Updated on October 23, 2020

One of the biggest lures into the world of freediving is the lack of equipment needed. Submerging yourself void of bulky scuba equipment is sort of like a form of ocean liberation. With help from a pair of long blade freediving fins, you’ll discover how easy it is to achieve depth. But what are the best freediving fins for you? Now worries, I’m here to help you.

Freediving fins differ in length, stiffness, and material, but all serve the same purpose. The long blade design helps propel you deeper using the least amount of energy.

Buying your first pair can be daunting but don’t worry, we’ve done the long hours of searching for you. One of our big goals here at The Adventure Junkies is to make your life easier when it comes to choosing diving gear. Whether a beginner or a pro, this guide will walk you through how to find the best freediving fins for you.

For more of our top freediving gear recommendations, check out the Best Freediving Watches.

 

QUICK ANSWER – THE BEST FREEDIVING FINS

1. BEUCHAT MUNDIAL ONE 

2. MARES PURE INSTINCT RAZOR 

3. CRESSI GARA 2000HF

4. OMER STINGRAY CARBON 

5. OMER STINGRAY  

6. MAKO COMPETITION FG 

7. C4 RED FALCON CARBON 

 

 

 

COMPARISON TABLE – THE BEST FREEDIVING FINS

PICTURE
FINS
MATERIAL
PRICE
RATING
Beuchat Mundial One
Polymer Plastic
$
5.0
Mares Pure Instinct Razor Pro
Polymer Plastic
$
4.5
Cressi Gara 2000HF
Polymer Plastic
$
4.5
Omer Stingray Carbon
Carbon Fiber
$$$
5.0
Omer Stingray
Polymer Plastic
$
5.0
Mako Competition FG
Fiberglass
$$
5.0
C4 Red Falcon Carbon
Carbon Fiber
$$$
4.5
PICTURE
FINS
MATERIAL
PRICE
RATING

 

 

 

FREEDIVING FINS REVIEWS

BEUCHAT MUNDIAL ONE

beuchatnew

Check out the latest price on:

Amazon

SKILL LEVEL: Beginner

MATERIAL: Polymer Plastic

INTERCHANGEABLE BLADE DESIGN: No

STIFFNESS OPTIONS: No

PROS: Inexpensive, Great value

CONS: Can bend over time

 

 

 

MARES PURE INSTINCT RAZOR PRO

Check out the latest price on:

Amazon

SKILL LEVEL: Beginner

MATERIAL: Polymer Plastic

INTERCHANGEABLE BLADE DESIGN: Yes

STIFFNESS OPTIONS: No

PROS: Comfortable Foot Pockets, Quality Construction

CONS: Runs Large

 

 

 

CRESSI GARA 2000HF

 

Check out the latest price on:

Amazon

SKILL LEVEL: Beginner

MATERIAL: Polymer Plastic

INTERCHANGEABLE BLADE DESIGN: Yes

STIFFNESS OPTIONS: No

PROS: Great Value, Efficient, Lightweight

CONS: Can get bent

 

 

 

OMER STINGRAY CARBON FINS

 

 

Check out the latest price on:

Amazon

SKILL LEVEL: Advanced

MATERIAL: Carbon Fiber

INTERCHANGEABLE BLADE DESIGN: Yes

STIFFNESS OPTIONS: Yes (Soft, Medium, Hard)

PROS: Very comfortable foot pocket, high abrasion resistance

CONS: Expensive

 

 

 

OMER STINGRAY

 

 

Check out the latest price on:

Amazon

SKILL LEVEL: Beginner

MATERIAL: Polymer Plastic

INTERCHANGEABLE BLADE DESIGN: Yes

STIFFNESS OPTIONS: No

PROS: Great value, Lightweight

CONS: Can get bent

 

 

 

MAKO COMPETITION FG FINS

 

Check out the latest price on:

Amazon

SKILL LEVEL: Intermediate

MATERIAL: Fiberglass

INTERCHANGEABLE BLADE DESIGN: Yes

STIFFNESS OPTIONS: Yes (Soft, Medium)

PROS: Inexpensive, great quality

CONS: Easily scratched

 

 

 

C4 RED FALCON CARBON FINS

Check out the latest price on:

Amazon

 

SKILL LEVEL: Advanced

MATERIAL: Carbon Fiber

INTERCHANGEABLE BLADE DESIGN: Yes

STIFFNESS OPTIONS: Yes (Soft, Medium, Hard)

PROS: Good for spearfishing, great for surface swimming

CONS: Very long (hard to find a fin bag)

 

 

 

HOW TO CHOOSE THE BEST FREEDIVING FINS

1. YOUR FREEDIVING LEVEL

What’s your freediving level? Are you just starting out or are you getting to go pro? Remember, it’s about finding the fins that best suit you, not your dive buddies.

Beginners can stick with the cheaper polymer plastic fins. There’s no point in buying expensive custom made carbon fins when you’re just starting out.

Intermediate & advanced divers, consider a pair of fiberglass or carbon fiber fins.

 

2. MATERIAL

Freediving blades are either made out of polymer plastic, fiberglass or carbon fiber.

POLYMER PLASTIC FINS are the most common type of fin. Despite the low price, they get the job done. Polymer fins are sturdy and can survive bumps and scratches from collisions.

A big disadvantage to polymer fins is that the efficiency of the fin diminishes over time. Polymer plastic has a ‘memory’ characteristic. When used enough, the plastic blade will start to mold into a curved shape. Why should you care? If the blade curves, you won’t get as much out of your kick as you would if you had a strong straight blade.

FIBERGLASS FINS are more expensive than polymer fins. The main advantage of this material is that fiberglass does not lose shape over time. They are also durable and can survive collisions and bumps underwater.

CARBON FIBER FINS are premiere level fins. Carbon blades are much more efficient than fiberglass and polymer plastic blades. Fins with carbon blades have the largest ratio between propulsion and energy.

They are nice and lightweight but also quite fragile and expensive. They are responsive and completely memory free, which means they’ll stay stiff and straight. They won’t bend over time like polymer fins will.

POLYMER PLASTIC: Cheap but can get bent

FIBERGLASS: More expensive than polymer but won’t bend.

CARBON FIBER: Most expensive option but most efficient option.

 

3. BUDGET

Freediving fins range from $80 for plastic fins to over $600+ for a pair of custom made carbon fins.

Plastic fins = Cheapest

Fiberglass fins = Midrange

Carbon fins = Most expensive

It’s important to note that expensive fins won’t make you a better diver. A solid understanding of good technique is much more valuable than an expensive pair of fins.

 

4. GETTING THE RIGHT FIT

A snug fit into the foot pocket is crucial. A loose fitting heel means wasting precious energy.

Often manufacturers size fins to be big as they expect you to wear a pair of neoprene socks with the fins. Make sure you understand the sizing system, especially when ordering online. Check the manufacturer’s website to find up to date size charts.

 

5. SEPARATE FOOT POCKETS AND BLADE

Do you want to be able to swap out foot pockets and blades? If your answer is yes, consider buying foot pockets and blades separately.

Although this option more expensive than non-detachable systems, they can be quite convenient. This system will allow you to buy foot pockets and blades from different brands. You’ll be able to get the perfect set of fins for your diving style.

Another advantage is when you go to upgrade blades, you have the option of keeping your old foot pockets. This is a particularly nice aspect as breaking in a new pair of foot pockets is often painful.

 

6. STIFFNESS

Often freediving fins are available at different levels of stiffness. To determine which level is best for you, you need to consider your body type and the amount of muscles you have. A freediver with long legs will produce a weaker propulsion than a diver with short, bulky legs.

Soft Blades = Divers with weaker propulsion.

Medium – Soft Blades = Everyone

 

READ MORE

For more of our top scuba diving gear recommendations, check out these popular buyer's guides:

Dive Computers

Scuba Diving Masks

Scuba Regulators

Scuba BCDs

Scuba Diving Fins

Wetsuits for Diving

Dive Watches

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