Snorkeling equipment- recomended brands/any advice?
Discussion
Off on hols soon and will be snorkelling, read online that it is better to buy your own than rent there as will fit better and mask doesn't get full of water.
So is it a case of finding a retailer who can advise on fitment or ok to buy online? any decent budget brands/material to look for etc
So is it a case of finding a retailer who can advise on fitment or ok to buy online? any decent budget brands/material to look for etc
My fins, mask and snorkel are all made by TUSA and perform happily enough for snorkelling and diving.
As with any kit, it is horses for courses but I'd always try before you buy.
The fit of different styles and brands of masks and the field of vision they afford do vary quite considerably.
Fins will make it a lot easier to go any distance underwater.
A UV rash vest is worth getting if you burn easily.
Whichever mask you purchase, makes sure you get a sturdy hard plastic case for it (might come with one) and pack it in the middle of your case as baggage handlers will be baggage handlers.
Otherwise, enjoy finding Nemo....
As with any kit, it is horses for courses but I'd always try before you buy.
The fit of different styles and brands of masks and the field of vision they afford do vary quite considerably.
Fins will make it a lot easier to go any distance underwater.
A UV rash vest is worth getting if you burn easily.
Whichever mask you purchase, makes sure you get a sturdy hard plastic case for it (might come with one) and pack it in the middle of your case as baggage handlers will be baggage handlers.
Otherwise, enjoy finding Nemo....
Tusa.
When snorkelling, a low amount of air in the mask is important so try to get a low volume mask (not so important when diving). Buy a mask that fits, test it by pressing it to your face, it should hold on by suction alone. If it doesn't stay on, there is a leak. Don't forget to clean the inside of the mask with toothpaste before first use, then spit in it before each use (you can wipe the spit out).
Cressi make some nice masks, and Mares, but I prefer Tusa.
When snorkelling, a low amount of air in the mask is important so try to get a low volume mask (not so important when diving). Buy a mask that fits, test it by pressing it to your face, it should hold on by suction alone. If it doesn't stay on, there is a leak. Don't forget to clean the inside of the mask with toothpaste before first use, then spit in it before each use (you can wipe the spit out).
Cressi make some nice masks, and Mares, but I prefer Tusa.
I bought my mask and snorkel from this guy on eBay: http://stores.ebay.co.uk/Mikes-Diving
Fast delivery and the brand gets good write ups. I was in the same situation and as the boy is 4 I think that we'll be going on a lot of beach holidays so they'll get loads of use.
Fast delivery and the brand gets good write ups. I was in the same situation and as the boy is 4 I think that we'll be going on a lot of beach holidays so they'll get loads of use.
Go to a dive shop, and try a few masks for fit. One that is comfortable and stays on your face will make the most difference to your snorkelling experience. The money will be well spent, and the dive shop staff will be able to help to to get it just right.
As someone said above, if you're planning on swimming down quite a bit, a low volume one will help, and I prefer them to have the clear skirts to keep things nice and light, not the dark skirts. (The skirt is the rubber bit that goes on your face.)
The next best thing to spend cash on is fins. There are lots of types out there, but I've had a couple of pairs of Mares pool fins, and they've lasted very well with regular use.
When it comes to the actual snorkel, get one with a comfortable mouth piece, and spend as little as possible. It's a tube with a silicon mouth piece, how technical and expensive do you want to make it?
The call on the UV protected rash vest is a good one. 2nd degree burns are horrible, but morphine goes a long way to making it better.
As someone said above, if you're planning on swimming down quite a bit, a low volume one will help, and I prefer them to have the clear skirts to keep things nice and light, not the dark skirts. (The skirt is the rubber bit that goes on your face.)
The next best thing to spend cash on is fins. There are lots of types out there, but I've had a couple of pairs of Mares pool fins, and they've lasted very well with regular use.
When it comes to the actual snorkel, get one with a comfortable mouth piece, and spend as little as possible. It's a tube with a silicon mouth piece, how technical and expensive do you want to make it?
The call on the UV protected rash vest is a good one. 2nd degree burns are horrible, but morphine goes a long way to making it better.
As said before, get to a dive shop. You need to try on different masks to find one that fits, they can help you with this.
For a snorkel , get a good quality one with a decent size purge valve at the bottom. I have a mares one with a single valve and an oceanic with a double valve with a well for the water. I prefer the oceanic, when I blow out the water goes out of the valve, any odd bits left just sit in the well so i never get any water in the air after resurfacing.
Fins - depends on your budget and preference. I have some Mares fins that are 15 years old now and have seen numerous dive and snorkelling trips. But they were top of the range and expensive. I prefer dive fins that you wear boots with purely for comfort, but of course you then have to buy the boots to go with them. For occasional snorkelling some slipper fins should be fine.
For a snorkel , get a good quality one with a decent size purge valve at the bottom. I have a mares one with a single valve and an oceanic with a double valve with a well for the water. I prefer the oceanic, when I blow out the water goes out of the valve, any odd bits left just sit in the well so i never get any water in the air after resurfacing.
Fins - depends on your budget and preference. I have some Mares fins that are 15 years old now and have seen numerous dive and snorkelling trips. But they were top of the range and expensive. I prefer dive fins that you wear boots with purely for comfort, but of course you then have to buy the boots to go with them. For occasional snorkelling some slipper fins should be fine.
Fit is everything with masks. Well worth getting a neoprene strap or strap cover too - much easier to get on and off and gives a bit of buoyancy so if you drop it in the water it won't sink (or sink quite so fast!).
Fins - I've always used the sort that go with boots (rather than the full-foot type). Big advantage of them is if you're snorkelling from shore and have a walk out to get where you need to be - there's all sorts of nasty things to tread on. Everyone seems to get blisters with full-foot fins too, wheras my boots are wonderfully comfy.
UV protective rash vest is a godsend if you burn easily. Get a good waterproof suncream (the boots extreme one is good) for neck and other parts.
If you're on a budget though, spend it on a decent mask/snorkel and just hire the fins. A mask that fits means you don't have to think about it - a poor fit and it'll be constantly trying to fill itself with water.
Fins - I've always used the sort that go with boots (rather than the full-foot type). Big advantage of them is if you're snorkelling from shore and have a walk out to get where you need to be - there's all sorts of nasty things to tread on. Everyone seems to get blisters with full-foot fins too, wheras my boots are wonderfully comfy.
UV protective rash vest is a godsend if you burn easily. Get a good waterproof suncream (the boots extreme one is good) for neck and other parts.
If you're on a budget though, spend it on a decent mask/snorkel and just hire the fins. A mask that fits means you don't have to think about it - a poor fit and it'll be constantly trying to fill itself with water.
bigdods said:
For a snorkel, get a good quality one with a decent size purge valve at the bottom. I have a Mares one with a single valve and an Oceanic with a double valve with a well for the water. I prefer the oceanic, when I blow out the water goes out of the valve, any odd bits left just sit in the well so i never get any water in the air after resurfacing.
I've never had any trouble just blowing the water out the top... I even cut a chunk of the top off with a hacksaw to reduce the drag when playing underwater hockey, which made the blow out slightly easier.As has been said above, if you don't want to get a £4.99 snorkel and mask set and hope for the best, then get to a dive shop and try them on. It's the only way you will see how well they fit your face - and comfort is seriously important in this area - spending half your time clearing your mask is not ideal.
Honestly - go and try Decathalon.
They have plenty to choose from, you can try it all on and its reasonably priced.
http://www.decathlon.co.uk/EN/masks-snorkels-34463...
I'd reccomend fins to wear with boots over normal full foot fins (which always seem to rub), BUT the boots may add a little bouyancy which you might not want. (or you might)
They have plenty to choose from, you can try it all on and its reasonably priced.
http://www.decathlon.co.uk/EN/masks-snorkels-34463...
I'd reccomend fins to wear with boots over normal full foot fins (which always seem to rub), BUT the boots may add a little bouyancy which you might not want. (or you might)
Lost soul said:
Miguelski said:
As with any kit, it is horses for courses but I'd always try before you buy.
Thats right most sports shops have a pool just in case some geek buying a 5 pound pair of googles wants to test drive them 
Another nod towards Mikes Dive shops.
http://www.mikesdivestore.com/Article/1/Stores-Lis...
Tusa, Oceanic, Mares are all in the ball park.
Add a neoprene slap-strap to the mask strap to aid getting on and off easier and the slight added buoyancy
One other tip is to be clean shaven at the tops of your cheeks, even a little stubble breaks the seal.
Enjoy the hols.
http://www.mikesdivestore.com/Article/1/Stores-Lis...
Tusa, Oceanic, Mares are all in the ball park.
Add a neoprene slap-strap to the mask strap to aid getting on and off easier and the slight added buoyancy
One other tip is to be clean shaven at the tops of your cheeks, even a little stubble breaks the seal.
Enjoy the hols.
Edited by CedGTV on Wednesday 19th May 09:58
aclivity said:
Lost soul said:
Miguelski said:
As with any kit, it is horses for courses but I'd always try before you buy.
Thats right most sports shops have a pool just in case some geek buying a 5 pound pair of googles wants to test drive them f
king geeks Don't fall for the technical snorkels - over priced and not worth the money. A cheap plastic bent pipe with a mouthpiece is more than adequate.
Re: fins - buy slippers rather than straps - straps are designed to be worn with boots.
I agree with the test fit comments. Decathlon would be my recommendation for you. You don't need expensive gear for a holiday snorkel, but you do need to try the stuff on.
Re: fins - buy slippers rather than straps - straps are designed to be worn with boots.
I agree with the test fit comments. Decathlon would be my recommendation for you. You don't need expensive gear for a holiday snorkel, but you do need to try the stuff on.
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