December 2002
By John Brumm

Fins Reviewed in This Article

Last February Scuba Lab trekked to the island of Guanaja in Honduras with 12 reader/divers to test the latest in scuba fins. Test divers were selected from close to 600 applicants for their diving experience, physical conditioning and glass-half-full, go-get-'em attitudes. Fins were first subjected to intensive speed and efficiency runs and then to the rigors of typical recreational diving.

This year's tests reconfirmed what's been found in the past: other things being equal (like foot pockets), split fins tend to be both faster and more efficient than paddle fins. However, a somewhat fresh discovery is that full foot fins tend to be faster and more efficient than adjustable fins. Finally, it was found that speed generally correlates with efficiency--the fastest fin is the most efficient while the slowest fin is the least efficient. Here are 2002's top performers:

AERIS

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| Velocity|
Velocity

Full-foot Full-foot version of the highly successful Velocity adjustable. This fin dives like a dream, earning top subjective scores as well as very good marks in speed and efficiency. Highly maneuverable. In seven sizes and three colors. $49.95

APOLLO

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| Bio-Fin Pro|
Bio-Fin Pro

Crowned best overall adjustable fin. Top performer in speed, efficiency and real-world diving. Extremely stable and maneuverable with a very comfortable foot pocket. Made of all-natural rubber. $190 (black), $200 (metallic blue)

ATOMIC AQUATICS

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| Splitfin|
Splitfin

You can really get some speed out of this fin. Great for following critters through blue water and around reef structures. No other adjustable fin comes close when it comes to fit. Easy to don and doff, due primarily to the best buckles in the business. $189

CRESSI-SUB

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| Rondine Pro Star|
Rondine Pro Star

With its patented thermoplastic polymer blade, this full-foot fin produced some of the fastest speeds and best efficiency runs. Powerful in surge and very maneuverable. Ideal for short, shallow reef kicks where you have to be careful. $69.50

OCEANIC

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| Caribe|
Caribe

A marvel of engineering. With this fin, a little power in equals a lot of power out. With excellent acceleration, great cornering and superb stability and control, seems there's nothing this fin can't do. Available in six sizes and three colors. $49.95