Mares Plana Avanti X3 Open Heel Fins Lime X-Small

2025-05-20T06:07:53

Nice easy kicking fins , great for frog kicks Heel straps are outdated and not user friendly

TIM R.

2020-09-18T10:19:55

Great fin for a great price

JAMES D.

2018-09-09T08:28:49

I have flat feet and need to be very conscientious of my choice in fins due to foot cramping. I took these fins to Bonaire because I needed to wear thick soled dive booties and they did not disappoint. My dive buddy often had to tell me to slow down, as these propelled me faster than my usual split fins. They also did not cause foot or leg cramps. Though I could feel my multiple days of diving in my calves, I don't attribute this to these fins as 4 dives a day, often needing to swim a mile or so out to a buoy was likely the real cause. They are rigid but not impossible to bend, are lighter weight, and fit nicely into a small suitcase. They are a great price for a fantastic pair of fins. Very happy with this purchase.

JENNIFER C.

2016-10-31T10:24:19

Came off while diving as the release hit kelp while abalone diving . Nearly lost fin. Not recommended for California diving. Get the fins with locks.

ROBERT S.

2015-08-26T20:00:00

These fins are perfect for scuba with boots. They can also be used for snorkeling. The sizing is just about right on. They are comfortable and pretty efficient. They bend just enough to not give leg or foot cramps.

Joseph W.

2015-03-16T20:00:00

Do not order items as a gift as the return clock starts ticking the minute your order is sent!! Ordered these fins end of Oct for my wife for Christmas. Finally started dive lessons in March. She tried them on and they dwarfed her foot! Contacted LP to return the brand new fins for an exchange-They said NO even though they still sell the fins-Store Policy-Seems like a great way to convince me to order again--My policy--Don't order product from people who don't put the customer first.

LP X.

2014-11-19T19:00:00

As promised, something that has performed well beyond expectations. Initially I trusted the dive shop employee who sold my first and only set of fins. They were bought in at a shop in Jacksonville. The cost was about $125, although a quick search on LeisurePro list them for way less. They were purchased right before doing the PADI Rescue course. Approximately 12 years later and over 5000 dives they are still going strong. Now that's value, and no warranty required. There is a Mares dealer here in West-End who sells these and newer versions of the fins but the only thing that has been replaced is the straps. When the weather gets nasty on the north side we dive the south. At times we do shore dive in Flowers Bay over by Church Wall. That's when the open heel fins earn their money. To clarify, we carry a large variety of closed heel fins, some of which are never picked because they are simply to hard to put on and much less take off while hanging to the back of the ladder. I've tried the split fins and they definitely have less resistance and thus less stress on your knees. I'd hate to have to tow someone back to the boat against a current using split fins however. I'm just making the case that the Mares Open Heel fins are good and reliable. On a separate note, we have used a variety of close heel fins for just about all our rentals when boat diving. During that time, it is also the Mares closed heel fins which have lasted the test of time. They get the double oks from this reviewer. That's not to say I'm not going to try a different pair. Until next time, happy bubbles.

marco

2014-10-26T20:00:00

I love these fins, even though I ordered them at least a half-size too big, (so I wear socks in my booties and they fit fine). My fault. My Dive Master/Instructor had a set of these and of all the fins I tried, I liked these the best, so I bought a set. They are the perfect balance and combination of performance and comfort. The fact that they look fantastic is just icing on the cake. (I have the yellow color). I ordered these with several other items and all were delivered EARLY, and packaged very well. Always a fantastic buying experience, and great people, thank you Leisure Pro!

Doc G.

2014-06-18T20:00:00

good product

Joe B.

2014-05-26T20:00:00

Work and look great. Great price for the product!

williamp

2014-03-02T19:00:00

Very good construction

Rich

2013-11-12T19:00:00

Quick delivery.

AUSTIN

2013-09-14T20:00:00

Since this is my first fin purchase, I may be writing a little too soon, however my first time in the water with these fins was phenominal. I have tried different fins in the pool during my open water class and wasn't too impressed. Two that come to mind are the Aqualung Slingshots and the Scubapro Seawing Nova. During my second OW dive, the instructor wanted to see if I could keep up, and with my poor kicking style I was able to and he had the Novas on. After two dives I had no leg cramps at all from the fins. The only thing I would recommend that Mares do is add the spring straps as they can be quite cumbersome to put on in the water when entering from shore. Maybe it was just me as I said I am new to scuba. Overall, very satisfied with these fins.

bn2hnt

2013-07-18T20:00:00

...

iTCH

2013-06-23T20:00:00

These fins are intended for those who have strong legs, they're quite rigid but very efficient, you just need a time to get used to them. Besides, you can cut the blades from the middle and make split fins(all egyptian divers do so). I was using them in Egypt and had no problems with strong currents. They also can be used in diving centers as a rental equipment. Moreover,if you make shore dives these fins will be the best choice 'cause they're durable and won't wear out.

Bob

2013-04-28T20:00:00

Way too big.

Cass

2012-12-09T19:00:00

Good basic fin. I wear a size 13 shoe am 6'1"185lbs and had to exchange the xl for a regular, but no hassle LP's exchange policy is easy. These were still to big for bare foot use but fit just about right with 3mm boots, maybe a tad big with boots but better that than too small. I like the heel straps and quick release buckles. they are a relatively stiff fin but I have strong legs and ankles from cycling so that wasnt an issue for me and you can really make good speed with them when needed or fighting a current. They fit my gear bag for travel to which was a primary concern

langperf

2012-11-25T19:00:00

I've always used split fins when diving and since we always drift dive, I thought the Mares fins would work better when swimming into the current. They worked very well and I will continue to use these when drift diving. I did have a bit of a challenge at first getting the fins off in the water while hanging onto the rope on the side of the boat. These fins have buckles on both sides of the straps and the strap doesn't detach from the fin. My other fins unbuckle and the strap detaches on one side, so that's what I was used to. However, after a couple of dives, I had no problem getting the fins off and throwing them into the boat.

islanddream

2012-09-04T20:00:00

Bought these initially for the open water class and now have used them on about 10 dives. They seem to work well. The blue is a nice bright color that makes them easy to find if one comes off while diving (which happened on my checkout dive)

Dave

2012-09-04T20:00:00

Bought these for my daughter for our open water training and they worked well. Nice bright colors which makes it easy to find if the fin comes off while diving, which happened to me (I have a blue pair) during our checkout dive in a quarry. The dive master who found the fin said she only found it because of the color!

Dave

2012-06-04T20:00:00

good fins, just a bit stiff which causes tiredness when diving

J D.

2012-05-04T20:00:00

As a former Navy Specwar Diver my standards are high indeed. This fin is a starter for folks on a budget. And it will do the job required of it. However this fin will cause much more leg fatigue than higher dollar fins. Also left in the sun (90f) for 2 hours one fin is now warped. I will return this and get a better made fin.

Bull

2012-04-03T20:00:00

I have had Mares blades up until last Dec. fits like the blades and swims like the blades

Mary

2012-02-19T19:00:00

I've owned a number of fins, including similar full blade, split and hingled but this is the fin I like best. Decided to try it after watching videos of sidemount divers using the same brand, next grade up. Sidemount divers tend to be cave divers and need power and efficiency. I really like the power of the fin, I trim well with it, and it is an excellent fit to my Henderson 5 mil boots. I have a 8.5 shoe size (male) and got the recommended size, small. The buckle system works fine in the water but was initially difficult when dry. Read the directions, its not obvious how to use them. The fins are also short enough to travel in my blue reef bag.

Bruce

2011-12-12T19:00:00

In 2 weeks we will be in tropical water to try. We had to exchange to small size and the process was very efficient and we were empressed the service. We thank you and will keep the name of the company for future need. Have good, healthy holidays.

no n.

2011-11-27T19:00:00

these are nice fins, but the sizing is way off. I have large feet, typically around 9 1/2 men's but up to 11 depending on manufacturer and originally ordered a "regular" which was way too big and felt "wobbly". re-ordered a "small" which fits fine even with 6mm booties (booties are size 9 men's). Mares seems to have changed the design of the buckle - my first set had a design where you lift the buckle with a tab on the front and I found that rather difficult to handle. the second smaller set has 2 small buttons on the top and bottom of the buckle which you press to release, which I like better.

mrfox

2011-10-10T20:00:00

Straps are a little big..Im a size 12 and got an XL...think I should of got the L.

vladik

2011-10-04T20:00:00

I have already reported on this product. As well as the mouth piece. and Snorkel they are all great work as well if not better than any other on the market and are a much better buy !!!!!!!!!!

Scuba T.

2011-09-21T20:00:00

I use this product as an instructor it gives excellent power so little effort is needed and it functions very well for light work,but can get you out of trouble if you need the power for a strong current!!!

Scuba T.

2010-01-04T19:00:00

These fins are just plain bulky. I'm a big guy and it takes some *umph* to get these fins going. They have little to no flex, are too big for my dive bag, and have not loosened up even after 2 yrs of diving with them.

Aggie B.