BEST FREEDIVE AND SPEARFISHING FINS IN 2023 - What's the difference??

[@diveanddine]

Solid!

[@sandmairma]

as to the cressi fin that looks like a diveR - has cressi collaborated with diveR ? I googled that and cannot find that fin in the cressi lineup. I'm very interested in the diveR fins but they're hard to get in Europe...

[@westsidedivetackle3894]

@@sandmairma not really Cressi did one collaboration on that one design but probably cannot get it anymore

[@gcus09]

Hey Chris! Looking to upgrade from my old plastic fins. Been using plastic fins for years. What would recommend? The Leader carbon fiber or the Penetrator composite resin being that Leader carbon fiber is on the lower end of carbon fiber? Mahalo in Advance🤙

[@westsidedivetackle3894]

Penetrators or DiveR are the best imo but are pricier than Leaderfins.Also remember carbons are a lot lighter than the composites blades but try to match your diving. If you shore dive a lot then I say go with composite fiberglass or resin mix. 🤙

[@iFlub.]

Good morning Chris! Do you have and experience with the Mako Pure Carbons?

[@westsidedivetackle3894]

No sorry mate we don’t sell that brand as they sell only directly to customers. We’ve seen and dealt with lots of carbon blades over the year though. Do you have a question about them?

[@iFlub.]

@@westsidedivetackle3894 I’m just in the beginning stages of researching. Trying to decide between fiberglass or lower end carbons. I’ll be using almost exclusively for spearfishing.

[@westsidedivetackle3894]

@@iFlub. got it. Biggest difference is the material. Fiberglass is typically way more durable than CF. We sell mostly FG blades to folks who are beginning or wanting to upgrade from plastics. It can be a cost thing as well. FG blades are more responsive (translate water down the blade) than plastics but not better than CF blades in that respect. CF blades are a lot lighter than FG therefore you use less energy through your swim cycle. CF are typically more expensive and are less durable (say for reef diving). Hope this helps

[@iFlub.]

@@westsidedivetackle3894 thanks Chris! Diving less than 100 ft for the most part. I’ve tried out some fiberglass before and loved them (don’t remember the brand). Didn’t know if it would be worth the upgrade to cheaper carbons for marginally more. Looking to spend up to about $350 for blades and foot pockets.

[@westsidedivetackle3894]

@@iFlub. in this case you might want to save up a little more and get a great pair of CF blades. Cetma, Alchemy or Meandros CF are what we sell a lot of. The difference of a $100 more for a great CF is immense! If you cannot save and really want the CF blades just determine the type of diving you a few going to be doing mostly. Again CF blades can get damaged on rocks and reef. Maybe also look at a mix of CF/FG if your dive area is rough on the fins 🤙

[@meganreinhart2972]

What’s the best free dive spots for beginners on Oahu?

[@westsidedivetackle3894]

On our side it’s Electric Beach

[@kizzjd9578]

The best fins are custom made fins. Need different weights and tensile carbon layers and directions inside. Most of them are just 0-90° stepped layups including DiveR, penetrator and most cheaper blades.

[@AWES0ME1]

Is there a solid place to buy custom blades?

[@kizzjd9578]

@@AWES0ME1 ask your local dive club, i make my own

[@Roy-w3v]

The ONLY real different bewean fins is the stiffness level!! When a fin feels better for you it's a sighn you got a more suitable fin stiffness to your body structure and style. Material has very little to NOTHING at all to do with your dive depth. Cheap plastic is as efficient as the most expensive carbon fin in the water. With similar stiffness plastic, fiberglass and carbon fiber fins will do very similar dive results if not identical! YES I know it's not what you been hearing but that's the truth. I tried it! I saw selsmen letting try out soft carbon and then hard plastic and naturally the hard plastic was much less compatible and phisiologal efficient. The one who tested can tell the world plastic is inferior. Hard fins are optimal for very few divers but surprisingly common among plastic fins.