If you've been on a casual snorkeling trip, you probably didn't think much about what was on your feet beside the fins themselves. Perhaps you used a simple pair of rental fins that you just slipped over your bare feet. However, perhaps you also found that your fins felt loose and slippery, even if they were the right size. Or maybe the fin pocket chafed around your ankles, leaving uncomfortable blisters. To take your snorkeling to the next level, you can optimize these imperfections by wearing … [Read more...] about Wearing Socks with Fins (Choosing Thickness, Styles, and Materials)
Product Reviews
Sun Protection Clothing for Snorkeling (A Shopping Guide)
We've all heard the news about thinning ozone and increased rates of melanoma. On the other hand, we've also all heard the news about vitamin D and seasonal affective disorder. Doctors keep telling us how important it is to cover up in the sun, but in the same breath emphasize how healthy sun exposure is too. Add snorkeling to the mix and things get even more complicated. Swimwear typically offers less coverage than regular clothing, and sunscreens may have devastating effects on coral reefs. … [Read more...] about Sun Protection Clothing for Snorkeling (A Shopping Guide)
Split Fins for Snorkeling? (How They Work and Recommended Models)
The modern design of the fin was invented in 1914 by a Lieutenant Commander in the French Navy, Louis de Corlieu (source). Since then, the design of the humble swim fin has seen countless iterations, styles, and designs to suit many different kinds of activities from snorkeling to SCUBA! One design that has become especially popular in recent years is the split fin. But is this new trend legit or just a gimmick? As it turns out, split fins can be a great choice for snorkeling! But to … [Read more...] about Split Fins for Snorkeling? (How They Work and Recommended Models)
What is a Low-Volume Dive Mask? (They Aren’t Just For Freedivers!)
In the old days of SCUBA, when most divers were frogmen, SCUBA equipment looked very different than it does today. The dive mask has traditionally been a piece of the gear that brings to mind a modern VR headset. Solid, large viewing windows, a bit like a fishbowl strapped to your face. While more traditional dive masks are still in production (they do have their merits), a different trend has rapidly overtaken the market in recent years: the low-volume mask. This term is nearly unavoidable at … [Read more...] about What is a Low-Volume Dive Mask? (They Aren’t Just For Freedivers!)
Wet Vs. Dry Snorkel: What’s the Difference? (With Diagrams!)
Anyone new to snorkeling or SCUBA is likely to come across many references to dry snorkels. In fact, they seem to be very popular among novice and veteran adventurers alike! But what's the difference between a wet vs. dry snorkel? What exactly makes a dry snorkel "dry"? A dry snorkel has a special mechanism called a float valve in the tube of the snorkel. The float valve seals the snorkel tube if it becomes completely submerged. This might happen if you take a dive or a large wave rolls over … [Read more...] about Wet Vs. Dry Snorkel: What’s the Difference? (With Diagrams!)