Review: Scubapro Seawing Dive Fins


diver reviewing the scubapro mk25 a700

*This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.

A good pair of dive fins is one of the few things that all scuba divers must have. If you’re a diver looking for your next pair of fins, Seawing Novas are more than worth checking out. Poor quality fins are not only a waste of money, but they are also a health risk as well. Diving in the wrong fins will have your joints hurting before you even surface. They also cause you to spend far too much energy way to fast, leading to fatigue and putting you in a great deal of potential danger.

If you’re a serious diver, you know how important it is to wear the right fins every time you hit the water. You also know how expensive fins can be, especially when you have to invest in a new pair for every additional type of diving you take on. Seawing Nova dive fins’ versatile designs do away with the need for purchasing a different pair of fins for each type of dive. Whether cold or warm water diving, snorkeling, drift diving, or deep diving, Seawing has you covered.

Scubapro Seawing Dive Fins

Seawing dive fins are a creation of Scubapro, one of the most well-known and iconic dive equipment producers on Earth. They use the most innovative technology on the market and create some of the best dive gear around. Scubapro’s cutting-edge products afford their customers the most enjoyable dives possible.

The Seawing Nova Fin is a revolutionary new type of dive fin which is making a huge splash in the dive equipment industry. Not only does this impressive pair of fins reduce underwater efforts for divers, but it also allows for superior performance altogether.

So far, there are three types of Seawings available; Seawing Nova Open Foot, Seawing Nova Full Foot, and Seawing Nova Gorilla. Each fin is built with the highest quality space-age materials and is practically indestructible.

We’ll go over each one in depth, but first, let’s take a look at how we reviewed and the overall price range of dive fins.

How We Reviewed

To serve up nothing but the most reliable information available, we took a hard look at dozens of dive fins. Analyzing customer reviews, manufacturer product descriptions, buyer’s guides and other relevant info. What we came up with was as accurate a picture of the Seawing Novas as possible. We also spent a great deal of time comparing Seawing fins to competitor products.

Overall Price Range

Depending on factors such as the quality of materials used by the manufacturer, aesthetic design, and of course brand name, the price of dive fins varies greatly. A cheaper pair of fins cost as little as $50, while more a higher quality pair of fins will run you as high as $200. Seawing fins tend to be at the higher end of this range.

The bottom line is that the less you pay for fins, the less comfortable they are likely to be. On the flip side, a higher priced pair is more liable to reduce diver fatigue, offer a higher level of comfort, and create a more enjoyable dive in general.

Product Comparison Table

[amazon box=”B003QPOSS6,B00JJPD7QQ,B01AT2VJIU,B0124XKOYC,B001P4K6OA,” template=”table”]

The Seawing Nova Open Foot

[amazon box=”B003QPOSS6″]

Scubalabs 2010 and 2015 Testers’ Choice Award recipient, the Seawing Nova Open Foot is a combination of blade and split fins all in one. Its wing-shaped blade design lends superior balance; it is stiff yet flexible at the same time. The innovative wingtips provide power and stability unmatched by other brands.

Other features of these multi-award winning fins are pivot control technology, high-end footplates with non-skid grip pads, and self-adjusting marine-grade bungee straps. These fins are crafted from monprene elastomer, which means they’ll practically last forever.

Black, white, yellow, pink and purple models are available. They also come in small, medium, large, and extra large. A one-year warranty comes with the purchase of this product as well.

The Seawing Nova Full Foot

[amazon box=”B00JJPD7QQ”]

This pair of Seawing dive fins is similar to the Seawing Nova Open Foot. However, this one comes with a lower profile foot pocket for barefoot divers. The toe box is ergonomic and seriously comfortable, and the footplate reaches to the back of the diver’s heel.

The G4 joint, created by Scubapro, enables the whole blade to pivot, generating more thrust than other fins. The pivot control technology allows for a constant 45-degree kick, regardless of how soft or hard you swim. Other notable features include power rails built into the underside of the footplate, wing-shaped blades, space-age material, and a high-end TPV non-slip heel pad.

Black and white versions are available, as are extra small, small, medium, large, and extra large sizes. A one-year warranty comes with the product.

The Seawing Nova Gorilla

[amazon box=”B01AT2VJIU”]

Almost identical to the Seawing Nova Open Foot, the Gorilla contains an extra additive in its composition that makes it stiffer and lends more power to each kick. For the technical diver who needs some extra oomph under the water, look no further.

High-speed maneuvering was never easier for divers than with the Seawing Nova Gorilla. Whats more though is how much control they offer in low-speed maneuvers. The smallest movement results in precise directional adjustments. Other key features include G4 joints, wingtip blades, self-adjusting straps, non-slip footplates, and pivot control.

Small, medium, large, and extra large sizes are available. A one-year warranty comes with this product.

How Scubapro’s Seawing Nova Dive Fins Compare to Other Fins

We decided to compare Scubapro’s Seawing Nova to other fins on the market. To do this, we looked at factors such as the materials used, ease of use in the water, comfort, and durability. Here’s what we found.

Mares X-Stream Fins

[amazon box=”B0124XKOYC”]

The Marey X-Stream Fins have a durable construction, though they are not made from materials that are as high-quality as the Seawing Novas. They do, however, have a modern blade construction which supposedly cuts back on turbulence, making for stronger mobility. The perforated foot pocket also reduces drag. They are lightweight, which is excellent for traveling as well.

The main downsides to the Mares X-Stream Fins include extreme flexibility, which undoubtedly takes time to adjust to if you’re used to stiffer fins, and a high price. Also, they use a buckle strap, whereas many divers prefer a spring type self-adjusting strap like whats found on the Seawing Novas.

Atomic Split Fins

[amazon box=”B001P4K6OA”]

The Atomic Split Fins are a decent product for those with a higher budget at their disposal. Designed for superior ease of use and greater comfort, yet still offering a high level of performance. Among the most significant benefits of these fins are the extra propulsion provided, and the quick self-adjusting foot pocket straps.

The main drawback is that their weight is more substantial than many fins in the same class. They also cost a bit more than many comparable dive fins.

Pros and Cons

Now that we’ve compared the Seawing Novas to some of the most current competitor brands, here’s a quick recap of the major pros and cons of these incredible dive fins.

Pros

Here are a few of the most beneficial features of the Seawing Novas. The blades of the fins connect to the footplates by flexible hinges, creating a far more diverse paddling effect. The wingtip blades also reduce the amount of pressure on your ankles. They are constructed from the highest-quality space-age materials on the market, making them just about impossible to damage. Also, an extended heel plate ensures even power, with no extra effort to you, as well as lowering chances of fatigue. Last but not least, they are easy to use, super comfortable compared to other fins, and are reasonably priced. Not to mention they have multiple award-winning products.

Cons

The biggest drawback to the Seawing Novas is that they are so light-weight and buoyant that many divers find them hard to adjust to. Also, they are not reported to be the best in performing frog kicks. However, they do work well for back-kicks, scuttling and more. There have been a few customer reports of the hinges being damaged, but for the most part, this does not seem to be the case.

The Bottom Line

As far as dive fins go, there doesn’t seem to be another product line that offers such a diverse range of benefits as the Seawing Novas. Whether cold water diving, warm water diving, technical diving, or snorkeling in the ocean, as well as just kicking around the water in the lake, the Seawing Nova dive fins are an excellent choice.

For divers who spend a lot of time in the water, whether locally or around the globe, these fins are the perfect addition to your gear as they are super light-weight and perfect for traveling. Also, they are perfect for divers of all skill levels. Whether you’ve only recently discovered scuba diving, or you’ve been splashing around under the waves for decades, you’ll be hard pressed to find a more versatile piece of equipment for your feet.

Do you own a pair of Seawings? We’d love to hear from you. Let us know if you agree or disagree with our review in the comment box below!

Featured Photo by Sonnie Hiles on Unsplash

Vance R.

Jack Thompson, a scuba diving enthusiast from San Diego, has spent over a decade exploring the underwater world across the globe. Sharing his passion through captivating stories and informative articles, Jack aims to inspire others to embark on their own scuba diving adventures and uncover the ocean's hidden treasures. You can also follow him on Twitter.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recent Posts