Buying guide for Open Heel Fins. Here is a list of my Top 10 best Scuba Diving Fins there are many different kind of fins on the Market.
Swim-fins, fins or flippers are worn on the foot and made from rubber or plastic, to aid movement through the water in water sports activities such as swimming, snorkeling, scuba diving, body-boarding, body-surfing, knee-boarding, river-boarding, and various other types of Water sports.
Scuba divers, snorkelers etc. use fins to move through water efficiently, as human feet being very small provide relatively poor thrust, especially when the diver is carrying equipment that increases hydrodynamic drag. Very long and mono-fins are used by freedivers as a means of underwater propulsion that does not require high frequency leg movement.
Commercially available swimming fins are made of rubber and / or PVC. For special fins (e.g. monofins, apnea fins) other materials may be used, e.g. Glass fiber or carbon fiber reinforced plastic. Swimming fins consist of a foot part and the fin blade.
Depending on the shape of the foot part and the fin blade a distinction is made between:
Full Foot Fins
Also called pool fins or Swimming fins are shaped like a shoe, are worn barefoot and therefore only used for warm water. In the past (around 1960) mostly made of black or blue rubber and with a triangular blade, today it’s usually an elongated blade on colored plastic with streamline channels. This type of fin is often used in Scuba Diving.
Open Heel Fins
Also called Scuba Diving Fins the foot section of heel fins is shaped like a slipper and offers enough space for heat-insulating neoprene shoes (booties) or the foot sections of a dry suit. The fins are held at the heel with an adjustable rubber band or a spring strap (special padded steel spring). These fins are used in cold water due to the insulation possibility of the foot by Neoprene shoes but can be used in warm water too. This type of fin is the most used in Scuba Diving.
Open Heel Split Fins
Pretty much the same as the Open Heel Fins but the blade is split in the middle to increase speed. However The fins are very soft and with a lot of current they might not perform as good as normal open heel fins. This type of fin is often used in Scuba Diving. Split Fins are also available as full foot fins.
Freediving Fins
Freediving Fins are very similar to swimming fins, except they are far longer, and designed to work with slow stiff-legged kicks that conserves energy. The vast majority are made in the “full-foot” design with very rigid foot pockets, which serves to reduce weight and maximize power transfer from the leg into the fin. Freediving fins are commonly made of plastic, but are also often made from materials such as fiberglass and carbon fiber.
This type of fin is rarely used in Scuba Diving.
Mono Fins
A mono fin is typically used in fin-swimming and free-diving. It consists of a single surface attached to foot pockets for both the free-diver’s feet. Mono fins can be made of glass fiber or carbon fiber. The diver’s muscle power and swimming style, and the type of activity the mono fin is used for, determine the choice of size, stiffness, and materials.
This type of fin is not used in Scuba Diving.
Further differences
Furthermore, a distinction can be made between floating fins and sinking fins that are heavier than water.
Sometimes it makes sense to buy 2 different kind of fins for diving at home and on vacation. Thinking of cold/warm water temperatures, weight of the fin.
So which fins should you buy?
The first question you have to ask yourself is in what water temperature are you mostly diving?! based on that you should make your choice.
In this part of the Equipment guide we focus on the Open Heel Fins
This type of fins are the most common ones for Divers and Snorkelers
Important Parts
The important parts of the Open Heel Fins are the hardness and length of the blade. The foot pocket as well as the heel strap.
Blade Stiffness
As a beginner you don’t want to have a to stiff and long blade as it can give you cramps in the water. But they shouldn’t be too soft either otherwise you don’t have the propulsion you need to go against a strong current.
The Blade should have Thrust Channels which directs water off the tip of the blade for improved power and efficiency.
Foot Pocket & Fin Heel Straps
The foot pocket should fit nicely to reduce water resistance and parachute effect and to increase efficiency.
Heel straps can be made from rubber or stainless steel spring.
Care and cleaning
After a salt water, fresh water or swimming pool dive, you should always rinse the fins thoroughly with fresh water, you should operate all buckles and straps while rinsing so that the remaining salt water or the residual dirt is rinsed out.
After you know all of the important parts of a Fin its time to reveal my Top 10 Best Scuba Diving Fins.
Number #10
of my Top 10 Best Open Heel Fins
TUSA SF-22 Solla Fin
TUSA SF-22 Solla Fin
Number #10 of my Top 10 Best Open Heel Fins
- Powered by ForcElast Technology
- TUSA patented 20° Angled Blade Design (A.B.D.)
- Multi-compound foot pocket increases power transfer to the fin blade
- Newly designed anatomic foot pocket enhances comfort
- Three channel blade with crescent tip maximizes propulsion
- Reinforced blade side-rails and vents fine-tune performance
- Standard with Anatomic Fin Strap (A.F.S.)
- TUSA patented EZ Strap and buckle system
Number #9
of my Top 10 Best Open Heel Fins
Cressi Pro Light Open Heel Fin
Cressi Pro Light Open Heel Diving Fin
Number #9 of my Top 10 Best Open Heel Fins
- Fins made in Italy are perfect both for beginners and for professionals and are very common amongst instructors and technical divers
- Foot pocket placed beneath the blade for increased power and efficiency Polypropylene blade provides a variable flex
- Fin design adjusts during the kicking cycle
Number #8
of my Top 10 Best Open Heel Fins
Mares Excel Plus
Mares Excel Plus
Number #8 of my Top 10 Best Open Heel Fins
- New Foot Pocket, More Comfort, Great Performance
- OPB (Optimized Pivoting Blade) Fin Technology that ensures the blade is always at an optimal angle during both the up and down stroke
- Tri Material Construction Provides Superior Performance & Maximum Elasticity
- ABS (Adjustable Binding System) Fin Buckles with One Finger Release
- Super Channel Thrust Technology System for Optimal Water Channeling
Number #7
of my Top 10 Best Open Heel Fins
Cressi Powerful Kick
Cressi Powerful Kick
Number #7 of my Top 10 Best Open Heel Fins
- Powerful, lightweight and responsive, not very tiring, exceptional driving performance, ideal for professionals, instructors, technical divers.
- Polypropylene blade that provides an excellent response. The Black version have a hard blade for maximum thrust. The others Model have a soft blade for less fatigue.
- Special grooving for water channeling molded on the surface provides outstanding stability and direction.
- The thermo-rubber foot pocket is very comfortable to wear and a proper fit is ensured by ergonomic design.
- It features a special ample slot for easy Don and doff even when wearing thick gloves for cold-water diving.
- Ebs strap meets the needs of the most demanding divers, who need comfortable fastening without losing practicality.
- The EBS is designed and made in Italy by Cressi, brand pioneer in scuba diving, snorkeling and spearfishing equipment
Number #6
of my Top 10 Best Open Heel Fins
Scubapro Jet Fins
Scuba Pro Jet Fins
Number #6 of my Top 10 Best Open Heel Fins
- Rubber construction is known for its durability, promising a lifetime of use.
- Proven vented design decreases drag on the up stroke and enhances thrust on the down stroke.
- Most durable fin on the market
- Great for frog kicking in cave or wreck diving
- Stainless Steel Spring heel strap secures fin for ease of pre-dive preparation
Number #5
of my Top 10 Best Open Heel Fins
Mares X-Stream
Mares X-Stream
Number #5 of my Top 10 Best Open Heel Fins
- For scuba diving and snorkeling
- New foot pocket, no parachute effect
- Next generation OPB
- New blade construction for less turbulence
Number #4
of my Top 10 Best Open Heel Fins
Mares Volo Power
Mares Volo Power
Number #4 of my Top 10 Best Open Heel Fins
- OPB system for greater efficiency – OPB (Optimized Pivoting Blade) Fin Technology that ensures the blade at the optimal angle at all times providing increased efficiency and power
- Channel thrust technology – Maximum thrust with minimum effort!
- ABS Plus buckles – Both buttons must be pressed at the same time to open the buckle. This new system also makes it easier use, by reducing the effort required for both opening and closing
- Lightweight, easy and efficient
Number #3
of my Top 10 Best Open Heel Fins
Mares Avanti Quattro Plus
Mares Avanti Quattro Plus
Number #3 of my Top 10 Best Open Heel Fins
- Non-Vented Fin
- Exceed the Established Performance of Traditional Model
- New Composite Materials, Optimize Efficiency
- Greater Responsiveness and Thrusting Power
- More Attractive Look
Number #2
of my Top 10 Best Open Heel Fins
Danoensit Professional
Danoensit Professional Fins
Number #2 of my Top 10 Open Heel Fins
- Made of high-quality polypropylene (PP) and thermoplastic rubber (TPR), it is very dynamic and rebounds quickly, which can be used as a natural extension of the feet when swimming or diving/snorkeling
- The long-lasting full-pocket long fins completely surround the diver’s feet and include a ventilated toe area for drainage.
- They can be worn with or without socks, have no adjustable straps to prevent wear, and have a non-slip bottom
- The foot pocket extends along the bottom of the blade, even in shallow water and rocks, it can provide protection during the fine grinding process, and the blade extends from the top of the foot pocket to achieve maximum surface area
- Less surface resistance is caused by water flowing over or through the unique shunt fin configuration.
- The reduction in resistance helps to minimize fatigue, cramps and ankle strains commonly associated with paddle fins
- Fins are designed to be extremely durable and comfortable, and you will forget to wear them. You can use them as diving fins or fins for snorkeling without worrying about incorrect fit-just put on your swimming socks and start using.
Number #1
of my Top 10 Best Open Heel Fins
Scubapro Seawing Nova
Scubapro Seawing Nova
Number #1 of my Top 10 Best Open Heel Fins
- The articulated joint allows the blade to pivot and the entire blade is able to generate thrust. Pivot control technology ensures the most efficient angle of attack is maintained no matter how hard or softly you kick, generating thrust without drag or wasted energy
- Clean water blade geometry for optimum propulsion. Water is free to flow onto the working section of the blade, drag is reduced and thrust increased
- Variable pivot control ribs insures that the most efficient angle of attack is maintained across all strengths of kick. | Ergonomic foot pocket with extended heel plate insuring ultimate power transmission with less leg strain
- Durable Monprene construction making SeaWing virtually indestructible. | Wing tips arc upwards, increasing high-speed stability.
- Marine quality bungee heel strap with custom adjustment system for total comfort and convenience
Additional Fin Equipment
Scuba Diving Spring Fin Strap with Stainless Steel Integrated Buckle
- Available Sizes: Medium, Large, X-Large
- Comes with a pair
- Long lasting stainless steel.
- Comfortable design
- Heavy duty material
This was my list of the 10 Best Open Heel Fins 2020! I hope you enjoyed it and if you did so and don’t want miss any of my next Equipment guides sign up for the Newsletter here.
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