Bodyboarders understand the importance of swim fins for a greater wave-riding experience. My reviews of the 5 best bodyboard fins below will guide you on how to make your choice.
As bodyboarding becomes a popular watersport, having the best bodyboard fins is essential for any riders seeking to challenge themselves on a breaking wave. Unlike regular surfers, bodyboarding requires more manoeuvres, a sensation of speeds, full-body strengths and fitness.
While some bodyboard fins offer springiness to maximize paddling power and give easy entry to the wave, others emphasize safety and durability to help surfers grip through the curls and crests. In this article, I will review the top 5 best bodyboard fins and recommend the most suitable ones for your purpose.
What Are Bodyboarding Fins?
Bodyboarding fins are a specialized gear used to add extra propulsion and control while catching more waves. A top quality pair of fins will accelerate the power from your legs, and ease your body through notable slabs and shore breaks. These fins’ features include thrust, stiffness, comfort, and a variety of sizes to fit your feet.
Bodyboarding fins are different from those used for snorkelling or scuba diving fins, though many brands do offer multipurpose swim fins. The fins are often designed in symmetrical and asymmetrical shapes with materials such as natural rubber or synthetic rubber. You can also choose to accompany with a pair of neoprene fin socks to protect your ankles and heels when wearing bodyboarding fins.
What Are the Best Bodyboard Fins?
Apart from surfboards, investing in the best bodyboard fins will give you a more fulfilling experience, either as a starter or someone who wants to pursue bodyboarding in the long run.
Best Overall: DaFin Swim Bodyboard Fins
“Comfortable and powerful, endorsed by experts”
Best Budget: Cressi Agua Short Bodyboard Fins
“Short, light and comfortable, perfect for travellers”
Best for Wide Feet: Hydro Tech 2 Bodyboard Fins
“Maximum comfort, super soft silicone-based flippers”
Best for Beginner: Wildhorn Topside Hydro Swim Fins
“Compact travel-ready, fully adjustable and supportive”
Best for Speed: Churchill Makapuu Pro Bodyboard Fins
“Dolphin tail inspired design, faster speed and better performance”
Where to Buy Bodyboard Fins Near Me?
You can find bodyboard fins in retail stores specialized in swimming equipment and accessories. Make sure you get in a certified shop so that you can receive advice from equipment specialists on different offerings that suit your purpose. If you already have a brand in mind, research on their website for the latest instruction before purchase.
Detailed Review of the Best Bodyboard Fins
Check out my in-depth review below of the 5 best bodyboard fins that you would not want to miss:
1) DaFin Swim Bodyboard Fins
Best Overall
DaFin swim fins are highly trusted by the United States Lifesaving Association (USLA) and many professional lifeguards over the world. These fins make it to the top quality range due to its flexibility of use for both novices and elite bodyboarders. Their short blades allow swimming in the large waves easier and you can be confident to go offshore without getting drained.
As a pair of DaFin bodyboard fins are also larger and averagely lighter than others, they create space for acceleration and balance your speed. The rigid bottom with pliable soft rubber in the foot pocket brings you great comfort. Their vibrant design with nice vertical edges that shear off the water adds up excellent control when you ride over the stiff waves.
Pros:
Suitable for all ages
Small-sized and easy to put on
Able to float in water
Durable and light-weight
The only bodyboard fins endorsed by USLA
Cons:
Not very affordable if you have a limited budget
Editor’s Take - Be aware of the difference in sizes of DaFin bodyboard fins compared to other brands with longer blades. Consult their detailed sizing chart before purchase.
2) Cressi Agua Short Bodyboard Fins
Best for Budget
If you are seeking for affordable and portable fins for easily packing up, Cressi Agua Short is the right product. These fins are made by lightweight material that ensures high performance without making you tired. Their self-adjusting, soft foot pocket brings you ultimate comfort and fits perfectly to any foot shapes.
The Italian brand is also well known for their reasonable prices that vary between $20 to $40. I highly recommend Cressi Agua Short if you want an easy-to-use pair of bodyboard fins with good reactivity and a great deal of propulsion to go on a tropical vacation.
Pros:
Very affordable price
Not require special athletic skills to start with
Soft foot pocket
Portable and ideal for travellers
Lightweight and seamlessly fit for various foot shapes
Cons:
May not provide enough thrust for riders who prefer challenging rides
Editor’s Take - Simple design and shorter length have a certain impact on the level of propulsion, but it serves well for the purpose of affordability and ease of transport.
3) Hydro Tech 2 Bodyboard Fins
Best for Wide Feet
Are you worried that you cannot pick the right fins for your oversized feet? Hydro Tech 2 will definitely resolve your problem. Their longer and stiffer form makes it easy for the wide-feet bodyboarders to put in with less effort. The extra thrust creates great durability for long riding sessions and heavy surf.
Hydro Tech 2 also features asymmetrical blade design that allows the forces to follow the natural movements of your foot. The T-form silicone material used to make these fins guarantees comfort and their contoured ankle straps bring in additional security. At the bottom, there are three holes that help effectively drain out unnecessary water and sand.
Pros:
Perfect for wide feet
Manufactured with revolutionary T-form material
Perform excellent propulsion
Best design for effective drainage
Good thrust for a long session
Cons:
These fins cannot float
Editor’s Take - One turn-off point of Hydro Tech 2 bodyboard fins is they cannot float on salty water so you will have to consider getting a strap attached to keep your fins.
4) Wildhorn Topside Hydro Swim Fins
Best for Beginner
The design idea of Wildhorn Topside Hydro combines two purposes of usage: in the water and on the land. Made from high-quality polymer and stretch-fit neoprene for the upper part, the fins will comfortably suit your feet like a pair of shoes, enabling you to transit from land to water with ease. As the fins are rigid, they create a great deal of propulsion that allows you to maintain your session longer.
Wildhorn Topside Hydro fins are also floating, making them highly ideal for any surface water activities. The fins offer a variety of sizes with adjustable hook and strap so you can easily put on. If you are a beginner who wants a nice-looking pair of bodyboarding fins with versatility, premium comfort, suits for travelling and good propelling capability, Wildhorn Topside will definitely satisfy you.
Pros:
A good combination of shoes-like and fins design
Walkable and travel-ready
Highly supportive and adjustable strap and hook
Soft neoprene material for great fit and comfort
Perfect for beginners
Cons:
Short blades could make it limited for speed
Editor’s Take - A great combined concept of land and sea with great walkability, but prepare yourself to work harder with more kicks in the water.
5) Churchill Makapuu Pro Bodyboard Fins
Best for Speed
Churchill Makapuu Pro is well known for its advantage in maintaining high speed. Its unique design is inspired by the dolphin tale which is lightweight and ideal for both beginners and advanced bodyboarders. Made from natural gum rubber with a neoprene foot pocket, the fins provide the desired comfort and support.
The stiff rubber is also ideally designed for more thrust and control while the hole at the toe area allows the fins to easily flush out excessive water. As such, you can ensure a high sustainability for catching large waves while bodyboarding. These Churchill Makapuu Pro fins also feature quick acceleration and additional kicking power, so if you want to go into the water as fast as possible, they are no doubt for you.
Pros:
Unique lightweight shape for faster acceleration
More thrust and control with stiffened rails
Large draining hole for easily flushing out
Natural rubber material creates great comfort
Cons:
Your toe might get stuck at the draining hole
Editor’s Take - The dolphin tail design contributes to better accelerating abilities for Churchill Makapuu Pro but the unwell-built draining hole turns out to be a significant flaw.
Top Things to Consider When Buying Bodyboard Fins
In order to choose the best bodyboard fins, there are multiple factors to consider before your purchase:
Size and Material:
A perfect-fitting pair of fins will enhance your experience in bodyboarding. Though most of the products do provide sizing charts, you are still easy to be confused if you don’t consult their specialists in advance. Wrong sized fins can cause cramping, blisters and also affects the acceleration of power on your foot. Bear in mind that wearing fins underwater can be different from putting them on dry, and some fins are shrunk once your feet are in the water after a certain period.
It is essential to consider the fins’ material that provides you with premium comfort while enjoying your bodyboarding. Natural rubber is usually more favoured for a comfortable foot pocket, as compared to synthetic. The lightweight and floating factor are also important for easy entrance, travel-ready and convenience to go into the water without sinking off.
Length and Shape
Bodyboard fins are designed in various lengths and shapes for your specific purpose. Similar to surfboards, the shape of bodyboard fins significantly affect your rides. The most common style is asymmetric, inspired by dolphin tail shape, and symmetrical bodyboard fins are shaped equally from both sides. Symmetrical design is usually preferred for small women as it is easier for kicking.
If you like dropknee or water flipping, you should consider a shorter blade pair of fins for more manageable control and quicker kick. Meanwhile, long blade fins are more suitable for a longer paddling session. Consider your personal preference to make the right choice.
Stiffness
If you are seeking a real challenge over the waves, it is crucial to consider stiffness of the blade when buying bodyboard fins. Stiffness reflects thrust and durability of your fins. You could choose a very stiff blade design to maximize the propelling capability, or if you prefer more kicking actions, a medium or soft blade will be the best fit.
Choosing the level of stiffness also depends on your bodyboarding positions. For example, I would recommend a stiffer fin with rib if you use dropknee technique more often for an easier transition in the flow of the water. However, if you are a beginner, a too stiff pair of fins could hurt your feet, so consider a less rigid option instead before you reach the advanced level.
How to Use Bodyboard Fins
Bodyboard fins work differently depending on your techniques. For walking with fins to the water, remember to walk backward when the water is around your ankle depth, and start paddling once you go deeper. If you are paddling in a peaceful wave, leave your fins out of the water while using arms as the main force. As soon as there are large waves, paddle your feet and let your fins do the work.
When you urge to catch a breaking wave, combine both arms and fins, keep the board flat and increase your paddling power. If the wave becomes steep, slow down your fins and manage the speed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can You Bodyboard Without Fins?
A: Generally, it is possible to bodyboard without a pair of fins but it would require extra powers added up by your arms and feet. Having the top quality bodyboard fins can give you easier entrance, propel effectively through the waves and help you catch the curls. This will enhance your bodyboarding experience and boost up your skills.
Q: What Size Bodyboard Fins Should I Get?
A: To get the right size for your bodyboard fins, you should consider the comfort level when you try on. Take into account every part of your foot such as ankles and toes, as well as try different positions and techniques. A pair that is too loose will easily come off while a too-tight one will create cramps. Most brands offer sizes from extra small to extra large, so you can have the flexibility to choose from.
Q: Why Are Bodyboard Fins Angled?
A: Angle of bodyboards fins impacts the acceleration of powers. Angled rail fins could create better control and thrust.
Q: How do I Take Care of My Bodyboard Fins?
A: While walking, avoid sharp rocks as the draining hole could be damaged. After use, remember to rinse your fins with fresh water. I don’t think it is a good idea to store your bodyboard fins in a blade bent, as the shape will be ruined.
Bodyboard fins are an extraordinary gear for any bodyboarders who would like to enjoy their experience over the waves to the fullest. They are inexpensive and come with a variety of options to fit your purpose, level of skills and feet size.
For the best bodyboard fins in overall, I would definitely pick DaFin Swim Bodyboard Fins as their high trusted quality and great performance. If you have a budget constraint, I would suggest you go with Cressi Agua Short Bodyboard Fins for a very affordable option that is less than $40. Wide-feet bodyboarders shouldn’t be worried because I can see Hydro Tech 2 Bodyboard Fins as a perfect choice for you. For beginners, I would highly recommend you to go with Wildhorn Topside Hydro Swim Fins to get yourself ready before challenging the advanced techniques. Last but not least, Churchill Makapuu Pro Bodyboard Fins are my ultimate pick for fast speed lovers.
I hope this article about my top 5 best bodyboard fins will help you make the most suitable option for your own preference. Share your thoughts with me and I would be pleased to answer any more questions.
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