Buyer’s Guide
Freediving is the sport of diving down to recreational SCUBA depths on one’s own breath. Recreational freediving has had spurts of increased popularity in recent years, and even PADI (known for SCUBA training) now also offers freediving courses. Experienced snorkelers and SCUBA divers often find themselves drawn to this remarkable sport. That means you likely already have most of the equipment, like a basic mask and snorkel, to start freediving. However, you will need to invest in a new pair of freediving fins suitable for beginners.
As a new freediver (or soon-to-be freediver!) fins are probably the most important piece of equipment you’ll own. So it’s vital that you make a good choice, especially if you’re a beginner.
Though breath-hold diving beyond a few meters deep is not something you should attempt without proper training, you can still invest in entry-level equipment that you can use for casual snorkeling or SCUBA as well.
You need long, soft blades if you’re a freediving novice
As a beginner, you’ll want to choose fins with relatively soft blades. These will allow you to slowly train up your leg muscles and perfect your finning technique doing shallower dives. Too often, new freedivers will choose an uber long, expensive, carbon fiber pair because that’s what their favorite pros wear only to be disappointed by poor performance and leg cramps when they start training.
Soft blades will let you learn proper finning technique right away
Even if you already have a high level of fitness, start with a soft blade. Why? Because you’ll be more likely to pick up bad finning habits if you start learning with a stiff blade. Remember, general fitness is only part of what makes a good athlete. Learning any new sport requires practice and diligence regarding technique, not just physical conditioning.
A stiff fin is less flexible, which means your body will instinctively compensate by bending your legs at the knee. However, your legs should be relatively straight while finning, a technique that can feel awkward if you’re not used to it. Additionally, new freedivers regardless of their fitness level will have an imbalanced stroke where the backward portion of the kick is stronger, simply because moving the fins in that direction is easier. Correcting these bad habits will be much more efficient if you train with a softer blade.
Softer fins are better for surface activity
Lastly, as a beginner, you’ll be doing a lot of your freediving activity at or near the surface of the water, where finning is more difficult. The last thing you want is to tire yourself out even before you start practicing deeper dives! As you progress to more advanced training and deeper dives, only then should you consider leveling up to a stiffer fin.
Don’t use open-heel fins!
Regardless of the blade stiffness, your freediving fins should absolutely be closed pocket/full-foot in design. This is because the closed pocket design maximizes the power transfer from your leg/foot into the blade during a kick. Please don’t wear that bulky pair of open-heel strap fins you use for SCUBA diving!
Freediving Fins For Beginners That I Recommend
All of the fins below feature relatively soft blades and ergonomic closed foot pockets for energy-efficient kicks. The first few in the list also have shorter blades (25 – 30 inches) so you can potentially use them for SCUBA or snorkeling too. That way, you’ll have a fin that can work well for entry-level freediving, but that you can also use for other underwater activity. As a beginner, you may not want to invest in a pair of fins that can only be used for freediving (yet!) It’s also easier to travel with shorter fins!
I’ve separated the price ranges below into three rough categories: Standard (US $50-$100), Premium (US $100-$150), and High-End (US$150 and over). These categories are rough, however, and you may find that the category is slightly off if you follow-through on a link during a sale or promotion.
1. Cressi Reaction Pro Full-Foot Fins
- Price category: Standard $$
- Length: 25 – 27 inches
- Modular blade: No
- Materials: Polypropylene (blade), thermoplastic rubber (foot pocket), silicone (channels)
- Stiffness: Moderate, high flexibility/snap
- Sizes: US Women’s 5.5-6/US Men’s 3.5-4 to US Women’s 14-15, US Men’s 12-13
- Color options: Blue, Black, Yellow
- Special features: Blade mounted to the top of the foot pocket to maximize displacement surface area; varying blade thickness ensures the blade bends in a uniform curve; softer silicone channels between the blade panels improve blade flexibility and “snap”.
- Other notes: The foot pocket sole features a thermoplastic tread for grip on boat decks.
Great freediving fins for beginners with advanced snorkeling/SCUBA experience
Though these fins aren’t quite as long as most freediving bi-fins (which can be up to 40 inches long!), they are still longer than most snorkeling fins at 25 to 27 inches depending on your foot size. I got these fins before taking an entry-level freediving course (pool only), and have used them ever since.
The foot pocket is very comfortable barefoot, but because my feet are narrow I get a snugger fit by wearing a pair of 3 mm neoprene fin socks with these fins. I recommend you do the same if your feet are on the small side! Also, my feet get cold in the water easily so the extra insulation is a bonus.
Related Post: Wearing Socks with Fins (Choosing Thickness, Styles, and Materials)
The Reaction Pros are versatile enough to work well casual snorkeling (provided you’re experienced enough to keep the long fins from damaging coral) and SCUBA diving too.
As a woman with very small feet, finding proper freediving fins has been quite a challenge, but these were a great compromise. However, relative to when I bought these (2014) there are now more freediving fins being designed for small feet. So when I’ve saved the money for an open-water freediving course I’ll be getting another pair of fins from the selections below. This article has been an effective means of refining my own future choice!
For now, though, I’m doing just fine with my Cressi Reaction Pros!
2. Cressi Pro Star Full Foot Fins
- Price category: Standard $$
- Length: 24 – 27 inches
- Modular blade: No
- Materials: Polypropylene (blade), thermoplastic rubber (foot pocket)
- Stiffness: Moderate/stiff
- Sizes: US Women’s 6-7/US Men’s 4-5 to US Women’s 12-13/US Men’s 10-11
- Color options: Black, Yellow
- Special features: Blade mounted to the top of the foot pocket to maximize displacement surface area; varying blade thickness ensures the blade bends in a uniform curve.
- Other notes: The foot pocket sole features a thermoplastic tread for grip on boat decks.
A more affordable alternative to the Cressi Reaction Pro Fins
Design-wise, the Cressi Pro Star Full-Foot fins are very similar to the Reaction Pro Full-Foot Fins. They are about the same length, both have very comfortable ergonomic foot pockets, and both feature polypropylene blades with varying thickness along the length of the blades.
The major difference is that the Pro Star fins don’t have the silicone-based channels embedded in the blade that the Reaction Pros have. As such, there will be a slight difference in the blade’s performance, with the Reaction Pros having a more flexible, “snappy” kick. This makes the Reaction Pros more suitable for folks with a less practiced or weaker kick.
On the other hand, the Pro Star fins give a more powerful kick because the blades are slightly stiffer. Fewer materials also make these fins a bit lighter, and less expensive, as well.
3. Mares Avanti Quattro Power Full-Foot Long Blade Fins
- Price category: High-End $$$$
- Length: 28 – 29.5 inches
- Modular blade: No
- Materials: Tecralene (blade), thermoplastic rubber (foot pocket)
- Stiffness: Moderate/stiff
- Sizes: US Women’s 8.5-9.5/US Men’s 6.5-7.5 to US Women’s 13-14/US Men’s 11-12
- Color options: Black, Blue, Yellow, Green Camo
- Special features: Four channels improve thrust efficiency by encouraging uniform water flow off the blade’s edge; open-toe allows water to flow through the foot pocket; ribbing on the blade helps to stabilize your kick.
- Other notes: This fin is all about power and speed, making it ideal for both freedivers and SCUBA divers with a strong kick. Also popular with underwater hockey players!
An entry-level freediving fin for swimmers with a strong kick
Mares’ Avanti Quattro fins have been a popular choice among SCUBA divers for decades, and for good reason! All variations of the Quattro are known for their channel thrust technology in particular, and the Power Full-Foot Long Blade Fins are no exception. The patented Tecralene polymer blade combined with a channel design inspired by pinnipeds (seals and sea lions) results in a kick that is both powerful and efficient. The full-foot pockets and long blades make these fins suitable for both SCUBA and apneic sports. As such, they’re an excellent option for an experienced SCUBA diver who wants to start freediving but isn’t fully committed to getting a pair exclusively for the sport.
Keep in mind, however, that these fins are on the stiffer side, so you should already have a strong, well-practiced finning technique if you go for these. Additionally, these fins only come in a minimum size of US Women’s 8.5/US Men’s 6.5. If your feet are smaller then you’ll need to wear a thick fin sock to get a good fit.
4. Beuchat Mundial One Freediving Fins
- Price category: Standard $$
- Length: 32 – 35 inches
- Modular blade: No
- Materials: Highly flexible technopolymer (blade), thermoplastic rubber (foot pocket)
- Stiffness: Moderate
- Sizes: US Women’s 8-9/US Men’s 6-7 to US Women’s 14-15/US Men’s 12-13
- Color options: Black
- Special features: Fishtail edge and stabilizers at the tip of the foot pocket allow for fluid bending and smooth water flow over the blade; Techno polymer blade is durable and soft enough for beginners; ergonomic foot pocket with reinforced in-step improves the energy transfer from foot to blade.
- Other notes: The foot pocket is on the wider side, so folks with narrower feet will benefit from a thicker fin sock. Beuchat does manufacture a US Women’s 6-7 (US Men’s 4-5) size fin, but it is often unavailable at online retailers.
A full-length freediving fin designed especially for beginners
These surprisingly affordable fins are a staple in many freediving training programs. If you’re a beginner who wants to invest in a full-length pair of freediving fins, then these are for you!
These fins are also quite durable, and unlike many of the more fragile high-performance fins, can handle shore-entries and travel with ease. The low price-point and toughness make these a great option for beginners who are still learning how to treat their fins well. Even as you advance, these fins will still be a solid choice on recreational freediving and spearfishing expeditions!
The only major downside is that it’s very difficult to find this fin in size US Women’s 6-7 (US Men’s 4-5). Beuchat does manufacture the fin in this size, but I’ve never been able to find it!
5. SEAC Motus Modular Fins
- Price category: Premium $$$
- Length: 34 – 36 inches
- Modular blade: Yes
- Materials: Highly flexible technopolymer (blade), thermoplastic rubber (foot pocket)
- Stiffness: Moderate
- Sizes: US Women’s 6-7/US Men’s 4-5 to US Women’s 14-15/US Men’s 12-13
- Color options: Black, Blue Camo, Green Camo, Red Camo
- Special features: Fishtail edge, robust foot-pocket bolsters, and ribbing along the blade result in very smooth kick with minimal side-to-side wobbling; dual-hardness foot pocket has a harder thermoplastic rubber on the sole of the foot to maximize energy transfer to the blade and softer rubber on the heel and top of the foot to maximize comfort; the blade is angled slightly downward to compensate for the foot’s natural shape when flexed.
- Other notes: This is a modular fin, so the blade can be detached from the foot pocket and exchanged with another SEAC blade (e.g. of a different length or material)
A modular pair of full-length freediving fins for beginners
If you’re certain that freediving is a sport you want to invest considerable time and training in, then you’ll want a pair of modular fins. These may also be a good choice if you’ve already done some freediving training with a shorter, more versatile fin, and are ready to invest in a full-length pair.
Like the Beuchat Mundial One, the blade on the SEAC Motus is highly flexible, making it suitable for both beginners and intermediate recreational freedivers and spearfishers. Because the Motus is modular, an advancing freediver can exchange the blades for a carbon pair at a later time.
Lastly, the foot pocket is widely available in US Women’s 6-7 (US Men’s 4-5), and is narrower than some of the other models in this list, making the Motus a fantastic choice for women divers and others with smaller feet!
BONUS! Sporasub Lady Spitfire Fins
Check price at Scubastore (EU)
- Price category: High-end $$$$
- Length: 32 inches
- Modular blade: Yes
- Materials: Polypropylene (blade), thermoplastic rubber (foot pocket)
- Stiffness: Moderate
- Sizes: US Women’s 6-7/US Men’s 4-5
- Color options: Black
- Special features: Fishtail edge, robust foot-pocket bolsters, and ribbing along the blade result in a very smooth kick with minimal side-to-side wobbling; dual-hardness foot pocket has a harder thermoplastic rubber (black) on the sole and top of the foot to maximize energy transfer to the blade and softer rubber (blue) on the heel and toes to maximize comfort; the blade is angled slightly downward to compensate for the foot’s natural shape when flexed.
- Other notes: The blade is a couple of inches shorter than the regular spitfire fin. This is a modular fin, so the blade can be detached from the foot pocket and exchanged with another Sporasub blade. However, this foot pocket is narrower than the regular spitfire foot pocket. As such, the only exchangeable blade so far is the newly released Lady Kelp fin.
A freediving fin specifically designed for people with small, narrow feet!
Though this fin was only released in 2018, it’s frequently on backorder at online dive shops like Leisure Pro. There are plenty of small-footed folks out there (like me!) who have been underserved by the freediving fins market. My hope is that, because freediving has become more popular lately, more manufacturers will take note and give us even more options in the future.
The foot pocket on the Sporasub Lady Spitfire has a narrower mold than most freediving fins in addition to being short in length (US Women’s 6-7/US Men’s 4-5). The blades are the same material as the standard spitfire (flexible polypropylene suitable for beginners and intermediates) only a couple of inches shorter and slightly narrower to accommodate the foot pocket.
However, because the foot pocket is a unique shape, that means most blades will not be compatible with it. So far, the only alternative blade that would fit the Lady Spitfire foot pocket is the Lady Kelp fin, a soft semi-transparent blade designed for shallow spearfishing. My hope is that the coming years will see Sporasub develop more blades for the Lady Spitfire foot pocket so it truly becomes a competitive alternative to well-established modular fins (such as the Cressi Gara) that are notoriously inaccessible to small-footed folks!
In any case, I wanted to include the Lady Spitfire on this list because since I learned about it, it’s become a top contender for my next purchase.
More Tips for Choosing Beginner Freediving Fins
European vs. US sizing
Most freediving fins are produced by European manufacturers, so the most accurate size convention to use when buying a pair is European. Often times, company sizing charts won’t have great conversions from one sizing convention to another. I’ve even seen these conversions vary across retailers. As such, I recommend you determine your European foot size by measuring your foot and use that to decide your purchase, rather than using your typical US foot size.
Don’t be surprised if your (correctly sized) freediving fins feel loose barefoot
If you’re buying a pair fins specifically for freediving, then be prepared for the foot pocket to be a little larger than your foot size. Most freediving fins are sized slightly larger because the expectation is you’ll be wearing a neoprene sock with them. I recommend above-the-ankle socks at least 2-3 mm thick even if you’ll only be using them in tropical water. Freediving is all about conserving your energy so being warm and comfortable is very important! Plus, once you start pushing depth the water will get chilly quickly even in warm climates!
Traveling with full-length fins
With a full-length pair of freediving fins you’ll need a dedicated bag to store them in while traveling. Good ones will have compartments for your mask and snorkel, and enough room for a wetsuit too. However, even though these bags are long, it’s still a better idea (in my opinion) to take them as carry-on luggage if you’re flying. Airline staff are notoriously rough even with checked baggage that’s been labeled “fragile”, and the last thing you want is for your precious fins to be damaged in transit!
Treat your freediving fins gently
Even though freediving fins for beginners are made of materials that can stand up better to wear and tear, their length still makes them more fragile than standard SCUBA or snorkeling fins. This is especially so if they’re modular. Get into the habit of treating your freediving fins with extra care from the start, and you’ll be well-prepared for when you upgrade to delicate and expensive fiberglass or carbon fiber fins! When they’re not on your feet, keep them stored in your fin bag. Rinse them well after using them. Take them on and off in the water as much as possible (minimize how much you walk in them). Even just thinking about them as more special than other equipment you use will help you take better care of them!
What fins did you use for your first freediving experience? If your first time is coming up, which fins do you think you’ll settle on?
Let me know in the comments!
Related Posts
How Your Fins Should Fit (Full-Foot and Open-Heel)
How Do Swim Fins Work? (The Physics of Finning!)
Wearing Socks with Fins (Choosing Thickness, Styles, and Materials)
Further Reading
A Guide to Choosing Your Freediving Fins (from DeeperBlue)
Finning Techniques for Freediving (from DeeperBlue)
Disclaimer
Some of the links used in this article are affiliate links (learn more here). That means I may get a small commission if you buy a product after following the link (at no extra cost to you!). If this article helps you in your quest for beginner freediving fins, consider it like giving me a little thank you!
