Snorkels are essential equipment for snorkeling and scuba diving. They allow you to breathe easily on the surface, save air in the cylinder, and observe the underwater world. Choosing a suitable snorkel may seem simple, but it is actually about comfort, safety, and underwater experience. This super detailed guide will take you through every detail to help you make a wise choice.
I. Core cognition: the core function and positioning of snorkels
1. Core function: It is specially used for breathing air when resting, observing or swimming on the surface, without raising your head. When the face is immersed in water, breathe through the mouthpiece.
2. It is not an underwater breathing apparatus: It cannot be used to breathe deep underwater (that is the function of the regulator).
3. Scuba diving vs. snorkeling: The core functions of the snorkels used by both are the same, but scuba diving tubes usually focus more on:
Low resistance/low volume: Reduce exhalation resistance and water storage in the tube, which is convenient for use with the regulator.
Simple design: Avoid too many complex parts interfering with diving.
Streamlined: Reduce the risk of entanglement or hooking.
II. Anatomical breathing tube: detailed explanation of key components and key points for purchase
1. Tube:
Material:
Silicone: First choice! Extremely soft, highly elastic, weather-resistant (UV-resistant, salt-alkali-resistant), odorless, tear-resistant. Provides optimal comfort and durability. Higher price.
TPE (thermoplastic elastomer): softness, elasticity, and weather resistance are inferior to silicone, but better than PVC. High cost performance. Common in mid-range products.
PVC (polyvinyl chloride): hardest, poor elasticity, easy to become brittle at low temperatures, easy to age (especially in sunlight and salt water), may have a plastic smell. Least recommended, only found in the lowest-end products.
Diameter (inner diameter):
Standard tube diameter (about 18-22mm): most common, balances breathing patency and water resistance/water storage. Suitable for most adults.
Large tube diameter (>22mm): Theoretically, the breathing resistance is smaller, but the actual disadvantages are significant:
Larger displacement (requires stronger exhalation force).
Greater drag resistance underwater (affects streamline).
May interfere with the wearing of the mask strap.
Generally not recommended, especially for scuba divers.
Small tube diameter (<18mm): Slightly larger resistance, but smaller displacement and more streamlined. Suitable for children or divers who pursue extreme simplicity/low resistance (need to assess their own lung capacity).
Length:
Standard length (about 30-40cm): Most common. Too short increases the risk of choking (the tube mouth is easy to sink into the water during surges), too long increases breathing resistance, drainage is difficult, and easy to shake.
Folding/telescopic tube: Convenient for storage, but the connection may increase the risk of air/water leakage, and the structure is relatively fragile. Be sure to confirm that the locking mechanism is firm and reliable when purchasing.
Shape:
Classic J-type: The most common, the tube body is naturally curved to fit the side of the head.
L-shaped/more curved: The tube mouth is closer to the back of the head, which is theoretically less likely to get water in (especially in frontal surge), but it may affect the wearing position and comfort. Make sure the bending angle is suitable for your head shape.
Color: Bright colors (yellow, orange, fluorescent green) are easier to be spotted by diving partners or surface personnel. Dark colors are more low-key (suitable for photography/hunting). The transparent tube body makes it easy to observe whether the inside is blocked.
2. Mouthpiece:
Material:
Medical Grade Silicone: Absolutely the first choice! Extremely soft and comfortable, no odor, tear-resistant, fits the gums, and is not easy to fatigue or cause temporomandibular joint pain after long-term biting. Easy to clean and disinfect.
Ordinary silicone/TPE: Harder, less comfortable.
Rubber/Plastic: Hard, odorous, easy to age and crack. Avoid choosing.
Design:
Ergonomic: The design should fit the oral and tooth structure to reduce jaw fatigue.
Bite Plate/Flange: Located on both sides of the mouthpiece, it helps the teeth to bite steadily and disperse the pressure. It should be wide enough and comfortable.
"Shark Fin"/ "Wave" Design: The internal channel design is designed to optimize airflow and reduce breathing resistance. The effect varies from person to person.
Replaceability: The mouthpiece is a consumable. It is more economical and environmentally friendly to choose a breathing tube that can easily replace the mouthpiece separately (usually fixed by buckles or screws). Confirm the universality or brand-specificity of the replacement parts.
3. Tube head (Top) and drainage system (Purge System):
Tube mouth design:
Fully open: the most traditional, without additional cover. Completely rely on the drain valve or strong blowing to drain.
Splash Guard/Dry Top:
Principle: Add a baffle covering part of the opening or a cover with a one-way valve (often with a float) at the mouth of the tube.
"Dry" tube claims: It can prevent a small amount of water from splashing in or completely submerged. Note: "Dry" does not mean that no water will enter, but it means that the amount of water entering is significantly reduced or delayed.
Float Valve: The most common. When there is no water in the tube, the float is pushed by the airflow to seal the bottom of the tube mouth; when the tube mouth is submerged to a certain depth underwater, the float rises due to buoyancy and blocks the tube mouth (to prevent a large amount of water from entering); when you raise your head and the tube mouth is out of water, the float falls and you can breathe.
Key points:
The sealing of the float may decrease with time/wear.
The exhalation resistance is usually greater than that of ordinary tubes.
After complete immersion (such as diving), there will be water in the tube, and you need to exhale to flush the float before you can breathe when you float to the surface.
Mud/debris may get stuck in the float and cause it to malfunction.
Baffle: Use a physical baffle to change the direction of water flow and reduce splashing.
How to choose?
Scuba diving: Semi-dry or classic wet hoses are better. The extra complexity of dry hoses, potential failure points, exhalation resistance, and the need to drain the hose after a dive make them less than optimal for diving. Semi-dry breakers are effective at preventing splashes and are simple and reliable.
Snorkeling/surface activities: Dry or semi-dry hoses provide a "drier" experience and reduce the frequency of draining, especially in choppy conditions. Just accept the potential drawbacks.
Purge Valve:
Function: A one-way valve located at the lowest point of the hose (usually above the mouthpiece or near the bend of the head). Water is drained out of the valve by simply exhaling, without the need to blow hard to empty the entire hose.
Importance: Highly recommended! Especially for children, beginners, or those with limited lung capacity. Greatly simplifies draining operations, improving safety and comfort.
Design:
Silicone valve: Most common, soft and seals well. Check for easy disassembly for cleaning.
Position: Make sure the valve is at the lowest point when worn (water can naturally gather here when you lower your head).
Protective cover: Some valves have plastic covers to prevent accidental contact with external forces or blockage by mud and sand.
4. Mask Strap Clip/Keeper:
Function: Stably fix the breathing tube to the left side of the mask strap (most people are used to the right side with regulator).
Material: Silicone (soft and does not hurt the strap) or hard plastic.
Design:
Rotating/sliding type: The angle of the breathing tube can be fine-tuned to make it fit the cheek perfectly, reducing shaking and water resistance. Recommended choice.
Fixed type: The angle is not adjustable and may not fit well.
Ease of use: The mask strap should be easily buckled or loosened to facilitate wearing and taking off the mask.
III. Purchase decision: clarify needs and key considerations
1. Main purpose:
Scuba diving: Prioritize simple, low-resistance, low-volume, streamlined breathing tubes. Semi-dry (with wave-breaking board) or classic wet with drain valve is the best balance. Avoid complicated and bulky dry hose. Silicone material + comfortable mouthpiece is the basis.
Snorkeling/free diving surface rest: You can choose dry hose or semi-dry hose to reduce draining operations and focus on observation. Comfort (especially mouthpiece) is still the core. Folding hose is easy to carry for travel.
Swimming training: Choose simple, low-resistance wet hose, usually without drain valve (pool environment). Make sure the fixing clip is firm.
2. Comfort first:
Mouthpiece: must be soft (medical silicone) and fit the gums. It is crucial to try it on yourself (even dry) or check detailed reviews. Bad mouthpiece is the number one reason for jaw soreness and giving up.
Fit: Does the bending angle of the tube body and the position of the fixing clip allow the breathing tube to fit your cheek naturally and firmly without pressure or excessive pulling?
Weight: Overall lightness helps reduce fatigue.
3. Performance considerations:
Breathing resistance: The diameter, length, and internal structure (such as the float chamber of the dry tube and the mouthpiece that optimizes airflow) will all affect it. Models with smooth inner walls and simple designs usually have lower resistance. Check professional evaluation data (if available).
Drainage efficiency: The presence and location design of the drain valve determine the difficulty of drainage. The valve should be easy to open and the drainage channel should be smooth.
4. Safety and reliability:
Material durability: Silicone is far superior to PVC/inferior rubber in terms of weather resistance and aging resistance.
Simple structure: The fewer parts, the fewer potential failure points (especially for scuba diving). The float valve of the dry tube is a common failure point.
Visibility: Bright tubes are easier to find in emergency situations.
Brand reputation: Choosing a well-known diving equipment brand usually means better quality control, material safety and after-sales service.
5. Budget:
Entry-level (50-150 yuan): mostly TPE material, wet or simple semi-dry, may not have a drain valve or use ordinary silicone mouthpiece. Suitable for occasional snorkeling or those with extremely limited budget.
Mid-range (150-350 yuan): recommended range. Mainstream silicone tube body, medical silicone mouthpiece, semi-dry/dry tube with drain valve. Good balance of performance, comfort and reliability.
High-end (more than 350 yuan): top-grade silicone, ultimate ergonomic mouthpiece, optimized airflow design, special dry technology (such as double float), brand premium. Suitable for those who pursue the ultimate experience or professional needs.
IV. Homework and practice before buying
1. Research brands and models:
Core diving brands: Scubapro, Aqualung, Cressi, Mares, TUSA, Oceanic, Atomic Aquatics, Seac, etc. These brands have a deep background in the development of diving equipment.
Snorkeling/travel brands: Snorkeling Pro, Tribord (Decathlon), etc. are also good choices.
Check professional reviews: diving magazines, authoritative diving forums, and independent review websites provide detailed comparisons and actual experiences.
Read user reviews: Pay attention to real feedback about comfort (especially the mouthpiece), drainage effect, and durability.
2. If possible, try it yourself:
Bite test: After cleaning, put the mouthpiece in your mouth to simulate biting. Feel the softness, whether the baffle presses on the gums, and whether the teeth feel comfortable? Is it possible to get sore after biting for a long time?
Wearing simulation: Buckle the breathing tube to the mask strap with a fixing clip (or ask the store clerk for help), and put on the mask. Do you feel whether the tube body fits your cheek naturally? Are there any obvious pressure points? Is the head turning smoothly? Is the drain valve at the lowest position when you lower your head?
Dry suction test: Block the tube mouth, inhale gently, and feel the resistance (for rough reference only).
V. Reference of top brands and well-known models
Scubapro Escape 2 / Spectra (Dry): Classic and reliable, with high comfort.
Aqualung Impulse / Flex (Dry/Semi-Dry): Well-designed and comfortable mouthpiece.
Cressi Supernova / Alpha (Dry): High cost-effective and popular.
Mares Ergo / Ergo Dry: Unique angle design, good fit.
TUSA Hyperdry Elite II / Liberator: Representative of high-performance dry tube.
Atomic Aquatics SV2 / SV3: Ultra-wide mouthpiece baffle design significantly reduces jaw fatigue (highly recommended for those who are prone to soreness).
Oceanic Ultra-Dry / Pro: Mature dry technology.
Seac Liberty / Equilibrio: Italian brand, stylish design, reliable performance.
VI. Use and maintenance: Extend life and maintain hygiene
1. Rinse thoroughly after use: Rinse the inside and outside of the tube, mouthpiece, drain valve, and fixing clip with fresh water. Pay special attention to flushing the inside of the drain valve to remove salt, sand and saliva residue.
2. Cleaning and disinfection:
Soak in mild diving equipment disinfectant (diluted according to instructions) regularly (especially when used by multiple people, stored for a long time, or when odor is felt).
Home alternative: Soak in mild detergent water or baby shampoo solution. Avoid bleach, alcohol, strong solvents, and hot water (>40°C), which will accelerate the aging of silicone and damage the valve.
3. Drying: Thoroughly shake off the accumulated water, hang upside down or place in a ventilated and cool place to dry naturally. Avoid direct sunlight (UV is the main cause of silicone/PVC aging). Make sure the drain valve is dry to prevent adhesion.
4. Storage:
Store after it is completely dry.
Avoid excessive bending of the tube body (especially the folding tube) for a long time to prevent creases or plastic deformation. Just coil it naturally.
Do not press it with heavy objects.
5. Regular inspection:
Mouthpiece: Check for cracks, hardening, deep tooth marks, and tears. If so, replace it in time.
Drain valve:
Check whether the valve plate is soft, elastic, and not damaged.
Check whether the valve seat is clean and free of foreign matter.
Test: Inhale into the mouthpiece while blocking the tube mouth, the valve should be closed and sealed without air leakage; blow gently into the mouthpiece, and the valve should open easily to exhaust.
Dry tube float valve: Check whether the float can move freely, whether the sealing ring is intact, and whether the inside of the tube mouth cover is clean.
Tube body: Check for cracks, perforations, and severe deformation.
Fixing clamp: Check whether it is loose or damaged, and whether it can firmly clamp the mask strap.
VII. Important Warnings
Snorkels are safety equipment: do not buy inferior products from unknown sources, no brand, and abnormally low prices. Material safety and structural reliability are crucial.
Differentiating swimming snorkels: Swimming training tubes are usually simpler (may not have a drain valve or a fixing clip) and are not suitable for snorkeling/diving environments.
For children: Always choose a small-sized snorkel designed specifically for children, with a thinner diameter, shorter length, and smaller mouthpiece. Dry tubes are more child-friendly (reducing the risk of choking). Closely monitor children when using them.
When diving: When diving for scuba diving, the snorkel is usually no longer needed and can be removed from the mouth or left hanging. Always exhale the air in the tube and leave the snorkel before free diving.
Choking treatment: Even the best snorkels can get water. Stay calm and master effective blow-out techniques (even with a drain valve, which is sometimes necessary), or just lift your head out of the water to breathe.
Conclusion:
Buying a suitable diving snorkel is a key step to improving your water activities experience. Understand its core functions, carefully disassemble each component, clarify your own needs (scuba vs. snorkeling), prioritize comfort (especially the mouthpiece) and reliability (material, structure), do your homework (brand, model, reviews), try it yourself (if possible), and commit to proper cleaning and maintenance, you can find the breathing partner that fits you perfectly and explore the wonderful world under the water safely and comfortably. Remember, when it comes to breathing, it is worth your time and budget to choose the most suitable equipment.
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