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Choosing fins

There are two types of fins, full foot and adjustable heel. Full foot fins are designed to be worn with bare feet (or thin finsocks) and are ideal for warm water snorkelling and diving (especially diving from boats where footwear is often not allowed). Adjustable heel fins are worn with boots and are ideal for diving in colder waters where thermal protection is needed or when entry and exit from the water is over sharp ground and would cause discomfort if walked accross in bare feet.

Example:

     Full foot             -  Aqua Caravelle
     Adjustable heel  -  Cressi SubRodine Pro Lights

Full foot fins are sized according to your normal shoe size. Your feet should fit the fins snugly, not too tight or too loose. On some models where sizing of the fin is across several sizes (38.5-39.5 for example), your toes may or may not stick out from the end of the foot pocket.

Adjustable heel fins are sized in bands, but not all manufacturers use the same bands or descriptions. For example one manufacturer may call a fin size regular and another may call it medium, although both refer to the same actual size. See our size chart for details. When you try these style of fins on, you should do so with your boots. Your ankle should be approximately in line with the very back of the bottom of fin foot pocket.

Split Fins can be up to 40% more efficient than traditional bladed fins This is achieved by reducing water resistance and thus finning effort. They allow the fin to act like a planes wing, generating more thrust. The blades of split fins tend to be made of much softer material than traditional fins giving the fins a floppy feel on land but when under the surface this causes the water to spin in a vortex action on the downward stroke of the finning action propelling the diver or snorkeller forward.

Example:

     Full foot split fins     -  Tusa X-Pert
     Adjustable heel fins -  Oceanic V12

Channels along the length of the fin blade prevent water spilling off the sides of the blade, displacing more water and therefore improving efficiency.

Example:

    TUSA Imprex fins

There are several types of buckle assembly for adjustable heel fins, which make them easy to put on and take off, even when wearing a drysuit.

Fins are available in a variety of colours. Its a good idea to go for bright ones so that you can be seen easily underwater. Of course you can match your fins with the rest of your gear if Required. Contrary to popular myths, there are no colours that are guaranteed to attract sealife species!