Fins for Spearfishing

Fins for spearfishing made of carbon, plastic and materials composites, with blades in different stiffnesses and geometries. The category also includes blades only, foot pockets, assembly kits and accessories.

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Fins

Blades

Foot Pockets

Mounting Kit

Footbeds

Spare Parts

Spearfishing Fins

Fins specifically designed for freediving and spearfishing offer a range of advantages, including greater propulsion, efficiency, lightness, and maneuverability. They can also be made from different materials, such as plastic, fiberglass, or carbon fiber, to suit different skill levels and personal preferences.

Fin Composition

Fins are made up of 2 main components: the blades and the foot pockets.

The blade and foot pocket can be joined in a single piece or separated into two distinct pieces.

Plastic fins, especially lower-end models, feature the foot pocket and blade in a single-piece construction and therefore cannot be separated. They are often the choice for those approaching the world of freediving or spearfishing.

In most mid-range and high-end fins, whether plastic or composite, the foot pocket is removable and can therefore be separated from the blades.

This gives the user great flexibility: they can disassemble the fins to make them easier to transport, for example when traveling, or they can mount the same foot pockets on different blades depending on their needs.

Blade Materials

Freediving and spearfishing fin blades are mainly made from 3 materials: plastic, fiberglass, and carbon.

These are the 3 most commonly used materials, but some manufacturers are also using other cutting-edge materials such as Innegra fiber mixed with carbon fiber.

Let's look at these materials in more detail.

Plastic

Plastic is the most common material, used since the early days of underwater activities to manufacture fins. Fins with plastic blades today are profoundly different from those of the past. Today, plastic fins are available with performance that was unthinkable only 10 years ago.

They are the ideal choice for beginners or for those on a limited budget.

Fiberglass (VTR)

Fiberglass is nothing more than a fiberglass fabric impregnated with epoxy resin. Multiple layers of this composite are laminated together to form the structure of the blades.

Fiberglass is a much more efficient composite material than plastic. Fiberglass blades can range from mid-level to extremely high-end, depending on the composite used by the manufacturer, the type of resin, and the lamination process.

They are therefore an excellent choice for freedivers and spearfishers, from beginners to professionals.

In some carbon blades, layers of fiberglass are placed between layers of carbon fiber; this is usually done because fiberglass has a lower cost, allowing manufacturers to reduce blade production costs.

Carbon

Carbon, much like fiberglass, is nothing more than a carbon fiber fabric impregnated with epoxy resin. Several layers of carbon fabric are laminated together to form the structure of the blades.

Carbon is a composite material that is far more efficient than plastic; when used in the construction of freediving fins, it provides superior elastic return compared to plastic and fiberglass. Carbon blades can range from mid-level to extremely high-end, depending on the composite used by the manufacturer and the type of lamination applied.

Carbon + Hi-Tech Fibers

Some renowned companies such as DiveR Australia use mixed fabrics, or blends. These fabrics are largely carbon fiber mixed with fibers from other materials, such as ultra-thin copper wires or Innegra fiber.

These fibers add specific properties to the carbon yarn. For example, carbon and copper blades have an even higher elastic return, and the sensation during finning is like having springs on your feet.

Innegra fiber gives the blades greater resistance to impact and deformation, and raises the breaking point of the composite to previously unseen levels. The sensation during finning is one of extreme lightness, very low muscular effort, and exceptionally high performance, with a feel for the user that sits perfectly between pure carbon and high-end fiberglass.

Plastic Fins vs Carbon Fins

Plastic fins are no longer what they used to be, that’s true. Plastic fins used to be heavy, tiring, and inefficient. Today, however, we have extremely lightweight plastic fins (such as the C4 Umberto Pelizzari) that deliver very respectable performance. The fact remains that they are still more demanding and less high-performing than composite-material fins.

Plastic fins therefore still remain a product intended for beginners or for those who practice shallow-water spearfishing and do not want to invest, for example, in carbon or other composite materials.

Even today’s carbon blades are no longer what they used to be. They are no longer as fragile as they once were. It is rare for a quality carbon blade to break, even if abused.

In Italy, we can boast many of the best carbon fin manufacturers, and among them C4 Carbon certainly deserves mention: a 100% Italian company that invented carbon blades 35 years ago.

C4 now offers the largest range of carbon Fins in the world, highly advanced production techniques, and a return rate below 0.4%, with over 20,000 pairs of Fins sold every year worldwide.

Carbon fiber, when properly laminated, is the highest-performing and most widely used material for producing freediving and spearfishing fins. Carbon provides significantly greater elastic return than plastic. Carbon blades are extremely light, and their performance lasts over time.

In use, you feel more propulsion with less effort, resulting in longer breath-holds and greater safety.

Fiberglass Fins vs Carbon Fins

There are several misconceptions on this topic, such as the idea that fiberglass fins are less high-performing than carbon fins. This is true only in some cases. Let’s take a closer look at the characteristics of this concept.

Fiberglass (FRP) is a more economical composite than carbon; it is heavier and has lower elastic return.

Up to this point, everything seems to favor carbon, but when used in the water, the greater weight of the FRP composite and its lower elastic return do not necessarily translate into a less efficient fin kick. This can easily be verified with a sea trial.

In fact, many professionals prefer the response of fiberglass (smoother and less snappy) compared to carbon.

In addition, not all fiberglass blades are the same, and not all manufacturers use the same resins combined with fiberglass. Since fiberglass is a less expensive material than carbon fiber, it is often combined with inexpensive or low-quality resins, resulting in a finished product that is certainly inferior to carbon, also in terms of performance.

However, there are companies like DiveR Australia that have always made quality their strength. They have always used top-level fibers and resins, laminating their blades with advanced techniques that have enabled DiveR to lead the global market toward a new concept of blades and finning.

DiveR has increased blade angles and softened the first section of the blade, succeeding in producing high-end fiberglass fins that are often able to outperform many carbon fins in terms of performance.

DiveR has shown that it is possible to produce a fiberglass blade that delivers in-water performance comparable to, or in many cases even superior to, carbon fiber.

Are you a beginner? Is a carbon or plastic fin better?

Common sense suggests that a beginner, or anyone approaching the world of freediving or spearfishing for the first time, should buy a plastic model as their first pair of fins. And that is also our recommendation, but it is based exclusively on budget considerations. Anyone willing to spend more can confidently choose a carbon pair, even as a beginner.

Many people ask us whether a beginner can appreciate the quality of a carbon or fiberglass blade, and the answer is: Yes! Absolutely!

Even a beginner using a fin made from composite material (carbon or fiberglass) would notice the greater thrust and lower physical effort they require compared with plastic fins. This means that the choice between plastic and carbon, for example, is mainly dictated by budget.

Today, a quality plastic fin has a price range of around 90 to 120 euros, while some composite models can cost more than 600 euros.

Today, some companies, such as C4, have managed to offer high-quality fins at prices that were once unthinkable. For its H. Dessault brand, C4 produces 100% carbon fins with a retail price just over 200 euros, bringing Made in Italy carbon blades to the market at affordable prices that even beginners could consider.

Long Blade vs Short Blade

Freediving and spearfishing fins are available in different lengths, each designed to deliver specific performance based on the user’s needs and fishing style.

Long and extra-long blade

Long-blade fins have always been the most popular among experienced freedivers and spearfishermen. They feature a blade ranging in length from 75 to 85 cm, up to 95 cm for those considered extra-long. This allows them to “work” a greater volume of water and provides an advantage over long distances. However, they require a certain level of experience to be used correctly, as they need a better finning technique to perform properly.

In addition, extra-long-blade fins, designed specifically for freedivers or deep divers, require low stiffness levels so as not to fatigue the legs too much, effectively compromising the advantage of using a blade with a larger surface area.

Ultimately, very long blades are more specialized and less suitable for the full range of situations or users.

In addition, the performances in recent years by some athletes using short blades, or even extra-short blades, have shown that the equation long blade equals greater depth or distance (with the same effort and oxygen consumption) is not actually that accurate.

Medium and short blade

Medium- or short-blade fins are the least sold, but they are becoming increasingly popular even among professionals.

A more compact fin is more maneuverable, practical, and requires less muscular effort to use. This translates into a more natural and intuitive fin kick in all environments. In shallow-water spearfishing, they certainly show even more of their potential by not getting wedged between rocks on the seabed, as can happen more often with long blades. Short blades are also becoming increasingly popular among deep divers.

The Foot Pocket

The Foot Pocket is a fundamental part of the fin. In the past, little importance was given to this component, with the focus mainly on the Blades. Today we know that the Foot Pocket accounts for 50% of a fin’s performance. An excellent blade paired with a poor Foot Pocket will result in a low-performance fin.

Foot Pockets are now available with or without side rails. Let’s look at the differences.

Foot Pockets with side rails

Historically, Foot Pockets have always had side rails: two lateral tendons designed to transfer force (generated by the fin stroke) from the Foot Pocket to the blade gradually, preventing the latter from breaking.

The side rails, which extend beyond the Foot Pocket for about thirty centimeters, are fixed to the edges of the Blades. Over the years, it has become clear that side rails, on the one hand, gradually transfer force to the Blades and help prevent breakage, but on the other hand they stiffen the first section, altering performance. This is most noticeable when the side rails are long and stiff.

However, there is one manufacturer that offers Foot Pockets equipped with very soft side rails which, while ensuring a gradual transfer of force, do not alter the characteristics of the first section of the blade. These are Imersion Foot Pockets, used with great success by our entire team.

Foot Pockets without side rails

Today, many manufacturers have developed Foot Pockets with no side rails, or with very short side rails. These are new-generation Foot Pockets, extremely lightweight and exceptionally low in volume. The almost complete absence of side rails allows the lamination of the Blades to be used 100%, without adding external elements (the side rails) that alter their flexibility in the section they occupy. This is a major advantage that has made it possible to achieve high performance, but be careful: the Blades must have particularly strong lamination in the first section (immediately after the Foot Pocket), otherwise the Blades may be prone to breakage.

Among the most popular low-volume Foot Pockets with short or no side rails are the C4 Foot Pockets and the Mares X-Wing.

The Blade Angle

The angle of the Blades relative to the Foot Pocket has steadily increased over the years. In the past, angles were very modest—10, 15, or at most 18 degrees—compared with today’s much more pronounced angles, around 28–30°. New manufacturing technologies and cutting-edge materials have led companies to develop increasingly high-performance fins paired with pronounced angles, allowing freedivers to move more efficiently both on the surface and at depth.

The fin angle must allow hydrodynamic flow without creating unnecessary resistance. Proper fin angle optimizes power transmission from the foot to the blade, improving movement efficiency and allowing the fin to work better with the foot's natural motion during the kick.

In short, the angle of freediving fins is a crucial factor that contributes to overall performance.

Blade Stiffness

Blade stiffness should be chosen based on many factors, such as the user's height and weight, but also according to training level, intended use, and the environmental conditions in which the fins will be used.

According to a common stereotype, a heavy, muscular person should use stiffer blades, such as Medium or Hard, compared with a lighter person with low muscle tone, who could use Soft or Super-Soft. In general this can be true, but this calculation does not take into account the type of work the user needs to perform.

For example, a tall, heavy, muscular person, although physically capable of using stiffer fins, will still benefit from using soft blades when preparing for deep dives or long distances in dynamic apnea. This is because, despite physical strength, in this type of athletic movement (prolonged and on breath-hold), soft blades allow anyone to conserve oxygen thanks to reduced muscular effort.

Likewise, a lighter person with less muscular power could benefit from a stiffer blade in situations where an immediate response is required, even at the cost of greater energy expenditure (and therefore oxygen), but where the fins' quick response is a determining factor compared with optimizing energy consumption.

A note on Hard-stiffness blades. This blade stiffness is now almost disappearing because fewer and fewer spearfishers and freedivers use it. Although the application may require an immediate response, and regardless of physical build, fins that are too stiff end up excessively fatiguing the user, reducing breath-hold times.

The Best Fins Brands for Spearfishing

When choosing fins for freediving or spearfishing, several renowned brands offer high-quality products. Here are some of the best:

C4 Carbon

C4 can proudly claim to have made the world’s first carbon fins, back in 1989.

Today C4 is a structured company with a complete catalog of freediving and spearfishing products, yet it has not forgotten its origins. It stands out for the widest range of carbon fins available on the market and also offers plastic models, all produced in-house by C4.

Today C4 has acquired the historic French brand H. Dessault, under which it offers a second product line whose strength is an excellent value for money, including plastic and carbon fins.

A 100% Made in Italy excellence.

DiveR Australia

DiveR is an Australian company specializing in the production of top-quality blades made from composite materials.

DiveR can claim to have influenced the modern fin market with its technical and artistic choices. It was the first to introduce particularly pronounced angles, layups designed to promote earlier blade flex, and special composites, such as hi-tech fibers mixed with carbon yarn. Among these are the Innegra blades, used worldwide by some of the greatest professionals in our sport.

The premium epoxy resins used by DiveR have always been one of the strengths of the Australian company; in fact, its fiberglass blade production often outperforms many other carbon fins on the market.

DiveR blades have been at the top of the global freediving and spearfishing fin market for more than 20 years. In recent years, many manufacturers have attempted to copy DiveR’s technical choices, but to this day these blades remain unique in terms of performance, thrust, low energy consumption, strength, durability, reliability, and aesthetics.

Many of the greatest spearfishers, after trying DiveR quality, have never gone back to using blades from other manufacturers.

Cetma Composites

Cetma Composites is an Italian brand that originated as a branch of a national research center for composite materials. The Brindisi-based company offers several models of 100% carbon fins, highly appreciated by both freedivers and spearfishers.

Cetma carbon fins represent a major innovation in the sports sector, thanks to the engineered stiffness distribution method. Using exclusive materials and proprietary processes, these fins deliver superior comfort and responsiveness, tested by top-level athletes. Collaboration between engineers and champions has resulted in a product that maximizes elastic return and reduces dissipative effects, ensuring excellent results in freediving and spearfishing.

Cetma also offers the Taras monofin and bifins, which are achieving great success in pure freediving competitions.

Salvimar

Salvimar offers a comprehensive product catalog for spearfishing and freediving. Among these, it offers two noteworthy models.

The Speeder fins are a highly appreciated plastic model for their performance, despite being technopolymer fins.

The Speeder Carbo fins also use the innovative Speeder foot pocket paired with an exceptionally high-quality carbon blade. A high-end choice for any freediver or spearfisher.

Mares

Mares is another renowned brand in the underwater world and offers a wide variety of fins. But the most innovative models are those fitted with the brand-new, super-lightweight dual-material X-Wing foot pocket. X-Wing fins are available with plastic or carbon blades and are a Mares-branded excellence.

Beuchat

Beuchat is a French brand that has been producing spearfishing equipment for over 60 years. They offer a wide range of fins suited to different spearfishing and freediving styles, but the most innovative models are those fitted with the brand-new Libeccio foot pocket. Libeccio fins are available in the Libeccio Sport version, with a plastic blade, and in the Libeccio Elite version with carbon blades. A Beuchat-branded excellence.

Cressi

Cressi has always been a leading brand in the freediving and spearfishing sector, with a wide range of fins in its catalog. The most popular models today are those equipped with Gara Modular foot pockets with standard rails or Gara Turbo foot pockets with short rails.

The Gara Modular Impulse and Gara Turbo Impulse plastic fins are among the most popular models for freedivers attending their first freediving courses or spearfishers who have not yet moved on to composite blades.

Conclusions

Choosing the right fins for freediving or spearfishing is essential to improve performance, safety, and your experience underwater.

Consider the different types of materials, blade length, and foot pocket type. Last but not least, try to choose a stiffness that suits your body type, your training level, and your diving style.

Don’t choose blades that are too stiff, as they could fatigue your legs and, as a result, make you waste more oxygen.

With these tools, you’ll definitely be able to make a choice that fits your needs and, if you still have doubts, contact our customer care team for a free consultation.