Choosing your first bodyboard fins can be confusing and at sometimes stressful, however, if you know what to look for then you will be able to ease the process for yourself. Keep in mind that a best bodyboard fins will have to either be high enough to reach your belly button when placed on the floor or fit between your knees and chin when held in front of you.
Moreover, there are some important points to remember when buying the best bodyboard fins and learning how to ride one. Firstly, if you are tall and choose a small bodyboard then you will risk dragging your legs behind in the water thus causing unnecessary drag. Secondly, if you have the budget then you could purchase several body boards. For example, a bigger bodyboard is recommended for small waves whereas the smaller body board better used with large waves.
Top 15 Best Bodyboard Fins Review in 2022
1. Seavenger Voyager Snorkeling Set
Seavenger Voyage is a famous Norwegian manufacturer of high-quality bodyboard fins from premium rubber and durable latex heel straps.
This model is made from patented monoprene material and is available in over 6 sizes hence you will definitely find the right one for you. Bodyboard riders have reported that the patented split fin helps to create lots of propulsion with very little effort needed from the diver.
Moreover, this pair of bodyboard fins have very little drag thanks to the vents on either side of the foot pocket. Plus, you can easily clean them by simply rinsing the fins under running water. However, if you will stain them then just wipe the dirt off with a wet wipe but do not use harsh cleaning agents.
- Trustable manufacturer
- Known brand
- Low drag
- Easy to clean
- Made from a premium patented material
- Available in several colors
- Lots of customers reported the spring strap coming off
- Size chart is wrong
- Can be difficult to hook and unhook
Also Read: Best Freediving Fins – Comfortable and Longer Lasting
2. Churchill Makapuu Swimfins
Best bodyboard fins from an American brand called Churchill, they are designed to be a closed heel and used in waters with strong currents.
Moreover, their hydrodynamic design and a great blend of rubber and latex make them lightweight and very comfortable to put on and take off just what you need when bodyboarding. The fins are slightly bigger than their standard counterparts but this makes them even better as they will have much better thrusts.
- Large fins great for men and women
- Easy to take off and put on
- Available in several colors
- Closed heel design
- Negative in buoyancy
- Poor customer support
- Quite slow as compared to other models
3. Cressi Adult Short Light Swim Fins
Cressi adult black and blue bodyboard fins are made in Italy from the highest quality rubber material and are designed as open heel bodyboard fins meant to be worn with dive boots.
Moreover, the bungee heel strap is durable and customers have reported it to be hard enough not to slip off while soft enough not to cause any blisters.
Their sleek and modern design will look good with any bodyboarding costume while their relatively lightweight construction will not strain your legs. Sadly, lots of customers have reported having a hard time picking the right size as the size chart is way off.
- Made in Italy
- Lightweight
- Bungee strap
- Fast shipping
- Size chart is wrong
- Very stiff
- Not available in small sizes
4. DaFin Swim Fin Pro
Bodyboard riders love these best bodyboard fins from Dafin because they are soft, comfortable and easy to wear. They have very low drag so your feet will not get tired and you could spend plenty of time bodyboarding at various locations.
Moreover, they can be worn when you need fins with strong thrusts to go against currents or big waves hence they will also help you gain momentum when you will be riding the bodyboard.
The high level of comfort is mainly contributed to the ergonomic foot pockets that help obtain streamlined movements that will help you move quickly. The bungee strap is great because you would not need to adjust the strap every time as you would only need to put over your heel. This is great especially when you often wear thick diving gloves that will limit the movement of your fingers.
- Vented blade design
- Ergonomic open heel design
- Great for women and men
- Affordable
- Patented rubber material
- Can be difficult to use in strong currents
- Needs to be worn with dive boots
5. Hydro Tech Ocean Swim Fins
Great old school bodyboard fins that you can use with or without the boots. They are made from rather stiff rubber and might need some extra energy for thrusting in the water when you will riding your bodyboard.
Hence, most diving specialists recommend them for men rather than women but on the good side, they do offer good speed and are very responsive.
The open heel design will require you to buy diving booties separately but the steel reinforced strap was said to hold them perfectly in place. Plus, you can choose from several sizes as well as colour options.
- Great for men
- Accurate size chart
- Offer good speed
- Available in several colors
- Require lots of energy for thrusting especially for women
- Long shipping
- Bad packaging
Also Read: Best Skimboards Reviews to Buy
6. Voit Duck Feet Swim Fins
These voit duck feet bodyboard fins are entirely made out of durable and bendable rubber material that is lightweight and easy to clean. Also, customers have loved this model for many years thanks to its great design and long lifespan plus the Voit brand offers a lifetime warranty.
Moreover, they have very low drag due to the many small vents in the fins thus this helps with increasing the power of thrusts while decreasing the energy needed to perform them. The heel strap is reinforced with stainless steel thin rope inside hence you can expect it to last for a long time without snapping or breaking thus rendering the bodyboard fins useless thereafter.
- Lifetime warranty from the manufacturer
- Stainless steel reinforced the strap
- Great for bodyboard riders
- Available in many colors
- Long shipping
- Can be stiff at first
- Size chart is inaccurate
7. Hubb Dubb Zero Swim Fins
The hubb dubb zero bodyboard fins are made from a soft rubber material that has been tested and found great for frog kicks however these bodyboard fins are not very good for saltwater as it eats the fins away.
But, the bodyboard fins have been reported to be very comfortable to wear thanks to their ergonomic foot pocket design and extra rubber padding. Moreover, they come with side wings that aid in precise swimming as well as improve stability.
- Ergonomic foot pocket design
- Extra rubber padding
- Accurate size chart
- Fast shipping
- Will need to be rinsed after each use
- Not suitable for high currents
- Very sharp heel
8. Churchill Makapuu Fins
Churchill best bodyboard fins are made from a patented mix of materials that makes them lightweight, durable and very fast thus great for bodyboarding. Moreover, bodyboard riders love them and have often cited them as the best fins for warm deep water.
They are easy to put on and take off plus you can easily bend them for travel as this will make much more compact. Also, they are available in several fun color patterns and the size chart has been reported to be accurate for men and women.
- Patented material
- Made in the US
- Offer great speed
- Available in a variety of colours
- The strap might be difficult to loosen especially in water
- Poor customer support
- Quite stiff at first
9. KICKS Swim Fins
Kicks swim bodyboard fins are made from patented monoprene material that is great for frog kicks or swimming against strong currents. The strap is made from soft rubber however the strap will not break or snap because it is reinforced with a thin marine grade steel rope.
These bodyboard fins are great for women and men alike plus the size chart is very accurate so you should have a problem selecting the right type of scuba fins for yourself.
- Marine grade stainless steel strap encased in soft rubber
- Monoprene bodyboard fins
- Great for women and men
- Fast shipping
- Great for warm waters with strong currents
- Poor quality control
- The arches were reported to rip off after some time
- Very heavy
10. Dorsal Bodyboard Swimfins
The new Dorsal bodyboard fins are now faster and more comfortable. Often named among the best lightweight bodyboard fins, they offer a strong profile, suitable for swimming and diving. The new design is now tighter on the foot.
Can you even remember your first childhood bodyboard fins? I know mine were floppy. But the gum rubber is also improved. Dorsal chose a softer rubber which creates a more comfortable fin pocket. This also leads to a floating design.
You won’t have to deal with losing your bodyboard fins anymore. But there’s also more kicking power. With stiffer blades, the bodyboard fins are recommended in any situation.
- Made with a softer rubber
- Sizing from S to XL
- Includes a water drainage hole
- A bit lose on narrow feet
11. Hubb Dubb Zero Swim Fins by Hubboards
As the best bodyboard fins reviews show, the Dubb Zero Swim Fins are recommended for their stiff blade. This means there’s extra kicking power, which is most important in the end.
I know I’ve struggled with soft blades and instead of helping me in water, they just seemed like an extra chore to worry about. What I also like about this design is the dual drain holes design.
Practically, water gets out quickly allow me to enjoy bodyboarding and not having to worry about the fins. The quality of the materials is also there. Made with Malaysian rubber, the fins are soft and friendly to the skin. They even float on water which can only be seen as a major incentive for those with improving bodyboarding skills.
- The range of colors
- Durable and soft Malaysian rubber
- Made with dual drainage holes
- Not available on black
12. H2ODYSSEY Smoke Swimfins
These bodyboard fins are recommended for a better fit. If you’ve struggled with sizing you need to choose again without getting discouraged. The truth is that they’re not always true to size and you need to go a size up or a size down for a good fit.
But the Smoke Swimgins Bodyboard Fins are always named among the best cheap bodyboard fins. They offer a complete profile of sizes. First, in their small size, they fit those wearing a size 7 or size 8 shoes.
Second, in the medium size, they fit those wearing shoes from size 9 to size 10. Large bodyboard fins fit feet from size 11 to size 12. I’d say an extra-large choice is suitable for sizes 12 and 13. Finally, with black and rasta colors, these fins are among the best bodyboard fins for a relaxing sporting experience.
- They run true to size
- Available in rasta colors
- Sizes run from S to XL
- Not the softest rubber
13. ZEE Products Bodyboard Swim Fins
Who knew you can get affordable bodyboard fins made from natural rubber? I know I was surprised when I asked a fellow bodyboarder about the price of the ZEE bodyboard fins. This is why they can be named among the best budget bodyboard fins as they are so affordable.
The natural rubber bodyboard fins offer better in-water acceleration. This is why I can also see them worn by a beginner or someone looking to get into bodyboarding. It’s a matter of time until they get the hang of the process and how to use them to accelerate faster.
- Made from natural rubber
- Sizes run up to L
- Affordable compared to others
- No XL size
Also Read: Best Wakesurf Boards – Most Popular on the Market
14. Kpaloa Swim fins
These fins are made for bodyboarding and water rescue. Made with medium-hard rubber, they are known to offer better propulsion. Lateral ridges have also been added to make them one of the best bodyboard fins for the money. Three holes have been added to the fins. They act to efficiently evacuate water and they help reduce the weight on the feet.
Made with an attractive oceanic blue color, the fins are also among the top options for how they look. Together with the soft rubber, they offer reliability, comfort and an attractive look. If you want to stand out to your bodyboarding group, these fins are among the top options. Sizing is no issue as they run from XS TO XL.
- Made with medium-hard rubber
- Designed with 3 drainage holes
- Made with lateral ridges
- Only available on blue
15. Stealth Swim Fins
Stealth black rubber bodyboard fins are available in a variety of sizes as well as three colors hence you will always find what you need.
They are made from reinforced rubber that makes them extra durable but a little stiff, hence most professionals suggest these bodyboard fins to be work in with time. However, many women have reported these best bodyboard fins slowing them down instead of helping them swim.
Moreover, they are closed heel bodyboard fins and you would need to buy some thermal socks to go with these fins otherwise you might risk getting blisters. The size chart has been reported to be relatively accurate however all Stealth bodyboard fins tend to run small so keep this in mind.
- Made in the US
- Designed from a premium rubber material
- Closed heel model
- Accurate size chart
- Available in several colors
- Rather stiff
- Suitable for men but not women
- Lack of good customer service
What Bodyboards Fins Are the Best?
Bodyboard fins are often called flippers and blades as well, moreover, back in the day, they were made from a variety of materials such as plastic and latex. However, regardless of their material, bodyboard fins are needed to aid the rider in fully enjoying the bodyboard experience.
They help the rider move much faster without exerting too much energy plus with bodyboard fins, you would not need to move your hands as fast. Manufacturers of bodyboarding fins are constantly inventing new technologies and thus improving the design of scuba fins.
Nowadays, there are a great number of bodyboarding fins designs that range in appearance, weight, comfort, size and of course, price. Most best bodyboard fins are made from high-quality rubber, polypropylene material or lightweight and bendable plastic.
Most new bodyboard riders simply buy the first fins that fit their budget. However, such move is not very wise because if you wrongly select bodyboard fins, they will require high energy powered kicks and you will get tired in no time. Plus, this will also affect your air consumption as you will begin to breathe more heavily thus you will use your oxygen tank much quicker.
Closed Heel or Open Heeled Bodyboard Fins?
Open-heeled fins are widely available in most specialized shops and even large hypermarkets, they are great because they have a much larger pocket for your foot. However, open heeled fins are designed this way so as to allow you to wear and use dive boots.
Dive boots are necessary because they help protect your feet from blisters as well as small cuts you can acquire from sharp rocks and corals plus they will also help keep your feet in optimal temperature when you will be riding in cold waters. Furthermore, open heeled fins are great to be used for bodyboard riding in locations that are rich in rubbles, sand, rocks, and sharp corals.
Also Read: Best Kneeboards – Top Reviews & Buyer’s Guide
How to Choose the Right Bodyboard Fins?
As mentioned above, open heeled fins are often worn in cold waters and are preferred by swimmers wanting versatile and easy to adjust fins. However, open heeled fins will need to be worn with diving booties otherwise they will cause blisters and possible small cuts.
Moreover, closed heel fins are best worn for swimming and snorkelling but not for bodyboard riding as they are very likely to slip off. Paddle fins are often bought by beginners wanting to have an easy to adjust and versatile fins that are not too heavy to pack for travels.
Plus, paddle fins are great for waters with high currents as they offer the maximum up and down motion that allows for great speed without straining your legs too much. On the other hand, split fins are designed to be much swifter and quicker deep underwater.
If you have a planned out deep water bodyboard ride then split fins are exactly what you are going to need to have the ultimate diving experience. Moreover, they are much more affordable than their open heeled counterparts. However, sadly they do not have any thermal protection whatsoever.
Hence, you can only use them in warm waters. Plus, you cannot adjust these fins according to your heel size as they do not have a strap. Also, most divers report that closed heel fins often cause blisters and small cuts. Lastly, they might also slip right off your feet when you will be swimming especially if you have bought wrong sized ones.
Conclusion
Before you set out to select the best bodyboard fins for your next vacation, think about what fins you really want. If you have local specialized shops nearby, it might make sense to take a trip down to try several different types of fins to understand what will fit you the best. Also, women are often more comfortable with open heeled fins.
However, you would also need to buy dive booties to go with the open heeled fins. Furthermore, they are more suitable for cold waters whereas closed heel will become the perfect pick for warm waters. Lastly, look at the material that the bodyboard fins will be made out of because it will determine how soft or stiff they are going to be.