The Leaderfins FRD Professional blue bifins are competition-grade bi-fins developed for freediving athletes seeking performance, efficient energy transmission, but also comfort.
Handcrafted from numerous components, they combine 100% aerospace-grade pure carbon blades, hand crafted natural rubber foot pockets, a 25-degree blade angle and a distinctive neoprene-coated connection between blade and foot pocket.
We have presented in the past the great value for money bifins by Leaderfins, both the carbon fiber versions and the glass fiber ones, also aerthetically extremely beautiful. Considering their quality, we expect a lot also from their competiton fins. Let’s analyse the FRD Professional.
Pure carbon blades and 25-degree angle
The carbon blades are designed to combine low weight, controlled flexibility and rapid elastic return. Together with the natural rubber components, they aim to transfer the athlete’s movement progressively from the foot to the tip of the blade, reducing energy loss during the kick.
The 25-degree angle between foot and blade maintains a more natural ankle position and should improve comfort and propulsion throughout the complete kicking cycle.
Handcrafted natural rubber foot pockets
The comfortable handcrafted natural rubber foot pockets are designed to fit securely and act as a natural extension of the athlete’s body. Neither the blades nor the foot pockets have a left and right fit, they are symmetrical and universal.
The handcraft of the foot pockets is clearly visible in each rubber segment glued to another. The rear band positioned over the heal, and 4 cm high per 5 mm to 1 cm thick shows clearly the bonding of two tubber elements.
A precise fit reduces unwanted movement inside the foot pocket and improves energy transmission. At the same time, the rubber construction aims to provide sufficient comfort during both training and competitions. Additionally, Leaderfins also offers useful half neoprene socks.
The base of the carbon blade is coated with neoprene, creating a wing-shaped element around the connection area. This solution completes the hydrodynamic profile of the fin and helps the foot pocket and blade work together as a single system.
Three blade lengths and four softness levels
The Leaderfins FRD Professional Blue bifins are available with 45, 55 and 65 cm long blades. The total length depends on the selected blade and foot-pocket size.
| Blade length | Total fin length |
|---|---|
| 45 cm | 59–65 cm |
| 55 cm | 69–75 cm |
| 65 cm | 79–85 cm |
The compact 45 cm version should favour rapid acceleration and a high kicking frequency. The 55 cm blade offers the most balanced compromise between agility and propulsion, while the 65 cm version is designed for athletes who prefer a longer and more progressive kick.
Additionally, and this is something not all competition fins offer, is the up to 4 levels of softness: Extra Soft, Soft, Medium and Hard. An additional plus to chose the perfect version.
The ideal configuration will depend on discipline, technique, body weight, muscular power and preferred kicking frequency. For example, in Indoor apnea competitions, often athletes avoid extremely long blades as the tend to have a suction effect when pushing on the pool wall after the turn.
Size chart
| Foot length | Size | Foot length | Size |
|---|---|---|---|
| 240 mm | 37 | 290 mm | 43 |
| 250 mm | 38 | 300 mm | 44 |
| 260 mm | 39 | 310 mm | 45 |
| 265 mm | 40 | 315 mm | 46 |
| 270 mm | 41 | 320 mm | 47 |
| 280 mm | 42 | 330 mm | 48 |
| — | — | 340 mm | 49 |
| — | — | 345 mm | 50 |
The size should be selected according to the athlete’s measured foot length and whether the fins will be used barefoot or with neoprene socks.
The fins we have received, which will be tested by our athlete Amedeo Comoglio, are size 43 with 65 cm long and 19 cm wide blade. The weight of the single fin is 1190 grams.
Special padding for maximum comfort
As one key element of the foot pockets of the Leaderfins FRD Professional Blue bifins is comfort, the internal part of the instep is copered with a soft neoprene patch. This helps to create a perfect fit between the foto and the foot pocket, and at the same time generate high comfort.
A competitive €500 price
At €500, the Leaderfins FRD Professional Blue bifins are competitively priced for handcrafted carbon competition fins.
The Cetma Composites Taras Bifins cost €750, which is €250 or 50% more. However, the Taras are currently the most successful competitive bi-fins in the world in terms of international records and major competition victories. Their higher price is therefore supported by exceptional sporting results.
The Molchanovs PRO Hyper Bifins X Carbon reach €890: €390 and approximately 78% more than the Leaderfins. Despite their advanced construction and premium positioning, we consider this price extremely difficult to justify and substantially outside the current market for carbon competition bi-fins.
At €500, the FRD Professional therefore offer an interesting balance between specialised construction, comfort, performance potential and price.
First conclusions
The Leaderfins FRD Professional Blue bifins combine pure carbon blades, comfortable handcrafted natural rubber foot pockets, a 25-degree angle and an neoprene wing around the blade connection, plus special internal padding.
The three available lengths allow athletes to choose a more specialised configuration, while the competitive price makes them considerably more accessible than the Cetma Taras and, even more, the Molchanovs PRO Hyper Bifins X Carbon.
Their actual performance will need to be confirmed through our Test of the Champion in the water, trying out the 65 cm long and 19 cm wide in the Soft version. On paper, however, the FRD Professional Blue bifins represent a promising option for competitive freediving athletes looking for performance, comfort and value.