Apparently, the spearfishing and freediving snorkels appear very similar one to the other, but in reality they differ quite a lot. A difference, for example, is whether they float, a key characteristic for freedivers. Let’s look at some interesting solutions by important companies like Cressi, C4 Carbon, Mares, Pathos, Sigal and Spetton.
Spetton
The Spanish Company has already accustomed us with special solutions for spearfishing and freediving accessories, such as very interesting gloves and socks, especially for Winter. With the snorkels, two Spetton models are particularly interesting: the Team Flex and the One Piece.
Team Flex
The Spetton Team Flex snorkel is available in 5 colours, white, green, black, red and a very intriguing carbon look. The tube is completely flexible, even though sufficiently rigid not to squeeze too easily. The internal diameter of the tip of the tube is 21 mm (AP measures) and the section of the air passage of the mouthpiece is 20 x 22 mm. The tube has an anatomical curvature and is 37 cm long from the mouthpiece. The mouthpiece is in hypoallergic silicone. The Spetton Team Flex snorkel has an exclusive Fast-Relax mask rear strap connection ring. The Spetton Team Flex does not float.
One Piece
The Spetton One Piece snorkel is offered in black only. The special design is such that the snorkel is one single piece. This determines the total absence of internal edges, which means a cleaner flow for both air and water, so lower resistance and better breathing and water expulsion. Also, the noise during breathing is reduced. Additionally, the one-piece solution avoids any possible entrance of the water.
The tube is softer in the internal part facing the head of the diver, and has a flat section for best adaptation. The mouthpiece and the tip of the tube are also softer, while the central-internal section of the tube is harder to avoid excessive deformation. The connection to the mask rear strap is insured by a special double-ring dismountable system.
The diameter of the tip of the tube is 21 mm, while the passage of the mouthpiece is elliptical, 28 x 17 mm.
The Spetton One Piece snorkel floats and is for such reason great for freediving in the pool and at sea. A white more visible version would have been even better.
Pathos Med
The Greek company specialized in spearfishing equipment, and more recently, with the Nero brand, also in freediving, proposes one model of snorkel, the Pathos Med. The Med line sees 4 colours, black, green, white and brown. The mouthpiece is very well designed, with big bite wings and a medium size shield. The mouthpiece is in soft medical silicone.
The tube is in a medium hardness plastic material, stiffened in the initial part on the side of the mouthpiece, and moving up in the external part. This is done thanks to several nerves, initially going around the entire circumference of the tube, and after only in the external part from the head of the diver. The length from the mouthpiece to the tip of the tube is 37 cm. The internal diameter of the tip of the tube is 19 mm, while the air passage of the mouthpiece is 26 x 18 mm.
The connection to the strap of the mask is obtained with a classic plastic clip. The Pathos Med does not float.
C4 Carbon
C4 Carbon this year has won the Best Choice 2024 among the spearfishing snorkels with the C4 Meltemi, and is about to win the Best Choice 2024 among the freediving snorkels with the C4 Scirocco. So, indeed, the Italian Company has definitely brought to market some small big revolutions. Indeed, the price is a little higher than most of the competition, but the technical contents totally justify it. They are offered in black and carbon look colours.
Meltemi
The C4 Meltemi snorkel has already been presented in our X-rays column, and again reviewed in the Best Choice 2024 assignment. The basic factors are the great design for the best air and water flow, the flat shape for the best adaptation to the head of the diver, hydro dynamicity and reduced noise.
Also, the total flexibility of the snorkel with total elasticity which brings it always back to its initial shape is another plus. The matt area is a little stiffer (80 Shore), while the tip of the tube, with a glossy surface, is softer (50 Shore). Finally, for the happiness of freedivers, it floats, and so can be slid out from the strap of the mask before a dive. The length of the tube from the mouthpiece is 37 cm. The diameter at the tip of the tube is 23 mm, while the air passage of the mouthpiece is 26 x 13 mm.
The mouthpiece is in hypoallergenic silicone. The bite wings and shield are big.
Scirocco
The C4 Scirocco snorkel replicates all the characteristics of the C4 Meltemi, but in a shorter version. The length of the tube from the height of the mouthpiece is 30 cm, a much shorter value compared to standard solutions. The diameter of the tube at the tip is 21 mm, while the air passage of the mouthpiece is identical to the one of the C4 Meltemi. The length of the tube is perfect for freediving in the pool as it additionally improves breathing, but of course has some limits at sea with waves.
Mares
Two interesting snorkels by Mares are the Mares Dual and Mares Element F.
Dual
The Mares Dual snorkel is offered in attractive colours: green-black, brown-black, all black and camo. This snorkel is crafted from two different materials, each with a distinct level of softness, designed to minimize vibrations and noise during dives. It offers effortless, natural breathing during spearfishing and freediving. The snorkel’s optimized diameters and lengths effectively prevent airflow turbulence and facilitate easy clearing. The specialized D-shaped design of the section of the tubr ensures it stays comfortably on the temples. The tip of the tube is 37 cm high from the mouthpiece. The latter is made of hypoallergenic silicone. The diameter of the tip of the tube is 22 mm, while the air passage of the mouthpiece is elliptical and measure 26 x 11 mm. The Mares Dual does not float.
Element F
The Mares Element F is the floating version of the Mares Element. It is offered in many colours, such as white, pink, green, brown, blu and yellow. It will be soon elected Best Value 2024 snorkel for freediving.
The Mares Element Floating freediving snorkel is designed to float in both saltwater and freshwater, making it easy to retrieve in case it is lost during freediving sessions. The snorkel features optimized diameters and lengths for easy clearing and natural breathing. The hypoallergenic silicone mouthpiece ensures comfort even during extended use.
The tube extends 34 cm from the mouthpiece, a shorter solution than the traditional 37 cm, which makes it a very good choice, also thanks to its buoyancy, for freediving at sea and in the pool. The diameter of the tube at its tip is 21 mm, while the air passage of the mouthpiece is 22 x 10 mm.
Cressi
Cressi has definitely a good offer of snorkels, among which we have selected the Cressi Corsica, winner, in the spearfishing snorkels category, of the Best Value 2024.
The Cressi Corsica is offered in 4 different colours, black, white, blue and green. It has a soft completely flexible tube, with an anatomic shape to adapt to the head of the diver. The height of the tube from the mouthpiece is 36 cm. The diameter of the tip of the tube is 24 x 22 mm, while the air passage of the mouthpiece is 22 x 20 mm. The mouthpiece is of a very soft hypoallergenic silicone. The bite wings and shield are of medium dimensions. The Cressi Corsica does not float.
Sigal
In the Sigal snorkels line two models are worth taking a look at: the Air-Soft and the Summer.
Air-Soft
Despite the name, the Sigal Air-Soft spearfishing snorkel has quite a rigid structure. At the same time the internal part of the tube, facing the head of the diver, is thinner and so soft enough to guarantee good comfort. The Sigal Air-Soft has a soft and comfortable hypoallergenic mouthpiece, with big dimensions bite wings and shield.
The tube is 38 cm high from the mouthpiece and the internal diameter of the tip measures 19 mm. The mouthpiece has an air passage which measures 18 x 22 mm. The bite wings and shield are of big dimensions.
The connection of the tube to the strap of the mask is with a soft silicone band. The Sigal Air-Soft does not float.
Summer
The Sigal Summer freediving and spearfishing snorkel is available in black, with a soft tube and an even softer mouthpiece. The tube has a height compared to the mouthpiece of 37 cm. The internal section of the tip of the tube measures 21 cm of diameter. The tube has an anatomical curved shape to adapt to the head of the diver. The mouthpiece is the same as the one of the Air-Soft and so is the connection of the tube to the strap of the mask.
