Cressi Thor EBS Diving Features
I haven’t had the pleasure to dive with a lot of Cressi’s equipment, but I did test the Cressi Aquawing and I absolutely fell in love with it. It is one of the nicest travel backplate/wing BCDs on the market. It is definitely in my personal locker. Knowing how much I loved this one piece of gear, I was excited to get a hold of the Cressi Thor EBS fins.
During the testing phase, the Thor EBS performed similarly to other traditional paddle-style fins, meaning for me personally, they felt a little bit floppy. But the two central ribs did feel like they were filtering the water into the central portion, what Cressi calls the “spoon effect.” They felt as though they were generating good power and thrust.
They fell just below average during the flutter kick portion of the testing, and they performed slightly above average in the frog kick portion of the testing. The Thor EBS scored above average in both turning capabilities as well as back-finning.
The biggest improvement is the Elastic Bungee System (EBS). This is a thick heel strap that is extremely comfortable. It is strong and ensures the fin stays in place. Not only that, but the elastic rubber makes the fins easy to get on and off, and the finger-pull loop is easy to use, even in thick gloves.
These fins remind me a little bit of the Dive Rite XT fins. They are both longer, traditional paddle-style fins that perform better using the frog kick than the flutter kick.
I would recommend the Cressi Thor EBS fins to a wide variety of divers. They are lightweight, so they make for good travel fins. They generate decent thrust, so they could be used in up to moderate current, but would probably serve divers better in calm waters.
Cressi Thor EBS Straps
The straps on the Cressi Thor are a thick bungee strap. This is where the EBS comes from, standing for “elastic bungee system.” The strap is rugged and durable and comes with a thick finger-pull tab.
The pull tab makes getting the Thor EBS fins on and off extremely easy. This strap is not only strong, it is also quite comfortable. It makes the fin stay where you want it and it aids in the connection of the fin to the foot.
Cressi Thor EBS Blade
Made from three exclusive materials patented by Cressi, the Thor EBS blade is stable and generates plenty of force. The special arched profile of the fin, combined with the two central ribs, promotes a significant flow convection effect, known as the “spoon effect.” This is meant to stabilize and boost propulsion.
This spoon effect is aided by the two central ribs made from propylene, with a central area made from thermoplastic rubber. Two lateral nozzles, or small openings, help release the associated negative force.
Cressi Thor EBS Colors & Accessories
The Cressi Thor EBS comes in four colors: black, black/silver, blue, and pink.
If you’re going to dive, you’re going to need a great bag to transport all your gear. We recommend the Cressi Moby 5 trolley. Easy to carry with backpack straps, and a telescoping handle to wheel the bag everywhere, you’re going to move your gear around easily.
We can’t recommend the Cressi Aquawing enough. Lightweight and with great lift, your buoyancy has never been better.
Cressi Thor EBS Price/Quality Ratio
The Cressi Thor EBS are great fins, and at this price they are also a great value, with one of the best price-to-quality ratios on the market. They rated in the middle of the pack for flutter kicks, but they were one of the higher-performing in the frog kick. They are rated as average in both turning capabilities as well as backfinning.
With all that being said, those ratings mean these are a solid set of fins that almost any diver could benefit from. They are light enough to travel, and just neutrally buoyant enough to wear with a light wetsuit. This price point means they could serve as your primary fins, backup fins, or even solely for travel.
Do we recommend the Thor Cressi EBS fins?
We do recommend the Cressi Thor EBS fins. These are above-average performing fins that feature a great price. They are comfortable and they travel well. One of our favorite things about the Thor EBS is the “under-blade footpocket.” This really makes you feel connected to the fins, like they’re an extension of your foot. This gives you more control.
The EBS portion of the Thor EBS—the elastic bungee system—is comfortable, super-durable, and makes getting the fins on and off easy. The two central ribs that help feed the center section, or spoon, help generate thrust and force water to the heart of the fin where power is generated.
The updated, upsized foot pocket is comfortable and will fit a wide variety of feet. The three-material blend patented by Cressi is tough, yet pliable. It’s definitely light and strong.
Make sure to check out our full reviews in the 10 Best Scuba Fins article, then head over to YouTube for our entire video rundown, where we discuss every fin we tested in detail.
Specs & Features
| Fin type | open-heel |
|---|---|
| Blade style | paddle |
| Material | plastic and rubber |
| Weight | not specified by manufacturer |
| Length | not specified by manufacturer |
| Sizes | XS/S, S/M, L, XL |
| Strap Style | elastic bungee system (EBS) |
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