Snorkel gear?

[nic_x]

Anyone have recommendations for snorkel gear? We've used the equipment provided by tour operators in the past, but have had headaches with leaky masks, etc., and figured we'd be better off with our own gear for our next cruise. Our local Target has snorkel gear from Speedo and US Divers, and there are some similar brands at Sports Authority.

Anyone with snorkel experience have suggestions? We're pretty novice snorkelers!

 

[kcashner]

We went to our local dive shop--they had some stuff on sale that was not much more expensive than Target. By using them, I knew it was fitted right, etc. Actually, I think the kid stuff was cheaper than Target. We got to try it on first, etc.

 

[DLW8]

I got sets for my kids last summer (to get used to them before our trip this year) from target and they don't leak.

I am planning on getting one of the 2 from Target for DH and I this year as well as I don't want to use a rentl snorkel. I will rent fins for me and DH, but the kids also want their fins (and we know they fit).

I know many will say to get your gear from a dive shop, they can help get the right fit, and if you need a prescption lens, they can do that as well. I'm not sure when is the "off season" where you would get sale prices.

For us, we won't use them again until another cruise, and with the economy and Disney's pricing, not sure when that will be. So, the ones from Target are fine for us.

It all depends on how much you want to spend and how much you will use them...just my 2 cents.

 

[aznaphrodite]

I agree with DLW8. We got 2 sets at Target and they've been fine. I also heard Costco has a decent set right now that comes in a nice mesh bag.

 

[ikelshellmad]

If you plan on snorkeling a lot, then it would be good to invest in quality gear. We purchased our gear (adults and children) online at LeisurePro. They have reasonable prices. HTH.

 

[scrapgirl3]

We also got ours from Costco and the kids from Target. They worked well for us, and we felt it was the right amount to spend based on how often we plan to snorkel. Ours did not leak or break. Our friends who went with us stopped at the CVS in Key West and got some really inexpensive ones, I think they were $10 for a set (no fins) and they broke the first time they tried to use them. So, I'm not thinking that was a good investment!

 

[nic_x]

Thanks for all the input! We will probably go with Target. We've only been snorkeling a few times, and the kids are still learning. While a dive shop might be better, there aren't dive shops anywhere near us, so getting a fitting would mean taking up an entire day with driving to a shop/getting home. Probably not worth the difference in quality/fit, given how often we go!

 

[Freddyfishstix]

We got some gear at Sam's Club as well as Target. The equipment from Sam's is made by Body Glove and comes in a set that includes Fins, Mask and Snorkel.

 

[amy2girls]

we got ours at sams- i wear contacts and no leaking- worked great!

 

[momto2inKC]

I just bought my kids snorkel sets from Target. I like that the Speedo brand had jr sizes, my kids are 'tweens' and the kids sizes are too small, adult too big. I do however wish they would've had some that came with fins, we can just rent those I guess.

 

[DisneyBaby2004]

I asked the same question and rec'd some great responses. HTH

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2080714

 

[Waltworshiper]

We got ours at BJ's and they work just fine. We only use them once a year for our trips, we have a pool, but we keep these sets put away especially for our cruises.