2023 was the year of professional fins with polymer blades. The new materials have greatly reduced the difference in performance between this technopolymer and composite materials such as carbon and glass fiber. On the other hand, the difference in price is clear, with a pair of complete high-performance polymer fins that settle on average around €100, compared with fins with a fiberglass blade, around €200, and carbon fins starting from €300 to go above €400 for the most advanced fins. In addition, the fins with polymer blades resist impacts on rocks in a much better way. Here are the fins with polymer blade finalists in their category of the BEST CHOICE by Apneapassion, according to the votes of the International Team of Apneapassion Athletes: C4 UP, MARES X-WING, H.DESSAULT HD
C4 UP
With a name that represents freediving at an Italian and international level, that of the multiple Champion Umberto Pelizzari, together with the producers of fins par excellence, C4 Carbon, although better known for their carbon blades, the C4 UP represent a product that wanted forcefully to conquer the market. Computer research and endless tests, with the real support of Umberto Pelizzari, have led to fins that combine a practically perfect balance between foot-pocket and blade. The latter represents true excellence, with a very low weight, just over 350 grams, and water-rails co-molded in soft rubber directly on the technopolymer blade. Even the C4 250 foot-pocket, with a weight of only 250 grams in size 41/42 (257 g measured by AP), represents excellence, with ease of donning clearly superior to the previous C4 300 foot-pockets, which had their weak point in this aspect. The finishes of the foot pocket are good even if not just quite at the level of the rest of the fin in the area of the profile around the ankle. The blades are available in two hardnesses, Soft and Medium. The sale price at launch shakes the market with a two-digit number (€99). But it is the performance that is most striking, with an extremely effective thrust both in the pool and at sea, and lightness and fluidity without equal for polymer fins.
MARES X-WING
The main strengths of the Mares polymer fins, the X-Wing, all too little told and advertised by the Rapallo company however valid they are, are certainly a foot-pocket with finishes and design that make it perhaps the best choice on the market, surpassed only in lightness by the C4 250 (X-Wing foot-pockets weigh 350 grams in size 42-43), but better in finishes. The matter is reversed on the blade, where the X-Wings present a solution with a single piece water-rail and therefore made of the same material as the blade, beautiful but slightly less refined than that of the C4 UP. However, the thrust generated by the X-Wing blade is truly powerful and at least equal to the C4 UP, and only slightly more tiring. Returning to the X-Wing foot-pocket, this one, in addition to being very refined, is extremely easy and comfortable to wear. The wrapping of the foot is excellent as well as the transmission of the thrust to the blade. Not to overlook the fact that the X-Wings are offered in two hardnesses, soft and medium (Pro) and two lengths, as well as in 4 different colours, both for the foot-pocket and for the blade, very beautiful. The Mares X-Wing in polymer can be found on the web for around €100.
H.DESSAULT HD
The H.Dessault HD polymer blade fins are the very latest to be born in the sector of fins with polymer blades, and they arrived as an absolute World Preview at the International Awards Camp by Apneapassion at the beginning of May, with the whole international team trying out the candidate products for over 4 days. The tests, of course, also continued later, with swimming pool tests of these fins.
The foot-pocket is the H.Dessault 350, a number that defines the weight of the foot pocket number 41-42, therefore 100 grams more than the C4 250, and aligned with the Mares X-Wing. The blade, also like the Mares solution, is slightly simpler than that of the C4 UP, because it has the water-rails in one piece with the blade itself. While moving on excellent standards, the H.Dessaults are a little stiffer than the C4 UP and Mares X-Wing, and the foot pocket is a little less enveloping, that is, it wraps the foot less, although this depends on personal conformation. Still the thrust is very impressive. The blades are available in two hardnesses, Soft and Medium. The introductory price is only €90, the cheapest of all polymer fins tested.
