Best Quad Fin Sets of 2024
Alternative surf crafts have grown increasingly popular over the past decade. Lineups once dominated by thrusters have since transformed into diverse ecosystems full of twin fins, single fins, bonzers, and more. The quad fin is perhaps the most widely used and versatile alternative to a tri-fin.
There are two main benefits to riding quads. The first is speed: quads generate more down-the-line speed and are faster off the takeoff than a thruster. There is less drag without a center fin, giving the board a more skatey feel. The second advantage is more hold, especially in bigger surf. When the board is surfed on rail, you have two fins in the wave's face instead of just one with a thruster set up. Some surfers argue this helps hold a much better line in steep or barreling conditions. That said, let’s take a closer look at 2024’s best quad fin sets.
Best Quad Fin Sets for Small and Weak Waves Reviewed
- Machado Seaside Quad Fin Set (Futures and FCS II) - $160
- Futures Fins Controller Honeycomb Quad Fin Set - $150
- FCS II MB PG Split Keel Quad Fin Set - $160
Best Quad Fin Sets for Average to Good Waves Reviewed
- Futures Fins Rasta Honeycomb Quad Fin Set - $150
- Futures Fins Legacy Honeycomb Quad Fin Set - $140
- Futures Fins Stretch Honeycomb Quad Fin Set - $140
- FCS II Harley Ingleby Quad Fin Set - $146
Best Quad Fin Sets for Big and Powerful Waves Reviewed
- Futures Fins Pyzel Padillac Quad Fin Set - $140
- Futures Fins Paddle Quad G10 Quad Fin Set - $200
A Brief History of Quads
Like the wheel or peanut butter on toast, we’ll likely never know who first glassed four fins to the bottom of a surfboard. Stories and claims go back to the 60’s, and a few shapers across the world experimented with them in the 70's.
Gary McNabb from Encinitas is often credited as one of the first prominent adopters of the quad set up in the early 80’s. Across the globe, Australian Pro Glen Winton successfully rode quads on the world stage in everything from mushy beach breaks to Pipeline. However, the quad’s popularity never really took off in mainstream surfing up until the early/mid-2000’s. Most see quads current popularity starting when Santa Cruz shaper Stretch began to working with Nathan Fletcher. Nathan put the quad back in the public eye by charging some of the biggest waves on the planet on a four fin setup.
Being able to surf quads well in both small gutless waves and big barreling waves is what sets them apart from other configurations. However, it’s important to note that based on where the fin boxes are relative to the rail and stringer will give you a good idea of what type of conditions the board will work best. Most small wave boards with wider tails, such as fishes, will have both the front fins and the rear fins towards the rail. Conversely, a surfboard designed for larger barreling waves has the quad rears closer to the center. This type of design better holds the board to the wave while maintaining control. Below, I will break down the best quad fins of 2024 -- based on wave and board type.
Best Quad Fin Sets for Small and Weak Waves
Rob Machado Seaside Quad Fin Set - $160
“Modern surfing in a classic outline”
Rob Machado designed this template to complement his award-winning Firewire Seaside model, with small wave performance surfing in mind. Machado updated these fins from the original set by giving the front fins slightly more rake while making the rear fins somewhat more upright. This gives the board that same effortless carving feel while also enhancing the board's ability to pivot off the bottom.
This newer version is built using bamboo and carbon interlayers, laminated with resin made from recycled plastic, all encasing an ultralight foam core. The Machado Quads are ideal for any wide-tailed groveller but excel when paired with a classic fish outline.
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Rob Machado Seaside Futures Compatible Quad Fin Set - $160
Rob Machado Seaside FCS II Compatible Quad Fin Set - $160
Futures Fins Controller Honeycomb Quad Fin Set - $150
“Twin Fin Speed with Added Control”
The Futures Controller Honeycomb Quads will bring your fish or hybrid to life, similar to the Machado fins. Designed specifically for use in wide tail surfboards, the Controller is a split keel quad setup built to fly. The combination of honeycomb and bamboo construction, a V2 foil, and a large surface area creates the perfect fin for generating speed and maintaining it through a sequence of turns. With the upright positioning of the quad rears, there is a skatey feel to the set, similar to a twin keel but with more control.
The Controller quads are also available in Alpha construction at a lower price point if you're on a budget!
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Futures Fins Controller Honeycomb Quad Fin Set - $150
FCS II MB PG Split Keel Quad Fin Set - $160
“Bite and Control”
The Performance Glass Split Keel is a great FCS II equivalent to the Futures Controller fins above. A perfect choice for any wide-tailed groveler or retro fish, the name split keel literally came from splitting a twin fin in two. Matt Biolos took the outline of a large keel fin and separated it to turn a twin fin set into a quad. The PG Split Keel is an excellent choice for anyone looking to modernize their fish and get the loose feel of a twin fin with more drive in small surf.
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FCS II MB PG Split Keel Quad Fin Set - $160
Best Quad Fin Sets for Average to Good Waves
Futures Fins Rasta Honeycomb Quad Fin Set - $150
“Favorite for Quick Maneuvers and Smooth Transitions”
For small to medium-sized waves, the Rastovich is a great pick for any performance shortboard. Designed by free surfer Dave Rastovich. Futures updated this fin for 2024, and it now features a honeycomb construction with a V2 Foil. This combination allows for high-speed surfing and quick direction changes. The Rasta Quad has proven to be Futures' best-selling quad fin.
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Futures Fins Rasta Honeycomb Quad Fin Set - $150
Futures Legacy Honeycomb Quad Fin Set - $140
“Reliable All-Around Fin”
The Legacy Series Honeycomb Quad is a neutral template quad that is probably the most balanced fin in the Futures fin line. This translates to a fin that will work in a variety of different conditions and suit a variety of different types of surfers. This is always one of the first fins we recommend to surfers due to it being so neutral and acting as a good barometer when branching out to different fins that may be a bit more unique in design.
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Futures Fins F6 Legacy Honeycomb Quad Fin Set (Size Medium) - $140
Futures Fins F8 Legacy Honeycomb Quad Fin Set (Size Large) - $140
Futures Fins Stretch Honeycomb Quad Fin Set - $140
“Helped Spark the Four Fin Revolution ”
Designed by Santa Cruz shaper William Riedel for the likes of Nathan Fletcher, the Stretch Honeycombs are unique for their cambered foil (on the inside of all four fins) and their beak tip on all four fins. This one-of-a-kind design was developed for better flow and release. We’ve found these fins to work on almost any surfboard and come alive in large and powerful waves.
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Futures Fins Stretch Honeycomb Quad Fin Set - $140
FCS II Harley Ingleby Quad Fin Set - $146
“Designed for Performance Longboarding and Bigger Hybrids”
Designed by World Longboard Champion Harley Ingleby, the Harley Quad delivers maximum speed and drive for powerful surfers. It works best on a performance longboard or performance SUP but could also be great for a larger surfer on a smaller board. This versatile fin is light and can be used in a variety of conditions.
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FCS II Harley Ingleby Quad Fin Set - $146
Best Quad Fin Sets for Big and Powerful Waves
Futures Fins Pyzel Padillac Quad Fin Set - $140
“Designed for a Pyzel Padillac at Jaws”
The Pyzel Padillac Quads are a must-have for any big wave charger. This quad set is specially designed to pair with the Padillac Gun. The pivot template has 80/20 foils on the front fins and 50/50 foils on the rear fins for the ultimate hold in large or powerful surf. Produced in solid fiberglass construction, the Padillac quads are the perfect choice for daredevils looking for that once-in-a-lifetime wave.
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Futures Fins Pyzel Padillac Quad Fin Set - $140
Futures Fins Paddle Quad G10 Quad Fin Set - $200
“Tested in Heavy Conditions at Mavericks and Nazare”
When the waves are bigger than your house, the Paddle Quads are the universal “go-to” fin set. This fin set pairs best with your biggest boards, featuring 4.5” fronts with 4.0” rears. Made from epoxy resin and compressed fiberglass, the G10 Series features Futures’ engineered tow foils designed to reduce cavitation through highly efficient water flow, resulting in reduced drag, increased control, and maneuverability at extremely high speeds. The G10s won’t let you down because of their premium-grade industrial fiberglass with a higher cloth-to-resin ratio, resulting in a stronger and stiffer building material.
FCS just released their Nathan Florence Big Wave Quad Fin Set from the same G10 material if you're looking for the FCS II model.
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Futures Fins Paddle Quad G10 Quad Fin Set - $200
FCS II Nathan Florence Big Wave Quad Fin Set - $290
Other Fin Blogs We've Written
- Best Thruster Fin Sets of 2023
- Best Twin Fin Sets of 2024
- 8 Best Longboard Single Fins of 2023
- Endorfins KS1 Fin Review
Final Thoughts
As you can see, there are no limitations to what a Quad setup can handle. They not only make small, mushy surf fun but they are also trusted in the biggest surf on the planet. Whether you’re looking to add some get-up-and-go to your groveller or get some extra hold for that next trip to Indonesia, we have a quad fin for you!
It’s important to note that these are only the top QUAD SETS. Most shapers construct boards with five fin configurations, allowing surfers to experiment with quads and thrusters. We carry an assortment of Tri-Quad sets that have quads that are not listed in this blog. Check out our tri-quad fin sets here.
If you have any sizing questions, you can always call us at 1-888-546-6176 or send an email to support@cleanlinesurf.com
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