Does Fin Construction Matter?

Flexy or stiff, flat v. foil - let’s solve this riddle once and for all.
Last year, we did a fun test examining the difference between Futures’ Rake, Neutral, and Pivot templates in their Legacy Series. This time, Futures wanted us to test fins with the same outline but in different constructions - one a little flexier than the other. Watch our Honeycomb vs Blackstix Joyride above.

[@coldseamonster]

The Alphas are the sleeper fin . have medium flex just shy of the black stix but half the price. Plus made of recycled fishing nets which is sick.

[@bricecarpentier5817]

lol, my shaper literally asked me to never put the alpha set I have in the last board he’s made me :D and he wasn’t even trying to sell me a set neither, he pushed me towards another set I already had :D

[@coldseamonster]

@@bricecarpentier5817 Yeah so your shaper does not sell fins so don’t have to worry about that. Next , only you know what works through trial and error. I can say based on flex pattern and feel that the Alphas are a great speed generating fin for the price. BTW , who’s your shaper ?? You kinda left that out.

[@bricecarpentier5817]

@@coldseamonster well he does also sell fins as well as glasses some on, and I'd argue he probably knows much better that at least me and my way below average level what works or not work on his designs :) Brand name is Chienville (french shaper from Hossegor, France). He also backshapes / has backshaped for a few very well known ones :)

[@coldseamonster]

@@bricecarpentier5817 Interesting , thanks man. 🤙🏼

[@currendejonge2732]

I have a set of early Blackstix Erik akanawa fins that are Blackstix foil and all that but wrapped in a ton of carbon and one of the stiffest fins I have and I don't think I will ever surf annother thruster set

[@MiscreantResponse]

Blackstix are phenomenal! Blue are insane for speed generation, and for hold the Yellow Pivots is insane, especially into the four foot range. But i think fins are so individual to the board, between shape, volume and desire. I swap fins allot when i get a new board, to find what is best for the board. Sometimes that can be a bit of freaking around, but when they click, so worth it!

[@Nuno_Alves]

Blackstix are really cool for small waves

[@terenceingram7786]

My rule thumb ... Blackstix for small and weak waves where you need to generate your own speed ... Honeycomb for when you don't need to do that which means bigger or better waves

[@foxgd9117]

Tech flex or fiberglass for proper waves

[@gbscott4]

What size fin?

[@Ihatetoprocrastinate]

Nice haircut and beard Mikey. You look great

[@arynaliv]

What size is the board?