Budget Diving Fins Review

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At Sport Diver we believe the most effective way to test the latest budget diving fins is to run it past our dedicated Test Team for unbiased and frank opinions from divers with a range of experience.

Aqualung Caravelle £49.95

Mark: Very stiff, and a lot of effort needed for any performance, although frog kicking wasn’t too bad. Reasonably comfortable fin pocket.

Martin: I like these, they’re quite speedy, and there’s not a lot of strain on your legs – I think they would be good in a current. The clips are good.

Dave: Blade is quite long, and rigid. There’s a reasonable return for your effort. Expensive for what you get.

Paul: Not the most powerful, or flexible. Hard work on the ankles.

Tony: Easy to get on and off, and quite flexible. Reasonably powerful – I like them.

Weight of pair (kg): 1.6
Length (cm): 65
Width (cm): 22
Buoyancy: Negative
Extras: None
Contact:
www.aqualung.co.uk

Beaver Velocity £29

Mark: Pretty dire. A lot of pressure on ankles, and it’s hard work to get any performance. Uncomfortable too.

Martin: Too much effort for very little return, and poor for speed. I found the straps loosened as I kicked.

Dave: Cheap price for a cheap fin. Spend more and get something better. Very poor overall, particularly the clips.

Paul: I’m glad that’s over with! I’d use them for snorkeling. No power in return for the effort.

Tony: Straps are very small to use with gloves on. Not very powerful or flexible.

Weight of pair (kg): 1.76
Length (cm): 60
Width (cm): 23
Buoyancy: Negative
Extras: None
Contact:
www.beaversports.co.uk  

Dacor Panther £48.50

Mark: Not bad performance with normal kick. Fin kick is not so good. Comfortable fin pocket, but I don’t like the clips.

Martin: They feel stiff, and there’s not a huge amount of power. I’m not a fan of the clip release system.

Dave: I like the clips, they work well. Plenty of space to slide the strap over your heel, and a very deep foot pocket. Reasonable amount of power. Not a bad paddle fin.

Paul: More of a kitten than a panther. They are flexible; you just don’t seem to get the power. Clips are good.

Tony: These are comfortable and reasonably powerful; not bad at all. I’m not a fan of the clips.

Weight of pair (kg): 1.76
Length (cm): 64
Width (cm): 23
Buoyancy: Negative
Extras: None
Contact
www.hydrotech.co.uk  

SPORT DIVER BEST VALUE: IST Bora Bora £25.95

Mark: Comfortable fin pocket, and plenty of power for relatively little effort. A bit wide and long for frog kicks. Such a change from the Beaver Velocity.

Martin: I really like these. They are flexible and don’t feel like a paddle fin. The clips work well. Excellent value for money.

Dave: I like the big thumb loop on the strap. The length means they’re not the most manoeuvrable, but there’s a reasonable amount of power. Cracking value and an excellent fin for the price.

Paul: Comfortable to wear. Not the most powerful, but not bad. They are very good for a budget paddle fin.

Tony: Very comfortable. The huge loop on the strap got caught putting them on, but I’d get used to it. Nice pair of fins.

Weight of pair (kg): 2.76
Length (cm): 69
Width (cm): 25
Buoyancy: Negative
Extras: None
Contact
www.sea-sea.co.uk 

SPORT DIVER CHOICE: Oceanic Viper £41.65

Mark: Plenty of power, and not bad for fin kicks. Very comfortable, and nice and lightweight for travelling.

Martin: Reasonably powerful, and they feel light on your feet. Simple pinch clips work well. Overall I’m impressed.

Dave: Very flexible, and very comfortable. Easy to manoeuvre, and a good deep foot pocket. The best pair in this price bracket.

Paul: A basic paddle fin that’s comfortable and gives a reasonable return for your effort.

Tony: An average fin. Not the most powerful, but they’re okay.

Weight of pair (kg): 1.6
Length (cm): 62
Width (cm): 23
Buoyancy: Negative
Extras: None
Contact
www.oceanicuk.com 

Scubapro Veloce £39

Mark: If you want a decent pair of Scubapro fins, save your money and buy the Twin Speeds. These are stiff and hard work, but there’s a comfy foot pocket, though.

Martin: I’m not a fan of these. There’s a lot of strain on your legs for very little return. Clips are good, though.

Dave: Very comfortable foot pocket. Basic, average entry level fin that gives a reasonable amount of return for the effort. I’ve no dea what the nothes cut into the blades are for. A bit expensive.

Paul: You have to work hard to get any performance. Not my favourite.

Tony: An average pair of fins – better than some, but not my favourite.

Weight of pair (kg): 1.8
Length (cm): 65
Width (cm): 24
Buoyancy: Negative
Extras: None
Contact
www.scubapro-uwatec.com  

Typhoon Pro £39.95

Mark: Useless. Performance is not a strong point. Very hard work to get any propulsion at all. Comfy foot pocket, and that’s the only good thing I can say.

Martin: Finning is an effort rather than a pleasure. They are easy to get on and off – I’d rather leave them off.

Dave: Save your money and walk. Good deep foot pocket. Other than that, few redeeming features.

Paul: The best bit was taking them off. Poor fin.

Tony: Really uncomfortable, and a lot of strain on the ankles. Very little power. Not for me.

Weight of pair (kg): 1.88
Length (cm): 69
Width (cm): 24
Buoyancy: Negative
Extras: None
Contact
www.typhoon-int.co.uk

CONCLUSION

If you are not a regular diver, or are simply on a tight budget, it makes a lot of sense to go for a budget pair of fins. Why spend the money if you’re only diving on holiday once a year?

Make the right choice, and you’ll get a lot for your money, and a reliable piece of kit that will last if you begin to fill up your logbook with some more dives.

Two fins stood out head and shoulders above the rest: IST Bora Bora and Oceanic Viper. The Bora Bora makes sense from many points of view. They have plenty of power for the amount of effort you put in, are very comfortable, and the clips work well. The soft webbing in the centre of the power is very flexible, which takes away some of the strain on your legs sometimes associated with paddle fins. But above all, at only £25.95 they represent cracking value for money. The Bora Boras belie their low price, and feel like a more expensive fin – the rubber is chunky and not at all flimsy – it would survive the rigours of UK diving.

The Oceanic Vipers were well-liked for their comfort and lightweight kicking action. If you were going to be doing a lot of travelling they would be ideal. The deep foot pocket means a drysuit boot sits in nicely, so they’re not just for warm water diving. For £41.65 they also give you good value for money.