7 Best Scuba Fins for Travel – Buyer’s Guide

As you prepare for your underwater adventure far from home, you’ll need the best scuba fins for travel. This component of your travel scuba gear will significantly influence your comfort and ease of movement under the water. Therefore, take your time to find the most suitable option for your needs and preferences.

The best travel scuba fins are lightweight and easy to take on and off. And they offer impressive propulsion, maneuverability, and comfort. Overall, the Scubapro Go Travel Fins are the best bet for divers, thanks to their quality, comfort, and stability. When choosing scuba fins, consider where you’ll be diving, the fin type, and the weight of your other scuba gear. 

Ready to discover the best scuba fins for travel? Read on to find suitable choices that are excellent for technical diving, come in multiple colors, and are easy to pack.

The Quick List – Top 3 Scuba Fins for Travel

1. Best Overall Best Scuba Travel Fins – Scubapro Go Travel Fins
2. Best for Technical and Wreck Divers – Hollis F2 Travel Fins
3. Best for Efficiency with Minimal Exertion – Mares Volo Race Fins

Standard Features of Scuba Diving Fins

Not all scuba diving fins are made the same. However, some of the following typical features are built into the designs to make diving seamless and comfortable:

• Power rail: These are thin ridges that run on either side of the blade. This design feature mimics a backbone, adding more kicking power by storing and releasing energy with every stroke.
• Pull tab: This aspect is essential for donning and doffing full-foot fins, especially when putting them on in the water. It also prevents uncomfortable blisters or painful rub spots. 
• Flexible channels and panels: These are narrow, long in-grooves that extend the length of each blade. They give you more power underwater, especially for divers who use the flutter kick technique. 
• Bungee strap: This strap style is best for scuba diving because it has no moving parts or clips that could snap while you’re on the go. It’s also more comfortable because it conforms to your foot’s shape and size.
• Carrying loops: These ensure you don’t cause wear or tear or ripping when carrying your fins over long distances. They’re also ideal for strapping fins to the outside of your scuba gear bag.
• Non-slip sole: Some travel fins have a textured sole to ensure you have a grip on the ground. Such fins come in handy for liveaboard dive travel or if you spend most of your time aboard a boat.
• Vents: These maximize propulsion and power by allowing water to flow through on the downstroke. On the upstroke, this feature transforms the fins into a solid blade for maximum thrust.

Best Travel Dive Fins for Underwater Adventures

1.  Scubapro Go Travel Fins

Our Expert Opinion: Overall Best Scuba Travel Fins

The Scubapro Go Fins are as light as travel scuba gear go. They’re one of the best scuba fins for travel, thanks to their lightweight, durable, and comfortable design. Although their solid construction may make it hard for newbies to swim, these fins offer incredible power and efficiency. 

What You Need to Know

Scubapro’s Go Fins are the top choice amongst divers. And they’re the best travel scuba fins in the market for diving and snorkeling. Weighing merely 2.6 lbs., these fins are ideal for underwater excursions. 

Quality, stability, and convenience are some of the highlights of the Go Fins. They feature bungee heel straps for added comfort. And they’re designed with pre-angled blades, central power panels, and power bars that ensure optimal performance in the water.

Additionally, they boast a barefoot design. That means you can wear them without socks or with neoprene socks to ensure comfort.

Specifications

• Price: $110.00
• Material: Monprene Rubber
• Fin type: Open heel 
• Blade Type: Non-vented
• Weight: XS-S: 2.2 lbs. (1kg); M-L: 2.6 lbs. (1.2kg)
• Sizes: 3X-Small, 2X-Small, XS-Small, MD-LG, XL

What We Like

• Open heel design
• Durable because of 100% Monprene material
• Easy to pack and store
• Lightweight yet efficient

What We Don’t Like

• Rigid material may make it difficult to swim
• Only available in black and white

2.  Hollis F2 Travel Fins

Our Expert Opinion: Best for Technical Divers

Whether traveling with your scuba gear to explore a freshwater cave or a shipwreck’s interior, choose the Hollis F2 Travel Fins. These fins are a game-changer for divers looking to enhance their underwater performance and streamline their gear for seamless travel. While you can expect to pay more for them than other scuba fins in the market, they’re worth the investment. 

What You Need to Know

Hollis’s F2 Fins are specifically designed to enhance efficiency by boosting the blade surface area during the downstrokes and upstrokes of your kicking technique. They feature a vented blade design. This ensures reduced stress and promotes efficient water acceleration over the blade.  

Furthermore, the F2 are durable and high-performing thanks to their injection-molded construction using high-quality monprene. They’re also lightweight and constructed with adjustable stainless-steel spring straps for added convenience and a customized fit. 

What makes the F2 one of the best scuba fins for travel is the shorter blade design. This ensures the fins are easy to pack while enhancing agility in narrow underwater environments. Also, they have a wide foot pocket that accommodates various footwear and makes them suitable for different water temperatures.

Specifications

• Price: $139.95
• Material: Monprene
• Fin type: Open heel
• Blade Type: Vented
• Weight: 4 lbs. (1.81kg)
• Sizes: S, regular, XL

What We Like

• Monprene material
• Vented blade
• Good balance between power and weight
• Highly maneuverable underwater

What We Don’t Like

• Large foot pocket
• More costly than most scuba diving fins
• May not be suitable for the flutter kick technique

3.  Mares Volo Race Fins 

Our Expert Opinion: Best for Efficiency with Minimal Exertion

If you’re seeking fins that offer high performance with minimal exertion, superior comfort, and an exceptionally lightweight design, opt for Mares Volo Race. These fins provide incredible output as you kick your feet underwater, transferring maximum power to the flippers. Although they have some size and flexibility hiccups, they’re among the best scuba fins for travel.

What You Need to Know

Mares’ Volo Race compact fins are explicitly designed for divers and snorkelers looking to boost their underwater propulsion with minimum effort. They combine the Optimized Pivoting Blade system (OPB) and Super Channel Thrust technology, enhancing your underwater experience. 

The OPB system ensures precise control and optimizes the thrust angle during the entire kicking cycle. It also allows for constant thrust and reduces fatigue. The Super-Channel, on the other hand, provides power and efficiency on the surface and underwater.

Constructed with Tecralene and Thermoplastic rubber, the Volo Race has extended durability, making these travel dive fins suitable for long-term use. Plus, they offer flexibility for divers’ preferences, coming in multiple sizes and colors.

Specifications

• Price: $125.95
• Material: Thermoplastic Rubber-Techno-Polymers
• Fin type: Full Foot
• Blade Type: Non-Vented
• Weight: 1.5 lbs. (680 g) [Size 8-9 (42/43)]
• Sizes: S, M, L, XL, 2XL

What We Like

• Anatomical foot pocket
• Minimal exertion is required for efficient propulsion
• Provide good thrust and maneuverability in the water
• Adjustable and comfortable bungee heel strap system
• Suitable for both beginners and experienced divers

What We Don’t Like

• May not be ideal for diving in strong currents or choppy water

4.  Aqualung Storm Fins 

Our Expert Opinion: Best Travel Fins with Multiple Color Options

The Aqualung Storm Fins don’t disappoint when it comes to customization. Whether you want to contrast the various hues of the ocean or blend in with your surroundings, you have multiple choices. Plus, this fin has a bungee strap and compact yet robust design, offering comfort and efficiency with every kick. 

What You Need to Know

The Aqualung Storm Fins were designed for on-the-go divers. They’re constructed with Monprene, a single TPV compound material that’s durable and lightweight. 

Additionally, the Storm Fins have an innovative, ergonomic foot pocket design. This combines the comfort of a full-foot fin with the sizing flexibility of an open-heel fin. As a result, expect freedom of movement, enhanced comfort, and reduced fatigue.

Equipped with a silicone bungee strap and heel pad, the Storm Fins are easy to slip on and take off. Furthermore, the compact blade is solid and efficient, transferring power effectively. 

The Aqualung Storm fins are available in various sizes. Therefore, they’re suitable for junior and adult divers. 

Specifications

• Price: $99.00 – $119.00
• Material: Monprene: Single TPV Compound Material
• Fin type: Open heel
• Blade Type: Non-vented
• Weight: 3 lbs. (1.36kg) [X-Large]
• Sizes: XXS, XS-S, M, L-XL, XXL

What We Like

• Silicone straps make it easy to wear
• Comfortable open heel design
• Easy to pack due to flat design
• Durable and made of one solid material with no lamination points

What We Don’t Like

• Can’t wear it with scuba boots
• Doesn’t have enough power for diving in currents

5.  TUSA Hyflex Switch Fins

Our Expert Opinion: Best Modular Fins for Scuba Diving

Flexibility is the hallmark of the TUSA Hyflex Switch Fins. These fins are designed to allow divers to change their speed and direction swiftly while conserving energy. Therefore, they support fast movements so you can adapt to different diving conditions. While they’re on the higher end in terms of price, they’re worth the bet.

What You Need to Know

TUSA’s Hyflex Switch Fins are constructed with the innovative PuRiMaX Polyurethane Blade System. This provides quick and reactive movement for divers. The unique Vortex Generator, which comprises six performance ridges, complements the system, reducing water resistance during fin strokes. 

The Hyflex Switch Fins also feature a comfortable, multi-compound foot pocket, which boosts power transfer to the blade. As a result, each kick is more efficient. 

Moreover, the fins have an Angled Blade Design (ABD). This eliminates the 10% thrust loss caused by the angle between your heel and calf during the kicking cycle. Additionally, it has a universal bungee strap that ensures exceptional comfort, easy donning, and adjustability with five positions.

Thanks to the detachable foot pocket and blade, the Hyflex Switch Fins are one of the best scuba fins for travel. They’re easy to pack. Therefore, if you’re wondering whether these scuba fins can fit on a plane, they perfectly fit into a standard carry-on bag.

Specifications

• Price: $229.00
• Material: Blade: Polyurethane; Foot Pocket: Multi-Compound
• Fin type: Open Heel
• Blade Type: Vented
• Weight: 3.9 lbs. (1.76 kg) [XS] – 4.3 lbs. (1.97 kg) [L-XL]
• Sizes: XS, S, M, L-XL

What We Like

• Detachable fin blade 
• Compact, lightweight, & travel-friendly
• Design enables swift movement
• Vortex generator for reduced water resistance
• Comfortable foot pocket

What We Don’t Like

• Size disparity
• Expensive

6.  Scubapro Jet Sport Fins

Our Expert Opinion: Best for Value for Money

Scubapro has crafted an exceptional fin once more with the Jet Sport Fins. These budget-friendly fins are suitable underwater companions for seasoned divers. They might hinder precise movements underwater, but they offer impressive power and acceleration. This is all thanks to the large blade, drag-reducing vents, and 3-material composite design.

What You Need to Know

The Scubapro Jet Sport Fins are a traditional and powerful choice for divers who have embarked on multiple underwater excursions. These fins are an excellent investment, boasting exceptional power, maneuverability, and speed with a lightweight and comfortable design.

Compared to some of the other best scuba fins for travel, the Jet Sport Fins have a large, slightly stiff blade. This generates propulsive kicking power and stability, particularly during frog and dolphin kicks.

The Jet Sport Fins are also constructed with drag-reducing vents. These minimize resistance on both up and down strokes. And thanks to their 3-material composite construction, they’re flexible and comfortable enough for high-performance diving. 

Specifications

• Price: $99.00
• Material: 3-Material Composite Plastic & Rubber 
• Fin type: Open heel
• Blade Type: Vented
• Weight: 3.55 lbs. (1.61kg)
• Sizes: XS, S, M, L, XL

What We Like

• Multiple color options are available 
• Made from a 3-material composite construction
• Versatile fit with a replaceable self-adjusting bungee heel strap
• Large blade design maximizes kicking performance 

What We Don’t Like

• May hinder precision movements underwater
• Cannot be worn barefoot

7.  Sherwood Elite Fins

Our Expert Opinion: Best for Warm Water Diving

As far as the best scuba fins for travel and diving in warm water go, the Sherwood Elite Fins top the list. These fins are high-performing, versatile, and comfortable. They have top-of-the-line features like dual-composite construction, power rails, and a central flex channel. These ensure outstanding underwater performance, especially in warm water.  

What You Need to Know

The Sherwood Elite Fins offer divers high performance and comfort. Featuring a dual-composite fin blade with full-length power rails and a central flex channel, they ensure exceptional power and thrust under the water. 

Furthermore, they have a vented blade design that enhances performance by trapping and transferring moving water for added thrust. And they feature an open heel foot pocket with a unique, highly stretchable silicone heel strap for enhanced convenience. 

The Elite Fins also have quick-release buckles on the straps. Therefore, donning and doffing is seamless. 

Specifications

• Price: $119.95
• Material: Fin Blade: Dual Composite; Straps: Silicone
• Fin type: Open heel
• Blade Type: Vented
• Weight: 3 lbs. (1.36 kg)
• Sizes: XS, S, M, L, XL

What We Like

• Dual composite material guarantees durability
• Flexible silicone heel straps
• Optimum thrust delivered through central flex channel
• Full-length power rails 

What We Don’t Like

• May be challenging to find the proper fit for your feet due to the various available sizes
• May not be suitable for strong currents

How to Choose the Right Scuba Diving Fins for Travel

Shopping for scuba fins requires as much care and consideration as buying other gear like a wetsuit. Therefore, consider the following factors when choosing the best travel scuba fins.

Diving Conditions & Environment

Where do you plan to dive? In areas with calm waters or strong currents? Through shipwrecks or caves? 

Since every fin is designed differently, it’ll suit specific dive environments. Therefore, you’ll need to consider where you’ll be diving to find a suitable option.

If you’re scuba diving in currents, you’ll need additional power from your fins. Therefore, fins like the Mares Volo Race would be suitable as they maximize efficiency and power underwater without requiring much effort.

Also, if you’re diving in environments like local lakes and rivers, which have low visibility, you’ll need colorful fins. That will ensure your diving buddy or group can easily identify you if you get separated. Yellow and white scuba fins are your best bet in this case.

Diving in advanced environments like caves and wrecks requires narrow fins designed for technical diving, like the Hollis F2 Travel Fins.

The Fin Style & Design

Diving fins come in varying styles and with multiple features. Therefore, when looking for the best scuba fins for travel, you’ll need to consider the style and design that’s most suitable for your needs and preferences.

These are the different types of fins you’ll encounter:

• Open heel: These have an open back and require dive boots for insulation. Divers diving in cold water environments hold these in great esteem because they’re the most efficient. And they’re easy to put on and take off. 
• Full foot: These cover your entire foot and have shorter, flexible blades. As a result, kicking underwater is easier. They also weigh less than open-heel fins, eliminating the need for neoprene booties. However, putting them on and taking them off can be a nightmare. That’s why most divers prefer open-heel fins.

Scuba diving fins also have unique blades such as split, paddle, and pivot. Fins with split blades have a large division running down the middle of each fin. They reduce water resistance on joints and offer more power with narrow flutter kicks. 

Therefore, split fins are suitable if you have sore hips or knees. They can take some getting used to, though, which is why they’re ideal for experienced divers. However, you can get the hang of them by using them in shallow water first.

Paddle blades are the standard blade design. They mimic frog feet or flippers in their design, demanding greater leg muscle effort to move through the water. 

Scuba fins like the TUSA Hyflex Switch Fins have a pivot blade design. These combine the thrust of traditional paddle blades with the acceleration of split blades. They have a pivot point where the foot connects with the blade, enabling angle adjustment for individual needs.

Ease of Transport & Packing

Once you know the best scuba fin style and design for your needs, you’ll need to consider the ease of transport and packing. Travel fins should enable you to carry them on a plane in your carry-on or checked luggage.

Furthermore, you should be able to pack them with ease. With some fins, you can detach the fin blade from the foot pocket, making wrapping in bubble wrap for added protection easy. Longer ones made of plastic or fiberglass should be able to fit in a padded hard case for transporting in checked baggage. Or between your softer scuba gear.

Your Weight Underwater

The weight of your scuba diving gear is a critical factor both on land and underwater. It influences your maneuverability. Therefore, you’ll need to consider the weight of your equipment to choose the best scuba fins for travel.   

Donning heavy gear like a drysuit and twin tanks means the resistance and effort required to move increase significantly. However, if you only wear a rash vest and compact travel BCD , you won’t need as much force when navigating the water.

As a rule of thumb, the heavier your gear, the more powerful the fin style required. The enhanced propulsion from your fins will ensure you can maneuver effectively underwater. 

Your Kicking Technique

Your kicking technique underwater will also dictate the type of scuba fin you should invest in. Given that each scuba fin is distinct, it’ll work best for certain types of kicking techniques.

Beginners start with a simple flutter kick. Therefore, you’ll need fins that can adapt to that kicking style. As you become more confident underwater, you may adopt advanced techniques like the frog kick.  

Overall, based on your diving experience level and kicking technique, choose the best scuba diving fins for your needs. 

The Fit

Scuba fins are typically sized by bands (XS, S, M, and L) instead of shoe size. Also, the bands and shoe size correlation differ between manufacturers. For instance, a large Mares scuba fin may not match the exact shoe size of a large TUSA fin.

As a result, shopping for the best scuba fins for travel may appear complicated. Fortunately, scuba fins have sizing charts that make it easy to identify a suitable fit. 

If you can visit a local shop to try on the fins, do so. That will ensure you get fins that fit snugly without slipping off your heel. However, if you’re purchasing fins online, consult reviews to determine if previous buyers have any sizing advice.

Also, when buying open-heel fins, add one size up to leave room for your dive booties if you plan to wear them. 

Your Budget

Travel scuba fins can be affordable and range from around $90 to $130. However, you may encounter some that are over $200. Therefore, have a budget in mind before you start shopping for fins.

Conclusion

Whether traveling for a liveaboard or scuba diving trip with friends, you’ll need to ensure your gear’s weight doesn’t result in exorbitant baggage fees. That’s why divers purchase equipment that’s designed for travel.

The best scuba fins for travel are lightweight while offering exceptional power. Tusa’s Hyflex Switch fins are ideal for divers who value flexibility, while the Hollis F2 Travel Fins give you multiple color options.

To find a suitable pair for your diving adventure, consider the diving environment you’ll be exploring. Also, the fin style and design, your underwater weight, and your kicking technique should play a role in your decision.