These things are like the meat and potatoes of the Quad Fin world – solid and popular but nothing fancy. They’re probably popular because they’re nothing fancy. DHD has spent years making surfboards (and developing fins) that quite simply go. No wobbles or baubles, no bat wings or gandalf fingers, just template after template you can rely on. These FCS 2 PC Quads are exactly that. No nonsense. Quality materials. Good solid fins. FCS recommends you use them in performance or hybrid shortboards. They come in a 5-fin set in case you want to run a standard thruster too.

These fins were like going to McDonalds and getting a Big Mac. A streamlined experience every time. Exactly what you expect. They’re ideal for someone who likes going surfing and knowing they’ll perform to standard without wasting any waves or opportunities because of inconsistent equipment. I rode them in a step up board and found them nice and straight forward 99% of the time. Occasionally they lacked a bit of down-the-line drive but stayed loose, offering some nice drift off the top, especially on my backhand. They’d really come into their own in a fun board in waves where you want to shred.

I’d use the FCS II DHD PC Quad Fins when I wanted to stay loose and free like a whippy gymnast. Shortboards and funboards are its sweet spot, especially when you want to turn on a dime. They’re not especially amazing in bigger waves, but do the trick in a pinch. I really like that these come in the 5-fin pack, because I’d probably swap into thruster mode when I want even more control on my forehand, yet opt for the backhand spice 9/10 times. If you want something with extra drive, look to other options. Otherwise, you’ll be stoked with this all-round performer.

Like the Lower Trestles of the fin world, these quad fins are all about hi-fi performance. In the words of the FCS Marketing team’s copywriter: “The MB template offers freedom to perform tight turns in the pocket with an emphasis on speed”. They even look like they go fast, with their trippy So-Cal tie dye pattern on the tip. From a retail point of view they’re $20AUD more than the DHD or Merrick options in this review, but still a lot cheaper than the space-age tech H4 variants. The extra bucks come from the PC Carbon Core, which keeps things a bit more responsive. 

Well dye my chin fluff blonde and call me Kolohe – these things are more progessive than they look. Of all the quad fins I’ve tested to date they offer the best balance of speed, power and bang for buck. 2ft, 6ft, lefts, rights, kind of anything, they did the job and did it well. They’re light in the hand but solid in the board, with zero weirdness through any turns (unless it was me throwing some kind of whack knock-knee handjive shit). If I had to roll with one set of quads, these would probably be it.

When you want balance, go Biolos. Mayhem has probably never heard that before in his life but I’m saying it here. For all-round value and performance the FCS II Matt Biolos Quad Fins are hard to beat. Of course, variations in board shapes and wave types will always favour certain fins but these are a sporty 4WD – they’ll go in anything. I will say, the spray on them isn’t for everyone, so if that puts you off, then perhaps roll the DHDs. But, if function’s your compunction, it’s these suckers all the way.

Al Merrick knows his way around fins like John John’s physio knows kneecaps. A.M.’s tinkered and tightened, strengthened and lengthened with the best of them. So, this Quad Fin template comes with decades of experience dealing with the world’s best. Designed for “radical, progressive surfing” the extra rake on the side fins are all about generating more speed than the Hell’s Angels’ cook squad. Perfect for drawn out turns with extra power and added hold. One to have in step-up boards that go best in steep reef waves and thick, punchy beach breaks.

The FCS II Al Merrick Quad Fins have more drive than a supercharged roadtrain. Man they’re fast. The pick up from take off is super impressive and there’s plenty of squirt on offer when pushing off the bottom as well. Occasionally these did feel a little stiff, especially in smaller waves when I wanted to keep things whippy, but in step-up conditions on a step-up surfboard they were just what the fin doctor ordered. A great option to have in the quiver when conditions are packing a little more juice.

These fins are an all-rounder with power surfing tendencies. Sure you can use them 2ft – 8ft, but they really shine in long, steep walls where you jam on the back foot and carve like it’s Thanksgiving. If you’re going short or fun boards, I’d look toward either the DHD or Mayhems, but if you want a specialist set of fins that will rise up when the swells up, these are your go-to. Another one that comes in the 5-pack stack, they’re super versatile if you want to run a thruster set up too.

If James Bond surfed, he’d probably have a set of these inside his bullet-proof Aston Martin. Looking like some kind of space-age science experiment, they’re the culmination of Swiss engineering and material science. The plan shape and foil patterns are as complex as a Christopher Nolan plot, with the basic aim of making things go fast in the water. A lazy $230AUD will let you pick up the thrusters, with another $140AUD needed on top to get the quad fin add ons. Top price for top flight tech.

The H4 Quads do what they say on the packet – offer maximum acceleration while staying stable. Normally that speed would come with a stiffness penalty but the hatchet tip seems to keep things loose as a spruce goose too. These did, however, hum louder than a blues muso on payday. At first I thought someone was hooting because I was ripping so hard, but then I checked my skill level and realised it was the fins. Super annoying, but I’ll grant that was probably just the plug placement in the board I was using not gelling with this particular set of quads.

The FCS II H4 Quads go well in most waves and are especially good in the overhead range on steep/hollow days. I’m a little weary of the hum factor with these, but am willing to give FCS the benefit of the doubt and say it was just a quirk of the particular board I was using for testing matched with this particular template. If you’re not price sensitive and want an epic balance of speed, control and whip, then go with the H4s. If you want to save some cash and get something allllmost as good, then I’d recommend the Matt Biolos option.