When you first start scuba diving, much like any other new hobby, you are keen to spend as little as you possibly can and keep the cost down, just in case you don’t stick at it or don’t enjoy it as much as you’d hoped. Fed up with using ill-fitting rental scuba fins? Now’s the time to treat yourself. We’ve reviewed the best scuba fins available to help you do just that.
There is nothing more likely to ruin your experience than dive boots that feel as though they might slip off, a wetsuit that restricts your movement, or scuba or snorkel fins that don’t allow you to practice your frog kick and flutter kick which may be the case with rental equipment.
Of course, we are not saying that rental scuba gear doesn’t have its place for a once or twice-a-year diver but for those that want to be a serious scuba diver then buying your scuba gear is the way to go.
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Top 10 Scuba Fins for Diving
No matter how much you love scuba diving and exploring the ocean depths no one wants to spend hours flipping through the various different types of scuba fins, we know how overwhelming it can be trying to find the best on the market from the vast selection available.
We understand and that is why we are here to help. In this post, you will find our choice of the 10 best fins for diving available right now to suit both your needs, finning techniques, and also your budget.
We are confident that you’ll be able to find the perfect set of fins from our reviews below, once you do get some tips and ideas on how to mark your scuba gear so that it never gets mixed up with other divers equipment.
1. Aqualung Stratos 3 Full Foot Fins
We are starting this list as we mean to continue it, with nothing but top-quality products. The amazing Aqualung Stratos 3 is a full foot fin that combines style with comfort and functionality, without costing an arm and a leg (or fin). These will be of particular interest to anyone that regularly dives in water with warmer temperatures.
Aqualung has designed the Stratos 3 to have the flex point very close to the front of the foot. This helps you to make full use of the whole dive fin when using the flutter kick in the water, meaning you benefit from a superb effort vs. power ratio. You will never have to use too much energy to kick hard for thrust or speed, which has to be one of the main features for divers.
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In turn, this means you will be able to increase the length of your dives because you will be consuming air more economically and efficiently. These offer not only stability but will enhance your swimming with the aid of the side wings.
Aqualung has also ensured that these are comfortable and the material is soft enough even for the toe area, keeping it feeling secure while still feeling roomy. The fact that they have been designed and built to a high standard, the relatively low price means that they are a fin you should give serious thought to for your next dive travel experience.
Why We Liked Them
- 4 Channel Structure
- Available in 4 vibrant colors
- Anti-slip Rubber Pads
- Side wings for improved swimming
2. ScubaPro Seawing Nova Open Heel Fins
There is no question over whether the ScubaPro Seawing Nova fin (or as some still call them, diving flippers) deserves to be on our list or not. They are one of the best on the market. The issue many of you will have with this model, we feel, is that prices start on the high end, but then it is high quality.
Even though they may only appeal to the intermediate and advanced divers reading this, they are still one to earmark for later, if they aren’t quite in your price range just now. ScubaPro has ensured they have an incredibly strong flex point which means it does not require a lot of effort to gain some tasty thrust and speed when you kick.
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Thanks to the tapered edges of the blades, they will be responsive and effective regardless of the kicks you are employing. The strap that sits at the back of your foot has also been made to a high standard and is comfortable for swimming, but also feels secure and sturdy.
Slipping them on is made easy, despite the lack of a heel section, thanks to the generous sizes of the gripping points and heel strap. ScubaPro has won a flurry of different awards suggesting that if they are in your price range, these are the best diving fins that you could invest in. Prices vary on the foot size and fit.
Why We Liked Them
- Incredibly strong flex point
- Available in 7 different colors
- Durable Monprene construction
- Bungee heel strap
3. Atomic Aquatics Full Foot Split Dive Fin
Over the last few years, Atomic Aquatics has been doing a fine job of producing high-end scuba gear and this split full foot fin is no different. The biggest surprise about this option though is the price tag.
The versatility of this split full foot fins style is enough to provide the more advanced divers with what they need for their kicks and propulsion through the water while still affordable enough for newbies who don’t want to spend too much to start their collection and unless you are diving cold water you will not require a dive sock or boot.
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Split fin varieties like these have been increasing in popularity in recent years and it’s not hard to see why if you give a pair a go. Thanks to the flex they provide, they result in a good level of thrust vs exertion in all kinds of water conditions and currents less energy means less air used so this can increase the length of your dive. Whether you are boat diving or surface diving these will be great.
The rubber they are constructed from is nice to wear and won’t cause any irritating chafing like some other standard fins that are often used by dive travel centers for their rental pairs. With all of the above in mind, this style is worth checking out, regardless of experience level.
Why We Liked Them
- Affordable price tag
- Light fin (great for traveling)
- Flexibility and rigidity for efficient propulsion
- Split fin design
4. Cressi Frog Plus EBS Scuba Fins
For a very long time, Cressi and their Frog fins have been a go-to for many divers. In their original form, they were a good investment, now with Frog Plus, that popular model has been upgraded and improved upon and the style is perfect for entry-level or experienced divers.
Rather than two materials, the construction involves three. There is the foot pocket made from durable, but flexible rubber which sits under the dual-density polymer blade and extends up alongside the side rails, and the channels of this dive fin are made from silicone material.
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The channeling effect on these scuba fins actually enables a high level of energy to be transferred in both up and down strokes when kicking. All of which Cressi suggests increases efficiency and power while performing up and down kicks.
Considering the price tag and Cressi’s craftsmanship, these are a great choice of fin for divers of all levels. And what’s even better is they come in a great choice of colors to match the rest of your scuba diving gear!
Why We Liked Them
- Available in 7 different colors
- Really comfortable
- Extremely durable
- Dual-density polymer blade
5. TUSA Solla Open Heel Scuba Fins
TUSA is a manufacturer that has improved their quality and increased in popularity over the last couple of years. This TUSA Solla dive fin is a surprising budget buy for anyone who wants a robust pair of fins for a competitive price.
They have medium-sized blades and allow for a nice amount of maneuverability while swimming and constructed using both soft and hard materials. In fact, they make the claim that being by using ForcElast technology these give unparalleled performance and efficiency not seen in the traditional blade fin before.
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This offers a nice degree of flex power that won’t strain your leg muscles and is easier on your knees than some. With the new design of the anatomic foot pocket, they are very comfortable on the feet.
They have also given them a TUSA patented EZ Straps and buckles (clips) system for a comfortable heel strap that makes the foot pocket accessible while comfortable for your toes and has a build that is very ergonomic and anatomical contours with the back of the foot nicely. This is something open-heel fins should have. Powerful and comfortable, these Solla are a great choice.
Why We Liked Them
- Unparalleled performance and efficiency
- Three-channel blade
- Cool and modern designed fin
- 10 awesome color choices
6. ScubaPro Twin Jet Open-Heel Split Fins
The second set on our list from ScubaPro is the Twin Jet Split fins. This model offers rigid support on the outside, while the most innermost part of the blade stays flexible, and makes for comfortable feet. This style is fitted with a heel strap.
This decreases the amount of stress on your knees while you kick, but is able to still produce a great amount of thrust. Similarly, to the brand’s aforementioned Seawing Nova, the Twin Jet has a large flex point with a vent that just helps with the ratio of power vs. exertion again reducing your air intake and increasing the length of your dive.
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This is especially a great choice of scuba fin for divers who utilize the flutter kit because the split design offers excellent propulsion. When you choose ScubaPro, you know the equipment is going to be made to a high-quality, and that’s what you will find with this fin.
With another great range of colors to choose from, these scuba fins will match any other colored gear you have. All in all, these fins have great features, great style, and they are very comfortable on the feet.
Why We Liked Them
- 7 different colors to choose from
- Split fin design
- Quick-release easy-adjust buckles
- Designed for maximum comfort
7. Mares X-Stream Open Foot Dive Fin
From Mares, a company that has a similar level of experience and a similar reputation to ScubaPro comes the X-Stream fin, some of the best fins around. If you dive with style, then these are for you.
These fins could justifiably be as a direct response to the Seawing Nova fins. They have a generous flex point positioned at the foot pocket’s front that helps by relieving the potential stress to your joints as you are trying to get the large blades to power you through the water comfortably and efficiently.
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Compared to others, this set of scuba fins have vented foot pockets that are among the softest available. These are great for diving with a neoprene dive boot, dive socks, or even if you are diving with bare feet as long as they are a good fit.
Although they are higher in price and therefore best for intermediate or advanced scuba divers, they are among the highest quality when it comes to performance and construction, they are good travel fins as extremely lightweight and a perfect part of your scuba gear.
Why We Liked Them
- Generous flex point
- Extremely lightweight
- Great for travel fins
- Highest quality
8. Mares Avanti Quattro Plus Open Foot Bungee Strap Fins
Staying with Mares, the Avanti Quattro Plus open-heel bungee strap diving fin is worthy of your consideration too. They have a design that combines soft and comfortable channels with stiff plastics and features easy-to-use buckles.
They provide your kicks with a bit more oomph. These have similar elements with their designs to the pair we highlighted at the outset, the Aqualung Stratos 3, and have a comfortable and flexible bungee-style backstrap.
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This provides you a convenient fin that can be just slipped on and then the strapping holds them firmly, but snugly in place. The foot pocket is very comfortable on your feet as long as you get the right size.
Quick and convenient is the aim of things here, and the ratio of hard plastics to softer elements creates a diving fin that is stiffer than others but offers tough thrust when you are kicking, due to the large and wide blades. Ideal for all dive conditions and give the power for dealing with a current or surface swimming.
Why We Liked Them
- Non-Vented Fin
- 6 vibrant color choices
- Greater responsiveness
- Flexible bungee-style backstrap
9. Aqualung Stratos ADJ Scuba Divers Fins
It felt right to end our list of the 10 best scuba diving fins with Aqualung again, where we started. The Aqualung Stratos ADJ scuba fin is marketed by the company as a superb choice for divers who are just getting involved in the sport.
The features and style make a comfortable foot pocket. Prices vary on the foot size and your required fit. They are a popular choice for dive centers as a rental diving fin which stands as testimony to their durability and the fact that they are suitably built for the purpose.
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They get the most out of your kick and give the thrust to be able to move through the water at speed. With the foot pocket and blade, both made from dual material, these fins provide the right amount of flexibility and rigidity in all the right places
Meanwhile, the quick-release strap and buckle system is very ergonomic and simplistic to make putting them on and taking them off easily. These scuba diving fins are perfect for entry-level divers.
Why We Liked Them
- Quick-release strap
- Dual-Material Blade
- Perfect for entry-level divers
- Very durable
10. Dive Rite XT Open Heel Fins
It’s true that the Dive Rite XT fins do not look quite as good as some of the flashier products on our list and they are only available in one color, but it is worth noting that they offer superb performance.
These scuba fins are a top pick for cave divers as their design is better suited to that diving environment. The bungee straps and heel design, for instance, has one of the most robust straps of all we’ve featured that are marine-grade stainless steel spring heel straps and buckles.
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This stainless-steel spring provides a rock-solid build. The actual blades on these are medium to stiff and are excellent for a wide variety of kick including the frog kick, although you can use them for any kind of kick pattern.
These stiffer designs give a greater amount of power in comparison to those that are more flexible while providing a comfortable foot pocket too.
Why We Liked Them
- Unique blade design
- Excellent power to kick ratio
- Highly durable
- Stainless steel buckles
For a quick recap, Here are our 3 most popular scuba fins:

- Comfortable
- Increased Efficiency
- Hi-Flex Material
- Bungee-Style Backstrap

- Hydrodynamic Design
- Bungee Heel Strap
- Optimum Propulsion
- High-Speed Stability

- Affordable
- High Quality
- 4 Channel Structure
- Comfortable
Frequently Asked Questions about Scuba Fins
If you have felt overwhelmed in the past by the huge variety of different fins available, we hope this post has helped show you that it’s actually not quite as hard to find a decent pair of fins as you may have already thought.
We have tried to be sympathetic to the different needs, styles, experience, and skill levels of all reading this article, as well as differing budgets. We thought you might still have some questions, so we have gone ahead and answered some of the most frequently asked questions about fins here.
What are the best scuba fins?
The best scuba fins come in all kinds of styles and with many different features. When it comes down to choosing the best type of fin for yourself, it comes down to personal preference. There are some things you should bear in mind when looking for the perfect fin set though.
First, think about your diving conditions and the type of power and speed you need from your fins while swimming. Do you want the convenience of lightweight fins for travel purposes or are you looking for stiffness when it comes to a fin needed for the frog kick? Performance and maneuverability are two things to think about when looking for styles of fins.
Apart from the obvious fin style, you will also want to make sure that your fin sets don’t cause you any discomfort when worn for any length of time. Having fin straps or buckles can be difficult to deal with underwater, so many people opt for full foot fins or even invest in fin accessories such as bungee or spring straps.
Different diving conditions will also affect the features and style of sets of fins that you will need. Dive boots will be needed in cold water conditions, for example. Therefore it’s a good idea to try on your fins with a dive boot, dive booties, water shoes, or scuba socks before hitting the water to make sure they are the correct size and fit.
What type of scuba fins should I buy?
There are three main types of scuba fins you can buy, these are full foot fins, split fins, and open heel fins. If you like the open-heeled option, think about whether you will need to wear dive boots with them when picking the right size for a good fit. With so many different options available on the market today it’s important to think about fin features.
What type of diving, surface, freediving, or drift diving. Are you dealing with currents or need the power for surface swimming. The more energy and air you save the longer the length your dive can be.
Are Split fins better?
Just like every other piece of scuba divers equipment, the question of are split fins better depends on the diving style being used and so comes down to a divers personal preference. Split fins are great for flutter kicking, but you would struggle with frog kicking.
If you have a tendency to cramp up, then these are a great help especially if you have any joint problems. They have a long split through the middle of the fin. they work well in an easy or calm sea with no current, giving you the power and speed you need using little effort. Divers swimming in a stronger current would need more power to flutter kick.
What are scuba fins made of?
There are many different styles of fins and what the scuba fins are made of depends on the manufacturer, but mainly they are made up from rubber, polypropylene plastic, or carbon fiber.
Having been designed for control and efficiency finding the right fin helps surface divers, freedivers and scuba divers fight the current and move through the water, with less effort. The cost can vary considerably.