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Cheap fiberglass fins

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Diversity

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Jun 14, 2021
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Hi, i’ve had plastic Omer stingray fins for a while, and I’m curious about upgrading. I dive pretty cold and rough conditions, with big swim outs. and I’m curious what you guys think of cheap fiberglass fins (Leaderfins, spearmaster, mako) would it be a noticeable upgrade? Is it worth saving the money and buying better made carbon/fiberglass fins?
 
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A couple years ago, I upgraded from entry level mako plastics to Mako's carbons and was pleased. Yes, there are nicer fins out there but I was pleased with service first time around and the price was right (couldn't justify 500 USD fins given my beginner skill set.) The difference in blade stiffness, alone, made a world of difference to me as a relative beginner. Not to mention the addition of side rails.

After reading some of Vinski's posts on here, I've decided a quality pair of fiberglass blades is probably the right choice for me as I am usually diving among rocks, rigs, etc and from what I understood they perform equally as well as most carbon blades out there.
 
I have used the Omer Eagleray fins, they appeared extremely soft/floppy to me and provided little propulsion especially for someone close to 200 lbs or more. The Cressi Gara 3000 are awesome but perhaps a bit stiff for cold water and lighter people. I have used Leaderfins hard fiberglass ICE fins and medium Pure Carbon with Forza pockets. I like both fins quite a bit and there is a noticeable difference in efficiency and response compared to plastic. They seem to move through the water with less effort and strain on the knees. Holding the pure carbon and the fiberglass fins side by side, the fiberglass are significantly heavier and the blade is more than twice as thick. Sure the fiberglass will likely be more durable but there is a penalty.
 
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A couple years ago, I upgraded from entry level mako plastics to Mako's carbons and was pleased. Yes, there are nicer fins out there but I was pleased with service first time around and the price was right (couldn't justify 500 USD fins given my beginner skill set.) The difference in blade stiffness, alone, made a world of difference to me as a relative beginner. Not to mention the addition of side rails.

After reading some of Vinski's posts on here, I've decided a quality pair of fiberglass blades is probably the right choice for me as I am usually diving among rocks, rigs, etc and from what I understood they perform equally as well as most carbon blades out there.
Same experience for me. Upgraded from Mako plastic to Leaderfins fiberglass. Got lucky and got to test fiber and carbon before buying. I preferred fiber ‍♂️
The difference in upgrading is very noticeable specially on the drops, (fewer kicks to reach my depths).
You wont regret any way you end up going with an upgrade.
 
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Same experience for me. Upgraded from Mako plastic to Leaderfins fiberglass. Got lucky and got to test fiber and carbon before buying. I preferred fiber ‍♂️
The difference in upgrading is very noticeable specially on the drops, (fewer kicks to reach my depths).
You wont regret any way you end up going with an upgrade.
Interesting, why did you prefer it? Thanks
 
I have used the Omer Eagleray fins, they appeared extremely soft/floppy to me and provided little propulsion especially for someone close to 200 lbs or more. The Cressi Gara 3000 are awesome but perhaps a bit stiff for cold water and lighter people. I have used Leaderfins hard fiberglass ICE fins and medium Pure Carbon with Forza pockets. I like both fins quite a bit and there is a noticeable difference in efficiency and response compared to plastic. They seem to move through the water with less effort and strain on the knees. Holding the pure carbon and the fiberglass fins side by side, the fiberglass are significantly heavier and the blade is more than twice as thick. Sure the fiberglass will likely be more durable but there is a penalty.
It’s really good to know about the thickness! Although thinner and lighter performs better, I think I still may prefer fiberglass for durability
 
Interesting, why did you prefer it? Thanks
I don’t recall the details, but the fiber did feel to me like the ones I got better performance from. I got to try them on a freediving course and the second and third day I used the fiber after trying out both on the first day.

And like the others have mentioned, fiber are usually cheaper than carbon. All I do is shore dives on reef and rock structures and fiber can handle the beatings better than carbon (or so I was told)
 
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If you can afford them, get the carbons. I've been using the Leaderfins Full carbon with their forza pocket for a year and I'm very happy. If you swim a lot, get the soft ones.
 
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