The Mares X-Stream Fins look nothing like your traditional fins. The new Mares fin gets it’s sleek look from the three distinct materials, each with its own mission. This is due to 2 years of resources, experiments and testing and four Mares patents all concentrated in one unique product. Mares claims the X-stream performance, comfort and lightweight design are the incredible result of sixty passionate years at the service of diving.
So lets have a closer look at these new fins from Mares. In this reviews we are going to look at what make the Mares X-Stream open heal fins so unique and different from other fins on the market today, the good and the bad features, what other divers are saying about these fins and how they perform, and were to get them online for a price that won’t dent your pocket.
So What Makes These New Fins From Mares So Unique
Below is a quick video of the Mares X-Stream Fins done by the guys over at Simply Scuba. They mostly deal with the UK and European market, so if you are from the UK or European and would like to buy these fins Click Here. If you are from the Americas and would like to get these fins for the best price then click the link below the video.
Now Let’s Look at some of these feature In depth “The Good and The BAD”
So let’s get a close look at some of the main features of this fin.
The GOOD
- Light Weight - They weigh 0.66kg per fin, this was made possible by removing areas of the fins that don’t contribute to trust. Becuase the fins are light it makes them easier and takes less effort to move in the water.a
- Reduces Parashuit effect – The foot pocket are perforated, which allows water to drain from the space between your boot and the foot pocket, eliminating excess drag as you swim. This also makes the fins easy to get on and off in the water.
- Pivoting Blade – Optimized Pivoting Blade causes the blade to flex at an optimal angle during both the upward and downward strokes, increasing the efficiency of the divers kick while reducing negative trust.
- Channel Trust – A clear, soft rubber is used on the foot pocket and on the blade’s Superchannel, a large flexible central panel that helps propel water-flow more efficiently down the fin blade instead of letting it spill over the sides for optimal performance and minimal diver effort.
- ABS plus buckles – This allows quick opening and closing of the buckle even when wearing thick neoprene gloves. The double button release prevents the buckle from accidentally opening making it really user friendly.
- Comfortable Fit – The combination of softer materials with stiffer materials creates a foot pocket with an extreme comfortable fit while ensuring all the power of the foot is transfer to the blades.
In conclusion… the mares X-Stream is a comfortable, lightweight fin that delivers both stability and a lot of power for minimal effort. Don’t forget, It also looks really great under the water!!
The BAD
- Very Pricey fins at $220.00 list price, they are very expensive for a pair of fins. However, there are places where you can get for much less. I will tell you where at the end of this review.
- Most People prefer spring straps, rater than those that come with the fins.
- Some divers find the fins Pivots and flex too easily, and may take a little while to get use to.
What Other Diver’s Are Saying about the Mares X-Stream Fins
The feedback on the internet is quite positive to be positive. “Very lightweight”, “very little effort used to get so far”, “I really notice the difference of power compared to my split fins”. However, some divers feel like the fins flex too much and do not perform in strong current. But on the other, some dives feel that fins perform great in the current with their kicking technique. Below you will find some reviews of divers who used the fins.
X-streams are great, to me more thrust, lighter, and more comfortable than the Volvo Power. I always add spring straps makes life so much easier. The Volo Power is still a great fin though, not too many can compare.
by slijoe scuba board
I also got the X-Streams and am very happy with them. I’m a new diver, so I don’t have a lot of experience to compare. Funny thing is that your can really feel the pivoting action in your ankles, so that’s weird at first. But when you continue to kick down, they do give quite some power. I’ve used these fins in 11 dives in the Red Sea where we went diving with a group. I noticed that I had to hold myself down because I was going much too fast compared to the rest of the group using standard rental fins. In a way I felt burdened of being so fast with so little effort, so I think that’s a good thing of these fins.
I actually like the ABS Plus buckles on them although I can imagine being less durable then a spring. I take really good care of my equipment, but if you don’t I can imagine changing them out for springs.
By peterrobbemond scuba board
There is too much flex in these fins for my liking, so instead of propelling you through the water the fin flexes in the center which negates the transition of power from your legs to the fins.
I initially thought that it may have been me, but another DM colleague tried them as well and his opinion was the same.
Think of it like an oar in a boat, it the oar flexes you don’ get the same transition of power to the stroke.
However if you don’t have the strength to push a more resistant force through the water then these may assist you however in my opinion this would stop you developing the technique and strength in the long run.
ByExtremeAntics scuba board
Where To Get The Mares X-Stream Fins for the best Price Online
The X-Stream are set at a List price of $220, but you can get them over at leisurepro.com for 40% off. Not only do they have the best price online, they also have PFF (Pressure Free Fit), which actually turns your home into the dressing room. Order the fins, try them on, and if they don’t fit Leisurepro will send you a pair until you get the best fit free of cost. Just click the link below to buy X-Stream Fins.