OMS Slipstream Fins Review
Last updated: July 2025
- Smooth, controlled power delivery for drysuit diving
- Excellent frog, back, and helicopter kick performance
- Slightly negative buoyancy pairs well with steel backplates
- More forgiving on long dives than very stiff paddle fins
- Purpose-built for cold water, not travel or warm-water use
Overall Score: 8.3 / 10 (Strong)
See current pricing at: Paragon Dive Store
How Dive Otter scores scuba gear
A medium-stiff paddle fin designed specifically for cold-water and drysuit diving where control matters more than raw speed. I use these fins primarily with a drysuit, steel backplate, and long bottom times in quarries and cold water. Compared to stiffer alternatives, they deliver smoother power and reduce leg fatigue without giving up precision. They are not travel fins, but they excel in the environment they were built for.
Pros & Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Medium stiffness reduces leg fatigue compared to very stiff fins | Not well suited for warm-water travel |
| Excellent control for frog, back, and helicopter kicks | Less raw flutter-kick power than very stiff fins like the Quattro |
| Slight negative buoyancy helps counter drysuit float | Narrow use case focused on drysuit and cold-water diving |
| Durable construction suited for quarries and cold water | |
| Predictable, consistent feel dive to dive |
Why I Chose the Slipstream Fins
I switched to the OMS Slipstream fins after using the Deep6 Eddy fins during my GUE Fundamentals course. At the time, I was diving a drysuit with a steel backplate and noticed leg cramping on longer bottom times. I hoped the Slipstream’s slightly softer flex would reduce fatigue without giving up control.
So far, that tradeoff has worked. I prefer the Slipstreams for all of my drysuit dives because they feel smoother over time and remain predictable during skills, propulsion, and positioning. While I am still evaluating them long term, they have earned a regular place in my cold-water kit.
Verdict
The OMS Slipstream is a dependable drysuit fin that prioritizes control and endurance over speed. It is not the most powerful or versatile fin available, but it is comfortable, predictable, and well suited to long cold-water dives. For my drysuit configuration, it has become my default fin.
Would I buy it again? Yes. As long as it continues to reduce fatigue without sacrificing control, it will stay in rotation.
Who the OMS Slipstream Fins Are Best For
This item is best suited for:
- Drysuit divers who need a medium-stiff paddle fin with smooth power delivery
- Divers practicing frog and back kicks who value precise control
- Cold-water or quarry divers needing a durable, predictable fin
It may not be ideal for:
- Warm-water travelers counting every ounce in their luggage
- Divers who prioritize maximum flutter-kick speed over control
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 | Raw Score | Weight | Weighted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Function & Performance | Exceptional | 9.0 | 30% | 2.7 |
| Ease of Use | Strong | 8.0 | 20% | 1.6 |
| Versatility | Fair | 6.0 | 15% | 0.9 |
| Durability & Build Quality | Exceptional | 9.0 | 15% | 1.4 |
| Value | Strong | 8.0 | 10% | 0.8 |
| Brand Trust & Transparency | Exceptional | 9.0 | 10% | 0.9 |
| Total | 8.3 / 10 | |||
Rounded Display Score: 8.3 / 10 — Strong
Deep Dive Score Explanations
- Function & Performance – 9: Great balance of control, maneuvering, and drysuit compatibility.
- Ease of Use – 8: Comfortable and easy to manage, but not travel-optimized or beginner-focused.
- Versatility – 6: Designed primarily for drysuit and cold-water diving. Not intended for warm water or travel use.
- Durability & Build – 9: Sturdy construction with consistent performance and no durability concerns so far.
- Value – 8: Fairly priced for a purpose-built cold-water fin, but not a generalist option.
- Brand Trust – 9: OMS has a solid reputation, though not as strong as Shearwater or Deep6.
Performance in the Water
- Trim & Buoyancy: Slightly negative in freshwater, but still manageable in drysuit configurations with a steel backplate.
- Kick Styles: Performs well with frog and back kicks, slightly less powerful on flutter than Mares Quattro. Precision is on par with the Eddy.
- Comfort: Feels smoother over long dives compared to the stiffer Eddy. No hot spots or strap issues with proper boot fit.
- Control: Easy to maintain position for skills. Clean helicopter turns, easy to modulate kick force in cold water.