Mares Avanti Quattro Plus: reliable, versatile performance

The Mares Avanti Quattro fins have been the standard to which all other fins are measured for years. They’re one of the most common rental fins you’ll find worldwide, which speaks volumes about their reliability.

The Mares Avanti Quattro Plus fins are a further development of the ‘good old’ Mares Plana Avanti Quattro fins that I have been diving with on many occasions.

Key Specifications

The Quattro Plus has a four-channel blade design. Blade length is 38 cm. Weight comes in at roughly 0.9 kg per fin for the regular size. The foot pocket is thermoplastic rubber and the blade uses Tecralene technopolymer. They come with bungee heel straps as standard. Price sits around $140-190 depending on where you shop. Available in sizes small, regular, and XL. You’ll find them in multiple colors including black, lime, blue, white, and orange. Good for recreational divers who want versatility.

Real-World Performance

I’ve used these fins extensively in both calm conditions and moderate current. In Thailand’s Similan Islands they handled the drift dives well. The four channels really do make a difference in how much water gets pushed with each kick. After 120 dives the bungee straps still feel solid and the blade shows minimal wear.

Comfort-wise, the foot pocket fits well with 5mm boots. The ridges inside keep your foot from sliding around, which matters when you’re gearing up on a rocking boat. One thing I’ve noticed is the foot pocket doesn’t have drainage holes. If your fit is slightly loose, water can pool inside during the dive. Size them properly and it’s not an issue.

Power delivery feels consistent. I can dive in moderate current without my legs burning out. For frog kicking they work fine, though they’re not quite as responsive as stiffer fins like Scubapro Jets. Flutter kick is where they shine. The blade has enough stiffness for thrust but flexes at the tip to reduce ankle strain on longer dives.

The weight feels reasonable for travel, but they’re not ultralight and also not the smallest fins to pack.

Bungee Straps

The bungee straps make donning and doffing simple. There’s a finger loop that helps you pull them on quickly. Compared to buckle straps, these save time on busy dive boats. The straps adjust well to different boot thicknesses too.

I’m not too sure about the bungee strap material, though. According to Mares, they’re made of a ‘durable, tear-resistant elastic material’, which Mares specifically identifies as the same type of harpoon rubber used in their spearguns.

The straps start to show surface cracks quite quickly. I’m not sure if they will hold up for years. Fins should last 6 -7 years at least, in my opinion.

The straps can be bought separately, but they’re quite expensive (around $50). I would prefer metal springs.

That said, one instructor I know in Komodo has been using her pair for nearly three years. She runs five  dives daily during her liveaboard trips. Still going strong according to her.

Where they Sit Compared to Other Fins

At around $140-190, the Quattro Plus sits in the mid-range category. Scubapro Jet Fins cost similar money but are heavier and stiffer. Jets excel in strong current but require more leg strength. For recreational warm-water diving, I’d take the Quattros for comfort.

The Scubapro Seawing Nova costs about $50 more. It’s lighter and more efficient, but less durable, based on reports I’ve heard from other instructors. The hinge design is clever, but I’ve seen them fail after extended use.

For budget-conscious divers, the Scubapro Go Sport runs around $100. Good for travel but noticeably less powerful in current. If you mostly dive calm sites, they’re adequate. If you encounter current regularly, spend the extra for Quattros.

Our Professional Opinion

The biggest advantage is versatility. These fins handle multiple kick styles reasonably well without being exceptional at any one thing. They’re comfortable enough for recreational divers doing three dives daily but robust enough to handle moderate current.

The main limitation is that they’re not ideal for very strong current situations. In places like Cozumel or Komodo with ripping current, stiffer fins give you more control. The Quattros flex more than I’d prefer when fighting serious water movement.

Best suited for recreational divers who want one reliable fin for most conditions. Perfect for dive centers and liveaboards, which explains why you see them everywhere.

Final Recommendation

Buy these if you’re a recreational diver doing warm to temperate water diving in varied conditions. They’re solid for boat diving, shore diving, and moderate drift diving. The comfort level makes them suitable for divers doing multiple dives per day.

Skip them if you primarily dive in very strong current or if you prefer extremely stiff fins for technical diving. Also, if you’re only diving occasionally in calm tropical conditions, cheaper fins would suffice.

If you travel a lot and you’re hauling your dive equipment with you, you should consider lighter fins that are easier to pack.

For the average sport diver building their first set of gear, the Mares Avanti Quattro Plus represents excellent value. They’ll grow with you from advanced open water through to professional levels if you go that route. Most divers I know who bought these five years ago are still using them.