C4: MB002 Fins
Best Divers: Cobra and Cobra Pure
11 September 2023
Polosub Kelp Wetsuit
11 September 2023
Among the new offerings from the company: the return of a model with simple and traditional shapes, that includes a new propulsion concept. A mix of innovation and versatility.
The past years have been characterized by lightweight, comfortable, and above all, high-performing products. C4 Carbon, which now boasts fourteen models in its catalog, introduces a new fin, available in two versions, taking inspiration from traditional lines and incorporates all the innovation achieved in recent seasons with a little something extra.
This fin, along with its shorter sister, carries a well-visible signature that encompasses years of study and evolution in the world of carbon. We're talking about the initials of Marco Bonfanti. But it's not just an aesthetic factor. Marco Bonfanti's signature seals yet another propulsion evolution in this new project.
The new MB001 and MB002 fins feature a new lamination study that induces a curvature called "reverse parabolic," departing from the known, which follows classic parabolic lines that are stiff towards the foot and flexible toward the tip.
This is a different carbon layering process, affecting the blade curvature during its use in water. Leveraging the almost complete absence of long rails in the new 250 foot pockets, the curvature has been modified by extending it all the way to the foot. This is different to the classic parabolic curvatures that C4 pioneered thirty years ago. This also involves developing a new biomechanical theory, directly derived from the studies carried out with the 200 model. This is done, so that the MB blade's flexion goes hand in hand with the available muscular force.
Thanks to a continuous reverse flex curve, which means that visually the blade works by bending more towards the foot and not towards the tip, greater thrust is achieved. The fin thereby also generates wider elastic deformations and consequently greater propulsion with the same physical effort.
As a result, the fin moves more water and consequently provides superior propulsion without muscular fatigue.
During unboxing, our eyes inevitably wandered to the new 250 foot pocket. The lightweight design stands out in this new product, because of lessons learnt during the design of the 300 series, with this new foot pocket weighing in at only 250 grams.
All this is possible thanks to the material used, a TPE 75 ShA polymer, which is overprinted on a rigid TPE in high modulus. The result is an easy fit due to the soft upper part, without losing anything in power transmission to the blade due to the sturdiness of the sole.
For further weight reduction and greater freedom of movement for this revolutionary fin, C4 has minimized the long rails, which instead are only used for a few centimeters.
The normal 3-degree pre-angling is used to improve force transmission and reduce the risk of leg cramps, all within the fin’s hydrodynamic lines.
The mounting kit has also been revolutionized, now consisting of a handgrip nut onto which a robust M6 screw is screwed. The result is an "embarrassingly" quick assembly, useful for those who often assemble and disassemble their fins for travel or simply for a setup change between the pool and the sea.
Now let's move on to the new and imporved blade, the MB002. 874 millimeters long and 195 millimeters wide, it features a range of three hardness levels.
All models are marked with a plus sign (+) in front of the hardness, indicating a blade that, in terms of physical effort in water, reflects what our legs have already experienced, but with an increase in the blade's performance.
We start with +20 (Extrasoft/soft), passing through +25 (soft/medium), and arriving at the model we tested, namely +30 (Medium/Hard).
The design is equally captivating. Among the T700 carbon textures, the white C4 logos and the elegant MB signature are clearly visible (both front and back), with the blade's type, 002, in the background.
The C4 logo is presented without the wording "C4 Carbon," a detail that brings to mind older-styled fins, giving it a somewhat “Old School” touch.
To complete the aesthetics, there is a matte finish, without the usual gloss, which displays an opaque blade, that is truly a visually unique novelty.
As we conclude our tour of the new MB002, we can't help but notice the semi-round section water rails, which make me fantasize about their possible performance underwater.
Having been in love with the tunnel model since its inception, the new MB002 features this peculiarity throughout the blade's length, channeling the water flow on its surface both during the downstroke and the upstroke.
The MB002 is available in sizes ranging from 36/37 to 44/45, and its retail price is €359.
In the sea
The days of March are certainly among the most unpredictable for a test day. The calm, flat morning gives way to yet another strong wind, which changes the conditions in no time. What better test ground for the new MB002, a fin that positions itself as an ideal product for every type of spearfishing!
Let's start with donning the gear. The uncomfortable experiences of the 300 foot pockets disappear thanks to a material and design that greatly facilitate the insertion of the foot. The materials of the new 250 are indeed very soft and comfortable, making the fitting process a breeze.
To give you an idea of the size, I wear a size 41 and a half, and with 5-millimeter socks. It fits perfectly, slightly loose enough not to impede blood circulation.
I start with a series of actions in a medium-depth seabed to observe its behavior during descent, ascent, and taking off from the ground. I must admit that the initial dives are mentally conditioned by the (+) sign in front of the 30. Having always used medium stiffness fins, knowing that it is presented as medium/hard piqued my curiosity and frightened me at the same time. But it doesn't take long for the blade to prove that my fear was unfounded.
Right from the first dives, between 15 and 20 meters, the fin feels “alive”, with a good propulsion and not all that demanding.
With regard to legwork, it feels like the same stress as the previous models with a hardness of 30, but with a better sprint ability thanks to the fin's response. As the dives progress and the depth increases, the response remains excellent.
The foot pocket also plays a role. The almost total absence of long rails allows for the blade’s response without constraints. The materials selected for the foot pockets and blades allow for excellent power transmission without any dead spots.
However, as mentioned, the unpredictability of March leads to drastic changes in spearfishing conditions and consequently the depths. The rising wave and the water getting murky force me to move and inevitably change my weight belt to grant me a few hours of ambush in the shallows.
So, getting back on the boat, I take off the fins with the same speed as I put them on, helped by the anatomical shape of the foot pocket, which allows for a secure grip. With thick wetsuits and many kilos between the belt and the backplate, and with strong currents, how will the new MB002 perform?
Right from entering the water again, the fin confidently faces the current, not making me with my new load suffer. Despite its size not being ideal for shallow fishing, the fin's 98-centimeter length is still manageable even with the persistent surface chop. During the ascent, the fin does not struggle to bring me back to the surface, never veering my upward trajectory, thanks also to the water rails with the anti-turbulence curved profile that keep the fin "on track" at all times.
The sun sets on the horizon, and it's time to return to the boat for the journey home. After securing the usual two fish for dinner, I perform a physical check-up and find that after nearly one hundred dives, my quadriceps are not sore or fatigued.
Another interesting observation is present on my feet. The correct choice by the C4 design, combined with the right materials, allows for unrestricted blood circulation in the feet and lower limbs. The fin passes both test scenarios with flying colors.
The only downside, if we can call it that, is the regret of having scraped such a beautiful fin, with such a unique finish, on the shallow bottom. It's a pity to ruin it. But that's how it should be; otherwise, you'd be tempted to hang it above the fireplace!
If you're looking for an all-around model that can accompany you during shore dives as well as boat dives, in shallow waters (where the seabed and water conditions permit) as well as more challenging dives, then this is C4 Carbon's answer.
The traditional woven with innovation generates a medium-high-end product capable of satisfying every type of spearfisher. In two simple words: innovative & versatile!
Ratings: Structure: 9.5 At first glance, it's difficult to assess it as fragile or to be fearful of using it. A one-piece fin that makes us feel confident in its 360-degree usability. It gets half a point more thanks to the new easy, but above all, quick application screw kit.
Materials: 8.5 Excellent and high-performing, from those that make up the foot pocket and sole to those of the carbon blade.
Comfort: 10 The dissatisfaction that someone may have experienced with the 300 series will have the opportunity to transform into an extremely positive opinion with C4's new foot pockets. This is a must try.
Performance: 10 The fear of putting on a fin with a hardness higher than 30 lasted only a few seconds. The new design provides excellent propulsion compared to fins of similar length and model. A product that can meet even the most specific requirements in terms of size and performance.
Design: 8.5 Essential, personal, and traditional. The matte finish, a touch of class made in C4. It goes from a foot pocket with a highly hydrodynamic line but essential in its structure, to a blade that recalls the logos and dimensions of the old C4 models, the ones that accompanied many of us in our early days.
Quality/Price Ratio: 7.5 Just right for a high-quality fin, designed to cover a medium-high-end range.
