Having read a number of previous postings here and on other BBSs discussing which type of fin was best, I decided to run some tests in a standard 25-yard pool to find out for myself. For the first test, I brought my Atomic Split Fins and my Scubapro Jet fins (with spring straps) to the pool and timed myself for ten 50-yard laps, using a two minute interval for each 50. I alternated 50's between the Atomics and the Scubapros to try to prevent any "tiredness" bias from affecting the results. The two-minute interval gave me time to log the time in my wet notes book, switch fins, and rest for about a minute before starting the next 50. Only a flutter kick was used (no swimming with hands) and I did a flip turn to change direction at the other side of the pool. I am a former college swimmer who still does a swim workout three times a week, so my results may not hold true for people with other swimming abilities.
Atomic Split Fin 2/24/06
39.8 seconds
35.5
34.7
35.9
35.0
------
36.2 Seconds (Average)
Scubapro Jet Fin 2/24/06
36.6
33.0
34.7
34.8
35.8
------
35.0 Seconds (Average)
As you can see, the Jet Fins averaged over a second faster, which surprised me since they are mid-1960's technology and cost about half as much as the Atomics. It is true that the Atomics are easier to kick, so perhaps the ScubaLab and other subjective tests that give split fins high marks for efficiency are accurate. However, for a person in good swimming condition, I don't think it would be correct to say that split fins are faster. For the situations where you need maximum thrust with full scuba gear, I'm fairly certain the Jet Fins would deliver more power. It would be interesting to test that option someday.
The statement that split fins are the most efficient may not necessarily be accurate. Some divers now use a frog kick for propulsion during most of their dive, which the Jet Fins excel at and is a very efficient way to get around. I could do sort of a frog kick with the Atomics, but I had to wait much longer between kicks for the top half of the fin to snap back into the correct positon for the next kick. The Atomics were essentially worthless for reverse kicking.
Some of the times in my test seemed like outliers, so to verify my earlier test results, I decided to do a similar test on later dates. However, this time I just timed myself for five 50's with the same set of fins on. Here are the results:
Scubapro Jet Fin 3/03/06
34.5
34.5
34.3
34.6
34.2
------
34.4 Seconds (Average)
Atomic Split Fin 3/06/06
35.5
35.9
35.6
36.0
39.7
------
36.5 Seconds (Average)
The Jet Fins won again, this time by over two seconds.
For the heck of it, I decided to try the same test with my old Aqualung Blades Foot Pocked fins that I bought for snorkeling back in 1994. The results are shown below:
Aqualung Blades Foot Pocket 3/06/06
34.7
33.6
33.5
34.5
33.8
------
34.0 Seconds (Average)
Check this out! The old Blades beat both the Atomic Split Fins and the ScubaPro Jet fins, by 0.4 and 2.5 seconds respectively. The fins felt very light and fast as I kicked them. Almost no effort was really required, although for this and previous tests I was push myself to the limit. The downside is that if the foot pocked rips, there is no repair option, and they can't be worn with any of my cold water boots.
I would be interested in trying the same tests for Mares Volo and Oceanic V-12 Vortex fins.
Atomic Split Fin 2/24/06
39.8 seconds
35.5
34.7
35.9
35.0
------
36.2 Seconds (Average)
Scubapro Jet Fin 2/24/06
36.6
33.0
34.7
34.8
35.8
------
35.0 Seconds (Average)
As you can see, the Jet Fins averaged over a second faster, which surprised me since they are mid-1960's technology and cost about half as much as the Atomics. It is true that the Atomics are easier to kick, so perhaps the ScubaLab and other subjective tests that give split fins high marks for efficiency are accurate. However, for a person in good swimming condition, I don't think it would be correct to say that split fins are faster. For the situations where you need maximum thrust with full scuba gear, I'm fairly certain the Jet Fins would deliver more power. It would be interesting to test that option someday.
The statement that split fins are the most efficient may not necessarily be accurate. Some divers now use a frog kick for propulsion during most of their dive, which the Jet Fins excel at and is a very efficient way to get around. I could do sort of a frog kick with the Atomics, but I had to wait much longer between kicks for the top half of the fin to snap back into the correct positon for the next kick. The Atomics were essentially worthless for reverse kicking.
Some of the times in my test seemed like outliers, so to verify my earlier test results, I decided to do a similar test on later dates. However, this time I just timed myself for five 50's with the same set of fins on. Here are the results:
Scubapro Jet Fin 3/03/06
34.5
34.5
34.3
34.6
34.2
------
34.4 Seconds (Average)
Atomic Split Fin 3/06/06
35.5
35.9
35.6
36.0
39.7
------
36.5 Seconds (Average)
The Jet Fins won again, this time by over two seconds.
For the heck of it, I decided to try the same test with my old Aqualung Blades Foot Pocked fins that I bought for snorkeling back in 1994. The results are shown below:
Aqualung Blades Foot Pocket 3/06/06
34.7
33.6
33.5
34.5
33.8
------
34.0 Seconds (Average)
Check this out! The old Blades beat both the Atomic Split Fins and the ScubaPro Jet fins, by 0.4 and 2.5 seconds respectively. The fins felt very light and fast as I kicked them. Almost no effort was really required, although for this and previous tests I was push myself to the limit. The downside is that if the foot pocked rips, there is no repair option, and they can't be worn with any of my cold water boots.
I would be interested in trying the same tests for Mares Volo and Oceanic V-12 Vortex fins.
