Tusa SF-22 Solla Fins - Diving Squad Report:
Diving Squad Rating:
TUSA were one of the world’s first scuba equipment manufacturers, being established in 1952 in Toyko, Japan.
They’re a highly respected branded with a reputation for combining quality with awesome value for money.
Their SF-22 Solla fins are a standard-length pair of fins with a 20 degree angle and three channel blades that combine for excellent manoeuvrability and power.
Available in a wide range of acrylic colours, these fins are light and easy to use; the foot pocket is anatomically shaped for added comfort and they’re compact to pack.
These are mid-priced scuba fins, suitable for beginners and stylish to wear they are a highly popular choice among divers and dive centres. Let’s take a closer look at why:
“I found the Tusa SF-22 Solla fins excellent to use – they were very comfortable to wear and easy for both flutter (standard) and frog kicks.
They’re a standard length for fins; meaning they don’t have to be extra wide (as shorter fins do) meaning they’re light and effortless to kick; whilst not being so long they’d get snagged in a cave or wreck.
These are distinct, stylish looking fins – all of the colours seem to really pop out which makes the wearer easily identifiable”.
Jose: Diving Squad Macro Specialist
FEATURES:
Other Specs:
- Made TPE (proprietary thermoplastic elastomer)
- 4 sizes (X-Small, Small, Medium Large).
- Available in range of bright, acrylic colours
- Strap can be adjusted whilst being worn
PROS
- Excellent value for money
- Attractive, range of colours
- Durable
- Light
- Suitable for flutter (standard) and frogkicks.
- Comfortable
- Easy to adjust
CONS
- Do not have spring-heel strap
- Some divers prefer tech-fins (which are shorter and wider). These are standard / paddle fins (as used by most divers).
1. 20 Degree Blade with Channels & Side Rails:
The blade incorporates a patented, 20 degree angle which makes these fins excellent for manoeuvring – e.g. turns and rotations as water naturally curves around them.
As well as this, each fin also features 3 channels as well as side rails which goes a long way towards creating considerable power and thrust when using them.
Because of this added power, TUSA have been able to get away with constructing these fins from TPE (proprietary thermoplastic elastomer), which whilst durable, is considerably light – making these fins easy to kick with and also great for travel.
As mentioned, these fins come in four sizes and a range of bright, acrylic colours which are both stylish and easily recognisable underwater; making you easy to identify to other divers.
2. EZ Strap & Buckle System:
These fins incorporate a classic EZ Strap and Buckle System which can easily be adjusted even whilst being worn underwater.
The strap is anatomically shaped to combine a stellar balance of comfort and power transfer, whilst avoiding slippage.
One thing I will say, is that they could be improved with a spring heel strap which is even easier to do up and automatically adjusts to changing pressure underwater.
This is a feature usually only seen on more expensive fins (such as the Scubapro Seawing Nova and Apeks RK3) however is is not essential and you can easily get by without!
3. Anatomic Foot Pocket:
The foot pocket is anatomically shaped for excellent comfort and as you can see from the image to the right also features four ridges to prevent your foot from slipping around.
It’s designed to be worn with dive boots, although I have heard of divers getting by whilst using it with bear feet! (That said, I recommend you use the boots).
All colours of these fins are available in four sizes – X-Small, Small, Medium and Large. This is really good news as it means you can easily find the perfect fit!
It’s finally worth mentioning that a great deal of users have applauded these fins for how comfortable they are, which largely comes down to the sculpting of the foot pocket.
FINAL VERDICT - Diving Squad
TUSA’s SF-22 Solla fins are one of the most popular scuba fins of all time among beginner divers wanting to purchase a reliable, easy to use and stylish pair of fins.
They’re not the all-time cheapest fins – but they’re also not the most expensive and they offer excellent value for money.
If you want a traditional-style pair of paddle fins that are easy to kick with and manoeuvre in, light to carry and durable; these are an excellent option.
The only major improvement they could use is a spring heel strap as seen in more-expensive models like the Apeks RK3 and the Scubapro Seawing Nova fins.
Barring this, the SF-22 Solla are a truly excellent pair of fins!
