Snorkel Set

Decathlon and try on.

I am -7 (vision of a Badger) so I got some on-line pop in prescription lenses which have been absolutely ace.

Go where you can try the masks on.

A dive shop will help you get a good fit.

A bit like walking boots, it doesn't matter how fancy the boots are, if they don't fit you properly, they are useless.

Personally, I prefer a simple snorkel without any drain vales and stuff.

Mask - one that fits. You should be able to hold it on your face with a very gentle nose inhale without the strap. Snorkel - I like one with a splash guard on the top and a one way valve at the mouth but the plain tube ones are fine too. As above decathlon stuff is perfectly fine.

Getting somewhere to try on is going to be tricky as I've no car this week so it might have to be a bit hit and hope...

Would you suggest a set with or without flippers?

Fins, not flippers, and yes fins make a big difference moving around in the water, even quite short ones. As above Decathlon. I too like a simple snorkel without all the valves. Recreational diver here, ie I only do it on holiday in the warm.

So to further my luddite status, what's the difference between fins and flippers; is it just a matter of size?
Also regarding the snorkel, why do you prefer one without a valve? My very limited understanding of these things suggests that would limit you to just being on the surface?

Just to disagree - I do lots of snorkelling and love to dive down as deep as I can / shoot 360 videos etc. I massively prefer the newer snorkels with reliable shutoff valves.
I’d personally think about decent brands like Cressi, Scubapro, TUSA, Mares. Wouldn’t go to Decathlon for this sort of thing…
No valve = fine to dive but there will be more water to fire out when you get back up.
Unless you have a pretty weird shaped face a decent make dive / snorkel mask is almost certainly going to fit.
Another minor feature I like in newer snorkels is a quick release clip-on snorkel.

We have 2 sets of mares.

Seems to fit everyone that's used them.

Fins /mask and snorkel were about 50 quid each from an online dive shop a good number of years ago. Looked after and have lasted well.

I’ve used Lomo for their wetsuits and snorkels, they strike a good balance between quality and value

https://www.lomo.co.uk/products/adult-mask-and-snorkel-set-blue/

All I’d say is don’t expect much for that price.

Cressi calibro here.

I use short Dafin swim/surf fins as that’s what I already had.

Another little tip, clean the inside of a brand new mask with toothpaste.

Removes any residues and helps prevent them fogging up.

Sorry that was a bit flippant (see what I did there) fins are flippers, we don't call them flippers. They come in a range lengths, full foot or strap (designed to be used with boots) and really do need to be tried on. They need to fit or will come off or hurt.

Can’t offer advice on what snorkel set to buy but FACTOR IN FACIAL HAIR!

It sounds daft but I never even thought about  it until yesterday on holiday the day before a scuba diving excursion when I decided to snorkel off the beach to test my mask and quickly realised that I could get it to seal for love nor money.

A few minutes of head scratching until I realised it was my beard/moustache.

I then had to pop back to the room to shave my tash off and trim the beard hairs high up on my checks, fine before the trip but 11 days into a Caribbean holiday it left me with a white top lip much to the other half’s amusement!

I’ve used Lomo for their wetsuits and snorkels, they strike a good balance between quality and value

Given I can't give away a white water  helmet of theirs I bought as it doesn't seem to fit anyone I know. I'm cautious of buying anything of theirs without trying it on first

I’m a specs wearer and got this set for a recent holiday. Perfect fit and an absolute revelation. Back in the 90s I did a bit of Scuba, maybe a few dozen dives with a regular mask and an insert and the difference is night and day.

“ https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B06ZY2B5ZS/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o09_s00?ie=UTF8&th=1&psc=1”

Dunno what the state of play is now, but in the early days (i used to snorkel as a teen) the shut off valves could jam shut on occasion. Not a major issue (just need to lift your face out of the water to breathe), but can be something of a surprise.
I just used to tip my head back on the way up and a tiny bit of air would drain the snorkel with almost zero effort.

if trying on fins iit's useful to shave the hair from the top of your foot, if there is any. Seems stupid but it just makes judging the fit better as if you leave any hairs there then the rubber of the fins will pull on any hairs that are there as you put them on and you will think they are tighter than they really are.

A mask with as big a lens as possible and clear surrounds as the clear surrounds do let you see objects a bit so better for sensing when you are about to swim into something that is floating on the surface, like a jelly fish...

If you just want to stay on the surface rather than dive down, then the full face ones are an option, something like this:

https://www.decathlon.co.uk/p/adults-snorkelling-kit-easybreath-500-mask-fins-blue/_/R-p-333282?mc=8646025&c=royal%20blue_inkpot%20blue

Definitely try before you buy if possible. I’d been using a pretty decent TUSA mask but always felt it put too much pressure on the bridge of my nose. Tried on a few in a dive shop last summer and came away with a Cressi (Matrix I think) which is so much more comfortable. Happily my old mask fits my wife fine!

Bear in mind those full face snorkel masks (including Decathlon ones) have been associated with quite a few deaths worldwide. There are quite a few risk factors that make them potentially very dangerous. Quite apart from the fact that you can’t snorkel properly with them anyway…

Another holiday-only snorkeler here. Love snorkeling but always had problems as I'm very short-sighted. I have used an old pair of specs with the arms taken off inside the mask, held on with blu-tak... but contacts are a godsend!
I also have a 'tach and I've found that just shaving the few mm below my nose is enough to create a seal.
Or sometimes, I just use goggles and a nose clip, which works pretty well too.

How about something like this?

https://divingdirect.co.uk/products/visio-tri-ex-reef-tourer-set?_pos=1&_fid=16e7957c1&_ss=c

Used to dive a lot, and I still use my 25 year old Mares mask and snorkel for snorkelling.
Snorkel is one with a little valve at the bottom, does make it easier to clear imo.
Good kit 👍

Put mask on face without straps, breath in through nose. If the mask suctions on with no leaking that's indicative of a good fit.

I’d personally think about decent brands like Cressi, Scubapro, TUSA, Mares. Wouldn’t go to Decathlon for this sort of thing…

Decathlon stock Cressi and Mares masks.  If you've got a local dive shop for sure go there, but Decathlon sell good stuff.

https://www.decathlon.co.uk/sports/scuba-diving/diving-masks

This kit would be great value if it was in stock (even at full price) . https://www.decathlon.co.uk/p/adults-freediving-fins-mask-snorkel-kit-x-one-black-white/_/R-p-X8384986?mc=8384986

I've always dived/travelled with a set of Mares Avanti fins. They're an old design but were the 'standard' when I started scuba.  If it's just for snorkelling then the shorter style in the kit are probably easier to travel with.

@andylc
Bear in mind those full face snorkel masks (including Decathlon ones) have been associated with quite a few deaths worldwide. There are quite a few risk factors that make them potentially very dangerous.

I've always wondered about them - what are the issues?

A lot of "dead space" which can lead to CO2 build up and a possible CO2 hit.

I've experienced a CO2 hit. It was awful. Feels like your suffocating but you're not.

I know, I'm a complete barstard 😆

I have ordered the Mares X-One set from HERE after a very helpful live chat with them and it should arrive by Thursday.

Thanks for your help all 🙂

I've got an old pair of decathlon swim fins (the short blue ones) and they are great for holidays because you get get them in a suitcase and also get in and out of them at the beach without falling over or looking like a loser, they work surprisingly well. Plain tube snorkel. not those full face jobs, if they leak they are terrible and co2 headache is grim

Full face masks can cause dangerous build-up of C02 if you have any underlying resp issue which makes you pant more than usual - or just a more strenuous snorkelling session in currents etc requiring some physical effort.
Also something to do with negative pressure in the mask can also be a cause of Immersion Pulmonary Oedema, which can be fatal. Underlying hypertension and HRT therapy and major risk factors which many people might not realise.

if trying on fins iit’s useful to shave the hair from the top of your foot, if there is any.