Finding the right pair of open-heel fins can make or break your dive. The perfect fin should feel like an extension of your leg — powerful when you need it, efficient when cruising, and comfortable even on longer dives.
In 2025, fin design has become smarter, lighter, and more specialised than ever. Whether you’re chasing portability for travel, extra thrust for heavy kit, or precise control for technical dives, there’s a model built for you.
We’ve rounded up the best open-heel fins of 2025, comparing power, comfort, and dive style to help you find your ideal match.
Scubapro Go Travel Fin
The Go Travel Fin is built specifically around the travel use case — light, compact and comfortable naked-foot or with neoprene socks. The self-adjusting bungee heel reduces fiddly buckles at dive sites and helps the fins double as both a full-foot feel and the flexibility of an open-heel when needed. They're one of the most portable fins out there with minimal weight — ideal for carry-on kit.
Who it’s for: The travelling recreational diver who wants a barefoot feel but the fit and strap options of an open-heel. Perfect for warm-water holiday diving and anyone who hates lugging a bulky pair of fins through airports.
Scubapro Go Sport Fins
The Go Sport keeps the travel DNA — short, lightweight yet virtually indestructible. They feature a “boot-fit” design that makes them a sensible compromise when crossing temperature zones or negotiating rocky shore entries. The Go Sport is designed to fit in IATA carry-on compliant luggage, making it a great fin for both travel and local diving.
Who it’s for: Travellers who prefer wearing boots (cooler water), or anyone who needs a slightly more robust blade than the Go Travel, but still wants compact packing.
Mares Avanti Quattro Plus
Mares Avanti Quattro Plus uses Channel Thrust technology (four channels) to focus and increase thrust while stabilisers reduce ankle twist. This version is lighter than prior models and now ships with a bungee strap, so you get a traditionally powerful, efficient fin that’s friendlier for packing and travel. It’s a classic “value meets performance” choice.
Who it’s for: Divers wanting good all-round power and manoeuvrability on a budget — reef, boat diving and travel where you still want performance.
Scubapro Seawing Supernova
The Seawing Supernova's wing-shaped, pivot blade is designed to deliver strong forward thrust with less effort and reduced fatigue. Scubapro’s modular system also means you can mix pockets and blades for a tailored fit or specialised use — a big plus if you want one fin platform to evolve with your diving. Their refined geometry balances power and efficiency rather than brute force.
Who it’s for: Divers after a higher-end, high-efficiency blade with a modular fin system to tailor blade/foot-pocket combos.
Ocean Reef DUO II Travel Fins
DUO II is built around an ultra-soft silicone foot pocket for barefoot comfort and a one-hand don/release ring in the heel for quick changes. The dual-material blade and central drain design give decent water flow without big leg fatigue, so they’re a natural pick for long surface sessions, holiday use and compact packing.
Who it’s for: Snorkellers and recreational travellers who prioritise comfort of their own fins without extra bulk or heavy price tag.
Fourth Element TECH Fins
Fourth Element designed the TECH Fins using natural rubber with variable stiffness zones, producing a one-piece construction that’s comfortable, durable and recyclable. The vented blade and strengthened ribs keep drag low while giving controllable power — it’s the fin that lasts and performs when you need precise kicks.
Who it’s for: Tech divers and serious recreational divers who want a more eco-friendly option of rubber, vented jet-style fin for control, durability and a slightly negative buoyancy — especially useful for heavy kit or confined-space finning.
Cressi Thor EBS Fins
Thor's arched “spoon effect” profile with two central ribs encourages strong flow and improved propulsion, while lateral holes discharge negative forces to increase stability. The blade uses two materials to improve reactivity, so the fin feels lively without being uncontrollable. The Cressi EBS strap system gives a secure, comfortable fit. It’s a sensible, well-engineered all-rounder.
Who it’s for: Divers who want stability and predictable propulsion for a broad range of dives — suitable for novices and experienced divers alike.
Scubapro Go Sport Gorilla
The Gorilla is a stiffer take on the Go Sport with a heavy-duty bungee and a blade tuned for extra “umph”. If your dives involve current, heavy kit or you simply prefer a stiffer blade for faster surface transits, this variant gives that power while retaining some of the packability the Go family is known for.
Who it’s for: Professionals, public-safety divers or any diver who needs a heavier-duty, higher-thrust travel blade.
Comparison Chart
| Model | Best For | Blade Type | Key Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Warm-water divers and snorkellers | Short Monprene blade | Ultralight, bungee heel strap, barefoot-friendly | |
| Travelling divers using boots | Reinforced Monprene blade | Boot-compatible, side skegs for stability, travel friendly | |
| Strong currents & heavy kit | Stiffer Monprene blade | Extra stiffness, robust strap, precise response | |
| Versatile all-round diving | Channel Thrust technology | Powerful propulsion, bungee strap, flexible blade | |
| Travelling divers who value efficiency | Pivot-wing blade | Interchangeable blade/pocket, smooth thrust, easy to pack when detached | |
| Snorkellers | Dual-material short blade | Compact, comfy fit, easy don and doff | |
| Technical & cave divers | Vented rubber jet style | Solid control, precise manoeuvring, eco-conscious | |
| All-round diving | Dual-material arched blade | Responsive snap, balanced propulsion, EBS strap |
FAQ
Q — Are travel fins weaker than “full-size” fins?
A — Travel fins trade blade length for convenience; good travel fins (Scubapro Go Travel, Go Sport) are engineered to maintain efficient thrust with less length, so you won’t notice a loss on short reef dives but may on long surface transits.
Q — What’s the advantage of vented/jet-style Fourth Element Tech fins?
A — Vented blades reduce drag on the return stroke and increase power on the drive, giving endurance and control — useful for tech and long dives. Fourth Element explicitly calls out venting and multiple rubber densities for comfort and power.
Q — Can I use snorkel fins like Ocean Reef DUO II for scuba?
A — DUO II is optimised for snorkelling and travel comfort. While fine for surface swim and casual shallow snorkels, dedicated scuba sessions with heavy kit often benefit from stiffer open-heel dive fins.
Q — What about fit & sizing?
A — Get your boots and fin pockets on together. The fin should hold the foot comfortably - no dead zones, no painful squeeze. If you have your boots already, make sure to bring them with you to the shop as the shape and thickness can affect the fit of the fin.
Final Thoughts
Fins design keeps evolving. Expect to see more eco-conscious materials, modular designs, and hybrid blades that blend travel weight with high thrust. Brands like Scubapro and Fourth Element are already leading this trend, proving you can have performance without compromise.
As divers demand more versatility, the next generation of fins will likely become even lighter, more powerful, and easier to travel with — without sacrificing durability or control.
Every diver has their favourite fin — and we’ve seen countless happy customers swear by their Go Sports or Avanti Quattros. The best way to choose? Think about where and how you dive most often.
If you’re island-hopping, check out the Scubapro Go Travel. For a balance of comfort and power, go for the Mares Avanti Quattro Plus. And if precision control or tech diving is your thing, the Fourth Element TECH Fins or Seawing Supernova are hard to beat.
You can explore all of these models — plus sizing guides and expert advice — directly at Mike's Dive Store. Whether you’re diving in the tropics or tackling UK wrecks, the perfect pair of fins is waiting for you.
If you need more help choosing the right gear, you can always email us at support@mikesdivestore.com, schedule a video consultation, or drop by our Chiswick store for expert, face-to-face advice.
