Yup. I agree completely. I have a pair of classic Scubapro Jetfins hanging on the wall here in my computer room. They are now a room decoration and reminder of the good ol days.

The jet style fins give me precision and control. I frog kick exclusivity, which means I don't need to frantically flutter as some newer divers do. Also, helicopter turns and back finning is much easier with shorter, stiffer fins. Each fin has an intended purpose for its given design. I don't necessarily feel one is better than the other, as some may suggest.

Hey Alec! Let me weigh in on this debate. Now tech divers, and tech instructors always seem to favour the Jet/Rocket fins and will always give some spiel along the lines of "hinged and split fins are fine for recreational divers but when you have to move around in heavy technical gear you need a good heavy rigid fin." Now, they always seem to manage to sound a little derogatory/snarky when they say that, but you made a good faith argument based on physics and science, so forget those guys, I'm going to do the same!! First, let me say you've nailed Newton's first two laws of motion. 1) Objects with mass don't like to change velocity (Inertia.) 2) The more massive (heavy) an object is the more it will resist changes in velocity. But let me try and poke a few holes in your argument! The assumption seems to be that the point of finning is to overcome the inertia of your *fins*. But that's not the case! The point is to overcome the inertia of *you*!! We're not trying to move our fins for the sake of moving our fins, we're moving our fins so we can swim to where we're trying to go! Now the inertia of me in a bathing suit with an aluminium tank on my back is substantially less than the inertia of me with a twin set of steel tanks on my back, a drysuit, 10lbs of lead, a stage bottle, and a deco bottle. And that brings us to Newton's 3rd law of motion: For every force there is an equal and opposite reaction force. This is what ultimately moves us through the water. The more force I can apply on the water behind me, the more force goes into moving me forward... and when I'm very heavy, I require a lot of force to overcome my inertia! So the question of efficiency doesn't just boil down to which fin is lighter or which one is more hydrodynamic. Just because a fin requires less force from me to kick with it, doesn't mean it will be more effective at displacing water behind me when I'm this big, bloated, heavy object floating in the water column. Case in point, I was a snorkeler before I got my OW certification. So, naturally, like a newbie, I thought my flimsy, plastic, full-foot snorkelling fins would be perfectly sufficient for diving. (They were sufficient for snorkelling, so why not?) Nope. They were hell to kick when I was at 60' with a scuba unit on my back because they were too flimsy and could not displace enough water! Most of the force I put into them just bent the silly things like paper in the wind and did nothing in terms of moving *me* forward. When I bought myself a *bigger*, *heavier* pair of open-heel diving fins my life got much easier! And it doesn't come down to how the fins channel water or if they buffer excess force in their hinge if I mistakenly overkick. That said, I've tried my heavy Jet/Rocket fins in warm water with just a single aluminium tank. In this scenario they feel like lead boots! They're heavy and noticeably cumbersome. I don't recommend them! But I don't notice the added weight when I need to move heavier, cold water kit around. The plastic hammer you might buy for your grandson/granddaughter for driving their square pegs through their square holes is perfectly fine for that, but for repairing your fence, your'e going to choose a proper rigid hammer with some weight to it - even though, yes, it takes more force to overcome its inertia. Anyways, love your tech tip videos! Cheers!

I switched from the jet to the novas and make a huge difference. The way you explain new and old age was spot on. Cheers buddy

Dear Alec, I honestly tried and tested Seawing Nova fins. And I personally never recommend them to my students. If they want "just fins" - I recommend Mares Avanti Quattro, but if they want fins for fancy kicks - jetfin is the best!

I live in hawaii and dive everyday. There are 32 of us who free dive on a daily basis (some scuba). We all have different fins, mostly long blade fins in the group. But 8 of us use gen 3 sea wing novas for free diving and scuba. I own two sets, the regular gen 3 and gorillas. I prefer gorillas for me personally, but I don’t recommend them for everyone. The gorilla’s are stiff, your feet and calves tend to cramp when you kick hard when free diving, I know scuba is a little different diving style and a different kick, but I’m specifically talking about using sea wing novas for free diving. The regular sea wing novas are perfect overall. I swam everyday over 6 months with regular sea wing novas, I thought the sea wing fins were breaking down and felt weak when I was kicking hard. But my legs were just getting stronger so I upgraded to the gorillas. I love the gorillas, but of my friends that have tried them think the gorilla stiffness are to stiff, and these guys are free divers. I hope this feedback helps you choose which fin to buy, the sea wing nova vs the sea wing nova gorillas. Have fun diving!

I use the Seawing Nova Gorilla fin. And I love them. I ran Super Rockets for decades then upgraded to the Novas, and never looked back. Well worth the price tag.

Hi Alec, I'm a great fan of your show. You are right when you use the jetfin for normal finning (flippering). It is bad for this technique. But when you use the jetfin with the frog kick it is the absolute king. the large sides are ideal for backwards swimming, turning or helicoptering. The stiffness of the blade makes the backward kick (or pull) really powerful too. Any other fin (made for the flipper technique) will be too floppy. So, the reason why these black old fins are still sold is because they are perfect for the newest techniques in diving. (And yes, the foot pocket is awful)

Thank you Alex for everything .

I simply love to listen Alec. Great video às always

Very, very knowledgeable man. A godsend to the diving world.

Thank you Alec for taking the time to explain all the details and features. If you have the chance, can you make a review on the new SCUBAPRO Supernova fins? I heard they combined features from both Jet and sewing nova fins.

I really enjoyed the review! Thanks for all the info!!👍👍

Another great video sir... i own the Novas and could not agree with your more... 🏆 you rock

Very helpful, thank you

Absolutely what today’s new divers need to see and hear. I’m not a fan of the new look, but do appreciate their efficiency. I just may give those a try on my next new purchase. Thanks for another interesting and entertaining video you two. 👍

Beautiful review! That is definitely what I was looking for! (: Respect and subscribed!

Very good video. Thank you. I was looking for a pair of fins for this season in Egipt and I was comparing Seanova and Scubapro go sport. But it is obvious from this video what to choose :).

Thanks! Great info. Actual physics!

Oh my gosh, where was this video when I bought Jetfins a few years ago. You are so spot on! Great video and thank you. I will be picking up some Sea Nova's.

Thank you! I actually have a pair of rocket fins that I was issued in the Navy. I was planning on taking them to Cozumel after a 20 year hiatus from diving! Now I'm sold on getting a new pair of fins!

Great vid. Maybe that’s why I get crumps in my calfs using RK3. I also have the Neo. Going to switch back to them 😉

I really like how you explain Alec. Thinking to buy the orange instead of rk3

We have the seawing nova fins. Love them

I've a pair of jetfins for sidemount diving here in the tropics (so I only use 4lbs). I find they're so negatively buoyant that they counter the two tanks quite nicely when running through your air. I also find that when hovering and side kicking to maintain that trim, the thick side cross section gives a LOT of control. Having said that. When diving backmount, packing my divebag, or doing literally anything else, I've a set of modern, light, composite fins which I will never give up.

Always an evergreen topic, Alec. Add my name to list of happy SeaWing owners, for certain.

I regularly watch your videos and have learnt a lot (from Ranch videos as well). Your (and Kevin's, of course) enthusiasm and hard work is just amazing. Thank you for sharing all this knowledge with me! I own both Hollis F1 and Nova fins. And while I do all the back-kicks, frog-kicks, your_propulsion_option_here with Nova's in a single tank configuration and while I'm traveling (totally with you here), I find it very hard to find the right balance and find Novas to lack in efficiency in case of a set of doubles and with a deco bottle. In the spirit of your logic, the same company keeps making the same car, so it is more like a Wrangler - it is still produced by the same company that produces other different cars, with some updates.

Good stuff.

Good video sir, I had a pair of jet fins,back in the day, I couldn’t wear them, too narrow a foot pocket for my wide feet. I ended up with full foot fins That fit and are comfortable.

Talking about the color, I just bought a pair of jet fin with camouflage, and I like them =)

Fabulous to get your perspective Mr Peirce. Saw it after I picked up a set of USED Apeks RK3s, but before my ‘check out dive’ with them. The RK3s were intended to be at least an alternative, worst case back-up, to my SuperNova Gorillas for drysuit diving. I do have large old drysuit boots (original AquaLung Fusion/Whites), that I would like to not replace. But, the boot gets super-suction-stuck in the SuperNovas at the end of a dive. So far, just dove RK3 only with wetsuit-not dry. I am favoring the RK3s-more mobility, control of movement, easier frog kick. intend to do more testing, including timed swim/snorkel. May end up using both!

I love the Nova fins too. They work great and look cool too.

I use a seawing nova and a similarly designed fin to the jet fin, OMS slipstream, just lighter and with a drain hole but everything else is the same. I still find the slipstream design more effective in strong currents. i have the gorilla Seawings and they are a huge improvement from the first release with dual hinges but for strong currents, i feel more confident with the OMS slipstream,

very professional and honest opinions as usual .. can we see a comparison video for NoVa Vs Gorilla Vs supernova ? it's a bit confusing to chose among all these "Wow" fins..thanks

I've used sea wings and rocket fins. The rocket fins would make you fly. The sea wings made it easier to kick your legs but you didn't go nearly as fast. I'd take the rocket fins if given the choice.

Yeah I used to buy into the “fancy” new tech as well. I had a pair of those nova’s they’d totally buckle at the slightest effort and gave 0 propulsion. On top, I’d get cramps almost every dive. Needless to say they went in the bin. Then I got a pair of jet fins, effortless propulsion with even the slightest frog kick. And best of all not a single cramp EVER since I made the switch. Different strokes... I guess

My favorites are the ones behind you, aqua lung x-shot!

This is not really a fair comparison as Scubapro Jetfins are probably the worst traditional shaped tech fin you can buy. Here in the UK we have the Apeks RK3 and Holllis F1 which are far more comfortable and easier to use. They also come in different weights/densities to suit your individual trim. I tried the Sea Nova and the Apeks RK3 and found the Apeks to be a good 2 inches shorter in effective length on the foot. For me this means greater manoeuvrability, whether when kitting up on a RIB or when in those tight spaces in a wreck. Fin length is certainly an individual thing, and the longer fins make me feel like I'm pedaling a bike in too high a gear. I'm with Anton Porteus below, I don't need to go shooting round but I do need lots of fine control to place myself accurately. Horses for courses I guess.

Bought Nova after seeing your first video and all I can is whoaaa. Had the luxury to try 4 fins in a controlled environment (all geared up in deep pool doing 50m laps) and those were the best/least effort. I hunt so I need to cover a lot of ground. Love they are neutral/float even with my drysuit. Seen many friend loose heavy fins sink to bottom. Light for travel too

I have scuba pro fins from the 90s... it's kinda like an older version of the scubapro fins you showed... I love them... I have jet fins too.. I don't like those to much. Another fin I really like for snorkeling and diving in the pool is a scuba pro open toe fin, really comfortable! They remind me the old Voit fins and sea hunt.

lol Kevin's always having to take the heat. Enjoy your video's

Thanx Alec, great clip. Actually I should say great way of thinking. There's one more thing to consider: should I buy something what works or match for me right now or should I buy something what I will have to "grow up" to ? :)

Great review. I dive with the old school (read archaic) Jetfins barefoot in warm water (Turtles dry). The biggest drawback I found was the shear weight - both when traveling and diving. Without booties, they sink like bricks making it difficult to dive head down. They do offer these anchors in a new color (yellow) though. I just don't understand they didn't bother to make it in a lighter modern material.

Oooooh! And one more side note - the Jet fins come in more than one colour now as well! My brother has a bright white pair and my wife dives a red pair.

I appreciate that education on the updated Scuba Pro fin. When I arrived in in Philippines the Davao scuba store sold me that Black, stiff, ankle chafing fin that greatly limits my endurance in the Pacific. A few hundred meters even wearing dive boots the discomfort turns into abrasions, that needs time to heal before snorkeling again. It is a ten hour drive one way to an air fill here in Surigao del sur, gone are the days when I owned a portable Bauer compressor in Roatan Honduras. The live Coral, Caves, begin 1000 meters from our beach so we time low tide to walk out to the drop off to eliminate two kilometers of fin kicking, but that limits me to a 2 hour window each day. China is selling electric mini scuba compressors around the $200 price. Have you seen these in Canada yet?

Awesome video. Can you do a tech tip video on dive cameras. For example the go pro or other non professional cameras

US Divers Turtle fins are great for wrecks … love the maneuverability, however, I like the power I get from scuba pro Seawing for strong currents in regular open water non-overhead environments.

Thanks for the video, I am looking at buying a pair of fins that can help me improve my skills and use less oxygen when diving. But the nova are a bit out of my budget. Have you tried the Beuchat Aquabionic or the Seac F1 S? Otherwise, which one would you recommend? Many thanks in advance,

Hi Alec! Great video! I use the jet fins but you've convinced me that I need to change. What are your thoughts on the new Scubapo Go Sport fins as compared to the Seawing Nova? I do like the more compact size of the Go Sport.

Force fin is the bestttt. Love scuba 2000 btw !!

Hey Alec , been a while since i commented on your terriffic videos :) , The Old School Jet Fins are offered in various Cam and Pastel Colours over here in Europe , with a further Hole in the Blade :-o !!!!! apparently for hanging them up , to dry and not become a Museum Display , ;) I do admit i love my Mares quattro,s been in the North and Red Sea, Lakes Pools and caverns with em and against the odds , am still alive and " kicking " ;) Keep up the great work SIr Greetings Lenny

Hi Alec. Diving in Sweden/Scandinavia usually means diving with a drysuit and then I recommed heavier rubber fins(personal choice) such as the Scubapro jetfin or simular. Still, I would LOVE to try the seawing nova-s but in a wet suit;) the jetfins are also avaiable in different colors- the blue cammo is awsome:) Take care! / Joakim

If you are trying on a set of fins, should your heel be sticking out a bit compared to the bottom of the fins, or should be bottom of the fins (below your heel) extend beyond your heels?

I'm 70 yrs old and been diving since 1973 and taught in pools and ocean (gulf of Maine) and worked at a shop where I could try any fins and I have never used a fin that propels better than a jetfin. That said, they are too heavy for travel, but the rest of this is, in my opinion, marketing.

Any tips on how to put a set suit on easier if you are by yourself

when diving with the dry suit i prefer a heavier fin like the jet fin, I think the wheigth/boyancy distrubution becomes much nicer. For a wet suit a ligher fin is nice. Also the drysuit gives so much drag so slow heavy strokes is the ticket cant paddle away in the same way that you can with the wet suit.

Hi Alec, I really enjoy watching your videos and learn a lot from them. On the subject of the power fins - I have a couple of pairs, one is jet fins, and the other is very old turtle fins made in Japan. Both pairs have the original rubber straps, which present me with a few issues. For one thing, they are a bit cracked, and I fear they may snap any moment. Also, my flag line gets entangled in them (which can probably be remedied with some duct tape). So I'm thinking about replacing them with spring straps, and have a couple of questions that you may be able to help me with: first, do you have any videos on replacing original straps with spring straps? Second, do you recommend spring straps with those little nuts on both sides of the steel posts that go inside the fin, or the once that look like you need to bend them with pliers will also work? Thank you, and my apologies if the questions are not phrased very eloquently!

I have a 1979 Trailduster and a 1996 Ram 4x4 Power Wagon. But my wife has a newer Vehicle. LOL! When I buy a new set I’ll get the new Version.. probably still give you blisters if you don’t wear dive boots! Nova means no go in Mexico lol. But I will get a pair of nova blue fins! Alec you and Kevin are Awesome!

I had a pair of Scubapro Jet Fins back in the '70s, and I liked them a lot. Now I have a pair of Scubapro Seawing Novas, and I like them a lot. If my LDS had carried a version in red I would have got that, but since they didn't I bought basic black; black goes well with just about any wetsuit or drysuit, right? The Seawings are the most-expensive fins I've ever bought, but back when I bought my Jet Fins they were the most expensive fins I'd bought. The more things change, the more they stay the same as the saying goes.

I would like a video on different types of fins such as travel, or thin long Vs. short wide, stiff vs flexible. Why a fin made for deep skin diving does not work for scuba. And maybe answer why everything I want is the most expensive. Maybe some good second choices to having the best. Like maybe a different material type or style. Is their a price sweet spot for quality? Not getting into brands per say, but is there a big difference between a $90 fin and a $250. Spending 3 times as much gets what kind of improvement?

Fantastic video, really enjoyed your opinions of the two fins. Ive currently got Apeks Rk3, which I find great most of the time. I dive mainly in the UK with a drysuit. How do you think the nova's compare to the Rk3? The last few dives I've done I've started to suffer from a bit of calf cramping, so was thinking of changing my fin. Would love to get your thoughts on the rk3 against the novas if you get chance to reply. thanks

scuba pro , twin jet max - very awesome

would love to see a review on the fairly new Zeagle Recon fins. can't see any independent review on them yet!

Alex, for tec divers who are looking for shorter fins for smaller spaces, what are options for fin types? What are your thoughts on the Force Fin, which is a modern fin design with simular design concepts to the Nova Fin.

For most recreational diving, the Novas are great, but from my experience the Jetfins are more suitable for alternate kicks. The Novas are some of the best fins for flutter kicking, but struggle when it comes to frog/back kicks. As someone who frog kicks almost exclusively, I love my RK3s. To my understanding the reason for the vents is to remove a "dead zone" on the fins. The Nova design uses the same principle, just removes the entire dead zone instead of putting holes in it. From my experience this works very well as vented fins kick a lot easier. Other things you mentioned like fitting or comfort have never been a problem for me with the RK3s despite their bulky design (and the fact I have slim feet), I even use them for snorkeling. TL;DR: both fin types are solid but perform better in different situations

I tried jet fins and found them too heavy and uncomfortable. I much prefer my Oceanic viper fins. Nice and light but pretty strong. Thanks Alec, great video!

I have the Gorilla version of the Seawing Nova. They are stiffer and provide better feedback. Also, easier to frog kick.

The best fins I ever used are the Mares avanti Tre in full foot pocket, and the Scubapro seawing gorilla (outstanding with a drysuit).

Hi Alec, Old vs new designs in fins. When i was say 10 the adults had fins with a slip into fin, fins back then for kids had the rear strap not the whole foot type. Now all i see on high end fins are the strap type, is this true or am i just nuts ? Enjoyed your Fins new vs old designs. 👍

Hi Alec, my wife and I dive the nova. The only problem (especially for women) is, that it actually floats or has positive buoyancy. That is kind of tricky, if you dive only with integrated weights. Can be solved by little food weights...

Hello!! scubapro seawing nova fits ok to drysuit with bolt boots??? Thank you.

I have both for years.they are all good, maybe for different situations. Nova fins those teeth might be a problem for cave line and a little too light for backkick, also a little soft for muti tanks. When it comes to frog kick, Jet fin has better control also heavy good for drysuit. Don't get me wrong, you probably use Nova more often if you dive in a tropical sea.I would recommend get both of them and a pair of full-foot, those works better when you snorkeling or free diving for fun.

Hey Alec, Very handy vid!, I have a question that I couldn't seem to find an answer to anywhere online and was hoping you'd help :), do bright coloured or white fins make a difference underwater other than visibility? would white fins attract fish or sharks?

Hello Alec. Nice video! I really want your opinion. I am working at fish farms 6 day the week and I am diving about one hour and half. The seac propulsion I own are killing my legs!!! On summer I dive wetsuit and winter dry. Do you believe that they will be ok for my job? Do you think it will have duration through time? I am doing about 300 dives per year. I am also looking the apex rk3. What is your opinion? Thank you!

I own many pairs of fins. I like the Force Fin but for the life of me I don’t know why it works at all. It is thin, short and flimsy yet it works. The latest ones I got are the twin jets and I like them as well as the Force Fins.

i think the the short foot pocket is the best feature of the jetfin. It's been around for sixty years for a good reason.

The jet fins are available in a wide variety of colors now. Although not from Scubapro but there are a tons of companies that put out jet style fins with improvements like lighter materials and better foot pockets. Anyways why not both? For currents and other entirely open water dives the Seawing Novas are pretty great. But for precise kicks in places like caves or wrecks I find that that the Seawing Nova isn't as good as. Sure you can make it work, but if you want to precisely stay in one place while working a line I found more tech style fins work better. I prefer the more hybrid Dive Rite XTs, as they work better when the flow is up.

Still clutching to my rotting US Diver Rockets... Haha!

Hi sir , what are your thoughts on scubapro go sport fins? Thank you

When diving in the UK with 7mm semi dry. I need the heavier fin along with ankle weights to help my trim. Otherwise I'll be upside down.

Alec, why did us divers change to aqua lung? Where does the aqua lung brand stand in comparison with the top brands?

I snorkle, and was looking at replacing my old "he man" 60's era Kinugawa Pacific duck foot clones. Was heavily considering getting the SP Jets. My local dive store entrepreneur was showing me the advantages of the Mares x-Stream fin (his personal choice). As an aging retiree science teacher, I like data & application of scientific method. I did some research. I considered what my local dive shop expert told me (the guy has over 35 certifications and years of practical dive experience - think he knows something?). So I'm buying the x-Streams. At my age, I know - nostalgia ain't what it used to be (and neither is my body). Fins don't work right unless they fit right - my local dive shop can do this for me, and can give me service if I have problems w/out shipping probs - big advantage to me keeping wet.

Hi Alec, just one question why comparing fins made for different divers? When doing frog kicking, especially when you need to move with precision (not only in tec or caves, but also when near corals, when doing photography,... Lots of other cases), rigid fins are king as they both transfer the movement of the foot with better precision and give better feedback to the diver as to what is is doing and how it moves with the current and water arround it. The nova are nice, but most of the features seem to be aimed at enhancing the performance of the flutter kick, which is a kick used to move large distances quickly or to battle strong current. I feel like this video should have been about how the nova is a more modern fin than the jet, and how scubapro should make a new jetfin with these modern features like less weight and better pocket / comfort... Rather than actually saying one is better.

I'm sold.

Hey Alec, I am a proper mermaid when swimming without a tank but am really missing surface skills to swim in current to the boat 200 meters with dive gear (and catch bag). Can you give some tips on how to scuba surface swim?

I'd take my modern fins over my dad's old rockets simply because its never as pleasant an experience constantly battling with my trim. Even though I'm always drawn to a simple, stiff fin, maybe eventually I'll have the opportunity to try those Novas out. Gotta say one thing though, you won't look nearly as cool in the new style fins as you do with the jets/rockets.

Atomic split fins are awesome. They are the best fins I ever had.

Alec, Do you have any thoughts on the Force Fin?

I’m a size uk 8 us 10 what size scuba fins would you recommend for me 4:13

Durability is an issue for me, hull diving so not traveling far, oysters, barnacles...my fins get ripped to shreds. That's why I'm considering the jet fin.

Alec, Best fins for traveling? Warm water Caribbean diving mostly -

Thanks so much Alec. I want to get some seawing nova fins but I'm not sure about the size. Should the foot pocket completely cover the foot?

I tried a pair of fins from the dive club just for comparison, oh boy was I warn out my legs felt like jelly. I actually use seawing novas and if I had the air I suppose I could dive all day, I don’t know they are on they are so effortless. It maybe me but seawing suits me perfect best investment I made, and would recommend anyone to try.

So Alec, so why tech divers only use jet fins? Better for caves and wrecks?

I use both styles, just depends on my dive plan.

I bought my Nova fins 3 years ago, because I kept on getting leg cramps, and I haven't gotten leg cramps since I bought the Nova fins.

The Jetfin was first and sold as the Beuchat Tarzan Jetfin for only one year, 1964. I have a pair. The US Divers Rocket Fin was shortly after. The Rockets did not have tapered vents like the Jetfins so there was no "turbo effect". Scubapro bought the Jetfin design from the inventor Georges Beuchat in 1964. I wonder if I could sell my Tarzan Jetfins to a museum. I think they would still work but were always near impossible to adjust the footstraps. They are 56 years old! Myself I'm not a believer of putting, vents, splits, or holes of any sort in fins. It just doesn't make any intuitive sense to me, but I could be wrong.

Love my SW Novas! I tried a couple of premium advanced fins before buying, it came down to the Sea Wing Nova and the Mares X-Stream I then patiently scoured ebay for a sweet deal until some 2nd gen Novas appeared, apparently Novas can be painful for folks with weaker knees. Beware of Gen 1's with a lot of hours, they appear to have a higher failure rate. Now 50 dives later, no regrets. A minor gripe is their length, I had to buy a larger packback to carry them when hiking to certain snorkeling areas.

Thanks for sharing! I m wondering are the orange ones gorilla version? Cheers!

As an experiment one could put one of each on and see which leg is more tired.