15 kickers vie for the top spot in this year's ScubaLab fin tests. ScubaLab’s test team headed to Alexander Springs, Florida, a freshwater site that offers an easy entry, enough space and depth to do some serious kicking, and rock structures and crevices for performing tight turning maneuvers.

This kicker turned in some of the best overall in-water performance scores, earning the highest scores for acceleration. Test divers liked the fin’s exceptional maneuverability, and noted its ability to negotiate turns with minimal foot action.

In water, the fin delivered solid kicking performance. It did take a couple of strong kicks to get it going from a dead stop, but when test divers "turned it on," the fin generated some pretty good power.

The only split fin in this year's open-heel group, the Z3 is easily recognizable by its radical 27-degree blade angle. In the water, the fin racked up some of the best scores of this group in acceleration, stability and efficiency.

The Tusa FF-19 X-Pert Evolution was a test-diver favorite, with many of the testers commenting on how comfortable it felt, whether kicking easy or hard. Testers didn’t report any leg or ankle strain, and noted that the fin was fast, powerful and agile, plus very responsive using all kicking styles.

An interview with Bonnier Corp.’s ScubaLab Director

Diving is the best sport in the world, but like all high-adrenaline activities, things can sometimes go sideways. When they do, your level of preparation can make all the difference.

Features: 3.5 mm Ultraspan highflex neoprene; glued and blind-stitched seams; smoothskin seals at wrists and ankles; smoothskin spinal flap; adjustable collar with smoothskin sealing surface; embossed rubber kneepads.

Features - 3 mm neoprene with high-stretch nylon- and polyester-based exterior and interior laminate; glued and blindstitched seams with full interior taping; glideskin neoprene seals on wrist and ankles; olled-edge smoothskin neck; full-length back zipper; pull-over secondary glideskin neck seal; high-fl ex embossed rubber patterning on knees, shoulders and waist; 1.5 mm Hydrolock neck dam.