Research Notes: Blade Lengths for Freediving
I finally pulled together a quick comparison of what "long" and "short" blades actually mean for bifins. Across the usual depth fin brands there is a pretty clear split between competition-length blades and travel/pool blades.
The tables below track total blade length, the "free" blade that extends past the footpocket, and any extra notes on where the numbers come from. It's not exhaustive, but it gives a feel for the ranges.
Long blades¶
| Model | Total length (mm) | Free blade (mm) | Width (mm) | Link | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cetma Taras Carbon | ~800 (650 + 150 footpocket) | 650 | 190 | Link | Used by Mateusz Malina & William Joy. |
| XT Pro (Pteryx Long Wide) | 870 | ~720 | 190 | Link | — |
| Molchanovs Sport Bifin 3 Carbon | 760 | 600 | 190 | Link | Used by Alexey Molchanov. |
Short blades¶
| Model | Total length (mm) | Free blade (mm) | Width (mm) | Link | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prussian Blue Travel (PB50) | 550 | 400 | 220 | Link | — |
| Molchanovs Sport Short Carbon | 570 | 420 | 200 | Link | — |
Quick takeaways¶
- Long fins run about 760–870 mm total with a 600–720 mm free blade. These are the depth workhorses.
- Short fins are around 550–570 mm total with a 400–420 mm free blade. Easy to travel with and great for pool drills.
I'm leaning toward keeping both pairs in rotation: long blades for serious depth days, short blades for technique and pool work without hauling a massive fin bag around.
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