The blade's material dictates its "snap"—how quickly it returns to its original shape after a kick.

Each water sport requires a different balance of power, maneuverability, and length.

: More responsive than plastic; popular for recreational freediving and underwater photography.

: Short, stiff fins (like Churchill or DaFin) provide the sudden bursts of speed needed to catch waves.

: Favors extremely long blades (often carbon fiber or fiberglass) for maximum depth with minimum oxygen consumption.