Moving Up From Plastic Fins: What Changes

If you are changing over from plastic fins, composite is the blade we point you to first. Our material video explains why, and the composite section is at the start. The rest of this post covers what else changes when you move to a fibre blade, and the order to make your choices in.

Starting With Composite

Composite has a much denser fibre volume, so it weighs a bit more than our carbon blades. The flex is pretty sharp, though it is a little less responsive than a carbon fin.

Durability is where it stands out. Composite suits divers who are rock hopping, just starting out in the sport or changing over from plastic fins. A first fibre set gets a hard life. You are still learning how long fins behave, and how to get in and out over rocks without catching the tips.

When you want more later, carbon is the next step. It is a lot lighter and more responsive, with faster memory. Innegra carbon sits at the top of the pack. It is light like carbon with the toughness of composite, and it is the least fatiguing blade we make.

Blades And Foot Pockets

Our fins come in two parts, a blade and a foot pocket. The blade fits into the pocket through a T-rail on its side and a matching rebate in the pocket, and a fitting kit holds the two together. Once you have chosen your fin material and design, the pocket is the next most important thing.

If your plastic fins had a one-piece moulded foot, this is the biggest practical change. You choose the blade and the pocket separately, and the two are joined before you dive.

In our 2021 foot pocket video we recommend three brands, the Ocean Hunter Ambush, the Hammerhead and the JBL. Check our foot pocket collection for what we carry now.

Most pockets show a US or European size on the heel. If you dive in a 3mm neoprene sock, go a half size bigger than your standard shoe size. Our foot pocket guide covers sizing in more detail, and our fitting guide walks through joining the blade and pocket.

Choosing A Flex

With a fibre blade, flex is chosen separately from the fibre. The blade in our design features video, for example, is a medium carbon blade. A stiffer blade takes more leg to bend on each kick, and a softer one takes less.

If you are not sure which flex suits you, ask us before you order. Tell us where you dive and how long you usually stay in.

The 30 Degree Heel

Our blades have a 30 degree angle in the heel. On the surface you do not have to bend your knees as much, because the angle is already built into the blade. That is easier on the shins and knees, and it puts the load through the quadriceps, the big muscles at the front of your thigh. Our heel and tip guide explains the angle and the rounded tip in more detail.

Choosing Your First Set

1. Pick the fibre. Coming from plastic, we point you to composite.
2. Pick the flex, and ask us if you are unsure.
3. Pick a foot pocket and size it for the sock you dive in.
4. Try the pockets on with your dive sock, then fit the blade to the pocket, following our fitting guide.

Start with our composite blades.