Freediving Fins for Scuba Diving

[Neil Andoque]

Annually for the past 3 years I have joining dive trips to Indonesia. Since I have been certified I have been a solid Jet Fin user all this time but as I have learned that these fins are not really ideal for traveling because of their weight and in very strong current dive sites (Raja Ampat, Komodo). Although I have managed myself in these dives, I have seen that most of the guides here use long/freediving fins and I can see how easy for them to achieve smooth fining with less effort in notoriusly current sites.

So I have decided to get me a pair of long fins specifically for this type of use, but as I have done my research I have found out that there are certain type/brand/model of fins that are rated for only a certain depth. They say that once you descend more than the rated depth that the fins don't function or doesn't do their purpose well.

I want to ask if there's anyone here who can help me choose the proper fins? I am looking at purchasing plastic fins because of their price and the only options I have right now are Mares Razor (not PRO), Mares Concorde, Omer Stingray, Beuchat Mundial One, Beauchat Mundial One 50, Beauchat Mundial Competition, Cressi Gara Modular.

 

[CarstenS]

Personally, I am a great fan of FD fins for warm water scuba diving with streamlined, minimal rig (Apeks Nylon BP and D-18 bladder, 3mm neon or 4th Elelment Thermocline, 1-2 kg lead). Opinions differ widely on this - there are various threads on this. Of your selection, I have personally tried only Mares Razor and Cressi Gara Modular and have a preference for the latter. I use a pair of Spierre Pure Carbon with Gara fps and like them a lot, but they are pricey. I think your choice really comes down to the footpocket unless you also want to do serious freediving. All of them should give you way more propulsion than Jet Fins, and you probably won't notice the impact of the different hardness of blades so much when using them for scuba diving because you will tend to move less. So a comfy pocket is paramount. Only way to find out is to try them on...

 

[Neil Andoque]

Thanks for the response and basing on your answer I have decided to get the Mares Instinct Pro, it's the only one available with a comfortable foot pocket and its the only one that has my size.

 

[Jewpac]

These are pretty powerful: https://www.leisurepro.com/p-mrsfaq...SGg3WaTfHZXmLMQth3X2jM1FT1t9e5esaAryCEALw_wcB