Stealth S2 Soft Fins.

Manufacturers blurb: The Two main things we look for in a Swimfin are Comfort and Power.

We are pretty happy with the S2 shape and the power provided, so wanted to create a fin that was easy on the feet. To achieve this, we’ve used a super soft durometer rubber in the Foot Pocket, while retaining stiffness through the blade to make this one of the comfiest fins you will wear. The S2’s are crafted with Floating, 100% Malaysian Rubber, and has a soft asymmetrical foot pocket to produce a perfect fit. It also has a straightened blade for improved acceleration and helping to reduce twist to the ankles and knees. This fin has blade rail ridges and angled rails to transfer energy easily and efficiently. It also has a jet vent drainage system to keep the foot pocket free from sand and rocks. 

Reviewers experience: If you’re of a certain age, you’ll remember the terrible damage a pair of fins could do to a pair of feet that spend a large percentage of time getting minced about inside uncomfortable fins. You can often tell someone is a bodyboarder just by looking at their feet. Mariana trench sized craters on the ankle, weird scar tissue bulbous growths on the side of toes, fluid cysts on the foot. Bad fins wreck feet.

The S2 Soft Fins are Stealth’s laudable effort to make these aquatic battle scars a thing of the past by making the most comfortable and tender swim fin on the market.

From the initial touch straight out of the box it’s obvious these fins are buttery. When worn, the Malaysian rubber fits suppley to your feet making the S2 Soft Fins extremely comfortable to use.

Stealth have admitted that the S2 softies sacrifice a degree of kick power and thrust in their pursuit of comfort, however your reviewer found that loss to be only marginal in conditions up to 4ft.

Our first use of the S2 softies was in 3ft beach break. An outer bank spill in to a Shorey bank with a low tide rip running back through the line up made for lots of paddling.

The loss of thrust between the S2’s and regular fins felt negliable, in fact the softness of the pocket and blade made it feel as though you could get the fin through the water faster, which may even offset the loss of power a stiffer bladed fin has.

Surf two was at a right hand wedge that required a little more paddle power. Again, while the first couple of strokes in the S2 softies felt a little damper in the thrust department, when you were motoring your feet through the water in the pursuit of a wave the S2’s performed admirably.

The S2 softies utalise twin drainage holes at the base of the foot pocket similar to most modern assymetrical fins on the market today, however somewhat smaller than other fins.

When are you using it: Fun conditions where getting in to waves early isn’t a priority. If you’re prone to cramping or looking at multiple surf sessions a day, the S2 softies would be a good choice due to the less strain they excerpt on leg muscles.

The Wins: Extremely comfortable, provide adequate power, reduced risks of cuts and abrasions, reduced probability of cramping.

The Challenges: Colourways may not appeal to some. Drainage holes smaller than other fins.

Overall verdict: If you struggle to find a pair of fins that fit your feet without causing damage, want an alternate to your everyday fins in fun conditions or just want to enjoy the extremely comfortable flippers during your session then the Stealth S2 are the fin for you.