Mares Avanti Quattro + 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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One of the most popular fins on the market is back with a new upgrade. Divers love the Mares Avanti Quattro, and now with new technology to ensure a more powerful thrust, the Quattro + has hit the shelves.

This new technology and upgrades, called channel-thrust technology, allows the optimal amount of water per kick cycle to be captured and channeled along the fin, lessening the dead space found in other fins. This means divers can optimize every kick and generate the  highest level of thrust.

Lightweight and affordable, the Quattro + fins should be in any traveler’s dive bag. Along with the new technology that makes these fins more proficient, a host of brand-new colors makes it easy to match your other gear.

Let’s dive in and take a closer look at the Mares Avanti Quattro + fins.

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:

  • Channel-thrust technology filters water into the most optimal position
  • Quite affordable
  • Many color options
  • Comfortable bungee strap

Things we don't like:

  • Feels a little floppy
  • Length makes turning a little difficult

Mares Avanti Quattro + Diving Features

Initially, I was a little uncertain about the Mares Avanti Quattro + diving fins, as they are traditional paddle-style fins, and that’s not something I use on a daily basis. But I also know these are some of the most popular fins on the market, and that must be due to people using them over and over and finding that they’re a good set of fins.

After testing them, I can absolutely see why traveling divers absolutely love these fins. They are lightweight, easy to pack, and easy to travel with. They have enough strength to fight some moderate current, but I think they’re a little weak for somewhere like Cozumel or another drift diving destination.

I do like the bungee heel strap. It makes taking the fins off and on easier and makes them feel really secure on your feet. During the testing phase, the Avanti Quattro + fins performed as well, and in some tests, better than other paddle-style fins. The kick cycle was the same, regardless of flutter or frog kick.

That means that these fins are great for whatever kick style you choose. They rated on the higher end of helicopter turns in the paddle-style fin category, but I struggled with backfinning in them a little bit. This may be because I’m not used to paddle fins, or it may be because these are a little bit floppier than a lot of fins on the market.

Testing the Mares Avanti Quattro + fins reminded me of the TUSA Solla fins. They are both longer paddle-style fins, and perform quite similarly. It depends on your kicking style, but they both measure up.

I really think these would be great fins for the diver who loves to travel since they’re super lightweight and easy to pack. They have a great price point too, so these are a good choice for novice divers who are still exploring what fits and feels the best to them.


Mares Avanti Quattro + Straps

The heel strap on the Mares Avanti Quattro + is a thick bungee cord with a widened heel pad and a nice finger loop, which makes taking these fins off and putting them on is simple and quick.


Mares Avanti Quattro + Blade

The blade on the Mares Avanti Quattro + is a traditional paddle-style. These fins are made from a composite thermoplastic rubber, meaning they can take a beating and last on your feet for years to come.

The blades have been upgraded to optimize thrust through the channel-thrust technology. New outer rails keep water in the channel longer as you kick, and add stability to prevent your ankles from rolling.


Mares Avanti Quattro + Colors & Accessories

We used the white version of the Avanti Quattro + fins for our testing
We used the white version of the Avanti Quattro + fins for our testing

The Mares Avanti Quattro + fins come in nine color combinations, so you can mix and match to stand out on your next dive trip. Pick one of the vibrant colors and make it easy for your dive buddy to spot you underwater.

Neither of these are accessories, but we can’t help but to recommend the Mares Prestige SLS BCD and the Mares Dual ADJ 62x regulator. The Prestige SLS is a great jacket-style BCD that delivers not only an audible click to ensure your weights are secure, but also a visual window.

The Dual ADJ 62x is one of the smallest regulators on the market, but still performs exceptionally well. It is an overbalanced diaphragm, so it can even hold up to cold water.


Mares Avanti Quattro + Price/Quality Ratio

The Mares Avanti Quattro + fins fall into our mid-range category. There is a slight price increase from the original Avanti Quattro fins, but the price is negligible as the technological improvements make the increase worth it.

The price point is nice as these fins could either serve as your primary set of fins or you could reserve them for warm-water travel.

The upgraded channel-thrust technology is definitely worth the price you pay. The added rails that filter the water make these fins very proficient, whether you are diving in calm water or you’re fighting a little bit of current.

Do we recommend the Mares Avanti Quattro + fins?

We do recommend the Mares Avanti Quattro + fins. These are a great lightweight fin with enough thrust and proficiency to make sure you’re not fatigued at the end of the day. With a reasonable price point, the Quattro + fins make for a great travel or even an everyday fin. The vast array of color options means you can personalize your setup from the ground up.

Above average in both flutter and frog kicks, the channel-thrust technology ensures every kick cycle delivers what you need. These fins work well in ideal conditions with warm water and light current, but they also get the job done in less than ideal conditions.

Make sure to check out our full reviews of the 10 best scuba fins, then hop over to YouTube for our video rundown of all 20-plus fins we tested.


Specs & Features

Fin Type open-heel
Blade Style paddle
Material Tecralene, thermoplastic rubber
Weight 32 oz./907 g (size regular)
Length 15 inches/38 cm; blade only (size regular)
Sizes S, Reg, XL
Strap Style bungee strap
Number of Colors nine
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