Mambo Dave
Contributor
They are relatively easier to kick than regular fins, they create a faster speed than regular-sized fins, and IMHO are very much more efficient than regular fins.
I own Atomic BioFins (the regulars with spring straps) for 95% of my scuba diving as of late, 'regular' Rocket II's for frog-kicking through wrecks, and long free-dive fins for free-diving. They all have their place, but for regular recreational use the Atomics were, and are, very much worth it.
We use them to kick out 3/4 of a mile, if not more, on beach dives. Generally the shortcomings and the extra stress regular fins have and create become very apparent to the user after one or a few kick-outs. Sure, it took me almost a year to switch (in which time my legs and kicks had become very, very strong, but the energy expelled and strain endured just didn't have to be had I bought the Atomics earlier).
You will learn a rapid, short-stroked kick with splits, and you must absolutely maintain that small kick, only faster, in strong currents, but I've proved they work in current to the nay-sayers. It's when a diver panics, or forgets, and tries to long-stroke-kick spits in current that they fall short. I would not use them to free-dive, nor plan penetrations with them (done it though), but that's a whole other conversation.
But as I can even do a modified frog-kick with mine, or glide along a reef-line only using one leg (they're that efficient), and regularly use the helicopter technique to turn (very regularly), I'd say they are one of the best fins out there for a lot of situations.
