Comments about Mares Mares Avanti Superchannel Full Foot Fins:

I took the fins on a sailing trip to the Caribbean and loved them!! I used them snorkeling and free-diving. I could move through the water with very little effort.

Comments about Mares Mares Avanti Superchannel Full Foot Fins:

Powerful fins at a reasonable price, but poor long term comfort. Purchased a pair for myself, and also for my wife. Initially impressed by the performane of these fins, but after a few days they wore the back of my achilles raw. A day or two later my wife had the same experience. Moleskin kept us in the game. We're now in the market for 2 new pair. These may be great for the right shaped foot, but not for me, nor my wife. FYI... been licensed diver since the age of 11, and used many fins over the years.

Comments about Mares Mares Avanti Superchannel Full Foot Fins:

Very good fin, although more flexable than I am used to. Had to swim down a buddy with BCD issues and more thrust from a larger fin would have been helpful. Been diving Tusa Imprex for years, but I am going to the Volo Race which I have dove a couple of times that I like. Thats what I get for trying to save 20, bucks...2 sets of fins!!!

Comments about Mares Mares Avanti Superchannel Full Foot Fins:

This product is great. Light weight and powerful. I use them in research diving and snorkelling.

Comments about Mares Mares Avanti Superchannel Full Foot Fins:

Excellent lightweight travel fins. Comfortable, but be wary of chafe if used for long periods; some lycra socks helped. Seem reasonably efficient...

Comments about Mares Mares Avanti Superchannel Full Foot Fins:

Excellent warm water fins. Comfortable (if you get the sizing right), efficient, and very light.

Comments about Mares Mares Avanti Superchannel Full Foot Fins:

Not a stiff fin but does a good job

Comments about Mares Mares Avanti Superchannel Full Foot Fins:

These fins are over 10% faster in my underwater freediving timed distance testing than my standard Atomic Aquatics open heel split fins (which are considerably more expensive). They also handily beat out the full foot Mares Volo Race and the new ScubaPro SeaWing Nova fins by even wider margins. The Atomic Aquatics full foot split fin is actually a little bit faster than than these SuperChannels, but in my breathold distance testing, I was able to consistently set a personal best using the Mares Superchannels and I like them best overall. The footpocket is soft and should be fine for bare foot use. The comfort is great for me using the Pinnacle Stealth 3mm rubber fin sock and I have not had any trouble getting into or out of these fins. (I prefer at least some type of bootie in case I get stranded on a remote island I would be able to do at least some walking - a definite possibility for me here in Panama.) For my size 8 foot I bought the size 7 Pinnacle fins sock and the size 8-9 Mares Superchannel fins. The fit is perfect for me. One word of caution, the fin socks will chafe the area above your heel after many hours of continuous use. I recommend either moleskin on this area of your foot or some duct tape to cover the offending seam inside the fin socks. The fins are also not so floppy that do not give you the extra power needed, for example, to hop into a high gunnel boat, even with my weights on. As an added plus, these fins look great in photos. Until they come out with something better, these are my fins of choice.

Comments about Mares Mares Avanti Superchannel Full Foot Fins:

I bought these fins because they were rated highly in a fin test. True! They are a very nice fin. I was looking for a fin that would work well for free diving and scuba. These do the job.

Comments about Mares Mares Avanti Superchannel Full Foot Fins:

These are as fast or faster than my BioPro Split Fins and weigh a lot less, making them great for travel. Biggest negatives are: 1) Sizing. these are not sized for wearing without boots even though that's how I've always seen them worn. 2) They get chewed up if walking on rough concrete or rocks.

Comments about Mares Mares Avanti Superchannel Full Foot Fins:

First the good:

These fins are lightweight and not too big, they fit easily in a small backpack, making them a good choice for a streamlined travel fin.

The fins snorkel well and are extremely comfortable.

The fins would be good for someone with bad knees who is diving in easy conditions.

These fins frog kick well.

Now the bad:

These fins perform poorly in current. The foot pockets are very soft, which makes them comfortable, but they transfer power poorly (the sizing is dead on, that's not the issue). Also they are quite floppy, which makes kicking easy and generates proportionally good thrust, but this severely limits the total power you can get - like a car that gets good gas mileage but isn't fast and can't tow much. Even with a dolphin kick they just don't generate much thrust.

Finally the "superchannel" of these fins lack destroys lateral support. It does increase efficiency by channeling the water - but when kicking hard it allows the fin to totally flop and prematurely ends the thrust generating surface area of the fin.

I wish I could keep these fins and use them, but I can't trust them to move me adequately when I really need them too. In conditions below moderately challenging these are great fins and it's easy to see why people love them if they dive only in those conditions.

The big fin comparison that rated these fins so highly is very out of date.

Comments about Mares Mares Avanti Superchannel Full Foot Fins:

Broke them in on a recent 10-day dive vacation at the Bahamas. Very comfortable over multiple dives; power when you need it; responds well on flutter kicks through tight spaces; was able to maneuver into awkward positions to get the right photo shot. Also worked out to be a real fine snorkeling fin too. I already knew to get a size smaller for a perfect fit after previously buying the Avante Quattros, another excellent fin, though neither are true to size. Mares fins seem to run a full size too large for me. These are my fins of choice from now on for warm water.

Comments about Mares Mares Avanti Superchannel Full Foot Fins:

Great fins! Very easy to kick with. Buy a full size smaller than your actual size.

Comments about Mares Mares Avanti Superchannel Full Foot Fins:

I am an instructor and dive guide. I dive everyday and absolutely love these fins. They are fast, very manuverable and quick to put on and take off. Only thing is, the material near toe opening is too thin. I am on my second pair and the first tore very easily as well as my second pair that I've only had for two months. But other than that, I recommend to all.

Comments about Mares Mares Avanti Superchannel Full Foot Fins:

Great fins! Comfortable, powerful, manueverable, lightweight. Gap at the end of the foot pocket lets toes out so that your forward stroke doesn't put pressure on the toes. I bought a second pair for my brother so I wouldn't have to wait for him so much.

Comments about Mares Mares Avanti Superchannel Full Foot Fins:

My first use of these fins was ten dives in Grand Cayman. Their performance was excellent. I purchased a pair for my wife and a pair for myself. My feet are very wide (4X), so the sizing is very comfortable for me. My wife's are approximately one size too big. They are lightweight and easy to pack. I would recommend them for a recreational diver like myself.

Comments about Mares Mares Avanti Superchannel Full Foot Fins:

Love the comfort and efficiency but takes just a bit of getting used to the more flexible fin style after using very stiff fins for years. Accommodates different finning styles. Very good product at a good price. Ordered one size smaller than my shoe size and the fit is perfect. I would buy this product again!

Comments about Mares Mares Avanti Superchannel Full Foot Fins:

Thanks for all the reviews on this product. I wear a woman's 9 1/2-10 and headed advice from reviews and ordered the size smaller 6 1/2 - 7 1/2 and they fit perfect. I won't be able to use a boot/sock w/ them but I didn't want to do that w/ this pair fins. I already own a pair of Mares Avanti and love them but wanted to travel lighter to tropical climates and skip the boots. These will work perfect. I haven't tried them in the water yet but I wasn't concerned about propulsion given the great reviews on here. Happy Diving!

Comments about Mares Mares Avanti Superchannel Full Foot Fins:

I wear a US Men's 10.5-11 shoe yet I needed an 8-9 to fit me. Fins are EXTREMELY efficient and very light.

Negative: After 2 days in the pool the plastic ribs looked very chewed up. This made me question durability for pool work or where standing/walking on rocks or concrete is likely.

Comments about Mares Mares Avanti Superchannel Full Foot Fins:

These are both flexible & very powerful fins. They are faster than my open-heel Apollo Bio Pros while still being very easy on my knees.

Now the negatives: The plastic is soft. One afternoon in the pool & they are as scuffed up as I would have expected after months of use. My Apollos look almost as good as new after 2 years of regular wear.

They definitely work better under water than on the surface snorkeling. On the surface snorkeling it seems the blade angle is wrong such that all the propulsion comes from leg extension & none from back-kick. Under water this is not noticeable & these fins are a joy. They are easy to kick & extremely fast.

The biggest negative is saved for sizing. I wear a 10.5-11 shoe and a 10 or 11 scuba boot yet the 9 1/2 - 10 1/2 size fin is too big for me!

Comments about Mares Mares Avanti Superchannel Full Foot Fins:

All in all very happy with this, the power is definitely noticeable and much faster than the generic training fins I've been using. Very comfortable and the only real issue I have is it can be a little tight putting them on with booties which is why I got one size bigger than normal.

Comments about Mares Mares Avanti Superchannel Full Foot Fins:

Though these are the third set of fins I've had to order due to wrong sizing, they are amazing. Used them yesterday to complete the final 2 dives for PADI Open Water Certification and had to use little effort to propel down the reefs. Definitely recommended!

Comments about Mares Mares Avanti Superchannel Full Foot Fins:

Comfortable, efficient, light weight, easy to pack, easy to use, easy to get on and off, they are inexpensive, and they look good too. I think that makes them perfect.

Comments about Mares Mares Avanti Superchannel Full Foot Fins:

The first full foot fin I have purchased, and the most comfortable I have ever used. Bought them to reduce our flight weight. The rateing by scubalab was right on.

Comments about Mares Mares Avanti Superchannel Full Foot Fins:

I've been scuba diving since 1976 and have gone through a lot of products. I use these fins for warm water snorkeling and scuba. When I first tried them on I thought they might be a bit too big since I'm used to having a fairly tight fit around my foot. But after I got them in the water it didn't take me long to realize what amazing fins they are. They are very fast and powerful. I've just never had a fin than was so lightweight and comfortable. They feel like extensions of my legs. These are the best full foot fins I've ever used.

Comments about Mares Mares Avanti Superchannel Full Foot Fins:

I have lots of fins but these have the softest foot pocket, a very sturdy construction, and they send me through the water at least as well as any of the other fins I own. My narrow size 11 feet are a bit loose in the "9-1/2 to 10-1/2" so I wear cotton booties with them. The size 8-9 fits snug and comfortable in bare feet. However, the 8-9-ers had in each fin a row of alignment pegs that no doubt helped in the assembly of the fin to the foot pocket but which protruded into the foot pocket. After about a half hour, the experience was a definite, "OW-W!" So stick your hand in there and, if you can feel the pegs, take a scrap of sand paper and make them go away. You will THEN have my idea of the perfect fins.

Comments about Mares Mares Avanti Superchannel Full Foot Fins:

I have a real narrow foot so had to go down two sizes, turn-around was fast, thank you. I am use to using very stiff fins, so when I first tried these, I thought the flex was excessive. I found that by using a lot less power the fins work great and allow you to fly throught the water with much less effort, in this case less is more. These are lite fins, great for travel to warm water.

Comments about Mares Mares Avanti Superchannel Full Foot Fins:

I needed some good fins to practice Underwater Hockey.
Love the game, but most importantly the best way to be in shape for Free diving for Abalones an/or Spearfishing. Also great to be top shape for Scuba diving.

I am diving since more than 32 years and am a instructor since more than 15 years. These Mares fins are the best. The foot pocket is comfortable and fits most people. And the propulsion is excellent for the average leg strength!
If you don't have to wear bootie's for diving. Get these, snorkeling or scuba. It doesn't matter. Closed heel fins and specially these ones will outperform any other open heel finn no matter what the marketing tells you...

Comments about Mares Mares Avanti Superchannel Full Foot Fins:

For tropical diving in mild/moderate conditions. An excellent relaxed diving fin.

Comments about Mares Mares Avanti Superchannel Full Foot Fins:

used these fins on a trip to Cozumel 15 dives in 5 days. If your thinking its just drift diving took my camera and was able to kick against the current to position myself for the shot. And they performed flawlesly.

Comments about Mares Mares Avanti Superchannel Full Foot Fins:

These are terrific! Fast, good power, easy on the legs and feet. My new favorites .... I like them better than my full foot Tusa split fins and my Mares Quattro open heel fins. Reasonable price too. I wear a 12D (sometimes 13) shoe and the 11-12 fin is a comfortable fit for a bare foot.

Comments about Mares Mares Avanti Superchannel Full Foot Fins:

This is a great low weight fin for travel to warm water destinations. Very efficient in both high kicking and hovering conditions. It really cuts down on leg fatigue while maintaining great propulsion.

Comments about Mares Mares Avanti Superchannel Full Foot Fins:

I'm an instructor and also a dive guide so I dive pretty frequently. These fins are the best fins I've ever owned. They're fast, powerful and extremely lightweight. Whether I'm in a strong current or strong surge, these fins get me where I need to go without overexerting myself. I'm a true believer in these fins and highly recommend these fins to anyone. You don't have to have strong legs to kick against current. They're easy to put on and take off in any circumstance. One of the best things about these fins is they are very affortable. Best fin I've ever taken diving. Don't see myself wearing anything else now. Great job Mares!

Comments about Mares Mares Avanti Superchannel Full Foot Fins:

very responsive powerful fin, no leg fatigue

Comments about Mares Mares Avanti Superchannel Full Foot Fins:

I was looking for a set of lightweight fins to use for liveaboards and boat diving. Airline weight restrictions are becoming more of an issue. Tested these fins in a pool versus my Apollo Bio Fins. The Avanti Superchannels were somewhat faster with no noticable increase in effort. The Superchannel sort of mimics the wing effect a bit. I will keep my Biofins for shore diving, but the Superchannels will probably be my normal use fin. I was also looking to get rid of the boots for boat diving and the full foot Superchannels are proving to be a good choice.

Comments about Mares Mares Avanti Superchannel Full Foot Fins:

Bottom line: these are comfortable, light, efficient fins. I tested them in current against my Wenoka Reeflex fins (the Wenoka is an old fin - open heel - with removable stiffening rods that allow you to control fin flexibility). I didn't time the tests, but my impression was that the Mares compared very favorable to my heavy / complex Wenoka's. And, the Mares are more comfortable.

I decided to purchase the Super Channels after reading gear reviews on scubadiving.com.

The foot pocket has soft comfortable rubber, but if you have thin skin, you might want to purchase a pair of Lycra socks which you can find elsewhere here on leisurepro.

If you have a higher budget, you might want to consider the Apollo spit fins which you can find elsewhere here on leisurepro. They're highly rated by scubadiving.com ...I have a number of friends that own the apollos and love them.

Comments about Mares Mares Avanti Superchannel Full Foot Fins:

This is a great light weight fin that is very efficient and works great ins both calm and current conditions. The material is very flexible giving a great transfer of leg kick to thrust ratio. the only problem with material that flexible is that it tends to scratch and gouge when it hits hard surfaces.

Comments about Mares Mares Avanti Superchannel Full Foot Fins:

I used these fins this past week 11/30 to 12/8 in Cozumel on 12 dives they were comfortable, easy to take on and off.also very good control

Comments about Mares Mares Avanti Superchannel Full Foot Fins:

Digs into heels

Comments about Mares Mares Avanti Superchannel Full Foot Fins:

I use this fins for snorkeling
only. I am planning to learn
scuba diving, will use this fin
when I make my first scuba
experience.

Comments about Mares Mares Avanti Superchannel Full Foot Fins:

I usually dive an open heel fin & like a fin with plenty of thrust. We were planning a live aboard trip to PNG & were looking for a full foot fin to keep gear to a minimum, but not compromise on comfort & efficiency. These met all of our expectations & were a pleasant surprise. Highly recommended.

Comments about Mares Mares Avanti Superchannel Full Foot Fins:

super fast in pool test