Lightweight tech fins

[JohnN]

I've been using Hollis F2s for a few years now, my Mares fins retired!

I've abandoned my F2's for warm water. While they are a dream for back-kicks and frog kicks, I just could not generate enough power with them for 'normal' dives, particularly if I had to fight any current

 

[cklaus]

Please help me pick my next pair of fins!

Current fins: Gull Super Mew XX size S at just a touch above 1kg per fin. Great for open water and strong currents, can do tech kicks but not extremely precise.

Looking for: lighter fins in size S that's good for technical kicks and multiple tanks.

Must be:
- at or under 1kg per fin
- comfortable foot pockets for high insteps
- adequately powerful

Considering: (weight per fin)
1. Deep 6 Eddy - 1.4lbs
2. Oceanic Accel - 1.1lbs
3. Aqualung Storm - (significantly) <1.5lbs

Excluded:
- Jet fins: too heavy; also DiveRite XT (2.1lbs), Indigo's TAC Fins (1.9lbs), Hollis F2 (1.9lbs), Tecline LightJet (1.8lbs)
- Scubapro Go: too floppy, imprecise, not powerful at all
- Apeks RK3: haven't tried but not impressed with reviews, also mostly about not being precise or powerful enough
- UTD Precision, OMS Slipstream, XS Turtle: no size S

Thanks!

I just started diving with Deep 6 Eddy and love them. Haven’t found any cons yet. Light weight. Great for trim and maneuverability. They are also stiffer than the RK3s and I prefer a stiffer fin. Excellent.

I came from Hollis F1 which I really liked but we’re too heavy for me.

 

[Lorenzoid]

I just started diving with Deep 6 Eddy and love them. Haven’t found any cons yet.

Have you dived with them in a wetsuit several times a day for a week? For me, it inevitably means blisters. Even with lycra socks.

 

[wetb4igetinthewater]

While I was diving in Belize, I had neoprene shoes (small 3 mil ones, horrible for shore diving where you have to walk over rocks. Plan to upgrade to a better boot. My Deep 6 thick boots were overkill for those waters.

I can't imagine not having a better soled boot for any fins (except for full foot). Given the stiffness of the material, a boot makes sense to me. It is a about tradeoffs. I will wear a shoe for more control. Always have in warm water diving with previous fins (like Mares, can't wear those without a boot either).

 

[Marie13]

I’ve used 5mm neoprene boots from DGX in the past with Deep6 fins when I was diving wet a few years back. Not terribly expensive and they were comfortable. Not sure if they still offer them.

 

[Marie13]

These are the DGX boots. $30.

DGX Watersports Boots - 5MM Neoprene

The DGX Watersports Boot is a heavy duty design from { 0.2 in | 5 mm } neoprene with a hardened anti-slip sole to make this boot durable yet offering a contoured fit.

www.divegearexpress.com

 

[Paul M]

Just ordered a pair of the regular RK3’s to see how they compare to my Mares Avanti quattro’s.

I have also tested the quattro's (with rubber bungee straps). I liked them. I could frog, back and flutter etc. For me though, I have just become very accustomed to shorter fins and that was the only dealbreaker. They where a pretty good all rounder though.

 

[Dan]

I have both Mares Avanti Quattro+ and the Tecine Lightjet... they feel very similar in the water. Obviously, the Teclines are shorter and a touch wider, but just as powerful as the Mares. They weigh the same too: 2020 grams a pair (Regular/Large).

+1 for Mares Avanti Quattro +

 

[Searcaigh]

I've abandoned my F2's for warm water. While they are a dream for back-kicks and frog kicks, I just could not generate enough power with them for 'normal' dives, particularly if I had to fight any current

If I know I'm going to be in possible current that requires hard work then I will definitely bring my Mares fins (e.g. Musandam diving here in Oman).

 

[uncfnp]

Just ordered a pair of the regular RK3’s to see how they compare to my Mares Avanti quattro’s.

What was the verdict?