Why wear swim fins? 🐬

Published: Thu, 04/17/25

Updated: Thu, 04/17/25

Dear Swimmer

Have you ever worn swim fins? Whatever kind of swimming you enjoy, they can be a super bit of kit. Keep up with your friends, improve your leg strength and ankle flexibility, swim a bit further or faster, or get a bit fitter.

I've always loved using fins in the pool - apart from anything else, they're a great boredom buster. But now that the water's warming up and I'm working on my swim fitness, I'm using them outdoors too.

Here are my top reasons for using swim fins. Plus, I test the brilliant, flexible new Speedo x DMC Super Fins, and share a training session for you to use and some tips for improving your swim fitness without getting wet.

Rowan Clarke, Features Writer

9 REASONS TO USE FINS

FINS IN THE WILD

Ask any aquatic mammal, and they'd tell you how easy it is to swim with fins or webbed feet! So, why might you use them outdoors?

Well, for one, you can swim faster, which means you can get in more swimming in a limited amount of time or swim a bit further. You can also keep up with faster swimmers, which is what Hilary (pictured) did when she took part in the Scilly Swim Challenge.

They can improve your overall swim fitness and add fun, novelty and new challenges. For example, Hilary also set herself the challenge to learn to swim open water butterfly - and her fins have helped her nail that, too.

SHOP SPEEDO x DMC FINS

RUN. SWIM. REPEAT.

Swimming is a holistic activity - it improves strength, cardio fitness, flexibility and mental health. But when you pair it with other sports, you can improve your swim and overall health and fitness.

Running is a great complimentary sport, as are water sports like paddleboarding and kayaking. The Outdoor Swimmer team also love Pilates, yoga and weights to help with strength, balance and flexibility.

Founder Simon, tried out Speedo's new Lookout Short designed for multi-activities. They're lightweight and comfortable performance shorts in every environment - gym, trails and water. From running trails to swimming laps, the Lookout Short adapts to every activity with unmatched versatility. He loves how light, quick-drying and comfy they are, giving him full freedom of movement in the water, on the paddleboard and for dryland exercises.

We've put together some dryland exercises to compliment your swimming here.

WORKOUT BY THE WATER

FINS THAT FLEX

What should you look for when buying swim fins? Unlike flippers or fins for diving or snorkelling, swim fins are shorter with a softer, more comfortable fit.

Super versatile for water and waves, the Speedo x DMC Super Fins boast soft, flexible comfort with powerful performance for outdoor swimming and bodysurfing.

Rowan found them comfortable to wear with or without neoprene swim socks. She liked the carabiner so they can hang on your bag post-swim to drip-dry. But what impressed her most was how soft the blades are compared to other fins.

"The power they gave my kick was wonderful - I felt super human! But my legs didn’t get fatigued at all," said Rowan. "Plus, I’m prone to cramping in my calves, but I was completely cramp-free – even in water that was 7.5˚C."

Add your new Speedo x DMC Fins to these two sessions to: 1) work on your kick and 2) work on your pull.

KICK AND PULL SESSIONS

The magazine for outdoor swimmers by outdoor swimmers.

#swimwildandfree

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