unregistered19
Registered
Got a pair of Go-sport Gorilla fins in orange and used them on a recent trip to Cozumel. Switched from Mares Avanti Quattro fins that I have been using in some shape or form for over 2 decades.
Both were Medium. Fit-wise, no issues with my 5mm dive boots in a US 9. Feel similar in volume, but the pocket is a touch narrower on the go-sports. Not uncomfortably so, but definitely a little snugger.
I found the go-sport more neutral feeling than the slightly negative buoyancy Mares.
Packing the smaller go-sports was not actually any easier. They are more rigid and are pre-curved meaning that they occupy just as much if not a little more real estate within a bag. That said, I was able to fit a 2x full sets of gear (full length wetsuit, BP/W, boots, fins, masks) inside a 90L wheeled Osprey bag with some creative packing.
In usage, I adapted very quickly to the new fins. I am primarily a frog-kicker. These felt "easier" to kick albeit with a little less power. With the Mares fins, I could "wiggle my toe" and get the soft flexible tip of the fin to move and adjust when I'm hovering in position for macro photos. That movement isn't possible with the much more rigid go-sports, but I found little "scoop" motions with one ankle or the other did the same thing.
Backwards finning in the scubapro fins were a lot easier. Towards the end of my trip (in cenotes), I was able to fin backwards effortlessly, and even use differential finning motions to turn as I backed up. I was not able to do this with the Mares.
Fighting current isn't something I like to do - and so I don't. But in the name of science, the go-sport do feel a little less effective than the Mares. I have no issues doing it in the moderate Cozumel current, but it definitely took slightly more effort.
No photos because they're...fins. Orange ones now vs black ones previously.
Very happy with the switch. Happy to travel with only the scubapro go-sport gorillas going forward.
Happy to answer any questions!
Both were Medium. Fit-wise, no issues with my 5mm dive boots in a US 9. Feel similar in volume, but the pocket is a touch narrower on the go-sports. Not uncomfortably so, but definitely a little snugger.
I found the go-sport more neutral feeling than the slightly negative buoyancy Mares.
Packing the smaller go-sports was not actually any easier. They are more rigid and are pre-curved meaning that they occupy just as much if not a little more real estate within a bag. That said, I was able to fit a 2x full sets of gear (full length wetsuit, BP/W, boots, fins, masks) inside a 90L wheeled Osprey bag with some creative packing.
In usage, I adapted very quickly to the new fins. I am primarily a frog-kicker. These felt "easier" to kick albeit with a little less power. With the Mares fins, I could "wiggle my toe" and get the soft flexible tip of the fin to move and adjust when I'm hovering in position for macro photos. That movement isn't possible with the much more rigid go-sports, but I found little "scoop" motions with one ankle or the other did the same thing.
Backwards finning in the scubapro fins were a lot easier. Towards the end of my trip (in cenotes), I was able to fin backwards effortlessly, and even use differential finning motions to turn as I backed up. I was not able to do this with the Mares.
Fighting current isn't something I like to do - and so I don't. But in the name of science, the go-sport do feel a little less effective than the Mares. I have no issues doing it in the moderate Cozumel current, but it definitely took slightly more effort.
No photos because they're...fins. Orange ones now vs black ones previously.
Very happy with the switch. Happy to travel with only the scubapro go-sport gorillas going forward.
Happy to answer any questions!
