Scubapro Go Sport Gorilla Fins - Report

[unregistered19]

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!

 

[BoltSnap]

Thank you for taking the time to post your report.

 

[gdxopc]

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!

Hi, good review! I am just looking at these Scubapro Go Sport preparing for a dive trip to Italy (all family of 3 diving). As we want to travel light an option is to rent the gear on site but I like to have my ABC kit with me at least. I like the Mares Avanti Quattro but they require a typical Diving carry-on style bag. A local shop (Norway) told me with the Scubapro Go Sport you just pack them in a medium soft-shell suitcase and they always use them themselves when they travel. I assume the thrust of the Scubapro Go Sport is less than the Mares. i wonder in strong currents how much more effort one needs to deploy with the Scubapro Go Sport...

 

[unregistered19]

Hi, good review! I am just looking at these Scubapro Go Sport preparing for a dive trip to Italy (all family of 3 diving). As we want to travel light an option is to rent the gear on site but I like to have my ABC kit with me at least. I like the Mares Avanti Quattro but they require a typical Diving carry-on style bag. A local shop (Norway) told me with the Scubapro Go Sport you just pack them in a medium soft-shell suitcase and they always use them themselves when they travel. I assume the thrust of the Scubapro Go Sport is less than the Mares. i wonder in strong currents how much more effort one needs to deploy with the Scubapro Go Sport...

Thanks!

Packability was definitely one of the reasons I picked the Scubapro fins over my old Mares. You need to get creative to fill in the space of the pre-curved fins, but they are notably shorter and easier to place within normal luggage.

I found a bit more effort required with my Gorillas in current when compared to the avanti quattro. I imagine this would be even more pronounced if you went with the softer Go Sport rather than the stiffer gorillas.

 

[BoltSnap]

I found a bit more effort required with my Gorillas in current when compared to the avanti quattro. I imagine this would be even more pronounced if you went with the softer Go Sport rather than the stiffer gorillas.

I own and used all three plus the SuperNovas (and the Tek ones but haven't used them yet). I used the Quattros for years. I find that the regular Go Sport and the Gorillas are much more comfortable and more efficient than the Quattros. The SuperNovas are miles ahead of them all. I try not to swim against currents that would exhaust me with any type of fins. Some mild currents are insignificant and I have no problem swimming with any of these fins in this type. The SuperNova is best but the Gorrillas come second. If the current is more than just "mild," I won't fight it with ANY type of fins. I plan my dives so I am not fighting against the current. It is a losing battle trying to swim against medium to strong currents. If I am caught in an unpredicted current, I'd just go with the flow and find an "out" of this current when available but I'll never exhaust myself trying to fight it.

(Just an FYI, I tested swimming with these fins trying them against each other by wearing one type on one foot and another type on the other foot in the pool and open water. Heck, I spent a whole dive trip swimming with one type on one foot and the other on the other foot.)

 

[Pearlman]

So you find the closed toebox of the supernovas more comfy than the open design of the Go-Sports?

 

[gdxopc]

I own and used all three plus the SuperNovas (and the Tek ones but haven't used them yet). I used the Quattros for years. I find that the regular Go Sport and the Gorillas are much more comfortable and more efficient than the Quattros. The SuperNovas are miles ahead of them all. I try not to swim against currents that would exhaust me with any type of fins. Some mild currents are insignificant and I have no problem swimming with any of these fins in this type. The SuperNova is best but the Gorrillas come second. If the current is more than just "mild," I won't fight it with ANY type of fins. I plan my dives so I am not fighting against the current. It is a losing battle trying to swim against medium to strong currents. If I am caught in an unpredicted current, I'd just go with the flow and find an "out" of this current when available but I'll never exhaust myself trying to fight it.

(Just an FYI, I tested swimming with these fins trying them against each other by wearing one type on one foot and another type on the other foot in the pool and open water. Heck, I spent a whole dive trip swimming with one type on one foot and the other on the other foot.)

Thanks for the tip on the SuperNovas, a model I have never paid attention and will definitely check it out. From the Scubapro videos and some other reviews it seems a good concept indeed.

 

[BoltSnap]

Thanks for the tip on the SuperNovas, a model I have never paid attention and will definitely check it out. From the Scubapro videos and some other reviews it seems a good concept indeed.

That's in a class by itself indeed. You won't look back.

Just one point: the SuperNovas are slightly longer than the Go Sports. When I dove in the Red Sea and swam between coral heads, I switched to the Go Sports fins because I thought they would be safer to use while swimming around those large coral heads that are very close to each other. It was just a precautionary estimate on my part.

 

[BoltSnap]

So you find the closed toebox of the supernovas more comfy than the open design of the Go-Sports?

Honestly, I don't remember that being an issue for me either way. I wear heavy-soled boots and fins that fit properly, so it isn't a problem for me; at least, I don't recall it being one.

 

[Nemrod]

So you find the closed toebox of the supernovas more comfy than the open design of the Go-Sports?

I have only used the Supernovas in a pool several times just to try them out. I am contrarian and will say I prefer the Go-Sport and Go-Sport Gorilla. And, I did find my toes bumping the end of the pocket, size Large.

Some places current is a given and must be dealt with. I have not found Go-Sports or Go-Sport Gorillas to be a limiting factor.