Being in this industry for many years, I have found that the manufacturers offer good gear but some offer more gear with “bells & whistles” than others.
We at SnorkelingOnline do not offer the cheap snorkel gear. Comfort and fit is the main priority. Stay away from plastic lenses as they have a tendency to scratch quite easily and tempered glass lenses are the best.
The skirting of the mask (the part that actually comes into contact with the face) should have a double seal and be made of hypoallergenic soft silicone rather than rubber which degrades faster. Read Snorkeling Masks – Select the Right One, which will help you make an educated decision as far as what you would like you mask to do for you.
There are many different styles of snorkels; open tube, semi dry and dry snorkel. The open tube are the least expensive but do not keep the water from entering the bore from splashed water or should it go beneath the surface of the water. The semi dry snorkel will deflect splashed water from entering the the snorkel bore while in use but will still fill with water when the unit is syubmerged completely below the water’s surface. The dry snorkel incorporates a flapper or a float valve (or combination) which will close the snorkel bore when the entire unit is submerged.
I snorkel as well as scuba dive and personally prefer the benefits of the dry snorkel above all others. They are more expensive but make for a more enjoyable snorkeling experience. My favorite is the Ultra Dry Snorkel by Oceanic.
Do you want more information on the different types of snorkels, read Snorkels – Select the Right One. Or read this for a quick Snorkel Comparison Chart.
The snorkeling fins that are becoming more and more popular with snorkelers these days are what are called “travel ready or travel fins” which take up less room in suitcases while traveling. Fantastic for snorkeling but not so good for scuba diving. I prefer the strap style fins in the travel ready styles personally. And again, to be more educated with snorkeling fins, read Snorkeling Fins – Select the Right Pair.
If you are looking for a complete snorkeling package, we have a nice selection to choose from.
