Freediving fins

How to choose freediving fins by blade material and fit 

Blade material is the headline decision, and there are three sensible options. 

Plastic blades are heavy, cheap and tough. They flex less per kick (which means less raw efficiency) but they survive contact with rock, sand and your buddy's fin in tight conditions. Plastic is the right first-fin choice for almost every new freediver. Replace them only when you have a clear reason. 

Fibreglass blades sit in the middle on every axis. Lighter than plastic, more responsive in the kick, more durable than carbon, mid-range on price. Fibreglass is a sensible upgrade for the intermediate freediver who has worn out a set of plastics and wants more snap without the carbon premium. 

Carbon blades are the most efficient kick for the energy in, which matters when you are training depth and surface-interval cycles back to back. They are also the most fragile and the most expensive. Carbon fins crack on rocks and walls that plastic shrugs off. Carbon makes sense for the freediver who is regularly diving deeper, training longer cycles, and diving sites where impact risk is low. 

Stiffness should match the kicker, not the blade material rating. A stiffer blade is harder to kick and a soft blade is harder to push past slow water. Lighter or smaller freedivers often do better on a softer blade than a stiffer one, even at the same skill level. 

Foot pocket sizing should be done with a thin freediving sock on the foot, not bare. Bring your socks into the Gladesville shop and we will fit you to the right combination, or call (02) 9958 5699 for sizing help if you are buying remotely. For the rest of the kit see the freediving gear package and freediving mask, snorkel and fin collection.