[blaiz]

I have used both fins. I started with the Cressi Gara 3000 and loved them. They were a great introduction fin. Good for diving anywhere from 20ft-80ft. The footpockets were very comfortable.

The Riffes are the fins I use now (though I still use my Garas for shallower dives.) The blades are a bit stiffer and I find them better for deeper diving. Some will say that the softness of the footpockets lessen the power transfer with the blades but I dont really notice that. The footpockets arnt quite as confortable as my Garas but that could just be the shape of my foot too.

The plus with the riffes as apposed to the Cressis is that you have the option of changing the blades down the road. If you break one of the cressi blades you have to get a whole new pair. If you break a riffe you can order just the blade. YOu can even order different blades and use the same foot pockets.

Last the channels on the riffes make them a little more efficient but harder to maneuver when diving caves or shallow reefs.