
Do These Fins Even Work?
Indigo Industries proves—once again—that a small fin can do big things underwater. Meet the shorter and lighter TAC Non-Military fin.
Bottom Line
How short and light can a scuba fin go and still maintain a high level of performance? INDIGO INDUSTRIES pushes the envelope and delivers with the TAC Non-Military fins.
Bigger is not always better, and a scuba gear company you may not yet know is out to prove that very point by pushing the boundaries of conventional scuba diving equipment with their latest offering: The TAC Non-Military fin. We have written about INDIGO INDUSTRIES and their innovative fin, the Defiant XT, before. If you are not familiar with our backstory on the Defiant XT, please check it out here.

Figure 1. Twin Jets (left), Defiant XT (center), and TAC Non-Military (right).
Indigo Industries
TAC Non-Military
Maximum Length: 18.5 inches
Maximum Fin Width: 11 inches
Centerline Length: 17 inches
Weight: 2 lb 2.2 oz each fin
with Indigo spring strap
Scubapro
Twin Jets
Maximum Length: 24.75 inches
Maximum Fin Width: 10 inches
Centerline Length: 24.75 inches
Weight: 2 lb 12.5 oz each fin
with third-party spring strap
Indigo Industries
Defiant XT
Maximum Length: 20.5 inches
Maximum Fin Width: 10 inches
Centerline Length: 19 inches
Weight: 2 lb 7.5 oz each fin
with Indigo spring strap
We've been diving the Defiant XT since its introduction to the dive market, and for reasons described elsewhere, we love them. Then came along the TAC... We had to try a pair out.
When the TACs arrived, our first impression was "Do these fins even work?" The TAC fins are two inches shorter, one inch wider, and five ounces lighter (per fin) than its older sibling, the Defiant XT. Compared to the venerable Scubapro Twin Jets, the TAC is over six inches shorter and 10.3 oz lighter (per fin).
INDIGO INDUSTRIES fins get some interesting looks on the dive boat and underwater, and for good reason: We can't think of another dive fin on the market that casts a similar shadow. Indeed, INDIGO's fins have broken the mold when it comes to what a dive fin can look like while still performing like its larger counterparts.
The TAC and Defiant XT perform similarly. Propulsion and maneuverability are comparable. The TAC fin is negatively buoyant but its lighter characteristics were immediately noticeable; a quick modification in body position addressed this difference easily.
We found the bottoms of the new TACs to be quite slippery on the boat deck. For this reason, we suggest roughing the bottom up across the boat deck, concrete, asphalt, or some other surface in order to remove the slick sheen.
INDIGO's new spring straps worked well. The strap holds the fin firmly in place.
Used with a size 14 Henderson 5 mm Molded Sole Gripper Boot, we found the TAC fin pocket to be tight, which is helpful when avoiding unnecessary midfoot flexion. But we could not get the foot pocket to fit a new pair of size 14 Henderson 7 mm Quick Dry Aqualock Boots.
We will continue diving with the TAC Non-Military fin and look forward to trying out one of INDIGO's latest offerings: The Bionic AF Omin-Directional Carbon Fiber Standard fin.

Figure 2. Defiant XT (left) and TAC Non-Military.

Figure 3. TAC Non-Military with Indigo spring strap.