How to Choose Between Molchanovs Freediving Bifins: Fun Diving Fins
By Kristina Zvaritch and Asya Kleshchevnikova
It’s time for some fun diving - do you know which Molchanovs fins are specifically designed to be comfortable, maneuverable, and travel-friendly?
Freediving is not all about training and competing - it’s mostly about exploration, especially exploring the underwater world. But not all bifins are designed for the same purposes, which is why we created a complete guide to Molchanovs freediving bifins. In this post, we’re taking a closer look at the features that make bifins fun dive-able and which Molchanovs fins suit the purpose.
Keep reading to find your feet’s ultimate companions on your next underwater adventure!
There are many ways you can fun dive:
Bifins for fun diving should be:
The CORE Silicone Bifins are soft and easy to maneuver, and are also useful for learning/perfecting foundational bifin technique. They’re ideal for fun diving in shallow waters with little-to-no current.
The SPORT Bifins 3 Fiberglass and SPORT Bifins 3 Carbon balance comfort and high-quality materials, and also include removable foot pockets for easy travel. They’re ideal for all types of fun diving.
The PRO Bifins 3 Fiberglass and PRO Bifins 3 Carbon include hand-built foot pockets and premium materials, making them the priciest among Molchanovs bifins. They’re ideal for all types of fun diving.
The PRO Short Bifins 2 pair a comfortable hand-built foot pocket with a shorter carbon blade, making them ultra lightweight, travel-friendly, and very maneuverable - all attached to a premium price tag. They’re ideal for all types of fun diving.
We took each pair of bifins and graded them on a scale of 1 - 5 according to a few features:
If you are making deeper dives or diving in waters with stronger current, proceed directly to #2!
If you’re on a tighter budget - no worries! Continue to #3 on our list.
Looking for something a little more lightweight? Move onto #4!
If you’re feeling fancy, check out #5!
Are budget and protective accessories not a problem? #6 might be what you’re looking for!
Just remember that there’s no place like a freediving course to whip your technique into shape and teach you how to make the most out of your breath-hold. Find an instructor near you to sign up for your next adventure!
And most importantly, remember to never dive alone - only with a certified buddy.
See you in the blue, freedivers!
It’s time for some fun diving - do you know which Molchanovs fins are specifically designed to be comfortable, maneuverable, and travel-friendly?
Freediving is not all about training and competing - it’s mostly about exploration, especially exploring the underwater world. But not all bifins are designed for the same purposes, which is why we created a complete guide to Molchanovs freediving bifins. In this post, we’re taking a closer look at the features that make bifins fun dive-able and which Molchanovs fins suit the purpose.
Keep reading to find your feet’s ultimate companions on your next underwater adventure!
What puts the ‘Fun’ in Fun Diving?
Fun diving is exploring the underwater world without a focus on achieving any particular numbers.There are many ways you can fun dive:
- Shallow dives along the reef
- Deeper dives to explore shipwrecks
- Diving with sea creatures like turtles, manta rays, dolphins, whales, etc.
- Under-ice diving
- Even underwater photography/modeling!
Bifins for fun diving should be:
- Comfortable - You’ll be wearing them for a while, after all!
- Maneuverable - You need to be able to move quickly and easily if you’re chasing whale sharks or mantas.
- Durable - These bifins are traveling the world and diving in different conditions...they definitely can’t be too fragile!
- Easy to transport - If you’re traveling with bifins to a dive site (whether it’s on a plane, train, bus, car, motorbike, or boat), they definitely shouldn’t be too difficult to manage and move.
- Cost/budget - Performance bifins are expensive, but who wants to break the bank on something that’s supposed to be for fun?
- Stylish - Not only do you want to look good above and below the water in general, but aren’t you taking photos and videos when you fun dive?
Molchanovs Gear Lines
Molchanovs has 3 lines of gear: CORE, SPORT, and PRO:- CORE - Everyday freediving gear designed with style and durability in mind for recreational freediving.
- SPORT - High-quality materials and value unite to create gear for lifestyle freedivers that prioritize comfort and performance.
- PRO - Premium equipment for freediving professionals and athletes who require the highest performance from their equipment.
CORE
CORE Silicone Bifins
The CORE Silicone Bifins are soft and easy to maneuver, and are also useful for learning/perfecting foundational bifin technique. They’re ideal for fun diving in shallow waters with little-to-no current.
Foot pockets
- Available in standard EU sizes
- Dedicated right and left foot pockets include arch support
- Open-heel straps give you more ankle flexibility
- Anatomical back straps fit comfortably over your Achilles tendon
- Silicone material works well for both narrow and wide feet
Blade
- Super soft silicone blade forces you to work on your foundational bifin technique
- Shorter blade size is easy to maneuver underwater
- Very travel-friendly due to its shorter size
Bonus features
- Least expensive among all Molchanovs bifins
- UV-resistant material can withstand -30°C (-22°F) temperatures without deforming
- Comes in 4 vibrant colors
- Also suitable for training in pool/open water
- Also suitable for scuba diving in low currents
- Available to ship within 3 - 5 days when in stock
SPORT
SPORT Bifins 3
The SPORT Bifins 3 Fiberglass and SPORT Bifins 3 Carbon balance comfort and high-quality materials, and also include removable foot pockets for easy travel. They’re ideal for all types of fun diving.
Foot pockets
- Available in standard EU sizes
- Removable foot pockets make traveling convenient and give you the option of switching between different blades
- A roomier interior allows them to be comfortably worn with socks
- Dedicated right and left foot pockets include arch support
- Open-heel straps give you more ankle flexibility
- Anatomical back straps fit comfortably over your Achilles tendon
- Silicone material works well for both narrow and wide feet
Blade
- Available in fiberglass for more durability or carbon fiber for a more lightweight feel
- Size-graded blade stiffnesses are available according to your lower-body strength, technique, and level of current in the water
- A removable blade means you can use the same blade for foot pockets of different sizes - one pair to wear with socks (in colder water, for example) and a smaller-sized pair for when you don’t need socks
Bonus features
- Offers the best value by combining high-quality materials with an affordable price point
- Removable foot pockets means more options for future gear releases (wink!)
- Personalize your style with 5 different blade accent colors to choose from
- Also suitable for training in pool/open water
- Also suitable for spearfishing (consider a medium stiffness blade)
- Available to ship within 3 - 5 days when in stock
PRO
PRO Bifins 3
The PRO Bifins 3 Fiberglass and PRO Bifins 3 Carbon include hand-built foot pockets and premium materials, making them the priciest among Molchanovs bifins. They’re ideal for all types of fun diving.
Foot pockets
- Available in standard EU sizes or custom sizes
- Heavy-duty, wear-resistant, and UV-resistant
- Custom open-heel foot pockets for full ankle flexibility
- Built-in arch support decreases fatigue and keeps your foot in the optimal position to maximize small-muscle use and minimize drag
- Comfort Lining interior with soft micropore for maximized comfort removes the need for socks
- Increased toe space for added relief
- Engraved Molchanovs logo on the front
Blade
- Available in fiberglass for more durability or carbon fiber for a more lightweight feel
- Available in different blade stiffnesses and sizes for more customizability
Bonus features
- Built and assembled by hand, making production time longer than CORE or SPORT bifins
- Available in 6 bold blade accent colors
- Also suitable for training in pool/open water
- Also suitable for competition use
PRO Short Bifins 2
The PRO Short Bifins 2 pair a comfortable hand-built foot pocket with a shorter carbon blade, making them ultra lightweight, travel-friendly, and very maneuverable - all attached to a premium price tag. They’re ideal for all types of fun diving.
Foot pockets
- Available in standard EU sizes or custom sizes
- Heavy-duty, wear-resistant, and UV-resistant
- Custom open-heel foot pockets for full ankle flexibility
- Built-in arch support to decrease fatigue and keep the foot in the optimal position to maximize small-muscle use and minimize drag
- Comfort Lining interior with soft micropore for maximized comfort removes the need for socks
- Increased toe space for added relief
- Engraved Molchanovs logo on the front
Blade
- Carbon blades make them ultra lightweight in the water
- Shorter blade size lets you easily maneuver them underwater
- Lightweight and short blade size makes traveling with them convenient
Bonus features
- Built and assembled by hand, making production time longer than CORE or SPORT bifins
- Comes in 6 stunning blade accent colors
- Also suitable for training in pool/open water
- Also suitable for scuba diving
- Also suitable for spearfishing (with a medium-stiffness blade)
Bifin Ratings by Category
Now to the main attraction - how well do each of the above bifins do when put to the test?We took each pair of bifins and graded them on a scale of 1 - 5 according to a few features:
- Comfort: The higher the rating, the more your bifin foot pockets feel like a dream!
- Maneuverability: The bigger the number, the more agile you are at depth.
- Durability: The closer to ‘5’ you get, the less protective accessories you need when you travel!
- Cost/Budget: The greater the number, the easier your purchase will be on your wallet.
- Transportability: A ‘5’ in this category means bifins that are super easy to travel with.
- Style: The higher the rating climbs, the more likely you are to turn heads!
| Bifin Model | Comfort | Maneuverability | Durability | Cost/Budget | Transportability | Style | TOTAL |
| CORE Silicone Bifins | 3 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 3 | 26 |
| SPORT Bifins 3 Fiberglass | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 23 |
| SPORT Bifins 3 Carbon | 4 | 4 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 5 | 21 |
| PRO Bifins 3 Fiberglass | 5 | 4 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 4 | 20 |
| PRO Bifins 3 Carbon | 5 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 5 | 19 |
| PRO Short Bifins 2 | 5 | 5 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 26 |
Our Top Picks
#1 - CORE Silicone Bifins
While the CORE Silicone Bifins top the charts in maneuverability, durability, cost/budget, and transportability (especially with the Short Bifins Backpack), they’re a little less comfortable than other bifin foot pockets. Additionally, they’re only suitable for shallow fun dives in little-to-no current.If you are making deeper dives or diving in waters with stronger current, proceed directly to #2!
#2 - PRO Short Bifins 2
The PRO Short Bifins 2 top the charts in comfort, maneuverability, and style, but their carbon blades require extra protective accessories while traveling (hello, short version of the Bifin Blade Protection and Short Bifins Backpack!). They’re also more expensive than other bifins in our lineup.If you’re on a tighter budget - no worries! Continue to #3 on our list.
#3 - SPORT Bifins 3 Fiberglass
The SPORT Bifins 3 Fiberglass balance comfort, quality materials, and value for money with their roomier foot pockets, maneuverability, durability, and budget-friendliness! Removable foot pockets make travel a little easier, while packing away fiberglass blades give you less worry than carbon blades. Still, you can’t go wrong with purchasing the Bifin Blade Protection.Looking for something a little more lightweight? Move onto #4!
#4 - SPORT Bifins 3 Carbon
The SPORT Bifins 3 Carbon are comfortable and maneuverable with their spacious foot pockets and lightweight carbon blades. However, carbon blades cost more and need a lot more love in the form of protective accessories - luckily, the Bifin Blade Protection will do the trick!If you’re feeling fancy, check out #5!
#5 - PRO Bifins 3 Fiberglass
The PRO Bifins 3 Fiberglass boast the most comfortable hand-built foot pockets and more durable fiberglass blades. However, the glued foot pockets mean packing for a diving trip WON’T be a breeze, and they’re among the most expensive of our bifins lineup. Consider pairing them with the Bifin Blade Protection or the Hard Case.Are budget and protective accessories not a problem? #6 might be what you’re looking for!
#6 - PRO Bifins 3 Carbon
The PRO Bifins 3 Carbon include the most comfortable foot pocket on the market (our hand-built foot pockets), but the fact that they’re glued to lightweight carbon blades means you need to spend extra money on protective accessories like Bifin Blade Protection or the Hard Case. They’re also the most expensive bifins for fun diving!Final Thoughts
There you have it - whether you’re charging into a bait ball of sardines or investigating a shipwreck, there’s a pair of Molchanovs bifins patiently waiting to go with you!Just remember that there’s no place like a freediving course to whip your technique into shape and teach you how to make the most out of your breath-hold. Find an instructor near you to sign up for your next adventure!
And most importantly, remember to never dive alone - only with a certified buddy.
See you in the blue, freedivers!
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