Comments about Mares Mares Raptor Open Heel Fins:

I started using the Mares Raptors last year after seeing them on some divers on a live-on boat on the GBR... The biggest difference was in my air consumption... vast improvement. A less physically demanding fin. I love it... a great fin for the money. [...]

Comments about Mares Mares Raptor Open Heel Fins:

I needed a larger sized fin to fit my dry boots. I thought I would save a few bucks over the scubapros. Spend the extra few bucks, the scubapros are just as fast if not faster but do not tire your legs out like these do. These are stiff.

Comments about Mares Mares Raptor Open Heel Fins:

I use the Mares Raptor fins for recreational diving, and am very happy with them.... I have very low oxygen consumption, and cut through the water easily with these. Definitely would not recommend these for large people....but perfect for me!

Comments about Mares Mares Raptor Open Heel Fins:

i used these fins on multiple dives in aruba and st. thomas. so far i have no complaints they're cheap too

Comments about Mares Mares Raptor Open Heel Fins:

i am having second thoughts about these fins. i wrote a poor rated reveiw on them only because they didn't fit right with the pinnacal boot.i bought new boots(neosport) and decided to give them another shot. i was pretty amazed on how they fit and how they worked.(pretty well today).i went though the water with a current with ease and no leg cramps. i think i'll keep using these fins..

Comments about Mares Mares Raptor Open Heel Fins:

I tried the fins two times and could not keep up with my dive buddy.He tried them and he could not keep up with me so I know it is not me. The fins have very little forward motion even if you kick hard. Went back to my old fins

Comments about Mares Mares Raptor Open Heel Fins:

The fins look great but I have had some major problems and will be replacing them before my next dive trip.

I used them for the first time while vacationing in the BVI (total of 3 dives) After 3 dives, the side strap had a piece come off, and I had blisters on the top of my feet. I actually decided against my 4th dive due to the pain and discomfort from these fins.

I'm sure they work for many people, but I am not one of them.

Comments about Mares Mares Raptor Open Heel Fins:

Watch out for the sizing. I wear a size 9 (5mm) boots. Luckily I went for a size small(6-9). Even with the boots on the strap had to be pulled half way. I could imagine if I got a medium(9-11). I would have had to pull the strap all the way , and it would still have plenty of slack and very loose. The sizing problem also applies to the Tusa X-pert zoom which I returned (thanks to the easy return policy of LeisurePro). But atleast Mares is a little more accurate with their sizing. So I suggest order 1 full size smaller than what you wear (remember that the rubber strap streches and give you plenty of room). Ladies and Gents lets get it right the first time so we dont have to waste money and just the hassle in returning these items.

Comments about Mares Mares Raptor Open Heel Fins:

These fins are very powerful in the water, but work better with a flutter style kick than long strokes. Also, they are not good for surface snorkeling. The built in angle pushes them up out of the water. The strap fastening is superb! One handed removal in the water is just great, and they are easy to adjust. However, the hard foot pocket is a little uncomfortable and seems to be made for very wide feet. So your foot kind of swivels around in them. Still, they are excellent split fins at a very attractive price.

Comments about Mares Mares Raptor Open Heel Fins:

Great Fins. The sizing needs some work but the performance is great. If you are going to order this fin just add up to 2 sizes to your shoe size. It just depends on your boot. Excellent fin though.

Comments about Mares Mares Raptor Open Heel Fins:

I bought these fins after reading reviews from people who like me, did not like the pressure on the ankle from regular fins. I find them comfortable and there was no strain on my ankles. I would recommend these split fins to anyone.

Comments about Mares Mares Raptor Open Heel Fins:

Comfterbale fin. I wear a size 8 5MM Mares boot and I bought the regular size Raptor Fins. The ABS Buckles are very easy to use.

Comments about Mares Mares Raptor Open Heel Fins:

Well I had a bad experince with this fin. I wear 9 size Mares 5 mm boot and bought regular size of this fin. My dive was horrible. Lucky me there was a young diver who loved the look of fin and I sold the fin to him while we were still in water swimming back to boat before dive ends. Now I will order the large size.

Comments about Mares Mares Raptor Open Heel Fins:

If you wear a large boot (like pinnacle) and you are a reg. foot size..order the x-large. I wear a size 10 and ordered the reg. size. the fin only comes down my boot half way. feels like it's going to fall off. It's also heavy to wear out of the water.

Comments about Mares Mares Raptor Open Heel Fins:

if you wear a high boot(like a hard sole pinnacle) and your size falls in reg.. order bigger size. mine only comes half way on my boot(i wear a size 10 shoe)and feel like it going to come off.

Comments about Mares Mares Raptor Open Heel Fins:

I am so glad I upgraded to these fins for my girlfriend and me. On my first dive with them I noticed that I cut my air consumption considerably due to efficiency. Also, I was pleasantly surprised that I was able to still use alternate kicks such as the frog kick. One of the Dive Masters I dove with had high praise for the Mares Raptor--he had been given free Cressi fins by a distributor but he said when they wear out he will be getting these. I highly recommend them.

Comments about Mares Mares Raptor Open Heel Fins:

The dive center I go to uses and promotes Mares products, I use a size 8 Mares boot (size 9.5 shoe) with the Reg size Raptor fins. I went with the Red since they stand out from the rest of the divers there. My friend jokeingly said my red fins would show up pink under water since his green raptors show up a bit yellow. He's wrong, Red shows up Red. the Split design is nice it doesn't feel like I'm pushing a board with my feet. Delived fast boxed good. Mares one year warinety.

Comments about Mares Mares Raptor Open Heel Fins:

Great fin in the water, a big step up over my old fins (non-split). These fins go on easy and have a great release system built into the heal strap. They come off as easy yet are secure on my boots (no sloshing around)

Comments about Mares Mares Raptor Open Heel Fins:

I bought these to replace my old fins and wow they were soooo much better. The only problem I could tell was during snorkeling I had to turn my body sideways to keep my fins from rubbing. I used these in Dominican Republic on a couple dives and I found them to be extremely efficient. They were comfortable and did not tire my legs at all. They are shorter than my last pair but are more powerful. I believe the whale tail design truly works. If I had more money I would have purchased the oceanic v-16 fins because they also look promising. They will be my next pair probably. Mares is a tier one company and offers high quality products. I like there wetsuits and I love these fins.