What to look for when selecting fins

[UaVaj]

I need some pointers in what to look for when selecting fins. I only need the proper education. Not the which brand or model is best. I will decide that for myself.

Currently I dive with a pair of Scubapro Twin Jet Max. I use this for both recreational diving and for spearfishing. I do like it very much. Do let me point out that - I do not want to kick/work any harder than what these fins has to offer.

Looking to get into shallow free diving soon so I like to re-educate my self about choosing the proper fins.

[kjflyfish]

I think you will find that most longblade fins designed for freediving will be completely different from the jet fins in pretty much every way, and I think you will really like the change.

Footpocket comfort is a major factor. Performance and durability are two more. As for blade types, most people would say the following: that plastic is cheapest, most durable. Fiberglass is more expensive, very durable, and high performance. Carbon fiber is most expensive, least durable, highest performance.

Blades come in many stiffnesses and the best stiffness is largely a personal preference.

[SoCalScot]

I have to agree with the comfort Part. Fit and comfort is extremely important. For example - after looking into my first freedive fins I decided to go with the Picasso Black Team fins because they came highly recommended and in test results that I saw from one of the Spearfishing nationals where they had the top divers do a simple pull test the Picasso Black team fins came out on top. I think they took 6 of the top fifteen spots or something like that. Thats all great, but I didn't take into account that the divers that were doing the testing were in great shape and used to diving on a regular basis. While those fins worked great for them, they were a little tooooo stiff for me.

Besides that, I have thin feet and the Picasso foot pockets seem to be a better fit for people with wider feet. So I was always having trouble with the fins staying on my feet. I always had to wear fin keepers.

I ended up picking up a pair of Cressi 3000LD fins and the fit is amazing. They are definitely better suited to people with thinner feet like myself. The blades are softer and better suited to my current fitness level. And overall are the perfect fit for the diving I am doing right now. All that and I don't have to use the fin keepers anymore. They just fit correctly.

Using fin keepers doesn't sound like that big of a deal to some, but when you are making multiple jumps to find the fish and drift diving, having to put on and remove the fin keepers for each dive becomes a PITA!

Whatever fin you decide to go with just make sure it fits correctly and in comfortable to wear. Even though I thought the Picasso Black team fins fit well when I tried them on in the store, once I got them wet and dove with them the fit was not as good as I had originally thought. They fit front to back, but had extra room on each side in the foot pocket. Which made the fins move around a little.

With the better fit of the Cressi's it feels more like the fins are just an extension of my leg rather then something I had stuck on the end of my foot to help me swim better. Which makes all the difference in the world!