Mares Avanti Quattro+ Fins Review

The Mares Avanti Quattro+ fins are the only piece of equipment still with me from my initial scuba purchase. I've used them on countless fun dives with wetsuit boots and they never let me down. They aren't ideal for technical maneuvers or drysuits, but for relaxed trips they shine.

By Tyler Allison · Updated May 2024

Use: In my kit since my Open Water class
Current role: Warm-water wetsuit and relaxed travel dives
Still in my kit: Yes

The Short Version

The Quattro+ fins are still a favorite for my warm-water wetsuit dives. They are comfortable, easy to pack, and give me strong forward propulsion without much effort. I would not choose them for drysuit diving or precise skills work, but for relaxed trips they continue to do the job I bought them for.

Would I buy them again? Yes. They have been a dependable choice for my warm-water diving.

What Works

Strong forward propulsion with little effort
Comfortable, flexible blades for flutter and casual frog kicks
Easy to use without a learning curve in my early dives
Light enough to pack for travel
Comfort during long surface swims

What Doesn't

Limited back-kick control and fine positioning
Less suited to stopping or hovering precisely
Slightly negative buoyancy in freshwater complicates strict trim work
Not the fins I choose for my drysuit or technical-skills setup

Why They Have Stayed in My Kit

I bought these for my Open Water class, and they are the only piece of equipment still with me from that initial scuba purchase. I have used them on many fun dives with Converse or wetsuit boots, and they have remained a comfortable choice.

For travel dives where I want straightforward flutter kicking and strong propulsion, I still enjoy using them. They do not need to be my choice for every configuration to keep a useful role in my kit.

What They Are Like to Dive

Forward Propulsion: They are responsive when moving forward and deliver strong thrust without requiring much effort. Flutter kicks and casual frog kicks are their strengths in my use.
Fine Control: Back kicks are limited, and stopping or hovering precisely is not their strongest role. I prefer other fins when the dive revolves around exact positioning or skills practice.
Buoyancy and Trim: They are slightly negative in freshwater, which is manageable for me but not ideal for strict trim work.
Comfort: The flexible blades are comfortable on my legs during long surface swims. They work well with the boots I use and feel easy to manage during relaxed dives.

Travel, Construction, and Value

They pack easily enough for the trips I use them on, and their weight does not make travel inconvenient. That practicality is part of why they have stayed in my warm-water kit.

The construction is solid, although I do not regard them as being as rugged as my technical fins. Their price and the propulsion I get from them have made them good value for this particular role.

Who They Make Sense For

They make sense for warm-water recreational divers who want easy flutter kicking, comfortable swimming, and useful propulsion without a very stiff blade. Those are the things I value during relaxed wetsuit and travel dives.

I would choose something else for my drysuit diving or a dive focused on back kicks and precise hovering. For me, the distinction is between covering ground comfortably and holding an exact position, not whether one fin is universally better.