First post, a couple of questions to you vets.

[bombadillo]

Well, hi this is my first post and hope to be able to contribute as much as i've been able to receive from reading a bunch. I have been snorkeling for a few years just basically putting around the rivers and beaches whenever my wife and I go out with a cheap set of u.s. divers junk that I bought at costco 4-5 years ago. I want to upgrade to a nicer set but i'm on a really tight budget. I tried on some full foot dive fins from a buddy who scuba dives and the first thing I noticed was how much more power I got out of a kick from his versus mine. Mine are like swimming with 2, 2x12" boards strapped to my feet and his flowed with ease. I have looked at the tusa liberator x-ten and heard a handful of good reviews. I'm really wanting an open foot fin so I can wear booties out there and not destroy my feet on coral if possible. I've looked at so many fins and 50-60 bucks is really my limit so I want to make my money stretch as far as possible. I've looked at the vue masks from snorkelmart.com and thought they were a decent bang for the buck as well as the H2Odyssey Alpha 2 Purge for around 35 bucks. Snorkels i'm not too worried about as they all generally do the same thing and i'm used to a "dry" snorkel currently. Anyway, any help, ideas or questions would be greatly appreciated. Casey

 

[David Wilson]

Welcome to the forum, Casey. I've snorkelled for over forty years, using all-rubber full-foot fins, traditional rubber-skirted oval masks and simple J-type snorkels. This was the equipment of choice when I started and I've never seen any reason to change. Nowadays, such gimmick-free gear is inexpensive too.

What matters most when selecting fins is a good comfortable fit, remembering that feet are three-dimensional entities, with width and height as well as length. Incidentally, you can still wear full-foot fins with booties:

Just make sure any fins will accommodate the extra bulk by putting on any footwear first before trying on fins for size. After identifying a range of fins that will fit, a process that may take a while, you may be able to narrow down the choice by begging or borrowing pairs from friends. Fins aren't worn for speed, but for power, manoeuvrability and endurance. Very few have all three characteristics, so be prepared to experiment and decide what kind of snorkelling you intend doing.

In the case of masks, fit is everything. Don't go for a particular model or even a brand. People will recommend a particular mask which suits them. It won't necessarily work well for you. Faces are all different, no matter what manufacturers say. And the most expensive mask in the store may be the worst possible option for you.

Don't expect to find ideal equipment all in one go. If you make a bad choice, you've at least learnt something and will make a better selection next time. There are no right answers when it comes to what fins, mask and snorkel to wear.

Remember that snorkelling is about fun and enjoyment, not about breaking records or holding your breath longer than anybody else. You can do that without spending a lot of money. When I snorkelled in that snorkellers' paradise, La Jolla Cove in California, a few years ago, the swimmers had every kind of gear possible, from the most advanced to the most basic. They all had something in common, though, they were all having a wonderful time doing something they loved. Share the dream.

 

[jwc3]

I use the Tusa Liberator X-Ten fins for both snorkeling and scuba diving. I love them. Be sure to try them on with the booties you plan to wear to ensure propper fit.

Not too sure about a purge mask. Clearing water out of a mask is so easy (just press the top of the mask to your face and blow out of your nose) that this seems to be an unnecessary feature to me. Be sure to try masks on before you buy it to ensure a leak-free fit. My local dive shop has a pool and will let you swim with their masks before making a purchase.

As for the snorkel, I don't use the "dry" style since they stay filled with air when you dive down, making them buoyant. As a result, they tug on your mask strap. To clear a standard snorkel as you return to the surface, just look up at the sky and exhale.

Good luck!

 

[bombadillo]

Thanks for the replies guys, i've been scouring with little avail. I think I am getting a set of the tusa liberators though as they seem to be what i'm looking for. Are they a very long fin?? I couldn't find any length info on these off of scuba.com so I was curious on how they pack.

 

[RalphinOrmond]

As for masks, I'll abide by the irrefutable position that specific brands/models do not suit all specific individuals and not recommend the Atomic Aquatics frameless mask even if I do think it's the nicest mask I've ever encountered. Actually, I've always wondered about the "frameless" design parameters. I think that the lens of a frame mask can, at least theoretically, be replaced. That sounds pretty far fetched unless one wants to install a prescription lens. Anyway, I do recommend frameless masks in general for recreational snorkelers (but not for anyone else). There is less material, so it is lighter and I think they are usually low [air]volume, which is a nicer underwater experience, in my opinion.

 

[Scuba.com]

The Tusa Liberator fins are an example of some reletively middle of the road technology in fins. There really isn't a lot to say about them. They are a basic "hydro-plastic" design and of average length when compared to most dive fins. I am sorry I don't have the exact measurements handy on them but they pack reasonably well in a normal dive bag or suitcase. They are a bit too long for a carry on, and due to the type of blade they have, don't bend into your carry on very conveniently.

 

[bombadillo]

Thanks, i've been wondering about those. I've seen reviews that say they're stiff like putting a 2x12 on your feet and others that said they're great for mild currents but too flexible for very strong a current. I don't know what to make of that. I'm also eyeballing some H2odyssey alpha 2 with purge masks for my wife and I. Also the H2odyssey Onyx masks which are frameless. I may pick up 1 of each for me and see which one fits her the best and get another one in a couple of weeks.

 

[jwc3]

I am sorry I don't have the exact measurements handy on them but they pack reasonably well in a normal dive bag or suitcase.

My Tusa Liberators are 23.25 inches long.