The arrival of the new VBlabs (Vertical Blue Labs) Axiom performance freediving fins has immediately attracted our attention. As soon as the project was officially launched, Apnea Passion Magazine contacted VBlabs to begin what we believe should be a complete independent evaluation, from the initial technical analysis to extensive in-water testing.
Confident in the quality of its new flagship product, VBlabs promptly supplied the equipment required to start our review process. The objective is clear: to understand whether the Axiom can establish itself among the world’s leading competition freediving fins.
Today’s performance fin market includes several outstanding products. Models such as the Cetma Composites Taras, today still the international leader, Molchanovs Pro Hyper Carbon, and the C4 Carbon Protech are the players in such segment. The VBlabs Axiom enters this highly competitive segment with some distinctive technical solutions that immediately caught our attention.
The final verdict, however, will come only after extensive testing.
The first evaluations will be carried out by two exceptional athletes from the Apnea Passion Team.
Francisco Quesada, currently ranked fifth in the world’s strongest all-round freedivers in both depth and pool disciplines, is presently competing in the AIDA Asian Freediving Cup while preparing for the upcoming CMAS World Freediving Championship in Roatán, Honduras. He will evaluate the fins in both pool and depth.
The second tester will be Amedeo Comoglio, one of Italy’s strongest pool freedivers, who is also increasingly focusing on depth disciplines. His technical feedback will provide valuable insight into the overall performance of the new VBlabs Axiom design.
Our first shipment included the VBlabs foot pockets to verify the right fit for Amedeo, allowing us also to begin a detailed technical analysis before the complete performance testing.
VBlabs Axiom foot pockets Design
The first impression is extremely positive.
The foot pockets feature a clean, modern design highlighted by the raised three-dimensional white VBlabs logo positioned on the outer side. Their overall geometry clearly follows the philosophy adopted by modern competition freediving fins while introducing several distinctive design details.
The heel is open and incorporates a rear tendon measuring 4.1 cm in height. Material thickness varies between 5 and 6 mm, with the maximum thickness positioned centrally at the rear and slightly thinner lateral sections to improve flexibility and comfort.
As expected from a high-end performance product, the foot pockets are anatomically shaped with dedicated left and right versions. This solution has become increasingly popular among premium manufacturers because it improves natural foot positioning and increases comfort without compromising power transfer.
Although competition fins are generally worn only during individual dives, greater comfort always translates into better efficiency, especially during long competition days or repeated warm-up sessions.
The internal profile reproduces the natural foot arch, offering improved support and a more ergonomic fit.
An equally interesting solution is the pronounced convex profile of the internal sole, extending continuously from the heel to the toe area. This geometry positions the foot in an efficient biomechanical position, potentially improving force transmission throughout the finning cycle.
Another noteworthy feature is the additional soft internal lining covering the upper section of the foot pocket. It appears to be made from a neoprene-like material designed to increase grip, comfort and foot stability while reducing pressure points.
The upper front section also incorporates a drainage opening that allows water to escape quickly while wearing the fins.
Dimensions and Weight
The sample received for Amedeo Comoglio is size 45.
One of the first characteristics that immediately stands out is the highly hydrodynamic profile.
The lower front section of the foot pocket is particularly rigid, an essential feature for efficiently transferring the diver’s power directly to the carbon blade.
Towards the toe, the profile tapers rapidly, creating an exceptionally streamlined shape. Similar solutions can be found on other competition fins, but the narrowing appears even more pronounced on the VBlabs Axiom.
This design philosophy is complemented by one of the most distinctive characteristics of the entire fin: the blade root is remarkably narrow where it connects to the foot pocket. At first inspection, it appears narrower than that of any other currently available competition freediving fin, making the overall geometry immediately recognizable.
For size 45, the measured dimensions are:
- Total length: 40 cm
- Maximum width: 11.5 cm
The measured weight is:
- Left foot pocket: 680 g
- Right foot pocket: 715 g
A difference of this magnitude is perfectly acceptable for components that still involve hand-finishing during production.
Next Step: Pool and Depth Testing
The technical analysis represents only the first stage of our evaluation.
The next step will be selecting the optimal foot pocket size for each athlete before beginning extensive testing in both pool and depth disciplines.
Over the coming weeks, Francisco Quesada and Amedeo Comoglio will independently evaluate the new VBlabs Axiom during training and competition preparation.
Only after those tests will Apnea Passion Magazine publish its complete technical review, assessing whether this ambitious newcomer can truly compete with the benchmark performance freediving fins currently available on the market.
