Along with a mask and snorkel, a pair of fins is usually the first purchase a scuba diver makes — this buyers guide will help you find the features that fit your type and style of diving.

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• A shorter fin blade and low-profile side rails are key components of the fin’s efficient maneuvering ability

• Large foot pockets are sized to accommodate drysuit boots and large cold-water booties

Engineered for divers who employ powerful kicks, the X1 Bladefin is built sturdy. It uses a solid internal frame and a shorter, firmer blade to generate lots of power and thrust. It also excels when using alternate kicks.

• Monoprene construction for serious durability and power

• Brawny stainless steel spring straps and strap buckles

Popular with the cave-diving set, the XT is a no-nonsense, time-proven design based on a simple premise — stiffness produces thrust. A generous foot pocket accommodates thick booties and rock boots; the heavy-duty stainless spring straps offer a custom fit; and the subdued look appeals to divers who prefer modest styling.

• Generous foot pocket accommodates drysuit boots as well as large cold-water neoprene booties

• Multiple spring strap mounting positions allow you to dial in for the perfect fit

Made from a lightweight SEBS (Styrene- Ethylene-Butylene-Styrene) rubber compound, the F1 LT has a short blade that makes it easier to maneuver in tight spaces. Its vented blade reduces leg stress. The spring strap features an over-molded heel pad and finger loop.

• Easy buckle adjustment provides more than two inches of variance for a custom fit

• Soft-Pad heel straps come with large finger loops for easy donning and doffing, even while wearing thick gloves

The design of the new Manta Ray combines the engineering of the natural underwater world with old-fashioned human ingenuity. The three-material blade is shaped to mimic marine animals, while the winglets along the length of the blade are inspired by aircraft wing designs.

• Flexible channel directs thrusts for efficient propulsion

• Foot pocket designed for comfort and stability

The Viper has a wide, soft channel that collects and directs water off the blade’s tip for improved power and efficiency with every kick. The foot pocket has a firm base and a soft upper section designed for stability and comfort. The Oceanic Viper fins are available in a range of colors as well as full-foot versions.

• Designed and developed in partnership with Trygons, known for innovative fin designs

• Hydrodynamic foot pocket is ultra-soft, comfortable and reduces drag

Scubapro’s new line of freediving fins includes the lightweight, high-performance S1 with its full carbon fiber blade; the S2, featuring a carbon layer over a fiberglass core; and the S3, made from a high-performance plastic compound for divers just getting started.

• Built with a Space Age Monprene elastomer that is virtually indestructible

• The wing-shaped blade creates a near-perfect balance of stiffness and flex

A hybrid design for divers who like to bounce between blade and split styles, it has the power and maneuverability of a blade fin with the kicking comfort and efficiency of a split fin. Featuring the latest in hydrodynamic design, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a fin that’s more comfortable to wear or fun to kick.

• Durable, dual-compound technopolymer blade generates good propulsion

• Elastic Sling Straps with molded heel pockets are comfortable and make it easy to don and doff gear

The F1S is a thoroughly modern design that was created to be rugged and gets the job done. The fin ups the style factor with its two-tone color scheme, but it’s also pleasingly lightweight, comfortable on the foot, easy to use and, best of all, it’s quite a performer in the water.

• Interchangeable technopolymer blade is flexible and highly responsive

• Fin is coated with a special film that resists cuts and abrasions

This uber-cool fin sports a unique anti-reflection camouflage pattern on its blade that looks even better when you see it up close. The foot pocket mixes rigid thermoplastic rubber on the sole and ribs and soft rubber around the foot to create a pleasing combination of comfort and performance.

• Dual-compound blade is flexible with just the right amount of feedback

• Soft thermoplastic rubber foot pocket molds to the foot for all-day comfort

Built to be lightweight and engineered for power and performance, the new Elite fullfoot fin is the perfect kicker for travel divers heading to the warm temperatures waiting for them in the tropics. The style is currently available in four comfortable sizes, with a fifth size scheduled for release in Spring 2016.

• Full-length power rails plus a central flex channel deliver propulsion and stability

• Silicone heel straps have large finger loops for easy donning and doffing

The Elite is at the top when it comes to performance, but now the new Tiff any Series for women raises the bar with its dual-composite fin blade, flexible enough to prevent leg strain, and a foot pocket comfortable for even the thickest of boots — and it comes in a stylish teal and charcoal color combination.