New and first fins: ready for a new embarras du choix?

[Calatinus]

Hi all

Here I am again with a new dilemma: the purchase of open-water fins.

The BP/Ws are still under evaluation, but I'll come with an update soon Went for my first open water dives in 5 °C, and 7 + 3/5 mm wetsuits were absolutely fine (for now).

In summary, I don't like floppy fins, and want to invest in high-quality fins that will last for a long time, and please me a lot. Everywhere I look, tech fins are recommended for cold-water dives, but I reckon that's because of the drysuit most wear in those circumstances. I'm also not quite sure tech fins are the go-to choice for beginners, as they might result in a terrible power-to-effort ratio for inexperienced divers mostly flutter kicking, although I don't exclude tech diving in the long run.

I'm looking for a not-too-floppy fin with a good power-to-effort ratio, and that is fit for both basic flutter kicking, and more specialised, controlled kicks, like a frog kick or backwards kick (which is why I didn't include the Scubapro Seawing Nova just yet, opinions seem to differ). I've been looking at some fins, and have come up with these:

• Mares Avanti Quattro Plus (seem to win every time as the best all-rounder)
• Mares Excite Pro (I suppose these are a bit stiffer than the Quattro's? Other advantages or disadvantages?)
• Zeagle Recon
• Aqua Lung X-Shot
• Aqua Lung Express Adj.

I've done my first open-water dives with rented Aqua Lung Stratos fins, and I guess they're fine, but at times I didn't feel quite as stable as I'd hoped (although maybe that's just because of my general inexperience and poor trim so far). In either case, this thread will end in "I'll just try different ones and see which work best for me", but I'd like to get (your) first impressions: why would you pick one fin over the other, what are the main differences between these, and which would (absolutely not) be a good choice for a beginner with a wish (and perhaps, potential) to grow further in scuba diving? Additionally, the dive store only has a limited offer of rentals.

What do you think?

Thanks!

C.

 

[lexvil]

Of those on the list I would put the Zeagle Recon at the top of the list. Regular Seawing or even the gorilla version are very good all around fins but are a touch unstable feeling with frog kicks, the new Super Nova seems to have corrected this and have become my first choice with my Recons falling to back up.

I recently went to Mexico for a non dive trip and was able to squeeze in a few dives, the ability to take them apart helped with taking them along.

this is my experience, third Would be Jets for cold or Go sport for a light weight version of the Jet.

 

[Lorenzoid]

I'm also not quite sure tech fins are the go-to choice for beginners, as they might result in a terrible power-to-effort ratio for inexperienced divers mostly flutter kicking, although I don't exclude tech diving in the long run.

You will likely buy new fins within a few years. Some divers have a closet full of fins they have bought over the years. Buy what you believe is best for you now. But it sounds like a few years from now you will be buying heavier, stiffer fins for drysuit diving. The Schelde estuary is calling you!

 

[Cheizz]

Just to be clear: they're for local diving mostly? Or do we need to keep size and weight into consideration for travel purposes?

The Mares Avanti Quattro+ are great all-rounders indeed. I had them and sold them again. For two reasons: 1. they're quite big/long (shorter fins pack easier for travel); 2. the rubber heel strap seems 'meh. Never had a real issue with them myself, but I would switch them out for steel straps.

What I do like about jetfin-style fins is their durability and added precision (and the shorter length). There are many different options there. All types of buoyancy and stiffness profiles. And not all of them are terrible at flutter kicks.

 

[Calatinus]

Just to be clear: they're for local diving mostly? Or do we need to keep size and weight into consideration for travel purposes?

The Mares Avanti Quattro+ are great all-rounders indeed. I had them and sold them again. For two reasons: 1. they're quite big/long (shorter fins pack easier for travel); 2. the rubber heel strap seems 'meh. Never had a real issue with them myself, but I would switch them out for steel straps.

What I do like about jetfin-style fins is their durability and added precision (and the shorter length). There are many different options there. All types of buoyancy and stiffness profiles. And not all of them are terrible at flutter kicks.

Mostly local diving, indeed. And indeed, I would, with any fin, switch the straps (if necessary) for steel spring-style straps.

 

[Ontwreckdiver]

Mares Avanti Quattro+ for sure. They are the best all around fin you can buy. I use mine for traveling and up here at home when I can dive wet.

 

[Boarderguy]

Mares Quattro for sure. I've had mine for 20+ years. I have my original set of XL that are now used with my drysuit, a set of regular that are my wetsuit fins, and a pink set of regular for my wife. Once she decides if she wants to dive anymore she'll get a new set of the baby blue Quattro. They are by far the best all around I've used. You can't go wrong with them unless you're diving caves or wrecks that require smaller blades and dog kicks only.

 

[halocline]

The avanti quattros are very popular fins. There are variations of Mares paddle fins; I've had a few different pairs and I like them all. My favorites are the full foot 'superchannels' that I use boat diving in the Caribbean. But they are not the stiffest fins.

Whoever said that you will end up with several pairs of fins is probably right! There's no perfect fin and we're all chasing that unicorn. It's always best to try them out if you can. If you can't, buy something versatile and neutral, unless you are in a drysuit and sure that you will need negative fins.

 

[Rilelen]

Another vote for the avanti quattros - I have the Mares superchannels (which are quite similar), but have swapped fins with my friends who have avanti quattros and love them both.

 

[Joneill]

Another vote for the avanti quattros - I have the Mares superchannels (which are quite similar), but have swapped fins with my friends who have avanti quattros and love them both.

Just make sure you buy an extra set of the rubber bungee straps - I had one strap break as I put the fin on for the first dive on my Raja Ampat Liveaboard in December and the fins were bought new in 2021.

I ended up using a pair of Scubapro Go Sport loaners from the boat for the rest of the trip. They did the job OK, but I much prefer the Quattro + fins.

When I got back home, I replaced both straps and bought a set of backups.