Fin Buyer's Guide

Technological advances in the snorkeling fin market have created a large variety of very different fins. Choosing the right fin can seem challenging, but understanding the basics makes deciding what works for you much easier.

There are two basic foot pocket designs--full foot and open heel.  Open heel fins are adjustable, and usually able to accommodate dive boots.  Designed to fit 2 to 3 sizes per fin, open heel fins are perfect for growing kids and divers who might wear boots or socks one day, and not wear any the next. Open heel fins are important if more than one person is going to use the same fins, because the fins can be adjusted to each foot.  Full foot fins are simple to use, comfortable, and great for the Caribbean and other warm water environments.  Full foot fins fit just like shoes, and the same perfect fit is essential to a comfortable dive.  The shoe-style fit also makes gearing up a snap-there are no buckles or straps to bother with before getting into the water.  Full foot fins are ideally suited for warm water when dive boots or socks are unnecessary.

Recently there has been a boom in the types of fin blades available.  Each different combination of blade features helps make your dive easier.  Paddle fins are the original fin design, featuring a flat, thin blade.  Paddle fins can be equipped with a number of additional features like vents to allow water to pass through the fin, side rails to stabilize the blade, and rubber flex channels to cup and direct water away from your foot.  Split fins are specially engineered to push water behind the fin, increasing propulsion and reducing diver effort.

Choose the fin you feel is right for you.  Check out the features listed on each fin before making your decision.  If you have any questions the knowledgabe staff at Snorkel City will be glad to help you.

Snorkeling Fins

Mask, Snorkel & Fin Sets

Manufacturer's size charts

U.S. Divers Kids' Blast Fins
Fin Size	Men's Shoe Size	Women's Shoe Size	Kids' Shoe Size	Blade Length	Blade Width
S/M			9 to 13	20"	8"
L/XL	N/A	N/A	1 to 4	20"	8.5"
				22"	8.5"
U.S. Divers Blast Fins
Fin Size	Men's Shoe Size	Women's Shoe Size	Kid's Shoe Size	Blade Length	Blade Width
Small	3 to 6	For Women's Sizing,	See U.S. Divers	20"	8"
Medium	6.5 to 9.5	estimate 1 to 1.5 sizes	Kids Blast Fins	20"	8.5"
Large	10 to 13	smaller		22"	8.5"
		(Womens 7 ≈ Mens 5.5-6)
Deep See Aquaglide Fins
Fin Size	Men's Shoe Size	Women's Shoe Size	Kid's Shoe Size	Blade Length	Blade Width
Small/Medium	5 to 8.5	For Women's Sizing,		21"	7.5"
Large/Extra Large	9 to 13	estimate 1 to 1.5 sizes	N/A	22"	8.25"
		smaller
		(Womens 7 ≈ Mens 5.5-6)
Snorkel City Open Heel Fins
Fin Size	Men's Shoe Size	Women's Shoe Size	Kid's Shoe Size	Blade Length	Blade Width
Small/Medium	3 to 6	For Women's Sizing,		22"	8"
Medium/Large	8 to 10	estimate 1 to 1.5 sizes	N/A	23.25"	8"
Large/Extra Large	10 to 13	smaller		23.25"	8.5"
		(Womens 7 ≈ Mens 5.5-6)
Snorkel City Shoe Style Snorkeling Fins
Fin Size	Men's Shoe Size	Women's Shoe Size	Kid's Shoe Size	Blade Length	Blade Width
XXS	1 to 2	For Women's Sizing,	1 to 2	17.25"	6"
XS	3 to 5	estimate 1 to 1.5 sizes		18.25"	6.25"
S	5 to 7	smaller		19"	6.5"
M	7 to 9	(Womens 7 ≈ Mens 5.5-6)		20.5"	7"
L	9 to 11			22"	7.5"
XL	11 to 13			23.75"	8"
U.S. Divers Proflex II Full Foot Fins
Fin Size	Men's Shoe Size	Women's Shoe Size	Kid's Shoe Size	Blade Length	Blade Width
XS	3.5 to 5	For Women's Sizing,		19.75"	7.5"
S	5 to 6.5	estimate 1 to 1.5 sizes	N/A	20.25"	7.5"
M	6.5 to 8	smaller		21"	8"
ML	8 to 9.5	(Womens 7 ≈ Mens 5.5-6)		22"	8.25"
L	9.5 to 11			22.5"	8.25"
XL	11.5 to 13			23.5"	8.75"
Snorkel City Center Channel Fins
Fin Size	Men's Shoe Size	Women's Shoe Size	Kid's Shoe Size	Blade Length	Blade Width
XS	3 to 5	For Women's Sizing,		21.5"	7.5"
S	5 to 7	estimate 1 to 1.5 sizes	N/A	22"	7.5"
M	7 to 9	smaller		23"	8"
L	9 to 11	(Womens 7 ≈ Mens 5.5-6)		23.5"	8"
XL	11 to 13			25"	8.75"
Mares Clipper Full Foot Fins
Fin Size	Men's Shoe Size	Women's Shoe Size	Kid's Shoe Size	Blade Length	Blade Width
9 to 11		For Women's Sizing,	9 to 11	14.75"	5.5"
11 1/2 to 13		estimate 1 to 1.5 sizes	11 1/2 to 13	16"	6"
1 to 2		smaller	1 to 2	18"	6.5"
2 1/2 to 3 1/2		(Womens 7 ≈ Mens 5.5-6)	2 1/2 to 3 1/2	19"	6.5"
4 to 5	4 to 5			20"	7"
5.5 to 6.5	5.5 to 6.5			21"	7"
7 to 8	7 to 8			22"	7"
8.5 to 9.5	8.5 to 9.5			22.5"	7.5"
10 to 11	10 to 11			23"	7.5"