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Scuba & Snorkeling Fins: Ultimate Guide to Types, Fit & Mastering Your Underwater Propulsion

Scuba & Snorkeling Fins: Ultimate Guide to Types, Fit & Mastering Your Underwater Propulsion

Written by Jay Diaz
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Published on August 2, 2023
scuba diving fins

Hello, marine enthusiasts! Welcome to our comprehensive guide to understanding, selecting, fitting, and mastering one of the most important pieces of equipment for your underwater adventures — the scuba and snorkeling fins. Whether you’re a seasoned diver or a novice snorkeler, this guide aims to help you navigate your journey through the world of fins.

Understanding the Importance of Scuba and Snorkeling Fins

They might look like quirky footwear, but fins serve a crucial purpose in our underwater explorations. Think of yourself as a bird in the water. Without wings, a bird’s flight is limited, and similarly, without fins, your mobility underwater is restricted. Fins are essentially your wings under the sea. They amplify the surface area of your feet, acting as efficient paddles that help propel you through the water with reduced effort.

Water is denser than air, making it harder to move through. Fins help overcome this challenge by maximizing your propulsion. This is important because it allows you to explore more of the beautiful underwater world without getting tired too quickly. With the help of fins, you can dive deeper, swim faster, and explore longer, enhancing the overall experience of your underwater adventure.

Moreover, the right pair of fins can also offer greater maneuverability, helping you steer and navigate underwater currents effectively. They also provide more stability, which is vital when you want to stay in one place to admire a beautiful coral reef or to observe marine creatures. They’re designed to increase your surface area, helping to propel you through the heavy water with minimal effort. This means that you can explore more without using up your energy quickly. With the right pair of fins, you get the freedom to twist, turn, and swoop through the water like an agile fish. And who wouldn’t love that?

So, whether you’re snorkeling in a shallow reef or scuba diving in the deep ocean, never underestimate the importance of a good pair of fins. They are not just accessories, but vital tools that enhance your safety, efficiency, and overall enjoyment of underwater exploration.

snorkeling fins
Image via Shutterstock

Different Types of Scuba and Snorkeling Fins

Diving into the world of fins, you’ll be surprised by the variety that’s available. Choosing the right type can be as essential as picking the right dive site. It’s all about the right tool for the right job. Let’s look at the most common types of fins:

Full Foot Fins

Picture this: a second layer of skin on your feet, specially crafted for swimming. Full-foot diving fins fit snugly like a shoe and are light, efficient, and just perfect for snorkeling or scuba diving in tranquil waters. Plus, they offer the added convenience of being easy to slip on and off. These fins are primarily used in warm, tropical waters, where protective footwear isn’t needed.

However, remember that these fins aren’t the best choice for colder waters, especially below 60 degrees Fahrenheit — your feet might protest in such chilly conditions! Full-foot fins can sometimes put considerable pressure on the top of your foot and toes. If they’re not the right fit, they might cause discomfort, like blisters or cuts. See below for some of our top full-foot fins from brands including Mares, Cressi, and Scubapro.

Mares Avanti Super-Channel Full Foot Fins

Cressi Free Frog Fins

Cressi Rondinella Full Foot Fins

Snorkel Pro Rubber Full Foot Fins

Scubapro Jet Sport Full Foot Fins

Open Heel Fins

Unlike their full-foot cousins, open heel fins come with an adjustable heel strap designed to fit over dive booties. This design offers protection in colder environments and rough terrains. If you’re into scuba diving, these are your go-to fins, offering greater power and versatility.

Open-heel fins, also known as strap fins, differ from full-foot models in that they do not fully encase the heel. Instead, they are equipped with adjustable rubber straps, enhancing their comfort level. This makes open-heel fins ideal for diving in colder waters, as the fin’s adjustable feature accommodates various sizes and thicknesses of diving boots or socks. The compatibility of open-heel fins with diving boots also provides added protection and traction, especially useful during rocky shore dives. See below for some of our top open-heel fins from brands including Cressi, Mares, Scubapro, and Tusa.

Cressi Pro Light Fins

Cressi Frog-Plus Fins

Mares Avanti Quattro + Open Heel Fin

Mares Excite Open Heel Fins

Scubapro Go Travel Fin

Scubapro Go Sport Fins

Tusa Travel Right Fins

TUSA Solla Fins

Split Fins

Split fins are designed to cut through the water with significantly less resistance than paddle fins. The efficiency of split fins is rooted in the speed of the diver’s kick, as opposed to the force applied.

Split fins are typically fashioned from a more pliable, less rigid rubber, making kicking seemingly effortless. This attribute can potentially mitigate issues like calf cramping, ankle fatigue, and overall leg muscle weariness. Given their reduced resistance and subsequent lowered fatigue for the diver, split fins are well-suited for prolonged dives and snorkeling sessions.

However, split fins may not be the optimal choice when swimming against a current or faced with “load” situations, like towing a heavy object or someone else. Lastly, if you possess powerful legs and a strong kick, you might be able to “out-kick” split fins. In this case, these may not be the best choice for you.

See below for some of our top split fin options from Atomic:

Atomic Split Fins

Atomic Aquatics Split Fins

Atomic Full Foot Split Fins

Paddle Fins

The classic paddle fins are typically constructed from durable, rigid plastic materials and have a single, undivided blade. They have a substantial propulsion capacity, owed largely to their traditionally stiff rubber construction. Every kick in these fins propels you forward, making them an excellent choice for divers covering significant distances during their dive. Their strength makes them invaluable when confronted with strong current. Paddle fins also prove their worth in demanding situations, like rescues. They are excellent load-bearing fins, facilitating the towing of someone to the shore or back to the boat.

However, paddle fins do come with certain drawbacks. The stiffer plastic from which they are made generally makes them somewhat heavier and bulkier than their split fin counterparts. Additionally, for divers who lack a strong kick, paddle fins may lead to calf and ankle cramping.

See below for some of our paddle fin options from ScubaPro, Apeks, Sherwood, OMS, Omega, and Hollis:

Scubapro Jet Fins

Apeks RK3 Fins

Sherwood Triton Pro Fins

OMS Slipstream Monoprene Fins

Omega Amphibian Flip Fin

Hollis Open Heel Bat” Dive Fins

Snorkeling Fins

Dedicated snorkeling fins will allow you to explore underwater environments smoothly and with optimal movement. Check out our favorites from Cressi, TUSA, Seac, Mares, and Blue Reef:

Cressi Palau (SAF) Short Adjustable Fins

TUSA Sport Reef Tourer Long Blade Snorkeling Fins

Seac Ala Snorkeling Fins

Mares Nateeva Snorkeling Fins

Blue Reef Bay Fins

Fins for Kids

Equip young water enthusiasts with the right fins, made to fit smaller divers, from brands including Scubapro, Cressi, and Blue Reef.

Scubapro Dolphin Youth Fins

Cressi Kids Rock Fins

Blue Reef Adjustable Bay Kids Fins

scuba diving fins
Image via Shutterstock

How to Choose the Right Fins for Scuba and Snorkeling

Now, how do you choose the right fins from this broad array? Just like finding the perfect pair of shoes, choosing fins is all about comfort, fit, and purpose. Here are a few things to consider:

Diving Environment

Are you diving in warm or cold waters? Will you be facing strong currents or calm waters? The environment plays a key role in the type of fins you should choose.

If you dive in cold water, for example, it is essential to choose diver flippers that allow you to protect your foot with a boot, so closed-heel diving flippers would not be suitable. If you dive in places with currents, on the other hand, stiff diving flippers can provide you with greater kicking power. And if you’re thinking of exploring wrecks or caves, technical scuba flippers are the most appropriate due to their smaller size for confined environments.

Your Experience and Strength

Are you a beginner or an experienced diver? How strong are your leg muscles? Full foot and split fins can be great for beginners and those looking for an easy and relaxed dive, while paddle fins are preferred by experienced divers seeking more power and control. As certain models are designed to favor a particular type of kick it’s important to consider the kicking techniques you use.

scuba diving fins
Image via Shutterstock

Fitting Scuba and Snorkeling Fins

Your fins should feel like an extension of your body — not too tight, not too loose, just the right fit. Always try on fins before buying, and remember to consider the type of footwear you’ll be using (if any). It’s crucial to feel comfortable and have scuba flippers that fit perfectly, like a natural extension of your foot. Ideally, you should try on different models underwater to find the ones that best suit you. An ill-fitting fin can cause discomfort, blistering, or even muscle cramps, hampering your overall experience.

Fin-fitting can be a bit tricky, so try the following to ensure you’ve got the right size:

  1. After you’ve chosen your favorite model, go ahead and slide into those fins, then stand up tall.
  2. Now, give it a try: stand on your tiptoes. As you do this, your fin should hug your heel, rising off the ground along with your foot. If your heel lifts up solo, leaving the fin behind, it means your fin is a tad too large.
  3. On the flip side, if your fins feel uncomfortable or too snug, don’t be shy to consider a size up.
  4. If you’re planning to dive in cooler waters with full-foot fins or adjustable ones, you’ll want to pack neoprene socks or booties. So, when sizing up your fins, be sure to factor in this extra layer, and go for a size that’s a bit larger than your usual.
  5. And voila! You’re ready to dive into your underwater adventure with perfectly fitting fins!

Here are some steps to help you get the perfect fit:

Measure Your Foot Size

Just as you would while buying shoes, start by measuring your foot size. You can also consult the manufacturer’s sizing chart to get an idea of the size you should try.

Consider Your Footwear (for Scuba)

If you’ll be wearing dive booties, factor in their thickness as well.

Try Different Sizes and Styles:

Different brands and models might have slight variations in size. Always try on multiple options to find the best fit.

snorkeling fins
Image via Shutterstock

Mastering the Use of Your Fins for Efficient Underwater Propulsion

Now that we have our fins, it’s time to learn how to swim in them. Swimming with fins is different from ordinary swimming, and it can take a bit of practice to master.

When it comes to diving, there is more than one way to propel yourself underwater. You need to have proper finning technique for several reasons. First, using proper technique will make your diving experience effortless and easy. Secondly as a bonus to the effortlessness of proper technique, it will improve your air consumption since you will be gliding around effortlessly, thereby needing to use your muscles less, so you don’t need to use as much air. Finally, once you have mastered proper technique and it is second nature to your diving style, you will find that it will improve your overall diving experience and pleasure.

While the golden rule is that you should never use your hands — think breast stroke swimming — there are several ways to use your legs to motor around a dive site. Whichever method you choose will depend on the situation and the environmental conditions at the time

You’ve got two primary kicks to choose from when you’re diving, each having a few variants for specific situations:

Flutter kicks

Flutter kicks are the basics, something you learn even before your first dive. Inspired by the standard freestyle swimming kick, the diving version is slower and more deliberate, with more leg movement. While it’s the most powerful and fastest kick you can use, it can be a bit tiring and not the most efficient in terms of streamlining.

Frog kicks

Now, frog kicks are the efficiency kings! At the end of each stroke, your feet and fins align behind you, hidden behind your tank. This creates the most streamlined profile, enabling you to kick and glide effortlessly. While it’s second only to the flutter kick in terms of power, the frog kick is not identical to the breaststroke kick in swimming. The latter pushes back with the soles of the feet, whereas the former uses a sculling motion with the ankles for propulsion. It might take a bit more patience and practice to master, but trust us, it’s worth it!

Ideally, the frog kick should be every diver’s go-to technique because it’s simply the best all-rounder in the mix. Happy diving!

freediving fins
Image via Shutterstock

Conclusion

Diving and snorkeling offer an incredible way to explore the wonders of the underwater world, and the right pair of fins can make that experience even more enjoyable and rewarding. From selection and fitting to mastering the use of your fins, every step is crucial in ensuring a safe and memorable underwater adventure.

With the right fins fitted, you’re now equipped to swim with the fishes, explore the vibrant corals, or just float effortlessly watching the aquatic life. Remember, there’s no one-size-fits-all solution, so take your time to find the fins that are perfect for you. So, gear up, dive in, and enjoy the beauty beneath the waves! Happy exploring!

Jay Diaz

Jay Diaz

Jay Diaz is a world-renowned photographer, having worked with white sharks at Isla de Guadalupe and as a wild animal keeper and harbor seal trainer at the NY Aquarium. His work has been published in the World Conservation Society's "Wild View" blog, and he has been photographing marine wildlife since 2017. You can check out his latest photos on Instagram @lajollalens.