FCS fins: How to choose the right fin type?

FCS 2 Fin Guide

Today we are going to talk about how to find the right FCS fin. There are many types of fins available and the FCS brand has a wide catalog that can be overwhelming. At SFMagazine we have created this small guide to help you choose the FCS 2 fin set. Let’s get started.

What is FCS?

The FCS Fins system was designed by Brian A. Whitty in Australia in the early 90s. Its creation was a true revolution in the surfing industry as it allowed surfers to easily change their fins to suit the sea conditions. Since then, it has become the most widely used surf fin system worldwide. FCS Surf is the most popular fin brand in our country. Practically 80% of the boards sold in our country use this system. FCS Spain has done a good job.

SEE FCS2 CATALOG

FCS vs Futures Fins Advantages

In our article Futures vs FCS fins we discuss the advantages and disadvantages of both systems. One of the positive aspects of FCS fins is that the brand offers a wide range of fin models and up to three attachment systems. In other words, they are designed for every surfer, every skill level, and every type of rider.

How to choose the right FCS 2 fins?

Just like we gave you some basic tips for buying fins in our article 5 Tips for Choosing Fins , today we will tell you what to look for when buying FCS fins. Here are the 5 steps you should follow to find the ideal surf fin for you.

1. Size

Choosing the correct fin size is crucial. FCS tri fin and quad fin sets are classified by size. Each size category has an optimal weight range that can be used as a guide when choosing a fin.

• XS size for surfers under 45 kg
• S size for surfers between 55 kg and 70 kg
• M size for surfers between 65 kg and 80 kg
• L size for surfers between 75 kg and 90 kg
• XL size for surfers over 85 kg

2. Settings

We have different options: single fin, twin fin, trifins, quad, and five fins. For more information on how many types of fins exist, visit our article How many fins to use.

Single fins:

As the name suggests, a single central fin. A design that was very present in the 70s and always associated with the ‘oldschool’. It’s not the most maneuverable fin configuration, but it will help you paddle easier and offer optimal speed . It works well in big waves and also performs well in small waves. Twin fin: Created in the 30s -40s, also related to the old school.

With this configuration, you will gain speed but lose grip in turns. Your maneuvers will be tighter and increase stability , but may transmit a certain instability with big waves. For further insights on twin fins, don’t miss our twin fin buying guide. Trifins: Undoubtedly the most used. Created by surfer Simon Anderson in 1980 under the name Thruster. A year later, Simon demonstrated its efficiency by winning at Bells, Surfabout, and Pipeline. The Australian shaper achieved four titles with the novelty of three fins. This third fin adds more speed to the board and facilitates maneuvers. A perfect blend of the precision of single fins and the speed of twin fins . Ideal for more radical maneuvers and big waves. However, for speed and grip, it’s not the best configuration for barrels.

Quad:

With Kelly Slater as ambassador, this configuration offers plenty of grip and acceleration power Faster and with good performance in tubes, they are the most used in tests of the world circuit such as Pipeline. A good choice for big waves, since the huge amount of water flowing between the fins achieves greater surfer stabilization. Kelly Slater uses them in both small and big waves

Five fins:

This is quad configuration but adding a central stabilizer. Quads already offer us a greater grip and with this small fin in the center, it stabilizes the tail in the critical and more vertical sections of the wave without compromising speed. This way, it allows us to maintain control in the most radical turns.

3. Quill Family

Once the configuration is chosen and the search limited to the fin configuration your board has (thruster, quad, five fins…), it’s time to choose the family/category of FCS fins. The brand has 4 families. Reactor, Performer, Accelerator, and Carver.

• FCS Reactor: speed and tight turns. For beach breaks and hollow waves. For surfboards with low rocker. See new model FCS 2 Reactor fin.
• FCS Performer: balance. For all types of conditions and surfboards. See new model fin FCS2 Performer.
• FCS Accelerator: control. For powerful waves and all types of surfboards. See new model fin FCS 2 Accelerator .
• FCS Carver: power and wide turns. For surfboards with rocker. See new model fin FCS 2 Carver .

4. The Material

If up to now you thought that material does not influence performance, we regret to inform you that you were wrong. FCS has up to 8 types of material. 8 types of fin construction, which will provide you with different sensations while surfing.

✓ PERFORMANCE GLASS (PG)

The characteristics of Performance Glass material and flex pattern are identical to those of traditional fiberglass fins. This type of fins offer a rigid base with subtle flexibility in the tip, stunning aesthetics, and durability tested by FCS riders. Fins made with PG are the perfect transition for surfers coming from fixed fins and seeking precision and high performance.

Performance Glass fins characteristics:

• 65% glass
• Cut by CNC machine
• Hand finished
• Woven Fiberglass Resin
• Price 119 euros

✅ Example FCS PC fins : Pukas FCS 2 Fins

✓ PERFORMANCE CORE CARBON (PCC)

The performance core construction of the fin with carbon fiber is designed to offer controlled flexibility and increased base rigidity. These fins have 60% glass.

Performance Core Carbon fins characteristics:

• 60% glass
• Carbon
• Fiberglass
• Air Core
• Resin Transfer Moulded
• Price 119 euros

✅ Example PCC FCS fins: Matt Biolos FCS II Fins

✓ PERFORMANCE CORE (PC) + AIRCORE

FCS fins with AirCore technology feature a pressed polyurethane foam core that mimics the geometric foil of the fin. AirCore technology reduces the amount of fiberglass required in the RTM molding process, making it much lighter and allowing complete flex manipulation.

✓ PERFORMANCE CORE (PC)

The material and construction of the Performance Core core are designed to provide the feel of a traditional fiberglass fin with the added performance of reduced weight. The RTM (Resin Transfer Moulding) process produces a lightweight fin with notable flex, a smooth feel, and impressive aesthetics. These fins have 55% glass.

Performance Core fins characteristics:

• 55% glass
• Resin Transfer Moulded
• Fiberglass
• Resin
• Hex Core
• Price 99 euros

✅ Within the Performance Core models, the Athlete Series shines with sets like the Filipe Toledo FCS 2 or the Mick Fanning PC Carbon . Whose review you can read here.

✓ NEO CARBON

The Neo Carbon fins are precision molded using long filament carbon and the highest quality European resin. These fins are super light with a firm flex. The FCS Neo Carbon Fins really help surfers generate speed in smaller conditions through the “whip effect” which helps light and agile surfers gain and maintain speed through turns.

✅ Within the catalog of neo carbon fins, the model of Mick Fanning fins .

Neo Carbon FCS Fins Features:

• Precision Moulded
• Carbon Fiber Based Polymer
• Highest Carbon Content
• Price 89 euros

✓ NEO GLASS

Lightweight molded fiberglass construction that offers professional standard performance. The high fiberglass content makes these fins rigid and responsive and provides a consistent feel in a wide range of wave conditions.

✅ Within the catalog of neo carbon fins, the model Accelerator Neo Glass .

Neo Glass Fins Features:

• 50% Glass
• Precision Moulded
• Long Strand Fiberglass
• Engineering Polymer
• Price: 79 euros

✓ GLASS FLEX (GF)

Glass Flex has been formulated to replicate the flexibility and memory properties of handmade fiberglass fins. Its advantages over other fin materials include stiffness, a more positive flex pattern (good tip flex, minimal base flex), and notable flex memory. The precision of the injection molding process ensures maximum accuracy in the geometry of each fin produced.

Glass Flex Fins Features:

• 40% Glass
• Precision Moulded
• Engineering Grade Polymer
• Price: 45 euros

✅ Within the catalog of Glass Flex fins, the model Performer Glass Flex .

✓ SOFT FLEX

The Soft Flex fins are made with highly flexible urethane. For this reason, they are safe. This type of fins is mainly used on softboards and is ideal for beginners as they gain confidence in the water.

✅ Within the catalog of Soft Flex, the model Performer Soft stands out. These soft fins are the ones that come with the Mick Fanning softboards .

Below is a chart with all the surf fin construction materials offered by the FCS brand.

So, what construction is most suitable for my surfing level?

If you are an advanced-level surfer and looking for a fin that offers immediate response, then the best choice is to go for the stiffer and more responsive fins. In this case, our recommendation is to opt for the Performance Glass (PG) or the Performance Core Carbon (PCC) construction from FCS.

✅ Recommended fin for beginner surfers and kids:

• FCS Performer Soft Fins . This type of surf fins is cheaper than the rest.

Soft Flex is ideal for kids and beginners. These type of fins will help them gain confidence in the water.

✅ Recommended Fin Type for begginer surfers:

• Mick Fanning Neo Carbon

The Glass Flex (GF) material is also suitable for beginner surfers looking for fins to help them progress comfortably in their surfing.

✅ Recommended Fin Type for beginner/intermediate-level surfers:

• Mick Fanning PC

For beginner surfers or intermediate-level surfers looking for a more affordable option without sacrificing performance, we recommend the NEO Glass and Neo Carbon fins from FCS.

✅ Recommended fins for intermediate-level surfers:

• FCS Performance Core
• Matt Biolos PCC FCS Fins

For intermediate-level surfers we recommend fins from the Performance Core (PC) construction which offers a consistent feel in a wide variety of conditions. This material will help you maintain speed as you execute turns and transitions on the wave.

✅ Recommended Fin Type for advanced-level surfers:

• FCS H4: the H4 Smoke fins 2 made in Switzerland with the latest in technology and materials are the fastest fins on the market.
• 
  
  
  

  FCS 2 H4 Fins

  
  
  
  

➡️ Recommended Reading: Review H4 FCS2 fins

⭐ The best FCS II fins

We are going to simplify the work and then we will tell you which ones are for us the best fins. To do that we will distinguish between the best trifin, quad, twinfin, and five fins models.

⇨ FCS Twin Fin

Within the twin fin fins catalog, 2 families stand out. The Athlete Series and the Keel. Within the Athlete, the Mark Richards twin fins and the FCS2 Machado Twin fins.

Regarding keel fins, we find once again a pro-model by Rob Machado. The FCS2 Machado Keel . Fins that offer the speed and freedom of rotation of a twin fin setup.

⇨ Trifin: Athlete Series, Shapers, and Essential Series

The range of FCS Thruster fins consists of the Essential, Athlete, and Shaper series. Designed in collaboration with the world’s top surfers and shapers. FCS Tri fins offer a diverse range of models for a wide variety of board types, wave conditions, and surf styles.

1. The FCS Athlete series features some of the world’s most well-known surfers: Mick Fanning , Julian Wilson , Kolohe Andino, Filipe Toledo , Jeremy Flores and Sally Fitzigibbons
2. Within the FCS 2 Shapers series we have the models Al Merrick, Pyzel , Matt Biolos, Firewire , Pukas, Hayden Cox, Darren Handley (DHD) and Simon Anderson.
3. Within the FCS Essential series stand out the models FCS 2 by Rob Machado and Mark Richards .

Among the wide range of trifin models offered, we recommend the model Mick Fanning PC . They are the best-selling fins by the brand last year. Precisely because of their versatility and because they adapt to all types of conditions . These fins are available in 3 colors and 2 sizes M and L.

⇨ FCS Quad

The quad setup was popularized by Kelly Slater. This 4-fin setup offers a lot of grip and acceleration power . Faster and with a good performance in barrels. A good choice for big waves, as due to the huge amount of water flowing between the fins, they achieve greater stability for the surfer. Within the FCS American brand quad fins, we recommend the model FCS II Matt Biolos , the Firewire quads and the Rob Machado Seaside quad fins . Fins designed for the Firewire Seaside, which you can buy at Single Quiver.

This fin model is designed by Nev Hyman. These fins offer more flexibility and a softer feel compared to their original ultra rigid bamboo version. They provide good drive and stay strong in turns.

≫ Where to buy cheap surf fins?

Our friends at SINGLE QUIVER have a wide range of technical gear for you to fully enjoy surfing, so dont forget to check them out

Alro, remember that if you wanna take your surfing to the next level we have many more articles for you to check all your options. And dont forget to subscribe to our newsletter not to miss any review or tip we have.