Are you excited to plan a trip to scuba dive along a beautiful coral reef but concerned about the bulk of your luggage? Fear not, because we have compiled a list of the best travel scuba fins on the market. This will allow you to save precious space for all your other gear and leave with a light heart and lighter baggage.
Nobody will ever recommend diving without fins. Furthermore, you have to be sure that the ones you are bringing along fit you perfectly, something you can never really know with rentals. It is, therefore, crucial to find a top-rated pair of travel fins that can cozily fit in your travel bag along with all the other gear you need. Follow us as we take a look at the best options available today.
OUR TOP PICK
Mares AvantiQuattro Plus Scuba Travel Fins
- Stand Out Features - Why We Love It
- Improved version of an already good model
- High-flex material
- Bungee strap closure
Blade: 15 inches
Weight (perfin): 2 pounds
EDITORS CHOICE
Scubapro Go Travel Fins
- Stand Out Features - Why We Love It
- Interlocking fins for ease of transport
- Central power panel for rigidity
- Underside power bars to prevent over-flex
Sizes: XS to XL
Weight (per pair): 2.2-2.6 pounds
BEST VALUE
Cressi Pro Light Scuba Travel Fins
- Stand Out Features - Why We Love It
- Increased fin surface area
- High-tech material mix
- Stabilizing flaps
Blade: 12.3-14.8 inches
Weight (perfin): 1.48-3.74 pounds
Mares Volo Race Scuba Travel Fins
- Stand Out Features - Why We Love It
- Optimized Pivoting Blades
- Channel thrust technology
- Anatomical foot pocket
Blade: 14.6 inches (size 42/43)
Weight (perfin): 1.5 pounds (size 42/43)
Aqua Lung HotShot Scuba Travel Fins
- Stand Out Features - Why We Love It
- Adjustable power bands
- Anti-slip bottom
- Lightweight and easy to pack
Length: 20.9 inches
Weight (per pair): 3.28 pounds
Hollis F-2 Scuba Travel Fin
- Stand Out Features - Why We Love It
- All monprene build
- Steel heel straps adjust to water pressure
- The design adds blade surface without compromising size
Sizes: S to XL (4 to 13)
Weight (per pair): 2.2 to 4.18 pounds
- Travel fins are usually lightweight, keeping your feet positively buoyant in the water. Negatively buoyant fins can negatively affect your trim and dive position in the water.
- Longer fins are difficult to pack and travel with. Find some fins that give you enough power, but keep the blade as short as possible.
- Full foot fins provide you with the option to get your exact shoe size and give you a better fit. On the other hand, open heel fins will cover a broader range of foot sizes, giving you the option to dive barefoot, with socks, or with booties.
Scuba Diving Expert
How To Choose Scuba Fins For Travel – Buying Guide
Weight
Once you’re in the water, the weight of the fin doesn’t influence your experience as much as other gear can, like the air tanks. However, the weight will matter greatly while you’re packing, since airport regulations are getting more stringent and convoluted every day. Luckily, most travel fins for scuba are designed with this in mind and do an excellent job in stuffing a lot of features in a lightweight package.
Size
Most scuba diving fins are open-heel, so there is a little more leeway in getting the correct size. Still, you need to get as close as possible, and a fit that is not too small. When selecting an open heel fin take into consideration the booties you will wear. Most manufacturers take 3 mm booties into consideration when sizing their fin sizes. If you frequently wear a thicker size you might want to consider that. Be sure to try them on before you set out on your trip to get a good idea of the fit, and return them in case you realize that they don’t work for you. A good fitting fin should not squeeze your foot while also being easy to slide on and off.
Quality
Users looking for the best travel scuba fins should know that they won’t be the cheapest model you can find. As will all the rest of the diving gear, fins can be purchased basically for life, so it’s worth putting a bit more money on the table for them. Most manufacturers place special care in the build quality of their products and the price is justified in that sense, so be prepared to face a small investment but know that it will be one that will pay dividends for years and years to come.
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Type
As you have seen in our scuba fins for travel reviews, this piece of gear comes in various shapes and sizes to adapt to different needs. There is also a variety of different fin types available, as is the case, for example, for snorkeling fins. These differ from diving fins since they are shorter and lighter and not designed to face the conditions one might encounter at deeper depths. As for diving fins, most are the open heel version. These are designed to be used with diving booties, Thicker sizes of booties can also keep the foot warm. Fins can also be divided into paddle or split fins. A paddle fin is a solid piece of material without openings, that will provide excellent thrust but require more energy to be moved. A split fin will have an opening along the blade that makes it more lightweight and flexible and thus easier to maneuver and require less force to use, with most of the thrust being delivered by the speed of the kick rather than the strength,
FAQs
Q: What Is The Difference Between Regular And Travel Scuba Fins?
Regular scuba fins are usually longer and tougher than travel scuba fins. This is because they are designed for maximum power underwater, letting you get the most out of every single kick. The best scuba fins for travel, however, can achieve very similar results all while being smaller, easier to carry, and more flexible. You will need to work a little bit harder to make up for the difference in size but the reduced weight can be a money saver if you move around a lot.
Q: Why Do I Have To Own A Pair Of Fins?
You will see many answers to this question focusing on anything from fit to blade types and many other factors. Once you find a design that fits your needs, The biggest reason for purchasing your own is muscle memory. Fins are an extension of your legs and feet. When you are using the same fins, your body will find the best ways of using them. Changing fin styles on each dive will not allow you to improve.
Globo Surf Overview
Passionate scuba divers always battle with the size and bulk of their gear. Luckily, there are different options for travel scuba fins which are all excellent in their way. We hope our reviews have cleared up your mind so you can quickly find the model that is good for you and start enjoying your dive.
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