Hey all, I was wondering if anyone has any advice to give about good snorkel gear for a newbie. I have never snorkeled before, but am hoping to start this summer. I have no snorkel equipment and was wondering if ya'll have any brand preferences or anything that would make learning easier. Thanks.
Snorkel Gear
Started by
Guest_Kanus_*
, Apr 17 2008 03:34 PM
11 replies to this topic
#2
Guest_daveneely_*
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Posted 17 April 2008 - 05:36 PM
Mask fit is critical, and best tried in a dive shop. You should be able to press mask to face (without using the strap behind your head), inhale through your nose slightly, and have the mask stay in place. Low-volume masks are nice; they clear easier and don't wobble as much on your face in torrential currents. I've been really impressed with Scubapro's frameless masks. There's a lot of fancy-scmancy snorkels on the market, but I have yet to try a "dry" snorkel (or mask!) that works as advertised -- I prefer a simple, moderately large bore snorkel without purge valves.
Dave
Dave
#3
Guest_jase_*
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Posted 17 April 2008 - 05:54 PM
I have a cheapo mask/snorkel combination that I got at a discount store for less than $20. Works fine for me. Before you lay out serious cash, you might try to go the cheap route. If it doesn't fit your face, return it and go more upscale.
You might also check out good clear goggles (and no snorkel) as an absolute entry point. Snorkels can be a bit weird to get used to, and masks leak unless they fit right. Get a good clear $10 pair of goggles, and you'll get hooked. Then you'll always have them as a back-up if you just want to stick your head underwater and see what's going on.
You might also check out good clear goggles (and no snorkel) as an absolute entry point. Snorkels can be a bit weird to get used to, and masks leak unless they fit right. Get a good clear $10 pair of goggles, and you'll get hooked. Then you'll always have them as a back-up if you just want to stick your head underwater and see what's going on.
#4
Guest_ashtonmj_*
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Posted 17 April 2008 - 06:11 PM
Snorkels might be a bit wierd to get used to but have you ever tried to snorkel in current actively following fish while having to hold your breath for short periods of time? You will be exhausted in 15 minutes. Snorkel mouthpieces can be custom fit or you can put your mouth piece in hot water and put it in your mouth (the same way you fit athletic mouthpieces). If you plan on any long day floats you don't want water in your eyes, a foggy mask, and to be gagging on water.
#5
Guest_jase_*
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Posted 17 April 2008 - 06:15 PM
Yeah, absolutely agree. But a cheap snorkel/mask *might* work fine. And goggles are a lot easier to carry in a bag if all you want to do is stick your head underwater once in a while. If you get hooked and want to keep doing it, get the real stuff.Snorkels might be a bit wierd to get used to but have you ever tried to snorkel in current actively following fish while having to hold your breath for short periods of time? You will be exhausted in 15 minutes. Snorkel mouthpieces can be custom fit or you can put your mouth piece in hot water and put it in your mouth (the same way you fit athletic mouthpieces). If you plan on any long day floats you don't want water in your eyes, a foggy mask, and to be gagging on water.
#6
Guest_daveneely_*
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Posted 18 April 2008 - 12:12 AM
The original post wasn't about someone wanting to stick their head underwater for awhile. It was a request for advice about "good snorkel gear for a newbie." What I'd hate to see is someone buying a $5 mask from Sprawl-Mart, having it leak constantly because it doesn't fit, get discouraged and not get back in the water. There's other places to scrimp; cheap masks aren't a particularly good one. Trust me, I've gone through a bunch. If need be, test a couple masks at your local dive shop, then buy the one that fits you best from LeisurePro or some other online establishment.
Most of us are already into native fish enough to spend $$$ on tanks and lighting and pumps and filters and nets and the gas to drive out to your local creek. I would be very surprised if the experience of getting swarmed by a spawning ball of shiners, watching logperch roll rocks, caddisfly larvae creeping across the rocks, or a rock bass stalk and pounce on a crayfish didn't get almost anyone hooked.
Having the right equipment makes it a lot more enjoyable.
Dave
Most of us are already into native fish enough to spend $$$ on tanks and lighting and pumps and filters and nets and the gas to drive out to your local creek. I would be very surprised if the experience of getting swarmed by a spawning ball of shiners, watching logperch roll rocks, caddisfly larvae creeping across the rocks, or a rock bass stalk and pounce on a crayfish didn't get almost anyone hooked.
Having the right equipment makes it a lot more enjoyable.
Dave
#7
Guest_jase_*
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Posted 18 April 2008 - 02:12 AM
I defer to the experts. 
Given the VHS situation here and resulting emergency rules on baitfish, there may be *no* collecting in Vermont for me this summer. I might be spending a lot of time with a snorkel and mask myself -- time to get a good one, I guess.
Let me put it this way -- *I* started with cheap gear, and it worked out just fine for me. I'm also going to continue to keep a pair of goggles with me for quick dips of the head. Your mileage may vary. If in doubt, trust the guy who does this for a living (Dave).
-Jase
Given the VHS situation here and resulting emergency rules on baitfish, there may be *no* collecting in Vermont for me this summer. I might be spending a lot of time with a snorkel and mask myself -- time to get a good one, I guess.Let me put it this way -- *I* started with cheap gear, and it worked out just fine for me. I'm also going to continue to keep a pair of goggles with me for quick dips of the head. Your mileage may vary. If in doubt, trust the guy who does this for a living (Dave).
-Jase
Edited by jase, 18 April 2008 - 02:16 AM.
#8
Guest_smilingfrog_*
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Posted 18 April 2008 - 02:22 AM
There's a lot of fancy-scmancy snorkels on the market, but I have yet to try a "dry" snorkel (or mask!) that works as advertised -- I prefer a simple, moderately large bore snorkel without purge valves.
Dave
Dave,
I'm surprised you've had such bad luck with the dry snorkels. I'm an avid scuba diver, and frequently snorkel out to dive sites to save air. That is about the extent of my snorkeling experience though. I have an Impulse snorkel by U.S. Divers. It is a dry snorkel and has worked great for almost 10 years now. I don't have very much experience using it in strong current though. Maybe the valve doesn't work as well in that type of situation.
Kanus,
I would agree that you definitely want a mask that fits well. One that doesn't will give you problems. Keeping it simple is probably the best way to go. I was actually advised against buying one of the high visibility / large lens type masks by the folks at a dive shop I go to. Was told they are more likely to leak and harder to clear as you need more air to fill them. They said you really need a certain shape to your face to wear one of those successfully. I tend to believe them as they had just talked themselves out of about a $150 sale for such a mask with prescription lenses.
That brings to mind another thing to consider, if you wear glasses you may want to spend the money on prescription lenses. Especially if your vision is as bad as mine. I know people who just go with disposable contacts too though. Both have advantages and disadvantages.
I'd suggest getting a good thick wetsuit too. I'm confident that you'll get hooked on snorkeling and will not want to limit yourself to warm water. Remember if you get too warm you can always unzip the suit a little and let some water in to cool off.
Have fun.
#9
Guest_mikez_*
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Posted 18 April 2008 - 11:53 AM
Listen to the experienced snorklers. We've already suffered through the leaky purge valves and poor fitting masks so you don't have to. 
You don't want to skimp on a mask and snorkle and there really isn't any reason to because the good stuff is not that expensive. Nothing is more annoying than a leaky mask. Go to a dive shop and try out a few masks. You don't need bells and whistles, just a snug fitting mask that doesn't obscure your vision and provides access to pinch your nose to clear your ears.
Choose a simple snorkle with streamline shape. The current rips at your snorkle more than any of your other equipment. I like a snorkle with high vis color on the end, but that's cause I tend to snorkle in places I really shouldn't.
You don't want to skimp on a mask and snorkle and there really isn't any reason to because the good stuff is not that expensive. Nothing is more annoying than a leaky mask. Go to a dive shop and try out a few masks. You don't need bells and whistles, just a snug fitting mask that doesn't obscure your vision and provides access to pinch your nose to clear your ears.
Choose a simple snorkle with streamline shape. The current rips at your snorkle more than any of your other equipment. I like a snorkle with high vis color on the end, but that's cause I tend to snorkle in places I really shouldn't.
#10
brannon67
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- NANFA Guest
- USA
Posted 12 November 2014 - 10:53 AM
I dont know, its a toss up. If you are just getting into snorkeling then you may feel like you dont want to spend alot of money on your equipment, from brands like Tusa, Oceanic, Scubapro, Cressi-Sub, Sherwood, Genesis, etc. I understand. I have been diving for years, and just started to snorkel now more then ever, because its less hassle, you can do it anywhere(there is decent water), but I have always bought quality equipment, ever since I started diving back in 1991. I cant stand a leaky mask, or bad fitting fins, or a snorkel that is uncomfortable or that is hard to clear. You can spend anywhere from $30-$300 on gear. You can get middle of the road gear for a decent price, like Body Glove snorkeling kit, or an Aqualung kit. Just be sure the mask fits, and has tempered glass. I love a purge in a mask, but you will pay more. I just recently bought all new snorkeling equipment and a new wetsuit as well, after years the stuff breaks down and needs to be replaced.
Edited by brannon, 12 November 2014 - 11:49 AM.
#11
Sean Phillips
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- NANFA Member
- Allegheny River Drainage, Southwest PA
Posted 12 November 2014 - 11:35 AM
I use an Apollo mask and snorkel, snorkel has a one-way purge valve on it. Total cost me about $60 for nice equipment but I use it a lot since I'm a regular local diver.
Sean Phillips - Pine Creek Watershed - Allegheny River Drainage
#12
brannon67
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- NANFA Guest
- USA
Posted 12 November 2014 - 11:52 AM
I swap between a Tusa and ScubaPro Mask, and have a Scubapro snorkel,and the new Scubapro Seawing Nova fins. And for a wetsuit, I have a 3m Henderson Thermaxx with a 3m vest I bought to layer, but I am looking at a ScubaPro semi-dry suit....
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