subject: Selecting The Best Snorkel Set [print this page] When it comes to scuba diving or snorkeling accessories, the snorkel set is one piece of equipment that you definitely can't do without. Both scuba diving and snorkeling wouldn't even be possible without this simple and inexpensive set. If you spend any time shopping for a snorkel set, however, you will quickly realize that there really are two different kinds of snorkel sets. The first set consists of only a dive mask and snorkel. The second set consists of a dive mask, snorkel, and swim fins. Whether a snorkel set comes with two items or three items depends on the manufacturer.
When it comes right down to it, there is nothing fancy or complicated about the individual components of a snorkel set. In fact, they are very basic. The snorkel itself is usually just a basic plastic tube that people breathe out of while swimming in the water. It is typically bent in a U configuration and most of them are about 16 long. There is the occasional company that tries to reinvent the snorkel but newer designs rarely take off.
The dive mask component of a snorkel set is a little more complex and there are two basic styles of dive masks that snorkelers can choose from. In the first option snorkelers can look through one large piece of clear plastic. In the second configuration, there are two separate optics to look though that are similar to glasses. It really doesn't make any difference at all which one you decide to go with. It's a personal choice for each individual.
The last component of scuba diving gear is swim fins. There are many different styles and configurations of swim fins to choose from. There are some, for example, that are made from a hard, rigid plastic that help you forcefully kick through the water. Then again, there are other swim fin designs that are made from a softer rubber material that are much more comfortable to wear but don't let you kick as hard. The hard plastic fins are the more affordable option while the rubber fins are almost always more expensive.
The snorkel set is fundamental to scuba diving and snorkeling. It is an essential component of a larger system, just as wetsuit shorts are a small part of a full wetsuit. Definitely take the time to shop around before making a purchase decision though since there are slight differences in different company's products that can make a big difference in comfort and fit.
