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A good pair of scuba fins are essential gear for diving, and anyone who’s ever tried to dive without a pair will agree. Whether you’re buying your first pair of fins or need to upgrade your old pair, you might be a little overwhelmed by your options.
Since fins tend to last longer than other diving gear, it’s always a good idea to invest in a high-quality pair whenever possible. In our Cressi PRO LIGHT fins review, we’ll take a look at the Cressi fins, give you some specs and how they differ from other fins so you can confidently decide if they are the best option for you.
Who Is Cressi?
If you’re an avid diver, there’s a good chance that you’re familiar with the Cressi brand, but here’s a little information about the company if you’ve never heard of them or don’t know much about the brand.
The Italian family owned and operated company was founded in 1946. It began as a diving company and has since created some top-of-the-line designs. The company is famous for many of its unique designs, but they were the first to make a diving mask with a nose pocket and open heel fins with an adjustable strap.
In the seventy-plus years that they’ve been in operation, the company expanded their products to people who like to spearfish, snorkel, and swim (not just dive). Not only is the company run by diving aficionados, but since the company is located in Genova, the employees have an opportunity to test every product at the bay of Portofino (a well-known place to dive).
An Up-Close Look at Cressi PRO LIGHT Fins
If you’ve done a little online shopping for a new pair of fins, it might seem like every scuba fins review is the same. While many people would have a hard differentiating one pair of fins from another, especially at first glance, some features make fins much better than others; sometimes it takes a little research and testing before finding the perfect-fitting fin.
Features and Specifications
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The Cressi PRO LIGHT fins are lightweight, durable, and their design is ideal for every type of diver from beginners to professionals. The fins are a perfect option for traveling and if you’re looking for a suitable fin to rent out to divers.
If you’ve ever tried out a cheap pair of fins at the pool or at someone’s lake cabin, you may have noticed that they were awkward to use and didn’t seem to help you swim any better. Poor quality fin blades that are either too stiff or too flexible can make swimming difficult and is more likely to tire you out than give you an effortless and powerful kick in the water.
The PRO LIGHT fins are made of polypropylene and elastomer, which makes it an ideal blend of materials for comfort and power when kicking. Another way that the fin is designed to provide more power and support is by its unique design.
While many fins have blades that start at the end of the toes, the Cressi PRO LIGHT fins have blades that start at the top of the foot. This design allows for greater contact with the water with each kick, create efficiency, and can help reduce the likelihood of fatigue. Full-length side rails on the fins also help to improve kick thrust.
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Easy To Put On and Take Off
Fewer things can be frustrating as you struggle to put on and adjust a pair of fins before your dive or trying to pull them after a swim. The quick-release strap buckles on the PRO LIGHT fins make adjusting the fins nearly effortless.
They also have an Adjustable Binding System (ABS) buckles that can be released quickly by just using one finger. The straps and buckles are resistant to corrosion and can withstand the impact of tossing them onto a boat or in the back of a car.
Ergonomic Fit
Not only is the shape of the fin important for transferring power and reducing fatigue, but a pair of fins should be comfortable to wear. The foot pocket design of the PRO LIGHT fins keeps the heel from extending past the end of the foot pocket (an issue that can often lead to foot cramping). The ribbed insole also helps with the quality of the kick stroke.
By kicking from the heel, there’s less chance of fatigue and the fit of the fin is more comfortable. The extra wide foot pocket is ideal for various foot widths, and the fin has a nice fit that doesn’t feel too big or too small; kicks stay controlled a proper fitting fin.
Open-Heel Design
Fins either have a full-foot design or an open-heel design. While many divers have preferences, there are advantages and disadvantages to both. The PRO LIGHT fins have an open-heel design, which makes them a good choice for all types of water temperatures. This style of fin often runs a little larger than one’s “true” size because there needs to be room for diving booties.
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Here are some pros and cons of an open-heel fin:
- Pro: Offers Thermal protection when using booties or a dry suit
- Pro: When worn with booties, there’s extra protection from rocks
- Pro: Easier to adjust
- Pro/Con: Typically more expensive (but worth the investment)
- Con: May cause some blistering if you have wrong booties
- Con: Extra cost to buy diving booties
PRO LIGHT Fins Sizing
It’s important to keep in mind when you look at the Cressi fins size chart; the sizes may run slightly bigger than what you might be used to wearing. The somewhat larger fit makes it easier to wear a diving bootie (as we mentioned above).
Always try on a pair of fins, if you have the opportunity to do so, before buying (especially if you’re not sure how they will fit). Here are the dimensions of the fins:
XS/S
- Length: 22.6 inches
- Width: 7.8 inches
- Blade: 12.3 inches
- Width Fit: 3.9 inches
- Fin Height Fit: 3.3 inches
- Single Fin Weight: 1.48 pounds
S/M
- Length: 23.9 inches
- Width: 8.3 inches
- Blade: 13.1 inches
- Width Fit: 4.2 inches
- Fin Height Fit: 3.5 inches
- Single Fin Weight: 1.75 pounds
M/L
- Length: 25.5 inches
- Width: 8.8 inches
- Blade: 14 inches
- Width Fit: 4.4 inches
- Fin Height Fit: 3.7 inches
- Single Fin Weight: 2.06 pounds
XL
- Length: 26.7 inches
- Width: 9.2 inches
- Blade: 14.7 inches
- Width Fit: 4.6 inches
- Fin Height Fit: 3.8 inches
- Single Fin Weight: 2.23 pounds
XXL
- Length: 27 inches
- Width: 9.6 inches
- Blade: 14.8 inches
- Width Fit: 4.9 inches
- Fin Height Fit: 3.8 inches
- Single Fin Weight: 3.74 pounds
Size Conversion Chart
If you wonder how the fins translate to shoe/foot size, look at the following conversion chart:
- An XS fin is the same as 7 or 8 UK, 5/6/7 US Men’s, and 6/7/8 in US Women’s.
- An S/M fin is equal to an 8 or 9 in the UK, 8 or 9 in US Men’s, and 9 or 10 in US Women’s.
- An M/L fin is the same as a 10 or 11 in the UK, 10 or 11 in US Men’s, and 11 or 12 in US Women’s. An XL fin is equal to a 12 or 13 in the UK, 12 or 13 in US Men’s, and a 13 or 14 in US Women’s.
The XXL fin is the same as 14+ in the UK, 14 or 15 in US Men’s, and 15+ in US Women’s.
As you can see, Cressi PRO LIGHT fins are versatile in sizing which makes them an ideal choice for a diverse group of divers. Let’s take a look at what some divers have to say about the fins.
What Other Divers Are Saying About PRO LIGHT Fins
When you’re on the hunt for scuba fins, it often helps to see what other fellow diving enthusiasts have to say about a product. Most of the people, who own or have tried out the Cressi PRO LIGHT fins, are happy with their experience.
Many users complimented the ease of use and noticed that their kick stroke was more efficient. Several noted that they had more energy as they swam and didn’t worry about foot cramps or fatigue. Almost all users commented on the high-quality materials and design of the fins and thought they were a perfect fit with the right pair of diving booties.
While some users were disappointed with the fit, most of the issues were resolved when exchanging for a different size or wearing a different pair of booties.
