Futures AM1 Alpha Medium rake thruster fin set — full deck view

Photo: Futures Fins product page

Futures
Futures · Medium rake thruster fin set

Futures AM1 Alpha Review

8.8/ 10 Estimated score
8.8
Average price≈ $91USD converted · 4 retailers, 4 currenciesSee sources

The Futures AM1 Alpha puts the Al Merrick rake template into Futures' Alpha construction, which blends Bureo NetPlus recycled fishing net with Compound 6 carbon and air infusion. Futures rates it Balanced at 6.2 on its Ride Number scale and lists it for open faces and point breaks.

View on Futures
Quick specs
System
Futures
Setup
Thruster
Template category
Rake (drawn out, drive)
Construction
Alpha (NetPlus and C6 carbon, air infused)
Ride Number
Balanced 6.2
Rider size
Medium, 125 to 175 lb

Futures groups its templates by ride feel, and the AM1 sits in the rake category, which the brand describes as drawn out with drive. The specification table shows a matched 4.50 in base and 4.50 in height on the side fins, with a 6.5 degree cant.

Alpha is the construction rather than the shape. Futures combines Bureo NetPlus recycled fishing net with its Compound 6 carbon and an air infused core, and states the line is made in Huntington Beach.

Pros & cons
  • Rake template aimed at drive and drawn-out turns rather than pivot
  • Alpha construction uses recycled NetPlus material and is made in Huntington Beach
  • Smaller centre fin than sides adds release off the tail
  • $70 sits below most carbon-reinforced performance sets
  • Medium only in this listing, so lighter and heavier riders need a different size
  • No customer reviews published on the Futures US listing
  • Rake templates feel long in tight pockets compared with an upright template

How it surfs

The UK store credits the template to Al Merrick and notes the wider base drives through turns while the smaller centre fin adds manoeuvrability. That matches the published dimensions, where the centre fin is roughly 1.5 in² smaller in area than each side fin.

Futures lists the suggested wave type as open face and point break. For beachbreak surfing where you want a quicker pivot, the P6 Alpha review covers the more upright option in the same construction. The full range sits on the fin reviews index.

Volume & sizing chart

Use the chart below as a starting point. Add half a litre if you are less experienced, subtract half a litre for a looser feel.

SizeVolumeRider weightBest for
MediumSide area 14.84 in²125 to 175 lb (57 to 79 kg)Intermediate+

How it compares

BoardBest atWave rangeAggregate score
Futures P6 AlphaPivot and speedBeachbreak9.0
Futures AM2Smaller Al Merrick templateEveryday9.0
Futures Vector 3/2 AlphaFront foil speedAll conditions9.0

Verdict

A sensibly priced Al Merrick rake set in a recycled-content carbon build. It suits surfers who want drive through long turns rather than a snappy pivot, and the medium size covers most mid-weight surfers.

Where to buy & average price

Listed prices come from verified retailer pages. The average price below is an unweighted mean of verified retailer prices — converted to USD (≈) when retailers list in different currencies. Click any retailer to verify the native-currency price.

Average price
≈ $91
USD converted · 4 retailers
RetailerPricevs. average
Futures US$70-$21Visit
Futures UK£70-$2.10Visit
Futures AustraliaA$99.95-$25.03Visit
Futures New ZealandNZ$139.99+$48.99Visit

Frequently asked questions

What is the Futures AM1 Alpha?+

It is a medium thruster set in the Futures rake template category, built in Alpha construction using Bureo NetPlus recycled fishing net and Compound 6 carbon.

What rider weight is the AM1 Alpha for?+

Futures lists the medium size for riders between 125 and 175 lb, which is roughly 57 to 79 kg.

What are the AM1 Alpha dimensions?+

Side fins are 14.84 in² area, 4.50 in height and 4.50 in base. The centre fin is 13.35 in² area, 4.29 in height and 4.31 in base, with a 6.5 degree cant.

What waves suit the AM1 Alpha?+

The Futures listing gives open face and point break as the suggested wave types, in line with the drawn-out rake template.

How much does the AM1 Alpha cost?+

Futures US lists it at $70. Regional stores list A$99.95 in Australia, £70 in the UK and NZ$139.99 in New Zealand.