heel Scuba Fins for Diving and Snorkeling

These scuba fins are entirely made out of durable and bendable rubber material that is lightweight and easy to clean. Customers have loved this model for many years thanks to its great design and long lifespan plus the ScubaPro manufacturer offers a lifetime warranty.

Moreover, they have very low drag due to the many small vents in the scuba flippers. This also helps with increasing the power of thrusts while decreasing the energy needed to perform them.

The heel strap is reinforced with stainless steel thin rope inside hence you can expect it to last for a long time without snapping or breaking thus rendering the scuba fins useless thereafter.

How to choose the right fins?

Scuba fins are made with several types of scuba fins that vary in their weight and speed capability. As mentioned above, open heeled scuba fins are often worn in cold waters and are preferred by swimmers wanting versatile and easy to adjust fins.

However, open heeled fins will need to be worn with diving booties otherwise they will cause blisters and possible small cuts. Moreover, closed heel fins are best worn for swimming and snorkelling but not diving as they are very likely to slip off.

Paddle fins are often bought by beginners wanting to have an easy to adjust and versatile scuba fins that are not too heavy to pack for travels. Plus, paddle fins are great fordiving and swimming in waters with high currents as they offer the maximum up and down motion that allows for great speed without straining your legs too much.

On the other hand, split fins are designed to be much swifter and quicker deep underwater. Sadly, if you are planning on simply swimming or snorkelling then these scuba fins will be useless. However, if you have a planned out deep water dive then split fins are exactly what you are going to need to have the ultimate diving experience.

Conclusion

Before you set out to select the best scuba fins for your next vacation, think about what scuba fins you really want. If you have local specialized shops nearby, it might make sense to take a trip down to try several different types of scuba fins to understand what will fit you the best.

Moreover, think about whether you are going to snorkel, dive or swim using the scuba fins as this will determine what type of scuba flippers you need. Plus, women are often more comfortable with open heeled scuba fins. However, you would also need to buy dive booties to go with the open heeled scuba fins.

Furthermore, they are more suitable for cold waters whereas closed heel will become the perfect pick for warm waters as well as simple snorkelling or swimming with a face mask. Lastly, look at the material that the scuba fins will be made out of because it will determine how soft or stiff they are going to be.

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