Mares Avanti Quattro+ Fins Review
Comfortable and efficient fins that excel in warm water and travel dives. These were my original Open Water fins and remain my favorite for fun dives where easy flutter kicking and solid propulsion matter more than technical finesse.
Overall Score: 8.3 / 10
Pros & Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Great propulsion with minimal effort | Not precise for back kicks or fine control |
| Comfortable and flexible blade | Slightly negatively buoyant in freshwater |
| Light enough for travel | Not suitable for drysuit or technical diving |
Why I Chose the Avanti Quattro
These were the fins I purchased for my Open Water class, and they’ve stayed in my kit ever since. For warm water wetsuit diving, especially travel dives where I want easy flutter kicking and strong propulsion, the Mares Quattros are still a favorite. I pair them with Converse or wetsuit boots and they’ve never let me down on fun dives.
Performance in the Water
- Trim & Buoyancy: Slightly negative in freshwater, but manageable. Not ideal for strict trim work.
- Kick Styles: Best suited for flutter and casual frog kicks. Back kick control is limited.
- Comfort: Very comfortable with flexible blades that don’t tire the legs during long surface swims.
- Control: Responsive and fast when moving forward, but not great for stopping or hovering in place.
Verdict
The Mares Quattro fins are still my favorite for warm water wetsuit diving. They’re easy to pack, easy to use, and deliver great propulsion without requiring a ton of effort. I wouldn’t use them for drysuit or skill-intensive dives, but for travel and casual use, they’re excellent.
Would I buy it again? Yes—for warm water diving, it’s still the one I reach for.
Deep Dive into the Score
Scoring System: Each category is scored out of 10 and weighted by importance. This model is used consistently across all gear reviews for transparency.
| Category | Score (0–10) | Weight | Weighted Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Function & Performance | 8.5 | 30% | 2.55 |
| Ease of Use | 9.0 | 20% | 1.80 |
| Versatility | 7.0 | 15% | 1.05 |
| Durability & Build Quality | 7.5 | 15% | 1.125 |
| Value | 8.5 | 10% | 0.85 |
| Brand Trust & Transparency | 8.0 | 10% | 0.80 |
| Total | 8.275 / 10 | ||
Rounded Display Score: 8.3 / 10
Deep Dive Score Explanations
- Function & Performance – 8.5: Excellent propulsion, but lacks control finesse.
- Ease of Use – 9.0: Beginner-friendly, no learning curve.
- Versatility – 7.0: Wetsuit only. Not suited for drysuits or cold water.
- Durability & Build – 7.5: Solid, but not as rugged as technical fins.
- Value – 8.5: Great bang for the buck in a classic design.
- Brand Trust – 8.0: Widely known brand, though not best-in-class for innovation or transparency.