Best Swim Fins

Review & Comparison, Last Update January 18, 2024
Whether you're simply looking to have some fun swimming around the shore or you take swimming seriously and would like to improve your technique, a new pair of swim fins is exactly what you need to meet those goals. ...Read more ...Read less
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BEST 2024
PROS
CONS
OUR VERDICT
Application
Type
Size
Material
Features
Warranty
 
PROS

The blade extends from the top of the foot, thus increasing the surface area that will allow you to direct the water flow, which is quite important in terms of improving the thrust. The dual-material design that uses strong polypropylene and soft elastomer perfectly balances power and kicking comfort.

CONS

The blades are a tad stiff. 

OUR VERDICT

What the company offers with their Pro Light product are arguably one of the best swim fins on the market in terms of accommodating both the needs of professionals and beginners that are just getting started in the world of underwater diving.

detailed parameters
Application

Diving

Type

Open-heel design

Size

US Men's 8/10; 10/12; 12/14; 14/15

XS, S/M, M/L, XL

Material

Thermoplastic rubber / technopolymers

Features

Quick release, quick-adjust buckle, soft anatomical foot pocket, foot pocket placed beneath the blade

Warranty

Amazon's 30-day return policy

PROS

The long, hydrodynamic blade lifts the legs of the swimmer in order to allow for a more propulsive kick. Aside from adding some additional power to the kick, the long blade is also responsible for added buoyancy that reduces drag and helps the swimmer build some leg strength.

CONS

The sizes may be somewhat inaccurate. 

OUR VERDICT

This is the model that you can acquire for yourself, the model that you can use to exercise and train your abilities, and the model that you can get for your kid if you would like to teach him how to swim the right way from the get-go.

detailed parameters
Application

Open water and pool training

Type

Closed heel design

Size

Junior 8 - Adult 14

XXXXS, XXXS, XXS, XS, S, M, L, XL, XXL, XXXL

Material

Soft floatable rubber

Features

Hydrodynamic blade, for all ages and all levels of swimming

Warranty

Amazon's 30-day return policy

PROS

The additional length of the blade provides some extra power and force. The tapered edge provides the user with the opportunity to exercise longer whips throughout the kick cycle. Such a solution doesn't just translate effort into speed but also helps when it comes to elongating the kick, improving your technique as a result.

CONS

Rubber tends to dry out and crack after time. 

OUR VERDICT

Speedo swim fins will prove to be a great choice for people that would like to swim through some coral reefs as well as for those folks that would simply prefer to enjoy some recreational swimming during the next upcoming vacation.

detailed parameters
Application

Swimming laps, snorkeling, recreational swimming

Type

Closed heel design

Size

Junior 9 - Adult 12

XXXS, XXS, XS, S, M, L, XL, XXL

Material

Soft 100% natural rubber

Features

Orthopedic foot pockets, flexible blade, for all levels of swimming

Warranty

Amazon's 30-day return policy

PROS

By incorporating a lengthier diving fin with a particularly slim length of the flipper blade and dual composite vents, the model allows the divers to enjoy much longer strides. The soft full foot pocket ensures the sort of breathable comfort that will allow you to enjoy all aspects of diving.

CONS

The foot pocket is a bit narrow.

OUR VERDICT

If you like snorkeling, you might want to look into the U.S. Divers Proflex II swim fins. And if you do not care for such amateur recreational activities, there's still a pretty good chance the model will be able to fulfill your diving needs.

detailed parameters
Application

Diving

Type

Closed heel design

Size

5 - 6.5; 9.5 - 11.5

S, M, L, XL

Material

Elastomeric polymer

Features

Soft foot pocket, dual vented blades, for all levels

Warranty

Amazon's 30-day return policy

PROS

The blade has a snappy rebound and even some of the least experienced swimmers and divers will be able to exercise fluid and powerful kicks. The extended foot pocket offers some additional protection to the divers as they swim through shallow water or around the rocks. 

CONS

The choice of sizes is somewhat limited. 

OUR VERDICT

Cressi Pluma offers a pair of swim fins that "understand" the importance of protecting the feet underwater without sacrificing the performance aspect in return. Plus, the model is light enough for just about anybody to enjoy swimming with comfortable ease.

detailed parameters
Application

Snorkeling or recreational swimming

Type

Closed heel design

Size

3.5/4.5; 5/6; 8/9

XXS, XS, S

Material

Polypropylene, soft thermo-rubber, non-slip inserts

Features

Elastomer non-slip foot pocket improves comfort, three material molded design

Warranty

Amazon's 30-day return policy

X

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Cressi Pro Light

Explore the Ocean

Swimming around the shore has its moments, we aren't going to argue that. But there is nothing quite like diving deep underwater to explore the dazzling sea world and all of the creatures that live deep in the ocean. But, in order to do that, you will need a quality pair of swim fins, not dissimilar to the Cressi Pro Light.

Granted, it isn't the most original name out there, but it makes all the sense in the world that the manufacturers would name this particular product like that. The "pro" part isn't necessarily misleading since the model in question is one of the most popular choices of instructors and professional divers all over the world. The "light", as you'd imagine, stands for lightweight, which is especially important for divers as they already have to deal with a great variety of heavy equipment. One of the biggest reasons behind the reduced weight of the model is its open-heel design that is great for traveling divers. But what makes these particular swim fins would have to be the blade that incorporates the company' patented design, with the said blade extending from the top of the foot. What you get in return for this sort of approach is an increase in surface area that will allow you to direct the water flow, which is quite important in terms of improving the thrust.

Finally, the design of the blade isn't just manifested through the form of it but also the materials that go into the component. Materials plural since the folks at Cressi decided to go with a dual-material design that uses strong polypropylene and soft elastomer. This very decision is what allowed them to create a pair of fins that perfectly balance power and kicking comfort.

All things considered, what the company offers with their Pro Light product are arguably one of the best swim fins on the market in terms of accommodating both the needs of professionals and beginners that are just getting started in the world of underwater diving.

Review of Cressi Pro Light Lightweight Well-Balanced Open Heel Scuba Diving Fins
Last updated price $55.95
Stock In stock
ASIN B0051IGO7O

What customers say about this product

Key Specs

I have the M/L and wore 3mm size 11 booties with these while diving in a tropical climate and they fit great.

Features

The heel strap functions great, and unlike some other fins I've used, there's no confusion over how to adjust the strap, or difficulty in doing so.
 

FINIS 1.05.037.05

Time to Train

FINIS Long Floating Fin is the model you ought to strongly consider if you would like to teach your kid to swim or if you're simply interested in swimming around the shore yourself. With a great variety of different sizes, there's a good chance you will be able to find the one that will fit you or your little Michael Phelps in the making.

As the name suggests, the most important part of this model is the long, hydrodynamic blade that lifts the legs of the swimmer in order to allow for a more propulsive kick. Aside from adding some additional power to the kick, the long blade is also responsible for added buoyancy that reduces drag and helps the swimmer build some leg strength, making the swim fins great for training purposes. And that's not to mention that the latter allows the user to focus on stroke technique instead of worrying about preserving his energy.

That said, the model also incorporates the closed heel design that is beneficial in terms of providing some extra protection against the hyperflexion of ankles, something that a lot of beginners and intermediate swimmers tend to suffer from. The increase in comfort that comes from the said design solution is exactly what makes this model a great fit not just for kids but also for all kinds of people interested in training and improving their abilities.

Again, what we have here isn't just a great pair of kids swim fins. This is the model that you can acquire for yourself, the model that you can use to exercise and train your abilities, and the model that you can get for your kid if you would like to teach him how to swim the right way from the get-go.

Review of FINIS 1.05.037.05 Long Floating Fin
Last updated price $24.35
Stock In stock
ASIN B001M0O4YK

 

Speedo 7530039-Multi-M-Parent

Swim Wherever You Want

The model from Speedo is one of the most versatile offers on the market. You can utilize these fins for training purposes as you do rounds and rounds of swimming laps. You can employ the help of the model if you're interested in swimming through some majestic coral reefs. Finally, you can also rely on this pair of fins to help you with your recreational swimming during the upcoming vacation.

The whole thing is made of nothing but 100% natural rubber, which is certainly one of the reasons behind the model's flexibility. The rubber is simply perfect for practicing swimming laps or snorkeling. Of course, we do not have unlimited energy reserves to do all of those things all day long, but the additional comfort that you will get from the soft, orthopedic foot pocket will definitely allow you to extend the duration of your practices or snorkeling sessions.

Having said that, swimming for hours can still be a difficult feat to accomplish, so the people behind these Speedo swim fins made sure to add a couple of extra solutions in order to help you with that. First, there's the additional length of the blade that provides some extra power and force. On the side of these long blades, you will find a tapered edge that provides the user with the opportunity to exercise longer whips throughout the kick cycle. Such a solution doesn't just translate effort into speed but also helps when it comes to elongating the kick, improving not just your speed but also your technique as a result.

To somewhat rephrase our earlier point, Speedo swim fins will prove to be a great choice for people that would like to swim through some coral reefs as well as for those folks that would simply prefer to enjoy some recreational swimming during the next upcoming vacation.

Review of Speedo 7530039-Multi-M-Parent Rubber Swim Fins
Last updated price $25.76
Stock In stock
ASIN B005FYF97K

 

U.S. Divers Proflex II

Diving in All of Its Forms

If you're the type of person that enjoys diving in all of its forms, you might want to look into the U.S. Divers Proflex II Diving Fins. The company behind the particular product offers a number of different sizes starting from the 5-6 range all the way to 12, meaning that you will be able to find a suitable option whether you're looking for adult swim fins or a pair of flippers for your kid.

Having said that, accommodating people that prefer different types of diving can be tricky, but there's certainly an argument to be made that the designers of these fins did a pretty good job of that, mostly thanks to the dual-composite vented blades. Instead of relying on your typical singular blade made of rubber, these bright folks decided to go with the elastomeric polymer to create the aforementioned design of the product. By incorporating a lengthier diving fin with a particularly slim length of the flipper blade and dual composite vents, the model allows the divers to enjoy much longer strides. All in all, the design will provide you with the opportunity to reach considerable depths in a shorter amount of time without taking a cut out of the time required to reach the surface.

Aside from the blades, we would be remiss not to bring up the soft full foot pocket as it ensures the sort of breathable comfort that will allow you to enjoy all aspects of diving. So, what else is there to say? If you like snorkeling, you might want to look into the U.S. Divers Proflex II swim fins. And if you do not care for such amateur recreational activities, there's still a pretty good chance the model will be able to fulfill your diving needs.

Review of U.S. Divers Proflex II Diving Fins
Last updated price $0.00
Stock May be out of stock
ASIN B000EONGH6

 

Cressi Pluma

Protect Your Feet

What we have here is another model from Cressi that brings something new to the recreational diving and swimming table by making the most out of the company's molding technologies, the sort of technologies that were previously reserved for the more expensive high-end models designed for free diving and scuba diving purposes. Using the Cressi's patented construction system, the team of experts behind this product molded three different materials together in order to combine performance, lightness, and comfort.

First comes the blade that was designed with the use of polypropylene that is both reactive and light. An important part of the blade is a couple of side supporting grooves that, by working in conjunction with the ribbing located on the bottom of the blade, allow the user to enjoy the benefits of controlled and progressive bending. All things considered, the blade has a snappy rebound and even some of the least experienced swimmers and divers will be able to exercise fluid and powerful kicks.

When it came to the foot pocket, the manufacturers decided to go with soft thermo-rubber. They also made sure to extend the foot pocket along the bottom of the blade, a solution that offers some additional protection to the divers as they swim through shallow water or around the rocks. That means that the shape wasn't designed with just the comfort in mind but also with the idea of years and years of prolonged use.

Finally, there's the sole that features a hard structure with large non-slip inserts in order to further improve the idea of protecting the feet of the diver. To sum it all up, Cressi Pluma offers a pair of swim fins that "understand" the importance of protecting the feet underwater without sacrificing the performance aspect in return. Plus, the model is light enough for just about anybody to enjoy swimming with comfortable ease.

Review of Cressi Pluma Snorkeling Full Foot Pocket Fins
Last updated price $39.95
Stock In stock
ASIN B001A1PJA4

What customers say about this product

Key Specs

I ordered the US 6.5/7 - EU 37/38. They fit perfectly. Snug but not tight.

Features

Once fitted to your preferences, these fins are flawless in the water and completely ideal for our needs in both snorkeling and free diving, in the warm waters here in South Florida and the Keys.
 

What Are Swim Fins?

Swimming can be a lot of fun. Swimming around the shore, swimming in a pool, swimming through a coral reef, or swimming deep underwater. Aside from having fun, swimming is also a tool that can be used for exercise purposes. However, just like it is with any other activity out there, the importance of having proper gear cannot be underestimated. A pair of swim fins, for instance, will go a long way in terms of improving your technique. Besides, while you are probably aware of the fact that these things are mandatory if you plan on diving deep underwater or snorkeling around the shore, they are also great for training as well as for recreational swimming. It also depends on the design of the model, with the open-heel type generally being a better fit for serious diving purposes and the closed ones better suited for swimming laps and training applications. However, you should also pay attention to the materials and the sort of features the swim fins incorporate as those often determine the application as well.

If you decide to go with the model better fit for snorkeling purposes, you might also want to get a snorkel mask. And if you are a serious diver, we would suggest looking through our review of dive computers.

Sources:

1. Teresa Bergen Benefits of Swimming With Fins, LIVESTRONG.COM. September 11, 2017.

2. Christy Ayala The Advantages of Exercise Swim Fins, Chron.

3. Swimfin, Wikipedia.

4. Olivier Poirier-Leroy 5 THINGS TO REMEMBER WHEN TRAINING WITH SWIM FINS, SwimSwam. February 8, 2017.

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Publish Date: 2018-05-11 13:35:26