Mares X-Stream Open Heel Fins

2019-08-28T16:24:16

These are good fins, I suppose, but the clear portion discolor swiftly. I used them for pool exercises, and the clear part darkened after each session, getting progressively worse. I'm not impressed. They also don't work very well for frog kicking.

Jamie K.

2019-08-02T10:00:17

I have gone through 5 different type of fins for my 10 year old daughter and these finally work. The other fins were two small more for snorkeling or the foot pocket was to big and she would constantly have the fin come off while kicking. This gives her the propulsion she needs and relatively easy to take on and off with the buckle strap.

MARK C.

2019-03-09T17:58:24

I purchased these on the recommendation of my dive master. Wow, is all I can say. I've been diving with split fins for years. I love their ease of use but always hated that they didn't have any umph when you needed it, like in a strong current or when diving in a river. I purchased a set of stiff fins for when I dive the river and they have lots of thrust but are tiring when you just want to tootle along. These fins are the best of both worlds. Easy going when you are sight seeing the reef, but when you need to get up and go, or fight a current, they deliver the power. The perfect combination. They are the only fins I use not. I particularly like the latch system for the straps. Super easy to get in and out of. Wouldn't even consider adding bungie straps to these. The stock straps are awesome. I love them so much I got some for my wife. Her comment when she used them for the first time was Wow, what a difference. I've had them for a couple of years now and a couple of dozen dives. No problems with them. Seem strong and well built.

David H.

2019-02-06T12:18:16

One of the best fins that I have ever used

GEORGE P.

2018-11-19T13:20:38

I am an instructor and have been diving over 30 years. These are by far my favorite fins I have ever had. They have a great balance of power vs. leg strength. I get great speed at the surface and I do not fatigue under water. They allow me to turn well under water with limited resistance. I absolutely love them. But here is the downside. They wear out easy. In fairness, as an instructor I dive a lot. I just bought my third pair in five years. The interior portion of the fin is a flexible silicone material which separates from the harder plastic material along the outer portion of the fin. My other Mares fins do not have that problem, just the Mares X-Streams. So if you dive a lot and don't mind paying for new fins every few years, or you do not dive often but want a great fin, then I highly recommend these fins. But if that is not the case, then I would opt for something else. I would have given 5 stars if not for the wearing out problem.

DAVID D.

2018-02-10T07:54:44

The quick release buckle system is great. They come on and off easily. I have a women's size 7.5 foot, wear a size 6 Deep See 3/5 mm Men's Aqua Purge Slipper and use the extra small Mares x-stream fin. It has been a really comfortable combo.

BENJAMIN D.

2017-09-07T10:27:20

I purchased these recently for a trip to Aruba. One of the main reasons I bought them was how much lighter they are then the rest of the fins. I also bought a pair of the Avanti Quatro plus, and these were significantly lighter. They also packed up smaller. As a travel fin, they are 10 stars. My first dive included a 25 minute kick on the surface, into breaking waves, with full gear. They did the job, but certainly felt stiff. Perhaps that was a blessing because by the time I did my 3rd dive they felt much better. My dive master also happened to have a pair and she said they were very durable. I can't speak any of the aerodynamics behind the fin, but I have no regrets and would recommend them.

GARY T.

2017-08-11T17:25:38

I highly recommend these fins. Excellent fins. Comfortable and buckle-style straps make them easy to get on & off. Also, venting in foot pocket eliminates suction when removing; great feature. Provides very good propulsion through the water with no fatigue. very responsive action for quick & forceful kicks or gentle finning. As a testament to the low fatigue factor my buddy and I were left in the water for 3.5 hours after a 30 minute dive. We had to swim toward shore to exit. After 3.5 hours of off & on kicking there was no fatigue build up in my legs. I am 54 years old.

Gumper

2017-06-18T20:50:16

The most confortable fin I've ever used. I have frog kicked the hella out of this beauty and still rockin! Really light = Perfect for traveling I bought this bad boys 3 years ago and still rockin, the only issue is the strap, they are waaaay confortable with the bungie straps. 10/10 would buy again.

Aaron G.

2017-01-10T02:03:45

I absolutely love these fin's. The first pair I bought I wish I would have bought the larger size, but all I had to do was go from my full booties to half ones and then they fit perfectly. Great power, easy on and off and I would also recommend buying the bungy straps for them and get rid of the existing ones. I've since bought another pair and could not be happier with these fins. Highly recommend them, great for traveling, small, compact and easy to pack

SHANE E.

2016-12-26T13:04:34

I'm very happy with these fins, very light weight and great propulsion also! I've had them on multiple dive trips and are holding up with no problems.

STEVE F.

2016-10-19T12:27:53

I have been using Sherwood Trek split fins for several years and absolutely love them...while diving. However they presented me with two problems. First, they are so big they are difficult to fit in the fin pocket of my travel bag. Next and more troubling is that they suction to my boots and are extremely difficult to remove when preparing to get back on the boat. So I tried these X-Stream fins and love them. These are so easy to remove and they fit my gear bag nicely. Although skeptical at first, I like the buckles on the straps. I had to modify my kick slightly, but that was easy and actually fun to learn something new. These provide lots of thrust and are effective against strong current. Overall a very comfortable and efficient fin, highly recommended.

BOB R.

2016-09-07T08:40:11

Bought these for diving the St Lawrence where there can be strong currents; fins performed well providing power and speed when needed. Recommend these fins.

DARRELL J.

2015-04-14T20:00:00

wonderfull!!!

ENRIQUE C.

2015-03-25T20:00:00

Excelent for strong current

ENRIQUE C.

2014-07-12T20:00:00

Bought these fins, after i unboxed them i tried them on and one of the straps that came with the fins broke. I ordered the bungie straps that mares sells and thought problem solved. I used my hollis fins and allowed my friend to use these, after we finished diving i asked him if he like them and he said they lacked power. In disbelief because the reviews spoke so highly of the product, i headed out through the surf to try them myself. While donning the fins in the surf a wave pushed the blade under the foot pocket and the rubber ripped. Probably the worst designed fins ever, they are so easy to break and they aren't worth the price. I own lots of mares gear and for the most part its designed well, this isn't.

Kasey

2014-06-29T20:00:00

Great for travel because of its lightweight design.

Orlando L.

2014-03-31T20:00:00

I used these fins on a two week trip. Took some getting used to the click caused by the joint but once I got used to that I loved them. I did replace the straps with spring straps. The original straps are pretty difficult to remove.

Colorado D.

2014-03-30T20:00:00

have not dove with these fins yet but they did accomodate my boots (seasoft size 10) and they are much lighter than my previous fins wich are mares avantis

vwake65

2014-03-30T20:00:00

quick fast delivery as always

mitton

2014-03-19T20:00:00

Prompt delivery!

Martin

2014-03-11T20:00:00

these fins are super light and great for travel. they kick very well and I would recommend to anyone..

neutral b.

2014-02-12T19:00:00

I've been using these professionally for 3 years, teaching and leading dives in Lake Mead, San Diego and Isla Mujeres Mexico for the last 18 months. Light ( float ), kick soft, then power up when you kick hard. flick light for positioning when taking pictures. They track very well which takes pressure off the knees. ( I tried another company's hi-tech fins, had to use knee strength to get them to hold a straight line ). Hundreds of dives on them at this point, no problems with the buckles or straps.

jim

2014-01-12T19:00:00

Loved both the fins and boots, but both run large and myself and my fiancé had to exchange for smaller sizes. I wear a size 8, but the size 6 boots are perfect, as well as the extra small fins. My fiancé is a size 12 and went with the size 11 boots and regular size fins....can't wait to take them for a spin on our honeymoon!

Suz O.

2013-12-18T19:00:00

After ordering 2 other pairs that where either TOO long or TOO HEAVY, I spoke with Ben here at Leisurepro and he recomended these & I'm THRILLED he did! These are my first NEW fins in 32 years of diving, I took them to the Bahamas & LOVE THEM!!!! They are unbelievably LIGHT, EASY to remove with quick release buckle system and GREAT propulsion, WHO COULD ASK FOR MORE!!!!

Steve

2013-10-25T20:00:00

These Fins are awesome!!! I have had them for over a year and will probably never own another pair! I used all types of fins while renting gear, I finally bought these and they are awesome! They are comfortable, light, they fit my booties great (I have big wide feet), there easy to get on and off, and I get great propulsion with them! They only reason it does not get 5 stars is because the quick realease buckle is starting to get stuck on mine now. I have about 50 dives on them. But other than that they are worth every penny!

Batman D.

2013-09-20T20:00:00

I tried about four or five different fins on at local shops before I settled on these. My local shop will let you use them in the pool and still return them. This was nice to be able to do because I have a wide foot as well as a high instep. So, I tried the ScubaPro Twin Jet and Twin Jet Maxx - no bueno. Too tight on my wide foot - I mean painful. Then the ScubaPro Sea Wing. First I had to make my peace with the look, but I just didn't feel like I could get good propulsion out of it. Next up, the AquaLung Slingshot - The XL was way too small - they must run small. The AquaLung Shot was a good fit, but something kept drawing me to the Mares Xtreme, and I'm glad I did! They are adjustable open-heel fins, but they have quick release, fold-over type buckles, so once you size them, you just put them on and fold over the buckle and you're ready to go. Great for the width of my foot and great propulsion. I wear a size 10.5 to 11 shoe, and with the 7mm boot on, an XL fits perfect with room to spare if my foot was bigger. If you're thinking about it, just do it!

Fyr-Fytr

2013-09-01T20:00:00

Very fast delivery and customer service was great

Kenny C.

2013-06-09T20:00:00

these fins rock! I was divivng in Catalina all day and was not even half as tired as I usually get with my old fins

CaptRon

2013-05-29T20:00:00

This is a great light weight fin. Moves a lot of water with limited effort. Only two thing to consider when buying this fin. If you plan to wear "Heavy" sole boots (Cold Water, dry-suit or walking on rocks) this fin pocket is just too small!!! Also, The strap locking design is great and very simple and effective, but very difficult to use with a 5MM glove. So again, for real cold water use maybe a different fin. Medium sole boots or boat type soles, 3MM-5MM and gloves 3MM or less. Great fin. I bought a second pair of fins for my need for heavier boots and a second pair of boots to accomidate using these fins. These fins are always the first choice.

TKDCHUCK