Mares vs Dive Rite
Avanti Quattro + vs XT Fins
Which one would we buy?
Mares
Dive Rite
Scores are our editorial opinion of these models, based on features, suitability and ownership trade-offs—not hands-on test results. How we chose →
We’d pick the Avanti Quattro +.
Our pick is Mares Avanti Quattro +. Our all-round pick for a conventional open-heel fin. The four-channel blade and bungee strap make a straightforward combination.
Which one suits you?
Mares Avanti Quattro +
Our all-round pick for a conventional open-heel fin. The four-channel blade and bungee strap make a straightforward combination. Full-length blades take up more luggage space than compact travel fins.
Get to know this model →Dive Rite XT Fins
We would put XT on the shortlist for divers who want a purposeful blade fin and a boot-based setup. Foot-pocket fit and your preferred blade stiffness matter more than the technical styling.
Get to know this model →Specifications side by side
The details that matter, side by side. “Check with the brand” means we have not confirmed that detail.
| Detail | Mares Avanti Quattro + | Dive Rite XT Fins |
|---|---|---|
| Foot pocket | Open heel | Open heel |
| MaterialCheck with the brand | Not researched | Check with the brand |
| Strap | Bungee | Marine-grade stainless spring |
| Blade designCheck with the brand | Four channels | Check with the brand |
| WeightCheck with the brand | Not researched | Check with the brand |
| BladeCheck with the brand | Check with the brand | Paddle; TPE construction |
| BucklesCheck with the brand | Check with the brand | POM swivel |
| Heel padCheck with the brand | Check with the brand | Moulded with finger holds |
Showing all 8 specification rows.
What the differences mean when you buy
Footwear and retention
Mares Avanti Quattro +
- Foot pocket
- Open heel
Dive Rite XT Fins
- Foot pocket
- Open heel
- Heel pad
- Moulded with finger holds
Compare the fin with the footwear it will actually hold. A barefoot or sock pocket is a different purchase from a pocket selected around a substantial boot. Check heel retention and toe pressure in the exact size. A taller pocket can solve boot clearance but can also feel loose with smaller footwear; the size label alone is insufficient.
Blade and material
Mares Avanti Quattro +
- Blade design
- Four channels
- Material
- Not researched
Dive Rite XT Fins
- Blade
- Paddle; TPE construction
Channels, vents, pivots and rubber compounds describe construction. They do not give a comparable measurement of thrust, effort or fatigue. Where a manufacturer describes buoyancy or stiffness, retain that attribution and confirm the relevant size. If possible, arrange a supervised trial using your normal equipment rather than deciding from a flex demonstration in a shop.
Straps, dimensions and luggage
Mares Avanti Quattro +
- Heel strap
- Bungee
- Weight
- Not researched
Dive Rite XT Fins
- Heel strap
- Marine-grade stainless spring
- Buckles
- POM swivel
Check whether the listed strap is the one included in the current package and whether replacements are available. Compare pair weight with pair weight in the same size, including straps. A short blade may still have a wide pocket or heavy construction, so measure the actual bag space rather than treating compact-looking fins as automatic travel winners.
A closer look at both
Avanti Quattro +
The Avanti Quattro + is an open-heel fin with a four-channel blade and bungee heel strap. It provides a conventional full-length blade option within the Mares range.
What we like
Our all-round pick for a conventional open-heel fin. The four-channel blade and bungee strap make a straightforward combination.
What would make us think twice
Full-length blades take up more luggage space than compact travel fins.
More about the Avanti Quattro + →XT Fins
The XT is a paddle-style open-heel fin with stainless spring straps, moulded heel pads and swivel buckles. Dive Rite specifies a thermoplastic-elastomer blade construction. It is a boot-wearing scuba option, so foot-pocket fit should be checked with the boots or drysuit footwear you will actually use.
What we like
We would put XT on the shortlist for divers who want a purposeful blade fin and a boot-based setup.
What would make us think twice
Foot-pocket fit and your preferred blade stiffness matter more than the technical styling.
More about the XT Fins →Four checks before you place an order
- Bring the actual boots or socks to the fitting and confirm that the size selected retains them securely.
- Operate the heel strap and any releases with your usual gloves.
- Measure the complete pair against your bag and obtain a size-specific weight if travel limits matter.
- For a change in stiffness or buoyancy, assess the result through a suitable supervised trial rather than using the fin as an assumed correction for trim.
Ask for a quote for the complete kit, including the accessories you need. That makes the price comparison much more useful.
Price, accessories and owning the equipment
Include compatible boots, replacement straps and any required modular components in the purchase comparison. If one fin relies on a particular blade or pocket system, ask for the replacement part codes and current availability. Modularity is useful only when the components you need can actually be obtained.
An upgrade makes sense when it fixes something you notice: a pinching pocket, awkward strap or bulky travel bag. We would try the fit first and choose the blade style second. Rinse the fins, look after the straps and store them without bending the blades.
How we scored these models & further reading
These are our subjective buying scores out of 100. We weigh the usefulness of the features, the intended diving or carrying job, and the compromises involved in owning the gear. They are not laboratory measurements, safety grades or customer averages. The verdict applies to the two named models, not everything either brand makes.
90–100: one of our first choices for the stated job. 80–89: a strong option with trade-offs. 70–79: a more specific fit. A different fit, camera, valve or dive plan can change which one you should buy.
Mares Avanti Quattro +
Product details and further reading →Dive Rite XT Fins
Product details and further reading →Questions worth settling
Is the stiffer fin automatically better in current?
No. Stiffness descriptions are not matched propulsion tests, and the result also depends on fit, technique and the diver. This comparison cannot establish that one fin lets you safely undertake a dive with stronger current.
Which is the better buy for this particular comparison?
Full-length blades take up more luggage space than compact travel fins. We would put XT on the shortlist for divers who want a purposeful blade fin and a boot-based setup.
Our pick is where we would start. Choose the other model if its fit or features better match your setup—especially where a camera, valve, boot or exposure suit needs an exact match.
