Thoughts on Avanti Quattro Power (not Quattro +) fins?

[GDMP]

Hi All,

Does anyone have much experience with these fins in comparison to other fins?

I'm looking for a versatile, powerful fin that travels well and doesn't require boots (have some wetsuit socks, which are fine). Ideally would work with all kick styles, including frog kicks. Fins that could work for freediving, for I might give that a go soon. Something roughly neutrally buoyant. I look after myself physically, so I'm open to stiff fins. Fins less than £150 would be ideal.

On paper, the Quattro Powers look really good — full foot, powerful but not too long, not too heavy, suited to freediving too... but I can't find many reviews on them, and most reviews are confounded by conflicts of interest.

I really, really like the Quattro + fins as all rounders, but the straps are rubbish and I had to wear boots when using them. I'm drawn to diving in strong currents, and I know lots of guides in places I've dived with fierce or random currents (Alor, Maratua, etc) use freediving fins for their extra power. Cressi Gara fins seem very popular among them, but those long blades seem to preclude frog kicks and wouldn't be ideal for wrecks, though they seem to be fine for muck diving due to their buoyancy.

So, does anyone have an informed opinion on the Quattro Power after giving them a fair trial?

Or suggested alternatives?

If anyone chimes in, thanks in advance for your help

(Edit: I now realise there's a Fins forum. Sorry, I'm new here and didn't realise — had searched the boards for info about Quattro Power fins, but don't find the navigation here intuitive.)

 

[FreqFlier]

I have no experience with Quattro Powers and I hate the idea of a full foot fin. IMHO open heel fins offer much more flexibility, but that's just me.
I have Mares Excite Pro open heel fins that tick all them boxes you've mentioned. Relatively short and light (travel), pretty much neutrally buoyant and very powerful. And yes, boots are needed.
Have a look at ScubaPro's modular fin system. Fully exchangeable foot pockets (open heel and full foot) with Seawing or S-Tek blades.

https://scubapro.johnsonoutdoors.com/us/shop/fins/modular

 

[GDMP]

Thanks for your thoughts!

I haven’t tried those Mares fins, I’m curious to.

Definitely keen to try to find a full-foot solution though, if not then maybe some thick wetsuit socks with a smaller size of open heel fins could work well. (I usually use XL fins but might need a smaller size if using socks alone.)

 

[happy-diver]

Avanti Quattro Power SCUBABOARD - Google Suche

 

[lowwall]

I have not tried the Avanti Quattro full foots. But most of my dives have been in the similar full foot Mares Superchannels. They tick all your boxes and are relatively inexpensive. I've timed them against a bunch of other open heel fins (including Scubapro Go Sports which I use when I have to wear boots) and they are noticeably faster at both moderate and hard exertion levels.

 

[GDMP]

Thank you both
@happy-diver, I’d already searched the boards and read relevant threads, I just thought more people might have feedback since those prior messages.
@lowwall, sound good, will check those out too!

 

[Bruno Z]

Late reply...

I have been using the Quattro Power for about 25 years as my warm weather fins of choice, for scuba, freediving, snorkelling etc.
I can't think of any other fins that I like more. They are incredibly durable (apparently some years more than others, my old silver ones seem eternal), very powerful (much more than the Quattro), great acceleration and top speed (possibly the best) if you need it, can push any amount of gear, great rescue fins, nothing beat them in strong current (saved my dives a number of times). They are not sinking too much, good balance. They work well with any kick style, great frog kick and reverse frog or any 3D positioning. They are stiff enough to be easy to position where you want them to be in cramped spaces. Thanks to the ridges and the channels they do not slip sideways. They fit in a reasonable suitcase, unlike most freediving fins.
Now the minuses: they are demanding, you need strong legs, ankles and feet. Takes me a few days to get my legs back into shape whenever we do a scuba holiday. The foot pocket is reasonably tight but a bit dated comfort wise, I would highly recommend a 2mm sock (I use the Beuchat Mundial) to avoid chaffing on the malleola (especially the outside one). They can take a bit of practice to put on. For casual freediving or spearfishing down to 20m they do very nicely (I wouldn't take them for deeper dives but I am sure that some people do), the acceleration is great, but they can work your HR up if you don't have yet the legs for them. For scuba, they might increase your air consumption if you are not used to them (not my case anymore, rather the opposite especially in current). Not the best surface fins, you have to adapt your kicks.
These fins are very popular with dive guides in some parts od the world for good reason.
I would love to see Mares updating them with one of their more modern comfortable foot pockets.

 

[halocline]

I have a 20 year old pair of superchannels which i really like when I don’t use open heel fins.

 

[arkstorm]

I hate the idea of a full foot fin.

Why is that exactly?

 

[BoltSnap]

Why is that exactly?