Even if you are new to freediving or spearfishing, you might have already realized that you want to have personal gear?
- It is more comfortable.
- It is more reliable.
- It will fit you perfectly.
One of the first things freedivers buy after finishing their freediver course is freediving fins. If you have a quick look at freedivers forums, most freedivers state that carbon fins have the best performance.
That is true. But carbon fins most likely will cost you a fortune. So if money is not a big deal for you – get yourself a pair of carbons.
But if you need a smart solution for your pocket – it makes sense to go for plastic fins.
And here the market also provides a wide variety of choices.
As a freediving school, we have tried many plastic fins for our students. Our main criteria of good-quality fins are medium stiffness, durability, and a comfortable and robust foot pocket.
In concern of these three aspects, let’s have a closer look at Cressi Gara Modular Impulse fins.
Stiffness. Cressi Gara Modular Impulse fins are very soft for fins made of plastic. The blade looks thin, and Cressi says it is thinner than other fins. Also, according to specifications, the Modular Impulse blade is 5cm longer than the average freediving fin blade. After a few months of using Gara Modular Impulse, I can state they provide a soft kick, and the legs don’t get tired after a long swimming period.
The shape of the tip of the blade reminds a caudal fish fin. This design is supposed to give better fin control. I am not sure how we can check it, but it sounds reasonable as all fish passed the years of evolution and have more or less the same tail tip.
Despite blades of Gara Modular Impulse are thin and soft, Cressi promises that they are durable and strong. Besides, if you treat plastic fins properly, they will serve you for many years. In any case, all gear has a warranty – so keep the receipt, and if something happens with your fins during the warranty period – you can always claim for exchange or repair.
The comfortable foot pocket is what Cressi is proud of for all their freediving fins. Still, they keep evolving their designs, and in Modular Impulse fins, Cressi implements a self-adjustable foot pocket. What does it mean? First of all – the foot pocket is soft. It doesn’t squeeze or press or provide any unwanted tension on your foot. Besides, this foot pocket makes it possible to wear these fins with or without socks, depending on the water temperature you dive in. Even tropical waters can be cold enough, and it’s a great advantage to dive in the same pair of fins barefoot in Thailand and the Philippines wearing the socks. Footpocket should stretch slightly to make both options comfortable.
If the foot pocket is too wide for you, you can also use insoles (come in a set with fins), which help reduce the foot pocket size. And if it’s not enough and the fin fits loose, I would recommend going for fin-holders. Small rubber straps which you put ON the fin. You can check a short video here on how to use them. And you can order the fin holders from Amazon.
I need to mention some other benefits of these fins:
– 29 degrees angle of a blade, which works for better streamlining and kicking techniques;
– anti-slip water rails prevent water flow from escaping sideways, which results in a “spoon effect” and better efficiency of your kicks;
– replaceable blades make it possible to change the blades easily. This feature is helpful if you, for example, want to use soft fins for freediving and more stiff fins for spearfishing, and this foot pocket fits you perfectly.
To conclude, Cressi Gara Modular Impulse fins are soft, durable, and comfortable in both concerns – wearing and kicking.
The affordable price of these fins allows me to say YES, plastic fins can be really good.
You can order the Cressi Modular Gara fins on Amazon.
By Svitlana Gaidai