Whether you’re a basher or believer, there’s no doubt that split fins have left their mark in the scuba world. From manufacturing giants like Scubapro, Oceanic, and (perhaps most notably) Atomic Aquatics, the split fins claim to revolutionize the way we, well, push through the water. But do they work?

There are well seasoned divers on both sides of the debate. Some say the split reduces the structural integrity and therefore produces less force on the edges of the fin. Others say the increased surface area of the water channel allows for higher volumes of water to pass through, thus propelling the diver forward with minimal effort. At the end of the day, it comes down to personal preference. We encourage you to get your hands on a pair and try them side by side in a pool for yourself to see!