Mares Avanti Quattro Plus Fins

The Mares Avanti Quattro Plus fins have been a go-to for dive professionals for years, and the reason is simple: they deliver reliable, efficient thrust in a wide range of conditions without punishing your legs.

Ask a dive instructor in Cairns or an underwater photographer in Nelson Bay what fins they wear, and there is a decent chance the answer is the Avanti Quattro. This updated Plus version refines the original's channel thrust blade design with bungee straps and an improved foot pocket, but keeps the core formula that made the original popular. At $185, they are not cheap, but they are built to last through thousands of dives and they perform consistently whether you are flutter kicking on a drift dive or frog kicking through a wreck.

## Overview

The Avanti Quattro Plus uses Mares' channel thrust technology, where raised channels along the blade direct water flow from the base to the tip on each kick. This concentrates propulsion and reduces wasted lateral movement. The blade angle is optimised to deliver thrust through the full kick cycle rather than just the downstroke. The open-heel foot pocket is thermoformed for a snug fit with booties, and the bungee straps replace the older adjustable rubber straps, making donning and doffing much faster.

## Key Features

- Channel thrust blade technology for efficient water channelling - Optimised blade angle for thrust on both up and down strokes - Thermoformed open-heel foot pocket for secure bootie fit - Bungee heel straps for quick on-off - Medium-stiffness blade suitable for a range of kicking styles - Available in multiple sizes and colours

## The Good

- Propulsion efficiency is excellent. The channel thrust design is not just marketing — you can feel the blade loading up and pushing water in a controlled stream. On drift dives along the Ribbon Reefs where you occasionally need to kick against current to hold position for a photo, the Quattro Plus delivers power without requiring exhausting effort. - The blade stiffness hits a useful middle ground. It is firm enough to generate real thrust for strong kicks, but not so stiff that it destroys your calves on a long dive. This versatility is why instructors who do four or five dives a day gravitate toward these fins. - Bungee straps are a massive improvement over the old rubber adjustable straps. They stretch to fit over your bootie, snap into place, and hold securely. Getting in and out of these fins on a rocking boat deck is fast and hassle-free. - The thermoformed foot pocket fits well with standard 3mm to 5mm booties. There is minimal heel lift or lateral play, which translates to better energy transfer from your legs to the blade. - Durability is outstanding. We have seen pairs on the rental rack at dive shops that have survived years of daily use with only cosmetic wear. The materials hold up to UV, salt, sand, and general abuse. - They work with multiple kick styles. Flutter kick, frog kick, modified flutter — the blade responds well to all of them, making these a practical choice for divers who vary their technique depending on conditions.

## The Bad

- At $185, they are a significant investment. Budget-conscious divers or occasional holiday divers may find it hard to justify the cost over fins at half the price. - They are not compact. The full-length blade makes these a two-bag item for air travel. If you are trying to fit all your gear into carry-on, these fins will not cooperate. Dedicated travel fins are a better choice for fly-in diving. - Weight is moderate but noticeable. They are not heavy by open-heel standards, but if you are hiking down to a shore dive entry at Bare Island with a full rig, you will notice them in your bag. - The blade is slightly stiffer than some other channel fins. Divers with weaker legs or those recovering from knee issues may find them tiring on longer dives. A softer-bladed fin might be more appropriate in those cases. - Sizing runs slightly large. If you are between sizes, go down rather than up. A loose foot pocket defeats the purpose of the thermoformed design.

## Verdict

The Mares Avanti Quattro Plus fins are a proven performer that earns its place as a professional favourite. The channel thrust blade is efficient, the bungee straps are a welcome upgrade, and the overall build quality means these fins will last for years of regular diving. They are not the lightest or most travel-friendly option, and the price is at the upper end of the range, but if you are a regular diver based in Australia who wants one pair of reliable fins for everything from temperate shore dives to tropical boat diving, the Quattro Plus is a solid investment.

**Rating: 4.5 / 5 stars**