Best Snorkeling Fins [ 2020 Reviews & Guide ]
Snorkel fins are an essential part of your snorkel adventure for a safe and fun time. Fins save you energy, speed you up, and hence give you more snorkel time and more exposure to ocean life. Check out our selection of the most popular fins for snorkeling in this article.
Our Top 10 List for Snorkeling Fins in 2020
Contents
- Our Top 10 List for Snorkeling Fins in 2020
- 1. Wildhorn Topside Snorkel Fins
- 2. Cressi Palau Long Snorkel Fins
- 3. IST Orbit Snorkeling Fins And Gear Set
- 4. TUSA Sport Snorkel Fins Travel Set
- 5. Phantom Aquatics Mask Fin Snorkel Set
- 6. Cressi Clio Full Foot Snorkel Fins
- 7. Innovative Scuba Concepts Snorkel Fins, Gear Set
- 8. Sier Snorkeling Fins
- 9. cozia design Snorkel Set with Adjustable Snorkel Fins
- 10. U.S. Divers Cozumel Snorkeling Fins
The Wildhorn Topside fins top the charts as the best on the market, and we can only confirm their quality and functionality. Coming in a variety of sizes for men and women, they stand out from the crowd thanks to the innovative design that combines the functionality of a short fin with that of a swimming shoe.
A neoprene sock fitted inside the fin provides the comfort of a closed toe and heel and real shoe size fit. Not only you’ll leave sizing guesswork out of the game, but these fins also prevent foot hypertension and cramps while providing flexibility in and out of the water.
Perhaps the only fins that feel good even on land, the Topside boast strong rubber soles that enhance foot protection while walking on the shore. A Velcro strap around the ankles keeps them tight on your feet while snorkeling.
Designed for swimming and surface snorkeling, they might not be the best choice for diving due to their buoyancy. But they weren’t designed for diving anyway, so that’s hardly a drawback.
Perfectly sized for a backpack or carry-on, they come in three colors and at a price that won’t have a heavy impact on your wallet. No doubt, the best snorkeling fins you can find.
From one of the most popular snorkeling gear brands, the Palau long blade fins are an excellent choice for those who want to explore the deep blue. They don’t have Wildhorn’s buoyancy, thus they enhance propulsion even when diving.
The light and responsive material ensures fluid, effortless kicks at most depths, so you can use the fins for most applications.
More than snorkeling fins, Cressi Palau is a complete snorkeling set including a two-window silicone mask and a silicone dry snorkel.
The mask is light and compact, ideal for beginners but also appreciated by the pros. A soft silicone skirt and seal ring provide excellent fit and a high level of comfort even when used for a prolonged time. On the other hand, the Supernova dry snorkel is also amazing.
An automatic closing valve prevents splashes and water from entering the tube, and it has an ergonomic mouthpiece for maximum comfort.
The set comes packed in a convenient mesh carrying bag and is perfectly sized to fit in a carry-on or beach backpack. Whether it’s a vacation or a gift for beginners, this kit is an excellent choice to consider.
If you’re looking for a pair of short fins but like the idea of a complete snorkeling set, the IST Orbit comes as a great alternative to Cressi.
Ready to come on all your adventures, the set comprises a convenient single-lens mask, a pair of short fins, a dry-top snorkel and a bag.
The fins don’t boast Wildhorn’s buoyancy but are still an excellent choice for swimming and snorkeling in shallow waters. Their short design aids propulsion without touching the fundal; just what you need for swimming in reef areas without damaging marine wildlife.
An open-foot design with adjustable straps makes them ideal for most kids and adults. They come in three sizes for kids, men, and women, and in six attractive colors.
Besides the open-heel trek fins, the set includes a high-value tempered glass single-lens mask designed to provide a wide, unobstructed field of view. Its ergonomic skirt and split silicone strap add further value, making it a good fit for all face shapes and sizes.
The dry snorkel included in this set enhances the overall value with its ergonomic mouthpiece and hypoallergenic materials. Addressing leisure snorkelers and beginners, IST Orbit delivers excellent value for money without breaking the bank.
TUSA is another high-end name when it comes to snorkeling gear, and one of their most popular products is this set of fins, snorkel, and mask.
We had mixed feelings about it but decided to give it a try due to the general positive consensus.
The set is an excellent choice if you’re looking for leisure gear; however, if you want to spend more than a few days a year snorkeling or diving, this might not be the best choice. At least not if you want to also use the mask and snorkel.
While the mask provides an accurate panoramic view, sealing it perfectly could be a hassle. Some believe it has to do with the way the nosepiece is attached to the goggles. Whatever the reason, constantly resurfacing to drain the water can quickly become annoying.
The dry snorkel might not be as dry as advertised either. Water can and does leak in; furthermore, the technology involved is not the most reliable, as it may also block airflow. This isn’t a real issue for an experienced snorkeler but might pose some risks to the beginner.
However, you might be impressed by the fins. An open-heel design with adjustable strap ensures an easy, universal fit. You can pick from two sizes for men and women and two colors. We particularly like the drainage hole at the front that allows for a quick dry out.
Overall, this set might not hit the charts as a range-topper; for the price, you can find better sets out there. But given that we’re here to find the best snorkeling fins, we still recommend it.
Perfect for most teens and adults, the Phantom Aquatics snorkeling set is another excellent product that made it to our list. It comprises a pair of short fins, single-lens mask and dry snorkel designed for beginners and casual snorkelers.
The fins boast an open-heel design and adjustable strap for hassle-free on and off. They don’t provide the propulsion you’d expect from long scuba diving fins but are perfect for swimming and snorkeling in shallow waters.
Ideal for most underwater adventures, they present a blade angle optimized for maximum thrust with minimal effort, while the center groove on each fin enhances the glide.
Fins apart, the set also includes a quality mask with beveled sides and single-lens design. It provides a wide field of vision, while the adjustable head strap with quick-release buckles makes it suitable for most face sizes.
Beginners will also like the specialized dry snorkel that prevents water from entering the tube even when submerged.
The set comes in a variety of colors and two sizes and is conveniently packed in a stylish mesh bag that adds even more value for money.
Colorful and functional, Cressi Clio is another snorkel set ideal for newbies and recreational snorkeling. The longer fins suit those who also tackle the idea of diving, while the components in the kit impress with their superior quality.
These long diving fins have a closed heel design and come in an array of sizes for gents and ladies alike. Bright colors are great for beginners, making you more visible underwater. A reinforced, non-vented blade enhances propulsion, while the soft elastomer foot pocket provides a snug fit.
Perfect for children and adults, the fins are designed for maximum snorkeling efficiency thanks to their fluid, undemanding kick.
We also like that the blade is positioned above the foot pocket, increasing the contact area between the fin and the water.
The other items in this set are of similar quality. We like the single-lens design of the mask. A wider field of vision can enhance your snorkeling experience, while the adjustable strap and silicone skirt help you achieve perfect adherence.
As Cressi already accustomed us, Clio comes with a Supernova dry snorkel made from flexible silicone.
Everything comes packed in a convenient mesh bag; the color coordination between the various items and choice of playful, vibrant hues make this set a splendid choice for your summer or tropical vacation.
From Innovative Scuba Concepts, this set of innovative snorkeling fins complete with snorkel and mask truly deserves to be on this list.
The mask and snorkel might not be the true highlights of this kit; if you don’t own this gear already, perhaps you should opt for a different model. While made from high-quality materials, the dual-lens design of the mask is rather claustrophobic.
This doesn’t mean the mask is of poor quality. If you like the dual-lens masks, by all means give this set a try. We like the anti-fog treatment that really works and the adjustable strap that helps achieve perfect sealing.
The snorkel is made from flexible silicone and has a semi-dry top. It’s more suitable for experienced divers, although it only takes a little time to understand how it works.
We chose this set, however, because of its exceptional fins. An upscale, vented design maximizes thrust while minimizing drag and leg fatigue. The short fin design is ideal for reef areas, and the open-heel ensures quick fit for most people.
Three colors and two sizes enhance versatility; undeniably, another excellent set for beginners or as a new vacation gift.
Moving on with our roundup, another promising pair of snorkeling fins is this one from Sier. Designed to cut through the water with the agility of a shark, it enhances lift and thrust with each kick. They’re ideal for diving and scuba, delivering efficient propulsion at all depths.
Due to their long fin design, they’re not the most suitable to use in the shallow waters in reef areas but are an excellent choice for most diving applications.
Thanks to the unique split of the design, the fins provide less surface resistance, minimizing fatigue, ankle strain, and cramping. We also like their snug fit ensured by the full-pocket design.
Another nice feature is the presence of vertical stabilizers developed to reduce resistance and increase efficiency.
The fins can be worn with or without water socks, but they have no adjustable strap. You have to make sure you buy the right size by checking the sizing chart against the dimension of your feet.
Sier Split Fins come in a convenient mesh bag and can easily fit in a carry-on. Two attractive colors and an equally attractive price point make them another great choice.
Another excellent set for beginners that has made it to our list is this snorkel mask and fins by cozia design. Perfect for the whole family, it consists of a full-face mask that allows natural breathing and short snorkeling fins ideal for shallow waters and reef areas.
Undoubtedly, the full-face mask offers superb value. It provides a really wide field of vision and eliminates the feeling of claustrophobia. The dry snorkel technology prevents water from entering the breathing chamber.
An anti-fog system and drain valve enhance the mask’s efficiency, and you can easily adjust it to the size of your face thanks to the convenient straps.
Like all full-face masks, it’s not safe to use for more than 30 minutes at a time due to carbon dioxide build-up, but it’s a safe choice if you follow all the instructions.
Regarding the fins, we like their innovative design that enhances propulsion. They have an adjustable open-heel and fit most people, including men, women, and kids aged 7 to 11. Removal padding helps keep their shape when not in use or transporting.
The set doesn’t include a bag, but it is cheaper than many other options out there. A good fit for snorkelers on a budget.
Last entry on our list of best snorkeling fins, this complete snorkeling set by U.S. Divers. It has all you need to snorkel in tropical waters, from a traditional mask to dry top snorkel and a pair of performing short fins.
It’s perfect for the unpretentious diver who knows this set won’t bring top-notch performance. Designed for the amateurs, it’s an excellent low-budget choice.
It consists of a standard two-window mask with tempered glass lenses. The peripheral view is not the best, and you might struggle with some fogging issues, but there are no major downsides. If you suffer from claustrophobia, this might not be the right mask for you, though.
The snorkel is ideal for most users. It utilizes hydro-adhesion technology and has a comfortable silicone mouthpiece.
While the mask and snorkel might leave a bit to be desired, the short fins live up to the expectations. Their full foot pocket provides a snug fit as long as you get the right size, and you can wear them with or without neoprene socks.
The fins also provide the expected propulsion and reduce fatigue. Made from high-quality materials, they’re comfortable and don’t cause blisters. All in all, this set is perfect if you want it for the fins, not for the mask and snorkel. Yet, considering its price, it’s a true deal nonetheless.