Halcyon Vector Pro Fins – A Surprising Evolution in Technical Dive Gear

I bought my first pair of Jetfins just before the turn of the millennium, and for the better part of two decades, the only dilemma I’ve had when replacing them has been whether to stick with black (because, let’s face it — black is more streamlined) or go wild with a new color. That was, until Halcyon Dive Systems released their very first fin: the Halcyon Vector Pro.

I first spotted them at Area9 Mastery Dive Center in stunning Bonaire, and after seeing them pop up at a few other locations, I decided it was time to give them a go. Just for the record — this is not a paid review. I bought the fins myself, I dive them regularly, and they’re staying in my gear bag.

The Challenge: Standing Up to the Jetfin Legacy

Halcyon didn’t pick an easy category for their first fin. Jetfins are, quite frankly, iconic. They’re simple, nearly indestructible, and their stiff blade delivers power in every kick. They also have excellent negative buoyancy characteristics, making them ideal for drysuit diving. On the downside, they offer limited sizing options and can be too negative for wetsuit use.

So, how do the Halcyon Vector Pro Fins compare?

First Impressions and Design

The Vector Pros feature a narrow, rigid blade with no side rails, molded from a single piece of monoprene. They come in several sizes and include fully adjustable spring heel straps — which makes it easy to find a comfortable, secure fit for nearly any diver.

What really sets them apart is Halcyon’s new Ballast Control System, allowing the fin’s buoyancy to be tuned from slightly positive to negative. In theory, this makes them suitable for both drysuit and wetsuit diving — a welcome innovation.

 Dive Testing – Switching Between Old and New

I’ve spent a lot of time in the water with these fins, alternating between them and my trusted Jetfins to get a true side-by-side feel. Here’s what I noticed:

➤ Weight and Feel

Right away, I was surprised at how light they felt in the water — almost like diving with no fins. I suspect this is due to the concentration of weight around the foot pocket and the absence of sidewalls, which allows for easy lateral movement.

➤ Kick Performance

Initially, the Vectors felt stiffer than Jetfins during flutter kicks. But when it came to positioning kicks — like helicopter turns and back kicks — they were phenomenal. With a bit of adjustment time, they handled all kick styles effectively and felt responsive and precise.

➤ Fit and Ergonomics

The foot pockets are well-shaped, offering a secure, ergonomic fit. The spring straps are easy to use, and the fins feel connected to the whole foot — not just the front. This translates to better control and less effort over time.

➤ Switching Back

When swapping back to Jetfins, I noticed the effort difference. The Vectors seem to offer similar power and control, but with a more fluid feel. While I haven’t done a formal straight-line efficiency test yet, it’s on my list, and I’ll update this post once I’ve done a proper swim comparison.

Cold Water Realities

One important observation: In colder water, using really thick undergarments, the Vectors are less negative than my Jetfins. This had a noticeable effect on trim and control. It’s not an absolute dealbreaker for everyone, but I would love to see an option for heavier ballast inserts — especially for cold-water drysuit divers.

Warm Water Outlook

I haven’t tested the fins in wetsuit conditions yet, but given their neutral-to-slightly-negative buoyancy and light feel, I imagine they’d perform very well. They are likely to be more versatile than Jetfins in warm-water applications.

Final Thoughts

I didn’t expect to be impressed — after all, I didn’t think this was a product category that needed innovation. Jetfins are simple, effective, and have been the go-to fin for countless technical and cave divers for decades.

But the Halcyon Vector Pro Fins did surprise me.

They’re an evolution of a classic design: more ergonomic, more customizable, and just as capable — with potential for even broader use thanks to the Ballast Control System. With slightly heavier ballast options, I’d choose them over Jetfins for most dives.

Are They Worth the Price?

That depends. If you dive both wet and dry, and these fins can replace two sets — that might tip the scale. In terms of quality, performance, and innovation, they absolutely deliver.

Would I recommend them? Yes. They are definitively worth a test, and if you’re curious about a lighter, more customizable fin that doesn’t compromise performance.

Stay tuned — I’ll update this review once I’ve done the straight-line efficiency test and tested them in warm water. Until then, happy diving!