When were talking swim fins there are 3 things that really come in to play. What your using them for, how often you will use them and cost.
If you are a bodyboarder and don’t ever go diving, then get strictly boarding fins. If your getting your scuba diving certification then theres no question that you need long dive fins.
But for a guy like me who regularly body boards and loves to spear fish and snorkel when conditions are right, a good pair of body boarding fins are perfect. If your just getting into diving and haven’t body boarded yet, a cheap pair of dive fins that come in a set with snorkel might seem like your best bet. But in all reality a cheap set like that wont last long and the functionality will not give you what you need. Its better to get a solid pair of Body Boarding fins that will last you many years with a mask that wont break in the first 6 months rather that a set that works for the first 3 times and then breaks or scratches the lens and cant see through it anymore.
When it comes to brands that work best for me there are 3 that come to mind.
- DaFin. These are my number one suggestion and what I am currently using. DaFin are comfortable, functional and float. When one kicks franticly to get into a wave, you don’t end up kicking your other fin or leg. They come in a bunch of cool colors and are one of the most popular brands. Hit the link below for DaFin through Amazon.
- Da fin Link
Redley. Redley fins have ben around for a long time and are the first fins I ever had. They are longer on the outside and give a nice thrust when you burst kick to get into a wave and when using them for diving work well. Due to the design though there These are the most comfortable fins for me but I did loose them often. Luckily they do float and you could always get some ankle leashes to keep them stuck to you!
Redley. Redley fins have ben around for a long time and are the first fins I ever had. They are longer on the outside and give a nice thrust when you burst kick to get into a wave and when using them for diving work well. Due to the design though there These are the most comfortable fins for me but I did loose them often. Luckily they do float and you could always get some ankle leashes to keep them stuck to you!
- Churchill. Churchill fins are reliable and comfortable. They have a similar shape to the Redleys but have more of a point. I first used one that I found at Sandy beach and it worked great. My good friend only uses them and there are many Churchill faithfuls. For the price they are a great buy. Hit the link below for Churchill through Amazon.
Churchill fins Link
Again these are on the market as bodyboarding fins but they work great for the novice free diver or spear fisherman. If you never plan on using them for a body surfing, body boarding or just swimming in the waves, you should get a fin that is more of a dive style. I hope this helps you to narrow down your choice. If your an experienced waterman and have a favorite, leave a comment below!