XDEEP EX1 fins

[phoque]

I use the Xdeep EX1 fins myself and have been diving with them since this past summer. I was looking for a shorter blade jet-style fin and since I was already purchasing an xdeep zen bcd, adding those to my order was pretty cheap and I decided to try them out despite not being able to find a lot of feedback on the product back then.
I don't have experience with other jet-style fins to put them in perspective, so keep that in mind, but overall I have been pleased with the fins. I have the medium stiffness version (although there are no markings on the fins themselves to confirm that this is indeed the case). If my memory serves well, they weigh 2.6-2.7 kg for the pair in the size XL I use. They are negatively buoyant, but not excessively so, and I've used them in warm water just fine.
I find they have adequate power for both frog and flutter, are not so heavy that my legs get overly tired when finning harder in current, and find the stiffness level of the blade to be sufficient for control, while not overly hard so as to cause excessive cramping.
Obviously, this is quite subjective, but I have used the fins in both warm water (Hawaii) and also in cold water (Boston) and have been satisfied with their performance.
If useful and I find some time over the next couple of days, I can post pictures of the fins alongside other models I have for reference as to length, foot pocket shape, and general appearance comparison. The other fins I currently have to compare are a pair of regular Apeks RK3 (size large), and Mares Power Plana (size XXL, which I use for drysuit diving).

 

[lexvil]

I wish they’d do them in orange! Yes... I’m that superficial !

When they do I will have 3 pair, white, yellow and one day orange.

 

[Duglum]

I've used the medium and hards. I preferred the stiffness of the hards but the foot pocket isnt very good. The deep6 eddy fins are still my favorite but the hard xdeep are a bit stiffer. Foot pocket on eddy fins fins are by far the best i have used.

Sorry to exhume this thread, but, @Anthony A. , if the hard are stiffer than the eddies, would you say that the Medium are as stiff as the Eddies? Or softer?
I'd like to try the EX1 but i'm unsure if i should start with medium or hard.
Using the eddies for years makes my Scubapro Jetfins much too soft and wobbly for my taste.

 

[rvojr]

Sorry to exhume this thread, but, @Anthony A. , if the hard are stiffer than the eddies, would you say that the Medium are as stiff as the Eddies? Or softer?
I'd like to try the EX1 but i'm unsure if i should start with medium or hard.
Using the eddies for years makes my Scubapro Jetfins much too soft and wobbly for my taste.

I've been wondering the same. They recommended and I bought medium but with your comments, just get the hard. I've used the fins with dry suit and doubles but switched to jet fins.

 

[OMyMyOHellYes]

I've used the medium and hards. I preferred the stiffness of the hards but the foot pocket isnt very good. The deep6 eddy fins flippers are still my favorite but the hard xdeep are a bit stiffer. Foot pocket on eddy fins fins are by far the best i have used.

FTFY

 

[Duglum]

I've been wondering the same. They recommended and I bought medium but with your comments, just get the hard. I've used the fins with dry suit and doubles but switched to jet fins.

How do the medium compare to the jet fins then? Stiffer or about the same?
I also guess the hard ones might be the better choice, i'm just worried i'm about to purchase a piece of hardwood floor. And returning them is annoying... if they would even take them back after a test dive.

 

[LFMarm]

I mostly dive with the EX1s hard – they are much lighter than JetFins and about neutral in salt water. They are stiff but slightly smaller than the JetFins so they end up being less tiring. If in doubt, I would recommend the hard ones. The Eddys are definitely softer but have not tried them myself.

 

[rvojr]

I went down and looked at both in my basement. I express the same sentiments as LFMarm. xDeep EX1 are overall lighter and less negatively buoyant. They seem to be a touch stiffer than jet fins, but not much. I was going to get out a fish scale because a video doesn't really show how much effort is required to bend them. The EX1 were not available in larger size for my drysuit rock boots. I've been tempted to get a pair of hard just because I'm curious how different they are to swim with when I buy their smaller frame mask for my daughter. I don't think you can go wrong with either. Occasionally wiping down with something like 303 Marine Aerospace Protectant at the end of the season, they both look like new even though they have 50 dives on EX1 and 140+ on the jets. Fins are very subjective.