18 Best Swim Fins for All Swimmers in 2021

Getting yourself a pair of the best swim fins can transform your lap or leisure swimming into an enjoyable and powerful fitness exercise.

If you are a swim workout enthusiast or swim fanatic, just like other workouts, the swim fins will be your must-having items to achieve great results.

Moreover, along with swim paddles or gloves, swim fins are widespread aquatic accessories with multiple functions that will help you develop better swimming techniques in the water.

In this article, I have put together a review of the 18 best swim fins and a buying guide to help you purchase the best pair for upping your swimming game.

Why Do You Need Swim Fins?

A good pair of swim fins are necessary for improving your swimming experience underwater in the following ways;

My Top Picks

These are the best swim fins that will help you improve your technique whether you are a beginner, intermediate or an experienced swimmer.

• Best Overall: Arena Powerfin Pro
  “Powerful and firm. Superior Comfort. High ankle flexibility.”
• Best Budget: Finis Z2 Gold Zoomers
  “Very comfortable. Flexbox. Fluid separator. Snug fit. Such a steal with all these features.”
• Best for Training: TYR Burner
  “Highly buoyant. Perfect for race training. Comfortable. Secure fit.”
• Best for Wide Feet: Head Energy
  “Innovative design. Great for foot speed. Superior Comfort. Durable.”
• Best for Beginners: Aqua Sphere
  “Very buoyant. Super lightweight. Made of non-water logging, EVA foam. Improves form and position.”
• Best for Bodyboarding: Churchill Makapuu
  “Comfortable. Provide high kick power and great acceleration and control. Drain holes. Great quality.”
• Best for Bad Knees: Finis Long Floating
  “Great propulsion and buoyancy. Soft and secure fit with no hyperflexion. Suitable for both fresh and saltwater.”
• Best for Ocean: Speedo Short Blade
  “Made of high quality and durable silicone. Versatile. Extra comfortable. Great for building leg strength.”
• Best for Narrow Feet: TYR Sport CrossBlade
  “Provide good speed and multi-purpose. Include a flexible foot pocket. Help build leg strength. Quite comfortable.”
• Best for Speed: Speedo Biofuse
  “Come with a long blade design. Provide snug fit and perfect sizes. Include a non-chaffed Contoured foot pocket.”
• Best for Adults: Finis Edge
  “Side rails activate hips and quadriceps. Extra flexible and durable. Can be used for sprint and long sets. Made to catch water whenever you make an upward motion kick.”
• Best for Laps Swimming: Cressi
  “The blade is made of highly reactive and superlight materials. Made from soft rubber. Provide maximum comfort and super lightweight.”
• Best for Weak Ankles: MP Michael Phelps Alpha Pro
  “70% lighter than other classic rubber swim fins. Very light-comfortable. Made from strong and durable material. Provides great propulsion.”
• Best for Bodysurfing: Hydro Tech 2
  “Very comfortable. Help improve swimming technique. Secure fit. Asymmetric design.”
• Best for Snorkeling: Speedo Rubber
  “Soft and comfortable foot pocket. Strong propulsion power. Improves your kicking techniques.”

Comparison Chart

This comparison guide below will help you in the process of choosing the best swim fins by showing some of their leading technical criteria. Let’s take a look.

The 18 Best Swim Fins Reviews

This section will provide you with detailed information for the 18 best swim fins on the market.

I highlighted their strengths and weaknesses, and what they are best for so you can pick what best suits your needs. Besides, the links to video reviews of some of the products for more details are also provided.

1. Arena Powerfin Pro

(Best Overall – Editor’s Choice)

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The Arena Powerfin Pro Swim Training Fins comes with an open-heel design and hydrodynamic slits on the top that offers you ultimate ankle flexibility. This design will allow you to move upwards faster with more powerful and controlled leg kicks.

These swim fins are made of 100% silicone that makes them comfortable and durable. You do not have to worry about blisters as they are incredibly comfortable and flexible. Therefore, you can comfortably use them for any long kicking sets.

Moreover, the Arena Powerfin Pro will help you improve your swimming technique. You can use them for training your legs vertically, enabling you to control your body position and perform better leg kicks.

Key Features:

• Inclined blade to offer maximum thrust
• Come in an open-heel design with a sloping surface and hydrodynamic slits
• Made of 100% silicone
• Side rails give you better control

Product Specifications

Here is a video review of the Arena Powerfin Pro. Watch it and see for yourself how good looking and efficient they are.

2. Finis Z2 Gold Zoomers

(Best Budget)

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The Finis Z2 Gold Zoomers Training Swim Fins are comfortable, short, and flexible. You will get the highest comfort level when swimming because they are incredibly soft, fit well as they come in multiple sizes, and the closed-heel design prevents any chaffing or hyperflexion.

The fins feature a patented angle and a quick response technology that will give you short and fast kicks. You will also use less effort when doing your strokes because they have a fluid separator that quickly makes your feet slice through the water.

Furthermore, the fluid separator saves you from the fatigue that comes with doing downward motions and quads. You can also build your muscles with more comfort thanks to the fins’ flexbox that catches water when you kick upwards, thus activating your hamstrings and glutes.

Key Features:

• Made of 100% natural rubber
• Feature a patented angle and a quick response technology
• Come in a flippers and open toe designed
• Suitable for swimmers of all levels

Product Specifications

Here is a video review of the Finis Z2 Gold Zoomers review, check it out and see if you’ll settle for comfort over everything.

3. TYR Burner

(Best for Training)

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The TYR Burner Swim Fins come with floating short-blades designed to mimic the race-day pace and build your lean muscles. This design will give you excellent propulsion and allow you to make perfect strokes.

Furthermore, you also get to create shorter and faster kicks, helping build your legs’ twitch muscle fiber very fast. The foot pocket to prevent your foot tendons from straining while efficiently building your ankle strength.

These swim fins are made from ultra-soft rubber that is positively buoyant. The buoyancy helps you maintain an elevated body position during training, which reduces body drag and maximizes each stroke’s efficiency.

The TYR Burner comes in a closed-heel design that offers you a comfortable and secure fit. Unlike other swim fins, you will not feel pressure and fatigue around the ankles during kicks. They also feature a wall gripper foot pad that keeps your foot in place during flip turns and push-offs.

Key Features:

• Made from highest quality materials
• Come in a closed-heel design
• Feature a wall gripper foot pad that keeps your foot in place

Product Specifications

Watch this video review of the TYR Burner swim fins and learn how you can get the best out of your workout with them.

4. Head Energy

(Best for Wide Feet)

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The Head Energy Swim Fins are made from high-grade propylene material that makes them highly durable and functional.

The fins come in a closed-heel design with a foot pocket to hold your foot in place comfortably. They also have a heel pull tab for easy removal of the fins. The innovative design offers excellent speed and helps you develop the correct kicking technique.

In the beginning, you may find the fins very hard and rigid, but with time they will become less stiff and fit you well like a glove.

Key Features:

• Closed foot pocket assists a comfortable fit
• Come in a closed-heel design
• Made from high-grade propylene material

Product Specifications

5. Aqua Sphere

(Best for Beginners)

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The Aqua Sphere Swim Fins are made with EVA foam that is non-porous and does not absorb water making them positively buoyant. Your feet will effortlessly float on water, which will help improve your body position and activate your kick.

The shape of the fins’ blade and strap are meant to increase your resistance against water and make you use more effort in building your leg muscles. The blade also has water channels to direct water to maximize your kick power and focus on stability.

Unlike many swim fins, the Aqua Sphere fins are specially designed into dedicated left and right feet to offer your feet arch support and unparalleled comfort. The design also reduces the possibility of cramping.

Key Features:

• Water channels provide stability
• Made of non-water logging, EVA foam
• Specially designed into dedicated left and right feet

Product Specifications

Here is a Youtube video of the incredibly comfortable and lightweight Aqua Sphere Alpha fins. Check it out and see if you are grabbing them for your next swim workout.

6. Churchill Makapuu

(Best for Bodyboarding)

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The Makapuu are from the Churchill brand, which is popularly known for producing some of the best swim fins for several decades now. Thanks to the 100% natural gum rubber, they are very buoyant and eco-friendly.

They are open-heel fins and have a unique dolphin tail design to provide you with powerful thrusts, faster speeds, and better overall performance. The design also gives you enough power and acceleration for catching waves when surfing or boarding.

Furthermore, the fins also feature side rails that contribute to a high kick power. Another praiseworthy feature of the Makapuu Swim fins is the inclusion of drain holes that get rid of water, sand, and seaweed.

Key Features:

• Made from 100% natural gum rubber
• Come with a slip-on design
• Include a inclusion of drain holes that get rid of water
• Have a unique dolphin tail design

Product Specifications

Watch this video review of the awesome Makapuu Swim and bodyboard swim fins and see if they are worth adding to your swimming equipment.

7. Finis Long Floating

(Best for Bad Knees)

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The Finis Long Floating Swim Fins include a closed-heel design with a long hydrodynamic blade, which adds propulsion to flutter kicks and offers superior buoyancy of the legs. As a result, they will reduce drag of the body during swimming.

Furthermore, the fins’ closed-heel design prevents your ankles from hyperflexion, which is caused by the force of water’s resistance against your joints. Your feet will be provided with maximum protection.

The Finis Long Floating are made of soft rubber that floats both on salt and freshwater. They come in color-coded sizes for youth and adults that save you the trouble of finding your perfect fit.

Key Features:

• Come in a closed-heel design with a long hydrodynamic blade
• Made of a natural, soft rubber for maximum comfort
• Buoyancy from the fins lifts legs to the surface

Product Specifications

Check out this Youtube video of the Finis Long Float Swim Fins and see more of its amazing features and capabilities.

8. Speedo Short Blade

(Best for Ocean)

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The Speedo Short blade comes in a variety of accent shades and different sizes for children, men and women. They include a closed heel design with a foot pocket, which is made with soft silicone material for extended comfort and secure fit.

The short blade design helps you develop your swimming technique by enhancing your kicking tempo while propelling your body forward. As a result, you will achieve the short and fast kicks necessary to perfect your flutter kick.

Besides, you do not have to worry about losing the fins when making flip turns during training because of the secure grip. Thanks to the high quality and durable silicone material, your fins can last for a long time.

Key Features:

• Include a super-soft silicone foot pocket
• Come with a short blade design
• Made from soft silicone material

Product Specifications

Here is a video of the Speedo Short Blade Swim fins with more information on their benefits and functionality.

9. TYR Sport CrossBlade

(Best for Narrow Feet)

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The TYR Sport CrossBlade Swim Training Fins are designed to be multi-purpose and can focus on almost all of your swimming strokes’ critical aspects.

The fins come in an intermediate/mid-range blade size, which is between the popular long and short blades. The mid-range blade size is meant to offer the benefits of both blades. You can develop your swim technique and efficiency by getting faster speed while swimming.

Moreover, these fins are made with rubber that is firm enough to allow you to take fast and powerful kicks. They also feature a foot pocket that molds around your feet for maximum comfort and protection.

Key Features:

• Made of highest quality materials
• Features a foot pocket that molds around your feet
• Come in a multi-purpose design

Product Specifications

10. Speedo Biofuse

(Best for Speed)

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The Speedo Biofuse Swim Training Fins are made of hard silicone material but still ensures your comfort and excellent resistance during your swim training. With these fins, you are free from allergens and irritation thanks to their latex-free silicone, making them eco-friendly.

The fins’ silicone blade has been made rigid and stiff to increase your resistance to water and build your leg strength. It is also shaped in a way that allows you to coordinate your strokes promptly and increase your kicking strength, making you swim faster.

Moreover, the fins include a non-chaffed contoured foot pocket for the comfort of your feet. As a result, they fit great, and are firm enough to give you a quick response when you want to swim faster. You also get a high kick frequency because they are small enough.

You can also comfortably use them for more extended sets because the Speedo Biofuse have longer blades.

Key Features:

• Latex-free silicone
• Made of stiff blade materials
• Comes with short blade design
• Super-soft foot pocket for maximum comfort

Product Specifications

Watch this wholesome video of the Speedo Biofuse training fins and see how much you can do with them on a swim workout.

11. Finis Edge

(Best for Adults)

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The Finis Edge Swim Fins include an open-heel design with a short and wide blade. This design means they are comfortable, highly flexible, and you can use them for sprint and more extended freestyle sets.

Besides, the fins feature side rails that ensure you make proper strokes that start from your hips and not knees as with other swim fins. They are made to catch water whenever you make an upward motion kick, thus activating your hamstrings and glutes.

Unlike most swim fins, the Edge fins come in an open-toe design that offers a snug fit. You can also forget the discomfort caused by toes jamming with the open-toe design. Plus, they are made from flexible and durable silicone that ensures durability.

Key Features:

• Side rails activate the hips and quadriceps
• Made with flexible and durable silicone
• Made to catch water whenever you make an upward motion kick
• Come in an open-toe design

Product Specifications

Watch this video review of the fantastic Finis Edge Swim fins and see if they fill the gap of what you are looking for.

12. Cressi

(Best for Laps Swimming)

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The Cressi Swim Fins are super light, so there will be no excess weight for your effortless swim and bag. You can also use them for long periods as they feature anatomic foot pockets that offer a great deal of comfort.

Their short blade, which is made of a highly reactive and superlight material, offers excellent muscle training without any discomfort or cramping while creating powerful and efficient kicks without pressure and fatigue.

Furthermore, the Cressi fins also help increase your speed, improve your leg strength, flexibility, and racing technique.

Key Features:

• Foot pocket is made from soft rubber elastomers
• The blade is made of a highly reactive and superlight materials
• Made from soft rubber

Product Specifications

13. MP Michael Phelps Alpha Pro

(Best for Weak Ankles)

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The MP Alpha pro swim fins are 70% lighter than other classic rubber swim fins. As a result, they help increase your comfort and improve your body position.

The fins come in a unique shape that offers an enhanced surface area that mimics your feet’ condition, giving you an allowance for more natural kicking motions. They are made with EVA foam material that is durable, inherently buoyant, and provides enhanced propulsion.

Training with the Alpha Pro swim fins will help you improve your kicking technique, build your leg strength, and increase your ankles’ flexibility. Moreover, you can swim at a race-cadence without premature fatiguing, all because of their short-blade design.

The asymmetrical design that helps you maintain a natural kicking movement through the water.

Key Features:

• 70% lighter than other classic rubber swim fins
• Have a rigid EVA foam construction
• Come in a asymmetrical design for natural kicking motion

Product Specifications

Get to see the MP Alpha swim fins in action in the video below.

14. Hydro Tech 2

(Best for Bodysurfing)

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The Hydro Tech 2 Swim Fins are made with super-soft silicon-based material called T-Form, which offers you unsurpassed comfort. They come in a V-rail design that provides more surface area so that you can increase your kick power.

For superior comfort and a secure fit, a contour ankle strap is equipped. Besides, the fins have an asymmetrical design based on your body’s natural movement, meaning you get a dedicated left and right foot fin that equally distributes the force around your feet.

Moreover, you can also forget about the discomfort caused by accumulated water and sand in the foot pocket as these fins have three drain holes for flushing out water and sand.

In case you are bodyboarding with the Hydro-Tech 2 swim fins, you will not have to worry about the fins catching whenever in the drop-knee position because of their design.

Key Features:

• Made from super-soft silicon-based material called T-Form
• Come in a V-rail design
• Have an asymmetrical design based on your body’s natural movement
• Include three drain holes for flushing out water and sand

Product Specifications

Watch this video review of the Hydro-Tech 2 swim fins and get more information on its features and functionality.

15. Speedo Rubber

(Best for Snorkeling)

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With the Speedo Rubber Swim Training Fins, you can maximize the amount of thrust underwater, using less energy when you snorkel. Their long-blade will provide you with extra power and help you improve your kicking techniques and speed.

For enhancing your comfort, the soft orthopedic foot pockets are equipped. You can wear the fins for extended periods. Besides, even when you make smooth and light kicks, you will promptly get forced forwards because of the tapered blade edges.

The Speedo Rubber fins have a tapered blade edge that allows long whips in between kick cycles; therefore, all your kick efforts focus on increasing your speed as you are quickly propelled forward. These fins have color codes that ensure you promptly get your perfect size.

Key Features:

• Made from durable rubber
• Have a tapered blade edge that allows long whips
• Feature an orthopedic foot pockets
• Come in a tapered blade edge

Product Specifications

Check out this video review of the Speedo Rubber Swim Fins and decide how soon you will grab them for your next snorkel trip.

See Also:

• Top 19 Best Snorkel Masks
• Top 15 Best Swimming Snorkels

16. Finis Zoomers Gold

(Best for Competitive Swimming)

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The Finis Zoomers Gold Swim Fins come in a closed-heel design, which provides a secure and comfortable fit. This design also inhibits hyperflexion in the water, so you can comfortably swim for longer sessions.

For supplying superior comfort, an improved foot pocket that is made with natural soft rubber is equipped. Besides, you will get the best kicks in water because they feature a blade angle designed to work with your feet’ natural curve.

The short blade’s stiffness offers good forward momentum and encourages more short, faster, and more powerful kicks. The fins come in 6 different sizes, and they fit snuggly but not too tight.

Another praiseworthy feature of the Finis Zoomers is that they stay on your feet once you start kicking with them. You will not have to go diving in search of lost swim fins.

Key Features:

• The short blade’s stiffness offers good forward momentum
• Made of a natural, soft rubber for maximum comfort
• Designed with a snug foot pocket
• Teaching tool for swimmers of all levels
• Can withstand the effects of chlorine and sunlight

Product Specifications

Check out this video of the Finis Zoomers Gold Swim Fins for more information on features and tips on how to kick properly with them.

17. Arena Powerfin

(Best for Flutter Kicks)

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The Arena Powerfin Swim Training Fins enable you to improve your flutter kicks for strength and speed in water whether you are a beginner, intermediate or experienced swimmer.

The fins come in an aqua sole design, which offers a secure grip and excellent propulsion. They are short-bladed and are made with 100% silicone that guarantees your comfort and prevention from blisters.

With these fins, you can increase your muscle activity by using the natural resistance of the water. The stiff, short blades also allow you to develop strong and more accurate flutter kicks, making the fins highly suitable for sprints, backstroke, and freestyle sets.

Besides, the Arena Powerfin is shaped like diamonds to enhance your stroke power. Its design also allows you to strengthen your ankles and calves as you train your upper body to adjust to swimming at faster speeds.

Key Features:

• Made with 100% silicone
• Short-bladed
• Come with a soft silicone foot pocket

Product Specifications

Here is a Youtube video review of the Arena Powerfin Swim fins, check it out for more details on its benefits and usage.

18. CAPAS

(Best for Traveling)

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The CAPAS Snorkel Fins will impress you with their lightweight, thanks to the high-quality materials. They come with an open-heel design, which means the fin can accommodate a broader range of sizes.

The short blade design makes the swim fins be an excellent choice for avid travelers, while the compactness makes them ideal for packing with ease. They include soft heel straps with large thumb loops for allowing you to remove the fins easily.

Besides, the CAPAS fins are suitable for all ages and all swim levels. The entire stiff sole comes with large non-slip inserts. This design will ensure maximum protection for your foot. Plus, The flexible sizes enable you to share equipment more efficiently.

Key Features:

• Made from high-quality materials.
• Come with a short blade design
• Include soft heel straps with large thumb loops
• The entire hard sole comes with large non-slip inserts
• suitable for all ages and all swim levels

Product Specifications

How to Choose the Right Swim Fins?

This part will give you some essential information that you should note when selecting the best swim fins. If you are wondering, let’s take a look.

1. What Sort of Swimming Are You Going to Be Doing?

Do you want fins for casual swimming? It would help if you had the lightest and less stiff swim fins to avoid unnecessary pain and fatigue.

And if you want to increase your swimming speed, it would help if you did not settle for highly flexible fins because they will not help you achieve your goals.

Fins are designed to change your water motion; varying styles and fins will impact your swimming in different ways.

2. Materials

The durability of each swim fin depends significantly on the material used to create it. Rubber, polypropylene, and silicone are common materials suitable for making fins because of their durability and comfort.

If you want a pair of lightweight swim fins, silicone fins are the great ideal for you. On the other hand, the rubber swim fins can ensure extra durability, but they seem stiffer and heavier than other materials.

In comfort terms, the polypropylene fins will allow you to swim freely without worrying about being scratched in the ankles and toes. On the downsides, the polypropylene materials are a little easy to damage.

3. Comfort

You want to get yourself a pair of swim fins that offer superior comfort in the water. Ensure you settle for fins made with high-quality materials because they are more forgiving when they rub against your feet. Fins made with low-quality material may cause blisters or chafing.

You should also know the difference between closed-heel and open-heel or those with heel straps so you can settle for what suits your comfort needs. The closed-heel fins cover your entire foot while the open strappy heels wrap around your ankle, leaving the heel open.

The contact between your foot and the fin pocket also affects your ankles, which in turn impacts your swimming motion.

4. Length of Fins

There are three lengths for swim fins: short, intermediate, and long. If you want a natural feel when kicking water and excellent resistance for an intense workout, you should settle for short-blade fins.

For increasing your speed and useless effort, you should get the long-blade fins because they offer excellent propulsion.

If you are in between, as in you, want excellent propulsion but still want to put in some effort to train your form and build your leg strength, then settle for the intermediate blade fins.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Below are some frequently asked questions about swim fins. If you have the same problems, this part will help you solve them.

Must Children Strictly Use Child Fins?

The short answer is NO. Children can use child fins as well as other swim fins with small sizes for children. However, child fin brands include sizes of babies from as young as 3 months which many regular fin brands do not include.

Can I Use Any Swim Fin for Diving?

No. There are swim fins specially designed for diving like the Cressi Gara 3000 LD from the famous Cressi company. You can take a look at this video to learn more about how to choose dive fins.

Can Swim Fins Help Reduce Knee Pain from Intense Workouts?

No. Swim fins will not help reduce your knee pain from intense workouts. If anything, they increase the intensity of your swim workouts, which in turn aggravates the pain.

So it would help if you practiced taking breaks to relax your knees and avoid too much soreness by doing light kicks.

How Tight Should Swim Fins Be?

Swim fins should fit snug. If loose, water can get in the foot pocket and cause much discomfort, you might also end up losing them. If too tight, they may be uncomfortable and even cause injury.

Swim Network Overview

For you to get the most out of your swim workout, you need to add the best swim fins to your swimming equipment.

There are multiple brands of swim fins built for different purposes, and not all of them will provide you with the results you need. You have to be keen to choose the best one that suits your needs.

For instance, the Churchill Makapuu is perfect for bodyboarding, so you would get disappointed if you bought it to improve your speed.

If you are an athlete, the TYR Burner is the best you can get to train at race pace, if you bought it for recreational swimming, you would get fatigued for no reason. For laps swimming, the Cressi would perfectly meet your needs.

Ensure you get the proper size of fins for comfort and the perfect fit; otherwise, you will regret your experience with most of them.

I hope you find the guide informative and fun. Feel free to drop a few comments on what you think.