Apnea fins or freediving fins are fins with very long blades. We explain what to watch out for in freediving fins
Brief introduction to freediving.
Apnea diving, also known as freediving, is diving with the air you breathe. The diver inhales before diving and only uses this air supply. The time between inhaling and exhaling is known as apnea hence the name.
Freediving is the oldest and most original form of diving. As early as the Stone Age, apnea divers collected mussels, sponges and pearls and hunted fish with spears. Some of the paleoanthropologists (also known as prehistoric anthropology) discuss the theory that large parts of the incarnation even took place aquatically (living in water).
Nowadays, freediving is practiced as a recreational, but also as a competitive or extreme sport. In the leisure area, the main focus is on exploring the underwater world and general conditioning for scuba diving. In competitive sports, on the other hand, deeper and longer apnea times or distances are aimed for through targeted training.
Blade length
Standard freediving fins measure 31-38 inches (79-97 cm) without the foot pocket. Such long blades displace more water per kick, meaning the diver can move quickly through the water and cover more distance with less time, oxygen, and energy.
Material of Blades
There are 3 different materials available
1. Plastic
Since plastic is a very robust material, the fins are also quite stable and durable. Far cheaper than the other materials but also heavier.
2. Fiberglass
Fiberglass is an artificially produced material that does not exist in nature. The components of this glass fiber reinforced plastic are made up of several materials. The strength of fiberglass can be determined by the different mix and thus also the hardness of the blade.
3. Carbon fiber
is a composite material in which carbon fibers are embedded in a plastic matrix. The matrix is used to connect the fibers and to fill the gaps. The material epoxy resin is usually chosen as the matrix.
✔️ Advantages
Carbon and Fiberglass fins are ergonomic and provide efficient locomotion. The swingback behavior is better than with plastic.
The long fin blades produce good propulsion. Thanks to the large blade, a large amount of power is transmitted into the water with minimal effort.
❌ Disadvantages
of fiberglass and carbon fins are, that they break quite easily and are more prone to damage.
Blade hardness
There are three different degrees of hardness in freediving fins.
- Soft
- Medium
- Hard
Most of you will immediately think I have to have the hard freediving fin. However, this is not always the best solution! Many of the professional freedivers also use soft blades.
It should be said that this also depends on your own body weight, because if someone with a light 70kg and buys a hard freediving fin, this can quickly lead to cramps in the calves. What might be OK on the surface can have a different effect at a depth of 15m! It also depends on the duration of the training because naturally you have to apply a lot more strength with a hard fin, so the training can fall rather short, which is not always optimal.
Interchangeable blades
With many higher quality freediving fins it is possible to exchange the blades. e.g. from hard to soft blades or from carbon to training plastic blades.
Comfort and shoe size
Often the fins are worn with neoprene socks. If that is the case, you have to include the thickness of the neoprene sock in the shoe size.
The rule of thumb is
With 3mm neoprene socks you should buy your freediving fins 1-2 sizes larger.
With 5mm thick neoprene socks you should buy the freediving fins 2-3 sizes larger.
Material of the foot pocket
The vast majority of freediving fins are of the “full foot” design with very stiff foot pockets that serve to reduce weight and maximize power transfer from the leg to the fin.
Most freediving fins have solid rubber foot pockets.
Time to reveal our top freediving fins!
Mares Razor Pro Freediving Fins
- Foot Pocket Incorporates Comfort and Efficiency,
- One of the Lightest Free Diving Fins
- Side Ribs Support Blade, Channeling Water Flow, Ample 22° Angle of Blade Natural Extension of the Leg
- Side Ribs (stringers) Prevent Lateral Slippage, Design Consulted by Leading Italian Podologiest
- Techno-Polymer Construction, Interchangeable Blade Design, Tapered Elastomer and Techno-polymer Construction for Performance, Agility and Durability
- Designed to be Worn with a Neoprene Sock, The Foot Pocket Delivers the Perfect Amount of Power Kick with Reduced Effort
Nummer #6
Cressi Gara 3000LD
- Long blade fins with softer blade for less muscle effort ideal for free diving and scuba diving.
- The soft blade transfer power with minimum effort, make this fin very comfortable and easy on the legs for beginners or during long dives.
- Cressi patented 3 material molding process for ensure flexibility in the foot area.
- Comfortable full foot pocket.
- Fins can be worn barefoot or using neoprene socks.
- Made in Italy by Cressi.
Additionally there is a Cressi Gara Premium Medium Black Freediving Fin Bag
Nummer #5
Cressi Gara Professional LD
- High performance fin that requires minimum effort to load the long blades and is an excellent choice for deep free diving and spearfishing.
- Blade made from a special elastomer polypropylene which gives a longer lasting, more fluid, softer less demanding kick.
- Improved anatomy of the foot pocket made in particularly soft elastomer for increase the comfort.
- The perfect union between blade and foot contributes to reducing effort and energy dispersion as much as possible during the kick.
- Delivering the maximum power with minimum energy through its long firm blade that runs over the foot pocket.
- Sport type: Outdoor Lifestyle
Number #4
Seac Motus
- Comfortable full foot pocket.
- Fins can be worn barefoot or using neoprene socks.
- Interchangeable blade made from special techno polymer that maximizes flexibility and reactivity 22-degree angle between blade and foot optimizes thrust power with less effort
- Hard thermoplastic rubber foot pocket with dual material density
Number #3
SEAC Motus Carbon Freediving Fins
- Foot pocket: hard thermoplastic rubber for the sole and ribs, and soft around the foot to optimize the comfort/performance ratio.
- Blade: unidirectional 100% pre-preg carbon and internal reinforcements in carbon with 45° weave.
- Innovative closed-shoe free diving fins.
- Comfortable full foot pocket.
- Fins can be worn barefoot or using neoprene socks.
- Interchangeable blade made from special techno polymer that maximizes flexibility and reactivity 22-degree angle between blade and foot optimizes thrust power with less effort
- Hard thermoplastic rubber foot pocket with dual material density
Number #2
Mares Razor Matrix Carbon Fins
- Incredible Fin Made of Combination of Woven Carbon and Fiberglass Layers, High-Quality Fin Offers Great Performance and Responsiveness
- Blade Produced w/Pre-Impregnated Carbon and Fiberglass Layers, 3k Carbon with Fibers Woven at 90° – Blade Dimensions: (L x W) 25. 6″ x 8″ (65 cm x 20. 5 cm)
- Fibers Cross Over Each Other Fewer Times, Increasing Responsiveness, Variable Blade Thickness and High-Performing Parabolic Flexion
- High-Quality Manufacturing Process, Variable Side Ribs Support, Optimize Channel Thrust and Flex, Available w/Medium Strength Blade
- 22° Blade Inclination Relative to Foot Pocket, Designed-to-Be-Worn w/3 mm Neoprene sock, Protection Bag for Transport & Storage Included
Number #1
Leaderfins Neo Carbon Fiber Freediving and Spearfishing Fins
- We ship from Estonia. Production time 5-8 work days + 3-5 days for shipping.
- The blade has a 20 degrees angle and is made from a high quality mixture of epoxy resin, carbon fiber and fiberglass.
- Unique camouflage surface – changes colors depending on the place where you swim (becomes light-colored when sunny and darker when overcast).
- Please follow the size chart (see images) in order to choose the correct size. Please contact us if you have any questions.
- We recommend the following blade stiffness: SOFT up to 70kg, MEDIUM up to 90kg, HARD over 100kg. Please contact us if you have any questions.
Additional freediving fin equipment
Freediving Mask
have a very small volume in order to be able to balance the pressure in the mask ergonomically with little air used.
Cressi Calibro Mask
- Innovative design, performance and extreme comfort.
- Features a very small inner volume and an excellent field of vision
- Designed nose bridge for clip
Surface safety buoy
It is always important to dive safely and especially during freediving this can only be done with a surface safety buoy.
- passing boats can see the orange safety buoy
- you can hold on to it when symptoms of fatigue occur
- to store equipment during the dive
- Maximum Buoyancy / Lift: 53 Lbs. (24 Kg). 15 PSI Inflation Pressure
- Includes Diver Down Flag & base for saftey
- Bottom Pouch holds 2lbs. Weight for Ballast Stability
- High Visability Orange Industrial Strength 840D Nylon
- Over pressure dump/release valve – Keeps float inflated at ideal pressure. Easily deflate with the pull tab.
SALVIMAR Elastic Weight Belt with Stainless Buckle
An Elastic Weight Belt is a great addition as it doesn’t slide upwards as you descend due to the rubber and elastics.
- Package Dimensions: 6.8 L X 12.6 W X 24.2 H (Centimeters)
- Product Type: Outdoor Recreation Product
- Country Of Origin: Italy
- Package Weight: 0.42 Kilograms
Garmin Descent Mk2i
This serves more than just your freediving needs!
What we like:
- Color display
- Above Water GPS Map
- Connectivity-Bluetooth Smart, ANT+, Wi-Fi
- Apps for cycling, climbing and scuba diving
- Multigas
- CCR capability
- Freediving mode
If you are looking for Spearfishing Guns have a look here.
Great Books about Freediving
Gloves
- Five finger gloves made from single-lined soft, high-stretch Neoprene.
- The inside is covered in Metallite to make them easy to put on.
- The entire surface is covered with a non-slip finish for a sure grip in all situations.
- The preformed shape favours the natural position of the hand, with semi-bent fingers.
- The High Stretch Gloves are designed in Italy by Cressi and made in China. Cressi has been an Italian brand pioneer in scuba diving, snorkeling, and swimming equipment since 1946.
This was our Equipment Guide and list of the Top10 Best Freediving Fins in 2021! I hope you enjoyed the article. Please share this Article with your friends and Family on your social platforms website or leave us a Comment here and tell us about your favorite freediving fins.
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