With the Cetma Taras having won almost everything there was to win both in CWT and in DYN, and with the Molchanovs PRO Hyper Bifins X Carbon led by the almost unbeatable Alexey Molchanov, the entrance of the C4 Protech fins in the Temple of the Gods is not easy. After our x-rays article presenting the new fins by the Italian Company, it was time to test them, as always, at the amazing venue of the Y-40. The testers, what else if not Michele Tomasi and Luciano Morelli. Let’s read what they told us.
Luciano Morelli
Comfort and fit
“What immediately strikes is the comfort of the foot pockets of the C4 PROTECH. Now, normally the performance fins put comfort in second place and focus in the ultimate thrust with limited effort. What is great here, and honestly can be extremely interesting even on performance fins, is the fact that the foot pockets of the C4 PROTECH are comfortable! This comes from the left and right anatomical internal design, with even the perfect reproduction of the arch of the foot. The rear band on the heels is not too high and has a great design. It acts perfectly without any excessive pressure, still keeping the foot well blocked in the foot pocket, with no loss of force transmission to the blade.”
Performance
“The C4 PROTECH fins offer an amazing performance. Thrust is excellent at in every moment, and in the dives at Y-40 I went down an up with extreme ease. The C4 PROTECH fins have nothing to envy the best freediving fins on the market in terms of performance. Both in the descent and ascent phases I went down to -42m meters with extreme ease, lightness on the legs and great push. Excellent. What we need now is a test at even greater depths for a total performance evaluation, going down to one’s own maximum limits, especially in CWT.”
Michele Tomasi
Comfort and fit
“I like the design of the foot pockets with left and right solution. Still, probably due to the foot pocket size not perfect for my feet, I felt the plantar arch not in the right position, which generated some discomfort. Still, the idea is great and probably I need to try other sizes. The rear band is perfectly designed and very comfortable, and the fingers at the tip are perfectly wrapped keeping the foot perfectly locked in place.”
Performance
“I must say that the C4 SPORTECH fins are really excellent. I am not saying they go beyond the performance of the best freediving fins on the market, but the definitely are in line with them. The comfort of the foot pocket, beyond my personal issue with the size, is really high, and for the first time I feel that performance freediving fins can be used also in training sessions, of course still not for too long. Really great new fins by C4 Carbon“