Swim like a Fish: The Best Swimming Fins of 2022
Swimming laps in a pool or cruising the waves of the ocean is one of the best ways to get a full-body workout as well as improve your cardiovascular capacity. Just like with other forms of working out, having the right equipment for your exercise will greatly help you to get better results, and faster—picking up a pair of the best swimming fins can transform your lap swimming into a powerful muscle-building exercise. I put together this guide to help you find the best pair of swimming fins that will take your swimming game to the next level.
Table of Contents
- 10 Best Swimming Fins - Comparisons
- 10 Best Swimming Fins -Reviews
- 1. FINIS Long Floating Fins
- 2. Speedo Trialon Rubber Swimming Fins
- 3. FINIS Yellow Zoomers
- 4. Aqua Sphere Alphafin Eva Foam Fin
- 5. Speedo Short Blade Swim Training Fins
- 6. TYR SPORT CrossBlade Training Fin
- 7. TYR SPORT EBP Burner Fin
- 8. Cressi Light Swimming Fins
- 9. Speedo Biofuse Swim Training Fins
- 10. HEAD Energy Swimming Fins
- Selecting the best pair of swimming fins
10 Best Swimming Fins - Comparisons
Image | Product Name | Weight | Different Sizes | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | 1.98 pounds | 10 | ||
 | 3.8 pounds | 8 | ||
 | 2.9 pounds | 6 | ||
 | 2 pounds | 7 | ||
 | Enter your text here... | 8 | ||
 | 2.6 pounds | 8 | ||
 | 0.66 pounds | 7 | ||
 | 2.1 pounds | 9 | ||
 | 1 pounds | 4 | ||
 | 1.25 pounds | 10 |
10 Best Swimming Fins -Reviews
The FINIS Fong Floating Fins are 100% natural rubber fins specifically designed to maximize your efficiency while training in the water.
The rubber is built to float up to the surface of the water, and pull your feet to the surface along with them—the purpose of this design is to prevent your feet from sinking while you are swimming, reduce your drag as you swim laps, and increase your efficiency. The length of these fins simultaneously increases your propulsion and helps build your leg strength, making each swim workout more effective.
The closed-heel design of the foot pocket ensures that the fins fit snugly on your feet and protects your ankles from hyper flexion caused by the water’s resistance force against your joints—the protection and comfort of the closed-heel design will help extend your workout time.
The FINIS floating fins come in youth to adult sizes that are color coded, so you will always know which pair of fins are your right size, especially if you have workout partners using similar fins.
What we liked
- Natural rubber doesn’t chafe
- Firm blade provides good resistance and propulsion
- Help improve swimming form and conditioning
What we didn't like
- Sizing can be difficult
- Fins don’t fit in standard swim bags
Whether you prefer swimming laps in a pool or cruising open water, the soft natural rubber of the Speedo swimming fins will give you the flexibility and strength that you need for a refreshing and comfortable workout.
The natural rubber foot pocket molds to your foot for increased comfort during longer periods of swimming, or even snorkeling.
The Trialon fins have longer blades that bend as you push through the water to provide additional thrusting power—even smooth and light kicks provide easy forward propulsion thanks to the curvature of the blade. The foot pockets have different colors that indicate their size to make sure you don’t confuse your fin size.
What we liked
- Foot pocket is soft and comfortable
- Extra weight provides a good workout to strengthen legs
- Strong propulsion power
What we didn't like
- Fins take multiple uses to break in effectively
- May be uncomfortable for swimmers with wider feet
The FINIS Yellow Zoomers are designed to get your heart pumping and give you an excellent cardio workout from your swimming.
The stiffness of the short blade has been optimized to give your leg muscles a good workout, while still providing good forward momentum. Using the Yellow Zoomers as part of your normal workout routine will help you improve your leg strength and endurance, while also training your form so you can develop a faster and more efficient kicking motion.
The foot pocket of the Yellow Zoomer has been redesigned from previous models to provide an increased level of comfort—the blade of these fins extends from the sides of the foot pocket instead of the front, and is angled to match the direction of your foot to improve kicking form.
What we liked
- 100% natural rubber foot pocket
- Fin allows wider range of motion in the ankle
- Easy to put on and take off
- Good kick to thrust ratio
What we didn't like
- Toe-end of foot pocket can cause rubbing
- Fins have a long “break-in” period
If you are looking to get a swim workout that is targeted to building and toning leg muscles, then the Aqua Sphere Alphafin is a good option for you to consider.
The blade shape and strap are molded to create resistance against the water and require more effort targeted toward building leg muscles. Water channels in the blade of the fins direct water flow to increase your kick stability and maximize kick power. Theses fins are made from non-porous EVA foam that doesn’t absorb water, and makes the fins float which will improve your body position while swimming.
Unlike most fins, the Alphafin is molded into a dedicated left and right foot in order to provide arch support for your feet to increase comfort and decrease the possibility of cramping.
What we liked
- Shape of fins isolates motion to strengthen legs
- Shape and buoyancy improve form and position
- Lightweight and easy to pack and carry
What we didn't like
- Fins don’t provide speed like other fins
- Straps can be a little uncomfortable
The Speedo short blade fins have a soft silicone design that molds to your feet to create a comfortable, yet firm fit on your feet as you train to increase your leg strength and swimming speed.
The shape of the shorter blade a help to keep your body and legs in proper alignment to develop better and more efficient kick strokes. The result is a quicker, stronger kick and increased swim endurance.
What we liked
- Shorter blades help translate to more efficient movement
- Silicone material is high quality and durable
- Great for leg strengthening
What we didn't like
- Difficult to size properly
The TYR CrossBlade fins have a blade length between the common short blade and long blade—this intermediate-length blade is designed to provide the benefits of both blade lengths.
The slightly longer blade provides faster speeds while swimming, while the blades still provide enough resistance while kicking to increase leg strength. The combination of these factors also helps to improve your swim technique, strokes, and efficiency.
The fins are made from 100% rubber that keeps the blades firm, but also allows the foot pocket to mold around your feet while you are in the water. The shaping lets the fins grip your foot securely in a comfortable way that allows you to focus on your form and not on the pain in your feet caused by low-quality foot pockets.
It is important to note, though, that TYR recommends that you put the fins on while in the water—they go on much easier when wet.
What we liked
- Good choice for building leg strength
- Suitable for both beginners and experienced swimmers
- Fins provide good speed
What we didn't like
- Toe openings might rub on toes
The TYR Burner fins are a great option if you are looking to up your swim fitness and strengthen yourself to become a faster swimmer for racing.
The efficient kick provided by the short blades works your legs to increase kick speed and develop a more efficient kick rotation. The shape and angle of these fins will help you develop the correct body position while you are swimming to reduce body drag, and maximize the efficiency of each stroke.
The foot pockets have a closed-heel design to hold and support your feet and ankles while you swim, while also reducing pressure and fatigue along the feet and ankles. Swimmers using these fins will notice a difference in their swimming both while using the fins and when training or swimming without fins.
What we liked
- Strong and durable materials
- Fins provide a great workout
- Easy to travel with
- Feels like swimming without fins
What we didn't like
- Can cause toe cramps
- If not sized properly, these fins can cause blisters
Cressi is an Italian brand with a long history of excellence in developing high-quality equipment for water sports. They have taken their success in the diving industry and translated it into creating swim training fins aimed at maximizing your workouts.
The Cressi Light fins were specifically designed with features to enhance the efficiency and benefits you can gain from your swim training.
The length and shape of the Cressi fins were designed to ensure effective thrusting and kicking while swimming, but they also give your legs a nice workout while you are swimming those laps—this length and shape combination also helps to reduce cramping and fatigue in the legs while training. The foot pocket is made from soft rubber to further increase the comfort of the fins while you’re using them.
What we liked
- Excellent fins for increasing strength and flexibility of legs
- Good length to power ratio
- Good choice for beginners
- Foot pocket is soft and comfortable
What we didn't like
- Sizing can be difficult
- Stiffer blade can be hard to get used to
The Speedo Biofuse fins are a combination of soft silicone for comfort and a harder silicone material to provide excellent resistance for swim training.
The silicone is latex-free to reduce allergens and irritation, while also offering great protection against the sunlight and chlorine. The silicone blade of the fins is harder and stiffer than the foot pocket to increase resistance and promote building stronger leg muscles.
The shape of the blade is designed to help you improve your timing so you can better coordinate your arms and legs that will make you a faster and more efficient swimmer.
What we liked
- A good pair of fins for leg workouts
- Great for learning and developing swimming technique
- Good length and weight for training
- Snug and comfortable fit
What we didn't like
- Toe edges are stiff and can rub against the swimmer’s toes
- Bottom is slick and slides off the pool wall when turning
The HEAD energy fins are a top choice for swimmers looking to train their body through water sports.
The Energy swimming fins are made from high-grade polypropylene to give them durability and function. The closed foot pocket holds the foot comfortably and assists in developing the correct kicking technique.
When added to your regular swim training equipment, the Energy fins will help you build and develop stronger leg muscles, and help turn you into a faster, more powerful swimmer.
What we liked
- High resistance for muscle development
- Good exercise tool
- Propulsion helps to extend swim time, and improve cardio workout
What we didn't like
- Stiffness of the fins is hard to adjust to
Selecting the best pair of swimming fins
Using a pair of swimming fins starts with knowing how to find the best pair for you, and what you want to use them for in the first place. I have put together a few tips to help you in the selection process.
What kind of swimming will you be doing?
Swimming fins are designed to change the way you move through the water. The different styles and types of fins will have a different impact on your swimming. When choosing your fins, make sure they will help you meet your goals. For example, a fin that is too stiff for a casual swimmer can cause a lot of unnecessary pain and fatigue. On the other hand, if you want to increase your swimming speed, a fin that is too flexible will not help you meet your goals.
Comfort is key
When you are choosing fins, you want to find pair that will help you feel comfortable in the water. You need to select a pair that is made from high-quality rubber or silicone—these materials are not only durable, but they are more forgiving when the foot pocket rubs against your foot. Lower-quality materials can cause chafing and blistering, which will limit your ability to effectively exercise.
Along with maximizing your comfort, you should be aware of the difference between closed-heel fins and the ones with heel straps. The closed-heel design wraps around your foot, while the strap leaves your heel exposed and wraps around your leg higher on the ankle. The difference in where the fin contacts your foot will change how the fin impacts your ankles—be sure to choose the proper pocket style for your comfort.
Fin length
Swimming fins come in short, intermediate, and long lengths. Short fins give you a more natural feel when kicking in the water, while still providing enough resistance to get a good workout. Long fins provide more propulsion, helping to increase speed and reduce effort. Intermediate-length fins provide some extra propulsion, while still being short enough to help train your form and leg strength.
Go for a swim
Picking up a good pair of swimming fins can completely change your swimming game and turn your workouts into a serious source of muscle and cardiovascular conditioning. Good swimming fins will also help to improve your swimming form, making you an all-around better swimmer even without the fins on.
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