Choosing your first set of Freediving fins can be confusing, especially when you are new to the sport. The salesman might throw a lot of fancy terms around, but we urge you to stick to the basics and find a fin that works for you. Below we have highlighted a few things to keep in mind when buying your first pair of freediving fins.

Blade Type

This is where things get fancy. Did you know there is more than one type of freediving blade? In fact, there are three main ones worth noting.

• Plastic blades 

These are the most common blades that you will see in beginner level freediving training, and on the feet of freedivers who put their gear through significant wear and tear. It’s kind of like trainers vs. racing shoes. Plastic is the most durable of the three and can take a significant beating before needing to be replaced. This is perfect for students who are learning how to use fins properly while smashing them onto the bottom of the pool. It’s also preferable for schools to rent these fins to guests as they don’t need to worry about a bit of rough use. Plastic fins are also more rigid, so even professional athletes will train with them in order to condition their muscles to more resistance. When they then go to perform, they switch to the more technical blades.

• Fiberglass

Let’s up our game just a little bit and talk about the fiberglass fins. They are more efficient as they have a stronger “snap”- as in - bend, and snap! When depth is the main goal for freediving, these fins help to make your descent more efficient by saving energy and using this additional flex. Also, they look awesome and can be customized to have a transparent/ artsy look with stickers. The downside- they are more fragile and thus break much easier. For those who are traveling a lot with their gear, or who just happen to suck at keeping things in good shape, these fins will require more attention. And of course, they are more expensive. 

• Carbon Fiber

Alright professionals, this is your cue. Carbon fiber blades are for competitions, and have an even more sensitive “snap” when going deep. They are also incredibly light which helps the diver to save energy and increase muscle efficiency. Most athletes that are seriously training or competing will be using carbon fiber fins, but they will do so very carefully. Not only are these fins incredibly expensive, but they shatter quite easily. Not only is it recommended to be fragile with them out of the water, but it’s necessary to be careful when recreationally diving. One swift kick to a rock, a piece of coral or even another diver could warrant some damage. To the fin of course, the other diver will be fine. 

Strength of fin

Putting all of these things together, we can now mention there are lots of specific brands and subjectively they differ for individuals. Much like when you buy a guitar, the strings may be closer to the neck, the body may be deeper, or the color might be different. All of these things are subjective to the listener, and in freediving many aspects of the fin are subjective to the body type of the freediver. If you have giant horse legs, you can probably afford to use a less flexible fin to create more power. If you are brand new to the sport and need to condition your leg muscles, using a more flexible and possibly shorter fin would be a better idea. As you progress, you can upgrade, change blades, and find the fin that works best for you. Remember, the more important advice lies in your technique. With bad technique, no fins are going to make much of a difference. Make sure you develop proper form and proper technique, and then find the perfect style fin for you. 

Foot Pocket

Most freediving fins have removable foot pockets, which means you can separate the foot pocket from the blade. There are a few advantages to this method, the first of which being your blade type can evolve with your experience. As mentioned before, there are different blades for different skills. Having a foot pocket which stays with you through your career means that all of that hard work you did to mould the pocket perfectly to your feet isn’t in vain. Additionally, being able to detach the pocket makes it easier to travel with, and I don’t know many freedivers who don’t like to travel. It’s kind of like traveling with your safety blanket, it’s just accepted.

Some argue the disadvantage to removable foot pockets is that there is a loss of efficiency when the blade is not attached directly onto the foot pocket. This is true for some of the cheaper models, but if you invest in a good brand such as Mares, Omer or Leaderfins, there tends to be a minimal amount of difference. As a beginner, popular opinion dictates the advantage lies with having removable blades over fixed.

Socks vs. Barefoot

We will admit, many of us freedivers are also closet (or not so closet) hippies. This means we don’t like to wear shoes, ever. Especially for those of us that live on an island like Nusa Lembongan, we hardly ever need them. And don’t even get us started on cotton socks. When it comes to freediving, some people do prefer to wear neoprene socks in order to provide more comfort, or if they are trying to stay warm in colder water. The latter is certainly a valid reason. As for comfort, you should take the time to find a foot pocket that fits you well. Personally we find socks take away from the “extension of the foot” concept that we really try and create with our fins. The less barriers there are in between our limbs and the fins, the more natural and efficient the movement will be. That being said, rental fins rarely fit perfectly, so socks may be needed in order to stop those blisters from forming. 

There you have it, the guide to buying your first set of fins. Interested in learning to freedive, or continuing your training? Be sure to come and visit us in Bali and get in the water!

Blue Corner Freedive is Nusa Lembongan’s first PADI Freediver center, specializing in beginner level training, recreational freediving, and Freedive and Yoga Retreats.