Cressi Sub Reaction, Mares Volo Race Fins

[dontdo_that]

Hey everyone, first post on deeperblue. Great forum you've got here! I tried searching on the particular topic but didn't find much.

Does anyone have any experience or any advice about either of the two fins? Are they decent for freediving? I'm a beginner and I don't want to buy anything I don't need. My plan is to get out there with a buddy and try it out, doing some shallower dives to get a feel for the sport and the equipment. I was recommended the Mares Volo race fins (priced at 60) when I went in to Sports Chalet. Browsing the Cressi site, I saw the Reaction Pros / Reaction fins listed as FreeDiving fins. They can be had through leisurepro.com for 40-60 with shipping.

I'm also considering just throwing down for some Gara 3000s or something of the like around 80-100. But I don't know if I need something that intense, although eventually I would like to move in to spearfishing. In addition to being a beginner, I'm a broke UCSD student, so my migration into new sports has to happen slowly with a lot of gear analysis to minimize buyer's remorse!

Thanks for the advice!

[chrismar]

Opinion time:

Volo race are pants. I've seen more broken pairs than intact.
Reaction pros have a bad habit of dying unfortunate deaths, at least when used by underwater hockey players. They bend in the middle, rather than flex progressively. Mind you, our goalie swears by them. I swear at them.

Mares quattros are a LOT better than either, but are quite tiring to kick for what they are. The avanti excels and superchannels are cheaper and softer, but don't have the same drive, it depends on how much you weigh and how deep you want to go. Jeez, I sound like a Mares advert!

The other options are all full freediving/spearfishing fins. They're worth it if you get into it, but if you change your mind, its more money down the tubes. At least with the others you can sell to underwater hockey players!

[trux]

I use Volo Race as backup fins (when I cannot use my long blades). They are excellent - efficient while very comfortable. When training in pool, I can do almost the same length with them as with my C4 Flaps, while using less effort. I understand though Chrismar telling they are pants - I would not try using them for underwater hockey or rugby, but for ocassional recreational diving (both free and scuba) they are quite fine.

[dontdo_that]

Thanks for the replies! I'll continue to search and read up on the products before I make a choice.

After reading the reviews for the Gara 3000LDs I am considering just grabbing those, especially since they are a little softer than the 2000HFs so they might be easier to manage when snorkeling at the surface.

[GaraTreter]

get the garas, best choice for what you want to use them!