Have lost 4 FCS2 fins in the last two months despite using the rear grub screw and making sure they are tightened regularly. One fin somehow came out on my motorbike rack, that was strange. the other during a failed duck dive on my quad, 3 fins hit my leg and popped out. I see that loading the fins sideways makes them pop out even with the rear grub screw is in. I’m not even convinced them popping out reduced the wound on my leg as it’s a sideways load which doesn’t cut.

I wonder if this just represents two philosphies. FCS: Don't screw fins. If they hit something hard or too much pressure is exerted on the fin they'll pop loose and you'll probably lose a fin, but your board will be safe. Futures: Screw in fins and your fins will stay in there even with over 100lbs of force. However, you might destroy someone or something in the water that your fins come in contact with. Am I missing something here?

It's got me thinking the energy transfer is greater = better with future

hey you had a video up about the AFS box, why is it down? had tried to contact them but nothing came back... im about to make my own system but wanted toknow if the company still existed 😅

Futures boxes are much heavier than FCS II, plus you get better flex through the board with FCS II. In 30 years of surfing ive never broken a fcs fin or fin box. And to end it all, i dont want to have to worry about fin keys when im rushing to get in the water.

I see way more FCS2 repairs and its not close

For the average surfer like myself, in average 2-6ft conditions, who might change the fins once or twice a year, and avoids hitting objects like the plague. Does this stuff really matter? This all gives me the impression that FCS 2 are selling defective gear. Interesting but confusing for average joes like myself.

ƒutures looks better. All white is the goal.

After watching this Im going back to FCS boxes. The reason is, I was surfing my quad and hit a close out and the board rolled over under me. I landed on the board with my hip and groin. The two big fins broke out from the impact. It was painful and I had bruises but no cuts. If the board had future fins in, there is no doubt in my mind I would have been on my way to hospital or worse

I have both systems and if it is true that the Futures system is more resistant and effective, the truth is that it can be more dangerous for us. I recently fell off a wave along with my board and one of the FCS2 ends hit my thigh hard to the point that I thought due to the intense and huge pain I had a deep cut in my thigh. Fortunately that didn't happen, resulting in a huge, dark mark on my thigh for weeks and a damaged board because the FCS2 case gave way. Given that Future cases are more resistant, I don't know if in my case I would end up suffering a very deep and dangerous cut.

The good thing about fcs is that it is safer, I would rather lose a fin than cut myself or someone who has their fin come off.

I've never had an issue blowing out fin boxes in either system, but I do notice more consistency, and a better feeling flex with fcs2 fins. There are a lot of different fcs2 fins that I like in lots of different boards. It's hard for me to find a futures fin that I love, usually the flex feels soft or damp, or way too stiff. I get a lot more liveliness out of my fcs2 fins

futures.

Yes... I have been in the Industry here in Australia makeing and repairing boards for over 40yrs...From a personal view FUTURES are better in many ways...Especially the way they perform IN THE WATER...Just like a roving set fin!. And the amount of repair work on FCS boxs is Far Greater.. Cheers Australia.

Futures all the way

Perhaps usage is well below threshold to break but within range of actual field stress each has differing flex meaning FCS2 adds flex at higher stress...need field parameters

England here what a destructive little chap

The issue I have with FCS2 boxes is the repetitive force that the boxes and board take when you push in/pull out the fins. I replaced a couple of boxes and they all cracked on the back part of the box when I was removing the fins. Is there any data on the MTF for that?

Interesting test. Amazing how much pressure they both can endure! I've been surfing since the mid 90's. Back then I had the FCS 2 tab (original models) which seemed to be the most problematic (losing fins) or the tab plug caving in from too much pressure. I also had tons of experience with Futures fins (don't think I ever lost a fin). This last 12 years I've surfed with only FCS II. I lost only one fin. I keep the fins screwed down lightly. What I don't like about the FCS II boxes is that the glass around the fin boxes often splinter or get hairline cracks. I have an expansive FCS fin collection and a smaller Futures fin collection but I'm seriously considering going with Futures for my next board. I like the way the fin to the fin box appears to be more flush on the board. After all, at the end of the day, we all pay lots of cash for a board these days and we want it to last as long as possible. At the end of the day, it seems like a toss up but I am going with Futures for my next board.

I just picked up one, performs great.

All I know is I've has FCS fall out and futures never do.

Aloha! Great Vid! What's the volume a Futures fin box and a FCS fin box? Mahalos!

I've lost so many FCS2 fins because they pop out. Now i only use Futures. You should too. The whole concept behind fcs2 is that they are supposed to be tooless, however without grub screws, you lose them. Futures is a far simpler, cheaper and better system overall.

I've had no problems with FCS 2, but I don't surf with a winch attached to my fin. If I had a winch attached then would probably go futures.

Awesome to see this review, however, in the glassed-in test, it appears that the plastic fins aren't allowing enough pressure to be applied to the fin boxes, due to its extensive flex properties. Could you perform another test with glass fins which have less flex and would thus convey more pressure into the glassed-in boxes. That way it would be possible to see at which point the glassed-in boxes would actually buckle.

Do you have instagram?

The big question not being answered is: is it better for a fin to come lose easy or not? If if breaks before damaging the board isn’t that better? Just replace the fin? But if the box is so strong your board gets destroyed, isn’t that worse? When my future fin ran over someone who dropped in on me, it tore my entire fin box out.

FCS boxes come in 0, 5, and 9 degrees. With future they pre-cant the fins instead of the boxes. This means if you have a fair bit of V or concave and your using a furure fin with a certain amount of cant you may be getting more or less cant than expected. The average joe probably doesnt know the difference but something to be aware of when using futures. I was recently surprised to see that kelly had switched to futures boxs on his boards but then he is the goat and can ride a barn door better than most on a HPS. Good video, kind of interesting but a bit of a moot point because we see both of these boxs used all over the world and not many surfers are busting out boxs so the test doesnt really prove anything.

didn't know boards are made of styrofoam, very scientific. sponsored by your local repair and surfshop.

Excellent investigation. Futures is better for sure.

If you want to know what’s stronger just look at kite surfing boards. They are put under a lot more stress from the power of the kite, hard edging for extended periods and landing big airs etc. They come with futures fins…

Futures always

Try removing the board and go surf the fins, see what happens then

Futures maybe stronger but do they surf better? They seem more stiff to me. Every 3 finned board I’ve had has been better with FCS, but twin fin boards are better with Futures. Just my opinion from my own experience.

Cool nice!!!

Thanks for taking the time using science to prove what we already knew

I have a sizable collection of FCS2's because I was sold on the feature of being able to just snap them in. However I've lost a few fins now and have started putting a screw on them to keep them secured. In hindsight I would have made a collection of futures.

after not making any good fins anymore for FCSI I'm done with them. Future all day