Cetma Lotus Carbon versus Molchanovs Sport 3 Carbon: a comparison between the best performance dismountable fins by the leading international brands in the freediving fins sector has never been done before. But with all the strongest world freediving Champions sponsored by either Cetma or Molchanovs for what regards bifins, it was the role of Apnea Passion to make the first-ever independent comparison.

Two athletes free from any sponsorship in contrast with the test, Michele Tomasi, the Technical Director of the Italian Outdoor apnea team, former World recordist CWT in the lake, and Giovanni Bianco, expert freediver and equalization instructor, have used all their experience and skills to give their best evaluation in CWT. The venue? What if not the Y-40, the deepest thermal pool in the world, going down to more then 42 meters? The net results of the comparison test are quite unexpected, with though some possibility for one of the two brands to recover the distance from the winner!

Michele Tomasi and Giovanni Bianco met in the hall of the Y-40, and the interest in checking and comparing the Cetma Lotus Carbon and the Molchanovs Sport 3 Carbon bifins was enormous.

Michele Tomasi and Giovanni Bianco taking a first look at the Cetma Lotus Carbon versus the Molchanovs Sport 3 Carbon

First impressions – foot pockets

The first immediate difference and check was on the foot pockets, totally different! The Cetma Lotus Carbon utilize the LOTUS foot pocket in natural rubber, open heel and a very compact and slim design. Natural rubber is the material which gives the best elastic return, and so greater efficiency at every kick. The Cetma Lotus Carbon had been already tested at the Y-40 by Luciano Morelli and Michele Tomasi, comparing them with the Best Choice 2024 winning freediving fins, the Cetma Taras.

The natural rubber light and slim Cetma Lotus foot pockets

The Molchanovs Sport 3 Carbon have a silicone solution for the SPORT foot pockets. These are much bigger and heavier than the Lotus, but indeed appear well finished in every detail. Again, the heel is open, but in this case there is a left and right foot pocket. Internally, these have a dedicated design which reproduces the arch of the sole of the foot, with great attention to comfort.

The silicone Mochanovs Sport foot pockets, unfortunately too wide for most feet

First impressions – Blades

Both the blades of the Molchanovs Sport 3 Carbon and of the Cetma Lotus Carbon show a perceived quality which is unbeatable on the market, confirming their deserved leadership in the freediving world.

The solution by Molchanovs is coherent with the left and right foot pocket design, so there is also the same solution for the blades: an extremely meticulous concept.

High quality carbon fiber blades of the Molchanovs Sport 3 Carbon fins

On the other hand, the Cetma Composites solution is identical for both fins, which means there is no left and right solution.

Top quality blades of the Cetma Lotus Carbon fins

What is very evident bending the blades is that the S blade of Mochanovs is much softer than the S by Cetma Composites. Probably, an SS solution by the Italian company could be better compared to the S by the Russian. We will verify this aspect in the coming weeks.

Connection foot pocket to blade

In both the Cetma Lotus Carbon and the Molchanovs Sport 3 Carbon, the connection between the foot pocket and the blade is obtained mechanically with double screws.

The Molchanovs Sport 3 Carbon have a very refined connection between the foot pocket and the blade. First of all, the two screws are connected utilizing two mounting plates of good dimensions and nicely designed. These dimensions could have a minor impact in hydrodynamic penetration, but very minimal. On the other hand, such aspect is nicely optimized thanks to the water rails of the blade being inserted in the short lateral rails of the foot pocket to create an improved hydrodynamic connection. This though, makes also the process of mounting the blades on the foot pockets more complicated, as the insertion of the water rails is not so easy. Still, this must be done just once in a while, so it is a minor issue.

Molchanovs Sport 3 Carbon and Cetma Lotus Carbon at the Y-40 before the comparison test

The Cetma Lotus Carbon have a much more minimalistic concept. Coherent with the design of the very light and compact LOTUS foot pocket, even the connection with the two screws is minimal. These are small and positioned on tiny plastic washers. All very neat and light, but take care not to make any part fall, as it will take you some time and luck to identify screws and washers once fallen.

With the Cetma Lotus Carbon the insertion of the blade in the foot pocket is as easy as it could be, and takes a moment, as it is just the blade which needs to slide under the foot pocket and nothing more.

First analysis of the concept of the two fins

Before going in the water, Michele and Giovanni analyzed the mounted fins. There is, apparently, a huge difference in the concept. Giovanni comments: “The Cetma Lotus Carbon work with the rigid sole of the LOTUS foot pocket transferring most of the energy from the foot to the blade. Diversily, the Molchanovs Sport 3 Carbon utilize also the thick and important lateral rails of the foot pocket to transfer the force to the blade.”

Wearing the fins

The moment of wearing the fins is the first scoop of the test. While the Cetma LOTUS foot pocket fits perfectly both athletes, the Molchanovs SPORT foot pocket is quite a problem. Neither Michele, who has a thinner foot, nor Giovanni, who’s feet are much wider, can really appreciate the design of the Russian solution. The issue is that whatever the foot, the SPORT foot pockets are too wide! The feet just move laterally too much, so comfort and efficiency are greatly compromised! We have now an issue: we cannot go lower in foot pocket size, as the feet of both athletes press on the tip of the foot pocket already. We have then come to know that Molchanovs is apparently working on a new narrower design foot pocket, confirming the sensations of our athletes.

Wearing the Molchanovs Sport foot pockets. The excessive width is immediately noticeable

Diversly, the Cetma LOTUS foot pockets had a great fit, wrapping perfectly the foot. Of course, the tighter the better is the transmission of the force from the foot to the blade. So, for example, Michele wore some quite tight LOTUS foot pockets, helping himself with a little soap. This is quite common with performance fins.

Perfect fit for the Cetma Lotus foot pockets, tight for best force transmission

Dives to – 40 meters

Finally, the moment of truth. Michele and Giovanni have made a great number of dives, measuring speed and number of kicks. They have even tried to dive with one Molchanov fin on one foot and the Cetma Composites one on the other, to feel the difference. In the end, their comments describe exactly the result of this comparison test.

Michele Tomasi’s review

“We are talking about the best freediving fins brands on the market, and we have tested two great products. It is a pity that the Molchanovs SPORT foot pocket is way too wide. I could not wear a smaller size than the one I used, because my foot already presses at the tip, even though it still moves laterally and this generates discomfort and lack of force transmission. Despite this, the feeling is that the blade of the Molchanovs is anyway excellent, as I was not tired at all coming up from -40 meters. With the correct design of the foot pockets these blades by Molchanovs could really work excellently.

On the other hand the Cetma LOTUS foot pocket is unbeatable. The foot fits perfectly and is kept in position, so the power transfer to the blade is extraordinary. Moreover, also comparing with the Cetma Taras foot pocket, the LOTUS is much more comfortable, and can be used for long training sessions.

It is evident then, that with such a foot pocket and a great blade, the performance of the Cetma Lotus Carbon is superior to the Molchanovs Sport 3 Carbon. I am anxious to receive the correct foot pocket by Molchanovs to make a more direct comparison. I would also like to try the Lotus Carbon with the SS blade so make an even more precise comparison.”

Giovanni Bianco‘s review

“I had never tried either of these two models, and it was really interesting to compare them. If it wasn’t for the issue in the width of the SPORT foot pocket by Molchanovs, these could be really comfortable with the right and left foot solution, and the reproduction of the arch of the foot sole. Unfortunately, even though less than Michele, as I have wide feet, the foot was not well kept in place by the SPORT foot pocket.

The sensation is though that the blade of the Molchanovs Sport 3 Carbon is soft and very comfortable, and still with a very good performance. These fins, once the issue with the foot pocket is solved, can be a great solution to train comfortably for long hours, without excessive strain to the legs and feet.

The Cetma Lotus Carbon have an amazing foot pocket. The LOTUS are compact, light and wrap around the foot perfectly, generating a hugely efficient system for the transmission of the force from the foot to the blade.

The blade of the Cetma Lotus Carbon is amazingly performing. Stiffer than the Molchanovs, it has an unbeatable efficiency for this kind of dismountable performance fins. I feel that the final result is that the Cetma Lotus Carbon have definitely a better performance in CWT compared to the Molchanovs Sport 3 Carbon, which need some important tuning of the SPORT foot pocket, a great concept, but unfortunately incorrectly dimensioned for most feet.”

Giovanni Bianco and Michele Tomasi playing at the Y-40 just before the serious comparison test between the Cetma Lotus Carbon and the Molchanovs Sport 3 Carbon fins

Conclusions

What a pity that the Molchanovs Sport 3 Carbon, so carefully designed and manufactured, have lost this comparison test 100% due to the wrong dimensioning of the SPORT foot pocket. The blade of these fins is excellent, but cannot compensate the loss of power transmission generated by the excessive width of the foot pocket. With a cost on the Molchanovs website of “only” 435 USD, where of course it is important to understand exactly the additional transportation and taxes costs, these fins could have been a very good option. The warranty limited to the minimum standard European 2 years is only acceptable.

The Cetma Lotus Carbon on the other hand confirm the leadership of Cetma Composites in the design, development and manufacturing of top-performance freediving fins. Both the LOTUS foot pocket and the blades are quite unbeatable in the dismountable freediving performance fins sector. As said, some care must be taken with the small screws and washers of the foot pocket to blade connection. The price of 560€ is apparently higher, before shipment and taxes, than the Molchanovs, but the better performance and 5 years of warranty, more than double the ones of the Russian company, more than justify the price difference.