I have two pairs: 1) Mares avannti Quattro + (Porsche 911 among fins) 2) Sea Singer. Even owner of Scubapro jet fins will surprise how good they are (super solid, rubber jet fins with drainage holes and metal spring) Highly recomend for drysuit set.
I just bought some Seawing SuperNovas which come in black and white. I ended up choosing white for video post processing. I'm thinking that before taking a shot I can film the my white fin and have it as a point of reference for color correction during video post processing.
Great video! My partner and I use the Scubapro Seawing Nova open heel fins in combination with the 5mm Scubapro Everflex boots on all our snorkeling and warm water dives. On the dive/snorkeling boats we can easily put the fins off and on, walk around without slipping and easily go up the ladder (thick rubber sole of the boots). Another great advantage is that they are very light (perfect for traveling), come in so many different colors to recognize each other easily in the water (my partner uses pink and I use the black or the white version) and the fins are very comfortable when using in the water. They are surprisingly great as well for frog kicking.
I got the Apeks RK3 HD about 2 years ago. I like them a lot but felt my legs got a bit heavy at times and noticed (watching video of myself) at times that my legs were dropping when frog kicking; the HDs are super powerful and stirdy but negatively buoyant and quite heavy. Recently I borrowed a pair of OMS Slipstreams and think they are a great alternative because they're lighter, pretty much neutrally buoyant. I felt more stable and nimble in the water column with the OMS jetfins and propulsion is almost as good as with the RK3. Changed the strap though.
I got full foot fins when I started snorkeling. Eventually I got into scuba, and while I had no problem with the fins in the water (they were very efficient), wearing socks or going barefoot on the rocks before and after diving was not fun. Diving off a boat, on the other hand, was no big deal. I'm probably going to get some opened heel fins eventually, but it is low priority.
Tips should of been: Buy apeks rk3, jetfins or similar steer clear of everything else. 2 reasons you will outgrow (in ability not necessarily size) other styles of fin, and if you don't outgrow the others you'll probably sell you kit and rk3, jet fins etc hold their value pretty well. Splits fins, you'll struggle to give them away.
Very informative video! I've been using Cressi Thor EBS for years - very good for powerful frog kicks and efficient flutter kicks, very lightweight (good for the trim with my heavy legs), but terrible for back kicks and walking around the boat. Also very long and big fins. The problem is that back kicking is something I really need. Thors are great for helicopter turns, but using that turn every time I want to move away from a coral reef wall in tightly packed group isn't fun at all (for other divers). So, I consider switching to other type of fins, but maybe my back kicking skill just s***s and Thors are fine. In fact, I don't know what is the impact of fins type on back kicking - is the fin type crucial or I just have to work on my skills further.
I have atomic smoke on the water splitfins and while they’re certainly a bit longer they are fantastic for open water. Everyone hates them but unless you do more technical diving (planning to get the fourth element tech fins) they are great for a tropical reef dive.
Hey thank you and good timing on the discussion! So my local shop didn’t even tell me that you should use boots when using the open heel bungee fins even though they suggested that type of fin as I am buying my first pair and heading to the Caribbean and planned to get certified there ILO the murky waters of the Midwest of the US. I’m SO excited. Looking at the Mares Quattro + Any thoughts and also thoughts on boots? Want to do some reef snorkeling with my friends going with as well so was wondering if those fins would also work ok with that area as well? Thank you again for the great info!
sounds like you need to find a different shop. Its one of the first things they should have told you. I have the mares but they are a long fin. Im going to be working in the water, often near the bottom or around bridges and logs so wanting something shorter so looking at the rk3.
Love the new Super Novas, Scubapro took everything they learned from the Seawing Nova and improved upon them. They'd be a strong choice for an all-rounder fin.
#AskMark what do you think about weighted fins and I ask because my wife has a problem with her trim. If she wears a pocket style BCD with the weight, the BCD weights ride forward and up on her torso. And she always winds up in a fins up position (insert bubble butt joke here). And I started with ankle weights, but she would always get weird looks on the dive boat. And then we switched her from my way to BCD to an actual weight belt. That seem to help a little, but her trim was always just a little off. I heard you mention weighted fins in another video, but I didn’t see it on here. I’m just trying to get her trim perfected so she can get her buoyancy, correct? Your thoughts? #AskMark
I don't worry about funny looks on dive boats anymore as long as whatever they're looking at works for me. We tried the Scubapro S-Tek fins the other week and they're a powerful fin. But the weighting is only to change the buoyancy of the fins themself. Ankle weights will be better or a separate camband with one or two weights clamped to the bottom of the cylinder will help to keep weights further down.
In my opinion there is one thing Everybody Misinterprets in the Fin Design. I see the purpose for the opening in upper part (I think you called it slots) of the Fin having totally different function. You and others interpret is as a pressure relieve in upper, none working (or not active) surface. Please look at the fins you presented, the openings are asymmetrical. Therefore the water flows easier in an up kick (relieving pressure on weaker human feet in that direction) then does not flow that much in down kick where human foot has a lot of strength from Humans and Great Apes being bipedal. I believe that apart from the flexibility and efficiency of “fishtail” that asymmetrical work of the fin is the secret why my feet get absolutely no fatigue 4 miles or 7 kilometers. I will be working on a separate video soon but for now you can see my long comments in the video criticizing “Scuba Pro Yellow Jet Fins”. I tested several fins in swimming about 2 miles 3.3km in one hour with “Lazy Swim” (equivalent of jogging but not running) for its Efficiency, then I swim another 2 miles back so total ~4 miles or 7 km. Therefore I can swim 5km in 1.5h which compares to beating 3 out of 6 top USA Pro open water Athletes Swimmers in my age category (50-54) just by equivalent of Jogging. That basically show what the “Right Fins” can add in Efficiency to an average good amateur swimmer who never trained to compete swimming nor competed. Here are my comments under the video, if you are interested in more details: “Leviathan Scuba Tips & Tricks - The Truth About Split Fins.” th-cam.com/video/6wOt4Nsq0lw/w-d-xo.html&ab_channel=LeviathanScuba
#ASKMARK I’m in need of a drysuit undersuit/undergarments set. I dive at 1°C in a rental neoprene drysuit, but might get a trilam. I want thin a undersuit for the flexibility and minimal weight requirement, but still want maximum warmth (especially for cold hands and feet). Thinking of heated suits, gloves and socks by Santi, SmartTex, Thermalution or Heizteufel, but am interested in the FE Halo AR. Thoughts and suggestions?
One benefit of the Heated Santi suits is that they still work as a good undersuit even without power. Other heated undersuits are quite thin and require extra layers to stay warm. The Santi suits also have heating coils in more areas to keep you warm and have a neat cable management system for adding gloves. The one downside is that Santi don't make heated socks that I'm aware of. If you do end up investing in a heated undersuit then it can be tricky to use rental drysuits again because you need to fit a suitable chest valve. Halo AR is a surprisingly warm undersuit with minimal bulk however doesn't have heating coils. In 1°C you'll probably get cold wearing just the AR. This web page should help fourthelement.com/will-i-be-warm-enough-in-this/
@@ScubaDiverMagazine Thanks for the quick reply. It's a good point you make about the Santi Heated suits also functioning without power. That is important when temperatures aren't cold enough to need the active heating. Either way I will likely build a system of layers (much like how FE garments are meant to work together with base layers/mid layers) as like you said, some heated suits/vests are quite thin. My main concerns is maximum warmth with the thinnest undersuit/undergarment layer system possible. From what I've found, Santi only make heated undersuits and gloves, but other brands such as SmartTex and Heizteufel have heated gloves, suits, vests and socks. I've even thought about heated insoles. With the Halo AR, I've heard that it's supposed to be warm for it's thickness but I understand that a base layer and more are needed.
Apeks RK3, Scubapro Jets, Hollis F1, Mares Avanti Quattros are all very popular. Vented fins in general tend to be the most popular with drysuits. You may need to go up a fin size for drysuit boots so check the size chart. Most fin size charts are made for 5mm boots so you often need to go up a size.
I have done in the past. They get the job done and you're easy to identify in the water. They can be a bit cumbersome in and out of the water but, for open blue water they're pretty good.
#ASKMARK Very informative video on fin variables, thanks. Can you discuss the variables and benefits of colours in dry/semi&full wetsuits especially the visibility of bright colours -v- all black 50/50 and camouflage suits? Are there any safety issues based on bright colours or all black when diving in aggressive fish - say barracuda’s or sharks? Welcome your opinion and costs associated with variable suits…thanks from geemac🤿🇦🇺😎👍
When choosing equipment I prioritise boats and other divers being able to see me more than wildlife. Predatory fish are often attracted to high contrast and shiny objects, as they can resemble fish scales so, avoid jewellery and things that glisten. There is some anecdotal studies that sharks prefer white and yellow objects, because they stand out more against a dark background. There are wetsuits now that use HECS technology to help hide yourself from marine life. However you need to take your whole appearance to the animal into account. To them, you are a very strange looking thing that blows bubbles and makes a lot of noise. You are also a lot larger than some of them and they're not going to pick a fight with something if there's a risk that they could get hurt or worse. So, most animals tend to give us divers a wide berth. Not to say that it _never_ happens and the colour and design of your gear won't be a contributing factor but, it's incredibly rare.
![20+ Scuba Fins Tested and Reviewed! [Scuba Fin Reviews 2024]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/3CYdrZr0esM/mqdefault.jpg)
I have two pairs:
1) Mares avannti Quattro + (Porsche 911 among fins)
2) Sea Singer.
Even owner of Scubapro jet fins will surprise how good they are (super solid, rubber jet fins with drainage holes and metal spring) Highly recomend for drysuit set.
I just bought some Seawing SuperNovas which come in black and white. I ended up choosing white for video post processing. I'm thinking that before taking a shot I can film the my white fin and have it as a point of reference for color correction during video post processing.
Smart, my buddy always used to use my shoulder to WB his camera because my wetsuit had a white patch of neoprene.
I've been diving with Mares Quattro / Planars for 38 years both open and closed heel varieties- still no complaints.
Great video! My partner and I use the Scubapro Seawing Nova open heel fins in combination with the 5mm Scubapro Everflex boots on all our snorkeling and warm water dives. On the dive/snorkeling boats we can easily put the fins off and on, walk around without slipping and easily go up the ladder (thick rubber sole of the boots). Another great advantage is that they are very light (perfect for traveling), come in so many different colors to recognize each other easily in the water (my partner uses pink and I use the black or the white version) and the fins are very comfortable when using in the water. They are surprisingly great as well for frog kicking.
I got the Apeks RK3 HD about 2 years ago. I like them a lot but felt my legs got a bit heavy at times and noticed (watching video of myself) at times that my legs were dropping when frog kicking; the HDs are super powerful and stirdy but negatively buoyant and quite heavy. Recently I borrowed a pair of OMS Slipstreams and think they are a great alternative because they're lighter, pretty much neutrally buoyant. I felt more stable and nimble in the water column with the OMS jetfins and propulsion is almost as good as with the RK3. Changed the strap though.
why didnt you just go with the non hd variant of the RK3. the HD is usually for 7mm or drysuit applications.
I got full foot fins when I started snorkeling. Eventually I got into scuba, and while I had no problem with the fins in the water (they were very efficient), wearing socks or going barefoot on the rocks before and after diving was not fun. Diving off a boat, on the other hand, was no big deal. I'm probably going to get some opened heel fins eventually, but it is low priority.
Great video- loved this. Super informative
Tips should of been:
Buy apeks rk3, jetfins or similar steer clear of everything else.
2 reasons you will outgrow (in ability not necessarily size) other styles of fin, and if you don't outgrow the others you'll probably sell you kit and rk3, jet fins etc hold their value pretty well. Splits fins, you'll struggle to give them away.
Very informative video!
I've been using Cressi Thor EBS for years - very good for powerful frog kicks and efficient flutter kicks, very lightweight (good for the trim with my heavy legs), but terrible for back kicks and walking around the boat. Also very long and big fins.
The problem is that back kicking is something I really need. Thors are great for helicopter turns, but using that turn every time I want to move away from a coral reef wall in tightly packed group isn't fun at all (for other divers). So, I consider switching to other type of fins, but maybe my back kicking skill just s***s and Thors are fine. In fact, I don't know what is the impact of fins type on back kicking - is the fin type crucial or I just have to work on my skills further.
I have atomic smoke on the water splitfins and while they’re certainly a bit longer they are fantastic for open water. Everyone hates them but unless you do more technical diving (planning to get the fourth element tech fins) they are great for a tropical reef dive.
Hey thank you and good timing on the discussion! So my local shop didn’t even tell me that you should use boots when using the open heel bungee fins even though they suggested that type of fin as I am buying my first pair and heading to the Caribbean and planned to get certified there ILO the murky waters of the Midwest of the US. I’m SO excited. Looking at the Mares Quattro +
Any thoughts and also thoughts on boots? Want to do some reef snorkeling with my friends going with as well so was wondering if those fins would also work ok with that area as well? Thank you again for the great info!
sounds like you need to find a different shop. Its one of the first things they should have told you.
I have the mares but they are a long fin. Im going to be working in the water, often near the bottom or around bridges and logs so wanting something shorter so looking at the rk3.
I use the Scubapro splitfin XP and I love it :) I heard, that Scubapro doesn't produce them anymore, so I hope I don't break mine!
Can you do a review of the new “Folding Fins”? Are they even available yet? Thanks for the great information as always!
As a beginner, I use pretty basic AquaLung Stratos. They're neutrally buoyant in salt water. Considering buying open-heel fins later when I need it.
Thoughts on the scuba pro seawing super novas for warm and cold water scuba diving and occasional snorkeling?
Love the new Super Novas, Scubapro took everything they learned from the Seawing Nova and improved upon them. They'd be a strong choice for an all-rounder fin.
Nice! Can we get a review of them unless you already have one up and I somehow missed it! I love your channel and videos. I watch them all the time.
Is that a Wetherspoons carpet?
It's my unique pattern. It's actually a thin yoga towel from Slowtide.
#AskMark what do you think about weighted fins and I ask because my wife has a problem with her trim.
If she wears a pocket style BCD with the weight, the BCD weights ride forward and up on her torso. And she always winds up in a fins up position (insert bubble butt joke here).
And I started with ankle weights, but she would always get weird looks on the dive boat.
And then we switched her from my way to BCD to an actual weight belt. That seem to help a little, but her trim was always just a little off. I heard you mention weighted fins in another video, but I didn’t see it on here.
I’m just trying to get her trim perfected so she can get her buoyancy, correct?
Your thoughts?
#AskMark
I don't worry about funny looks on dive boats anymore as long as whatever they're looking at works for me.
We tried the Scubapro S-Tek fins the other week and they're a powerful fin. But the weighting is only to change the buoyancy of the fins themself. Ankle weights will be better or a separate camband with one or two weights clamped to the bottom of the cylinder will help to keep weights further down.
In my opinion there is one thing Everybody Misinterprets in the Fin Design. I see the purpose for the opening in upper part (I think you called it slots) of the Fin having totally different function. You and others interpret is as a pressure relieve in upper, none working (or not active) surface.
Please look at the fins you presented, the openings are asymmetrical. Therefore the water flows easier in an up kick (relieving pressure on weaker human feet in that direction) then does not flow that much in down kick where human foot has a lot of strength from Humans and Great Apes being bipedal.
I believe that apart from the flexibility and efficiency of “fishtail” that asymmetrical work of the fin is the secret why my feet get absolutely no fatigue 4 miles or 7 kilometers.
I will be working on a separate video soon but for now you can see my long comments in the video criticizing “Scuba Pro Yellow Jet Fins”. I tested several fins in swimming about 2 miles 3.3km in one hour with “Lazy Swim” (equivalent of jogging but not running) for its Efficiency, then I swim another 2 miles back so total ~4 miles or 7 km.
Therefore I can swim 5km in 1.5h which compares to beating 3 out of 6 top USA Pro open water Athletes Swimmers in my age category (50-54) just by equivalent of Jogging.
That basically show what the “Right Fins” can add in Efficiency to an average good amateur swimmer who never trained to compete swimming nor competed.
Here are my comments under the video, if you are interested in more details:
“Leviathan Scuba Tips & Tricks - The Truth About Split Fins.”
th-cam.com/video/6wOt4Nsq0lw/w-d-xo.html&ab_channel=LeviathanScuba
#ASKMARK I’m in need of a drysuit undersuit/undergarments set. I dive at 1°C in a rental neoprene drysuit, but might get a trilam. I want thin a undersuit for the flexibility and minimal weight requirement, but still want maximum warmth (especially for cold hands and feet). Thinking of heated suits, gloves and socks by Santi, SmartTex, Thermalution or Heizteufel, but am interested in the FE Halo AR. Thoughts and suggestions?
One benefit of the Heated Santi suits is that they still work as a good undersuit even without power. Other heated undersuits are quite thin and require extra layers to stay warm. The Santi suits also have heating coils in more areas to keep you warm and have a neat cable management system for adding gloves. The one downside is that Santi don't make heated socks that I'm aware of. If you do end up investing in a heated undersuit then it can be tricky to use rental drysuits again because you need to fit a suitable chest valve.
Halo AR is a surprisingly warm undersuit with minimal bulk however doesn't have heating coils. In 1°C you'll probably get cold wearing just the AR. This web page should help fourthelement.com/will-i-be-warm-enough-in-this/
@@ScubaDiverMagazine Thanks for the quick reply. It's a good point you make about the Santi Heated suits also functioning without power. That is important when temperatures aren't cold enough to need the active heating. Either way I will likely build a system of layers (much like how FE garments are meant to work together with base layers/mid layers) as like you said, some heated suits/vests are quite thin. My main concerns is maximum warmth with the thinnest undersuit/undergarment layer system possible. From what I've found, Santi only make heated undersuits and gloves, but other brands such as SmartTex and Heizteufel have heated gloves, suits, vests and socks. I've even thought about heated insoles. With the Halo AR, I've heard that it's supposed to be warm for it's thickness but I understand that a base layer and more are needed.
Which Fin would you recommend for someone diving in Cold Water in a drysuit with an attached neoprene boot? Thanks
Apeks RK3, Scubapro Jets, Hollis F1, Mares Avanti Quattros are all very popular. Vented fins in general tend to be the most popular with drysuits.
You may need to go up a fin size for drysuit boots so check the size chart. Most fin size charts are made for 5mm boots so you often need to go up a size.
What about jet fins?
Jet fins are tough to beat. They're heavy but, they'll last forever and always get the job done.
can i use freediving fins for scuba?
I have done in the past. They get the job done and you're easy to identify in the water. They can be a bit cumbersome in and out of the water but, for open blue water they're pretty good.
@@ScubaDiverMagazine thanks. appreciate it.
this is blasphemy.... Diverite Paddle Fin is super effective and powerful. :D
#ASKMARK Very informative video on fin variables, thanks. Can you discuss the variables and benefits of colours in dry/semi&full wetsuits especially the visibility of bright colours -v- all black 50/50 and camouflage suits? Are there any safety issues based on bright colours or all black when diving in aggressive fish - say barracuda’s or sharks? Welcome your opinion and costs associated with variable suits…thanks from geemac🤿🇦🇺😎👍
When choosing equipment I prioritise boats and other divers being able to see me more than wildlife.
Predatory fish are often attracted to high contrast and shiny objects, as they can resemble fish scales so, avoid jewellery and things that glisten. There is some anecdotal studies that sharks prefer white and yellow objects, because they stand out more against a dark background. There are wetsuits now that use HECS technology to help hide yourself from marine life.
However you need to take your whole appearance to the animal into account. To them, you are a very strange looking thing that blows bubbles and makes a lot of noise. You are also a lot larger than some of them and they're not going to pick a fight with something if there's a risk that they could get hurt or worse. So, most animals tend to give us divers a wide berth.
Not to say that it _never_ happens and the colour and design of your gear won't be a contributing factor but, it's incredibly rare.