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Scuba fins can make or break a scuba diving trip. No one wants to feel overly fatigued after just thirty minutes or use twice as much air huffing and puffing because they decided to chintz out on their fins. To maximize one’s trip, the responsible diver should look into various options, try on a few pairs and make an informed decision. After all, scuba gear is far from cheap, so making the right choice becomes an investment.

Cold water divers will want adjustable strap scuba fins, so they can wear warming booties underneath. Coral divers and deep sea excavators need the adjustable strap model for its great propulsion and foot protection. However, some people complain that the straps can break easily and the less-expensive full-footed fins are designed for warm water surface swimmers.

Thanks to recent innovation, some paddle fins come with self-adjusting blades. At the highest end, the $169 Mares Volo scuba fins have received awards for its patented Optimized Pivoting Blade technology. The Mares Volo design puts the blade at the best position on both upward and downward strokes, allowing for optimal propulsion. Experienced divers also recommend Apollo brand scuba fins for $150, which are the only fins to score perfect in the Rodale Magazine evaluation. Comparable lower-end options include the Dacor or Tusa brand, full-foot, OPB models for just $23 or the more advanced adjustable strap OPB models for $79.

Split scuba fins are the latest high-end product on the market. They’re not recommended for photographers or cave divers who will hover, back-pedal and fight currents. However, most divers can increase air efficiency and reduce muscle fatigue by 40% with a $200 pair of Apollo Bio-Fins or $128 Sherwood fins.

A second option, well-suited for tourist swimmers, are the comfortable and marine-life safe polyurethane force fins. Force fins are very comfortable for surface divers but aren’t recommended for wreck diving or dry suit diving. The Original Force Fin designed by Bob Evans goes for $120 and received high praise from the US Navy for its functionality and toes-free foot pocket that reduces cramping.

A third design offers Power Enhancing Vents that are said to reduce the stress on the diver’s legs and slightly accelerate the kick by allowing water to pass through slits and over the fin blades. Aeris Velocity has them for $80.

A more obvious consideration for scuba fins is length. Current divers, competitive underwater hockey players and fitness swimmers often like the longer blades like Aqualung, which has won “the best paddle fin” award. Cave divers love the massive, powerful Scuba Pro Jets for their comfort and short length that’s good for navigating cramped spaces.

Any experienced diver will tell you: if there is one place to spend the extra money, it’s in the fins! A good pair of scuba fins should last you twenty to forty years. Before going to your local dive shop, get an idea of what you’ll be needing your scuba fins for and you’ll save a lot of time and hassle.

By Sports Info Editor

Click here for details about Scuba Diving - The magazine divers trust! Featuring in-depth scuba equipment comparative reviews, dive travel destination reports and feature articles on diving environment, aquatic life, diver nutrition and health.

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