Choosing your first freediving or spearfishing fins

One of the best aspects of freediving, and to a lesser extent spearfishing, is that you dont need much kit to get started.

If you take it down to the absolute basics, all you need is a mask, fins, snorkel and possibly a gun or spear. Of course then there are things that then make life easier or more comfortable like a wetsuit, weights, knife, dive computer, floats, lines etc etc etc. But the core essentials list is pretty short.

Within that list of core essentials the mask is possibly the most critical but thankfully, once you have one that fits, there isnt much to upgrade there. I still use a mask that you can get for ballpark £25 and it can go as deep as i do.

However, the fins are the one bit of kit that you really need to get right. Nothing you will buy will affect your diving more. A good set of fins that fit well, that are the correct stiffness and move well for your style can make the diffence to enjoyable dives and good progression, to cramps and pretty exhasting sessions.

So, youre starting out and you need to get some fins. Your choices fall within 3 basic groups, Plastic blades, fibreglass blades and carbon blades. Although plastic blades are the obvioius place to start as they are cheaper and more robust, dont feel like you have to, there are fins out there made from the more exotic materials that wont destruy your bank balance and if you are commited to the sports then they may be a better option overall.

Lets look at plastic fins first. 

Plastic freediving fins are really tough, i have plastic fins still going in the school that are 15 years old! If you aare really concerned about breaking fins, then plastic may be your best option.

They are cheaper than the other options. Even the fanciest plastic fin will probably be cheaper than the most affordable carbon fin, so if you are looking to minimise your expenditure, for whatever reason, plastic is the way forward. One thing to pay attention to thoug is manufacturers claims of their plastic fins being significantly better than others. In my experience this is all hyperbole, plastic is plastic and thats it, Sure some will be softer or stiffer than others, and one foot pocket may fit better than another, but not one will be much better performance wise than the other.

Its worth looking out for companies that sell a soft version. Plastic blades are generally stiff, much stiffer than the carbon blades you will migrate to in time. So the irony is, that when you are starting out, and need the most help, you are probably using the stiffest and least forgiving fins. A soft blade will give you legs a rest and allow you to have longer sessions. Sure, stiffer blades may make you faster, but they will sap a lot more energy and oxygen from your system. Remember, there isnt a single recognised competition discipline that is related to speed. Slow and steady wins the race. As a general rule look for soft or medium stiffness (plastic or carbon).

Removable blades may be something you want to consider. Some companies that offer a variety of blades may have foot pockets that can accept different blades. This may mean that you save some money in the long run, or may mean that you can get used to a foot pocket that you like. In my experience it tends to be a false economy, or at least kinda annoying. Most interchangeble blades need to be glued in for reliability on the dive, so the idea you can swap them in and out all the time may be unrealistic.

The foot pocket is incredibly important. If you can, go to a real shop and try some on. Just like shoes, they vary in size massively and even if you follow their size guide you arent a guaranteed fit. So it can be an exhausting, expensive and longwinded experience if you are shipping back and forth to retailers. Youll need it to be snug, and fit well regardless of the fin sock you are wearing (which id recomend no matter where you are diving, as the chance of blisters and cuts are high without a sock).

Upgrading

Its fair to say that a lot of us are gear-a-holics, if you have heard of the term G.A.S (google it if not), then thats probably you! Even if you arent a gearhead, then you may jjust be interested in making your life easier when starting out. This is where we talk about carbon fins. Carbon is a more efficient material than plastic, it transfers more of your energy in to the water, rather than lose it to the blade itself. Its a really big difference too, after using carbon, plastic blades feel like lead weights. Not because of their physical weight but because of their action in the water.

You can get carbon fins for approx £125-£150 these days but also anything up to £1000. You will be paying for personalisation, better carbon, better resin and smaller production runs with the expensive ones. Some of which is good, but you have to realise that you be affected by the law of diminishing returns here. A £500 fin is not 5x better than a £100 fin.

SO, i hope thats helped a  bit, if you have any questions post a comment and ill answer when i have a moment! dive safe. Ian