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View CartBG next to product categories at left indicated that there is a Buyer’s Guide available.

Fins

We offer a variety of fins to fit any diver’s propulsion needs and budget. A handy Buyer’s Guide can be found at the bottom of this page.
Mares Volo Power
$169.00
Mares has improved the Volo, an already exceptional fin, to provide unbeatable performance. The only fin in the world to boast 8 patents. With Volo, your dives will be more comfortable and last longer, thanks to the increased thrust which results in reduced air consumption with an easy kick.

• Variable angle between the blade and foot pocket: 21° (+ 40° / -30°)
•15.5 in. blade-length
• System of expandable inserts for regulating and optimizing the thrust angle
• Compact blade, incorporating the Channel Thrust Technology system, for optimal channeling of the fluid streams
• Stabilizers to eliminate ankle torsion phenomena
• Soft anatomical foot pocket, with ribbed insole for an improved fit and more efficient transmission of the kicking action
• Innovative technopolymers for maximum elastic return, high durability, light weight and resistance to aging
• Thermoplastic rubber coating on the ribs, for superior performance and maximum resistance to abrasion
• Differential thickened sections in the blade and foot pocket, optimized at every point through detailed computer-aided structural analysis.
• New ABS buckle, with slider catch system
• One color: tech silver
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Mares Avanti Quattro
$99.00
The first four-channel fin in the world. The Avanti concept (MARES patent) has taken a step forward; its four channels outperform traditional fin efficiency by 20%.

Avanti Quattro fins feature blade stabilizers to improve stability and eliminate ankle-twisting phenomena.
Rubberized side ribs (MARES patent) improve elasticity, and maximize resistance to cuts and abrasion.
The anatomical foot pocket features a ribbed insole for an improved fit and greater stiffness.
The straps feature the ABS (Adjustable Binding System), widely acknowledged to be the word’s best strap binding and adjustment system (Mares patent).
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Mares Avanti ABS
$59.00
The most famous fin in the world, preferred by the world’s most demanding divers.

”Channel effect” technology conveys greater power with reduced effort. Its new hydrodynamic design enhances Plana Avanti’s classic efficiency even further. The anatomic foot-pocket features the internal ribs for improved fit and performance. The quick-adjustment strap, with rotating buckles, makes the fin easy to put on and take off both in water and on dry land.
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Mares Avanti HP
$49.00
The Avanti HP provides divers with an unbeatable foot-pocket and channel thrust technology.

Color: Blue
The closed foot pocket in soft, thermoplastic rubber, offers the greatest possible performance and comfort, making boots unnecessary. The result: superior comfort and performance. Select size by US Men’s shoe size; see Bootie Size Chart for sizing cross-reference.
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DACOR Tiger Fin
$149.00
Innovative operating OPB system (Optimized Pivoting Blade)—patented.
New anatomical foot-pocket provides even more comfort, makes donning easier, increases sole rigidity, and enhances the effort of the finning stroke.
New hi-tech technopolymers. Great flexibility, long-lasting, light-weight and wear-resistant.
Differential foot pocket and blade thickness. Blade and foot pocket sections are optimally thickened in each sections; the result of meticulous computer aided structural design.
Optimal blade/foot pocket angle provides maximum thrust through every phase of the finning stroke.
New ABS buckle with slider catch security system.

Color: Black

O.P.B. (Optimized Pivoting Blade).
During the finning stroke, the structure of traditional fins tends to limit the flexing angle of the blade. As a result, and especially during the downward kick, only a small portion of the blade pushes the water in the direction of motion, while the remaining part pushes the water in the opposite direction. The O.P.B. system, patented by Mares, ensures that the blade is always at an optimal angle during both the upward and downward strokes, thus considerably increasing efficiency. This ensures that all the divers muscular effort translates into effective thrust in the direction of motion. Another limitation of traditional fins is the degradation of the thrust produced during the finning stroke,with substantial differences between the maximum and minimum values. The O.P.B. system, on the other hand, ensures optimal thrust throughout every phase of the finning stroke, thereby minimizing fatigue and affording much more fluid movement through the water.
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Sporasub Variant
The Variant fin has a unique Interchangeable Blade System (IBS) that allows divers to chose the blade specific to their type of diving. The blades can be easily assembled or disassembled in just seconds without the use of any tools. Therefore the fins can be disassembled for easy traveling and take up the same space as a small pair of snorkeling fins. Click on the name above for more information. Sizes are quoted as US Men's sizes with actual European Men's sizing in parentheses.
Sporasub Variant   $139.00
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Sporasub Comp Blade (Single)   $28.00
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Sporasub Master Blade (Single)   $32.00
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Sporasub Carbon Fiber Blade (Single)   $199.00
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Fin Buyer’s Guide

Fins are what propels divers through the water. As such, you should look for high efficiency fins that allow you to go faster and easier through the water. You will consume less oxygen for the same distance and speed and get longer bottom time.

There are two main types of fins available. Foot-pocket fins are primarily for warm water use, because they are used without a bootie with the foot directly in the fin. This gives a more intimate connection between the foot and the fin and gives better leg-foot-fin power transfer and less slippage between the foot and fin. However, this same lack of a buffer between foot and fin makes rubbing a problem, especially if sand gets between the foot and the fin, and blisters are a common problem. Furthermore, the diver has no protection for his feet on boat decks, hot beach sand, coral and rock, and cold water. Open-heeled fins are the best choice for most SCUBA divers and are required for cold water divers. They should be worn over booties and are adjustable to foot size. They give the best compromise between fit, ease of use and efficiency.

In addition to classifying fins by foot mount, there are also special fins for particular applications. Most of our fins are general purpose diving fins designed for comfort and efficient propulsion, but we also offer free-diving fins such as the Sporasub Variant. This is a stiffer, longer fin which can deliver more power for short sprints (assuming you have the strength to drive them). This can be important for getting down quickly when free diving, but is usually not as good for slower long-distance swimming. We also offer the Force Fin which gives reasonable performance in a very short fin, making it great for travel.

For general SCUBA diving, you need a flexible fin of moderate length. When you push down on the fin when kicking, you bend it, and it is largely the spring-back force from the fin as it straightens which propels you forward. This makes the material choice and fin shape critical to getting the right spring force for optimal efficiency.

Mares is the #1 fin producer right now. They make great fins of the highest quality. Aqua Safaris particularly recommends the Mares VOLO as a five-star fin with great performance and value. The VOLO has a pivoting-hinge design which gives improved efficiency over conventional flexing. The Dacor Tiger fin uses a similar pivot concept, but is particularly stiff, and we recommend it for big divers. The Mares Avanti Quattro and Avanti are also fine fins for the money at lower price points and correspondingly lower efficiency. Note that all of these fins come in a range of sizes. Choose a size in the same range as you would choose other divewear, and you should get a good match to your propulsion force needs and leg strength.

Disclaimer: The information provided here is intended solely to help in product selection for trained and certified divers and is in no way intended to substitute for formal training and certification.

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