Atomic Aquatics BladeFin Scuba Fin Review

By
Andrew Goad
Staff writer at DIVEIN.com
Andy has been an avid diver for many years, honing his skills and passion for the underwater world. As an instructor, scientific diver, and technical diver,...
Rebecca Strauss
Editor at DIVEIN.com
Rebecca has been an avid traveler and scuba diver for many years. She began her editorial career by updating travel guides, which took her all over...
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Video preview

Atomic Aquatics designs equipment for divers by divers. In fact, every Atomic Aquatics design starts with a sketch—every detail is questioned, examined and reexamined, and then improved with advanced materials that raise the bar and redefine each related dive category.

The Atomic Aquatics BladeFins are no different, and are designed with divers in mind. With sleek lines and quality performance, the BladeFin offers high-quality at a great price. Divers will love the way they perform and everybody else on the boat will be jealous of their looks.

Let’s dive in and take a closer look at the Atomic Aquatics BladeFins.

About this review

To help you find a Scuba Fin that will fit your needs, we’ve tested, researched, and reviewed the best ones available today.
We test both in the water, diving in various conditions - and in our lab - so we can give you accurate answers on quality, performance, and the overall value.

Read about our test of Scuba Fins

Recommended in: Scuba Fin

Things we like:

  • Good price point
  • Foot pocket power plate
  • Power rails
  • EZ-LOK buckle system

Things we don't like:

  • More flexible than average

Atomic Aquatics BladeFin Diving Features

I absolutely loved testing the Atomic Aquatics TFX Regulator and we awarded the Atomic Aquatics SplitFin as our top split fin, so I was excited to test the Atomic Aquatics BladeFin. Atomic Aquatics is known for high-quality, diver minded equipment, and I have been a big fan for a while.

Atomic Aquatics BladeFins performed like other paddle-style fins on the market. They rated about average during my flutter kick trial, but they performed above average during the frog kick portion of the trials. I had a little trouble getting them to turn in a tight circle, perhaps because I’m not used to them or because they’re a little floppier than other paddle-style fins. They did roughly average while performing a back-finning exercise.

They are relatively light and will travel well. And the underplate, or where the blade connects to the foot pocket, makes you really feel connected to the fin. It’s almost like it’s an extension of your foot.

The EZ-LOK buckle system and fully adjustable heel strap are the same high-quality buckle system you’ll find on all Atomic Aquatics fins. The strap stays secure, feels comfortable, and will never accidentally come undone.

They remind me of the TUSA Solla fins as they are a paddle-style fin that is light and easy to travel with. They deliver a bit more power and thrust, however. The designs are similar, as both have additional rail support along the edges.

Their price is extremely affordable and you get a lot of quality for what you pay. I would recommend the Atomic Aquatics BladeFins to a wide variety of divers. If you love to travel they’re lightweight and they have enough power to kick out of and fight moderate current. They also come in a bunch of colors and sizes.

Atomic Aquatics BladeFin Straps

The straps on the Atomic Aquatics BladeFins are adjustable and come with the EZ-LOK buckle. This system is fully adjustable and quick-release. The straps are made from rubber and come with a finger pull-tab meaning they are both comfortable and easy to get on and off.


Atomic Aquatics BladeFin Blade

The blade on the Atomic Aquatics BladeFin is a traditional paddle-style fin. The blade includes a power rail, designed to filter water to the center of the blade where wearers can generate the most thrust and power.


Atomic Aquatics BladeFin Colors & Accessories

For our testing we used the silver version
For our testing we used the silver version

The Atomic Aquatics BladeFins come in a variety of colors to match the rest of your gear, including aqua, blue, pink, purple, red, silver, and yellow.

One of our favorite masks on the market is the Atomic Aquatics Venom. It fits great; the skirt is comfortable; it seals nicely, and it looks sharp.

While not an accessory, we can’t help but mention the Atomic Aquatics TFX. one of the best high-performance regulators on the market. This titanium regulator breathes like a dream—you will not be disappointed.


Atomic Aquatics BladeFin Price/Quality Ratio

One stereotype about Atomic Aquatics equipment is that it’s pricey. While that could be true for some of their equipment, it’s a misnomer to say that about all of their gear. For instance, the BladeFins are quite affordable. They fall in our mid-range category and fit the budget of almost every diver.

They aren’t the highest-performing fin we tested, but they are very serviceable. During our testing they performed better using the frog kick than the flutter kick. This makes them well worth the price. They are lightweight and make a good travel fin, so the money you save on fins can be used on your next adventure.

Do we recommend the Atomic Aquatics BladeFins?

We do recommend the Atomic Aquatics BladeFins. They are affordable, perform above average, and they look sharp. Atomic Aquatics makes top-of-the-line gear, and the BladeFins are no different.

We enjoyed testing the BladeFins and found that they have good thrust and power while frog kicking. They backfin and turn nicely as well. You can really feel the foot-pocket power plate, which connects your foot to the blade. This feature makes it feel as though the fin is part of your foot. The power rails provide a backbone to the fins and help filter the water right where you need it.

Check out all our reviews of the 10 best scuba fins then head over to YouTube for our video series detailing every fin we tested.


Specs & Features

Fin type open-heel
Blade Style paddle
Material not specified by the manufacturer
Weight 3 lbs. (1.4 kg) all sizes
Length 23.5 to 25.5 in. (60 to 65 cm)
Sizes S, M, L, XL
Strap style EZ-LOK buckle system
Number of colors seven
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