Newbie Equip confusion

[blindrid]

I am at a loss. I am currently looking for rather inexpensive snorkel, mask, fins for wife and I. We will use the snorkel equipment sparingly on cruises as we take one about every year or so. I'm confused as to the different masks, snorkels and fins.

It's not real handy to go to a dive shop here so I've been looking online. My ultimate concern is fit of the equipment. If I buy online, obviously I have no idea if it will fit either my wife or I. I obviously don't want to give up fit for cheap so I guess best value for the least money is where I'm at.

Any suggestions as I don't want to be a PITA to someone in the equipment biz due to my naievity. I'm guessing a semi-dry snorkel is the way to go but other than that I have no clue. Thanks in advance.

[dallasdivergirl]

Scubatoys actually does snorkeling packages.

You can just pick one & go with exactly what it has or you can go up or down by adding different fins or booties or snorkle or mask. Just call them & tell them what you are looking for.

I will tell you that all the booties and fins are in men's shoe sizes!

[blindrid]

Thanks. One of my worries is the fit regardless of what package I buy.

[dallasdivergirl]

Originally Posted by blindrid

Thanks. One of my worries is the fit regardless of what package I buy.

The guys at ST have had to do fit on lots and lots of divers and snorklers. Plus if the stuff doesn't fit it's no big deal to send it back and get something else. If one of you has a wide or narrow face let them know that, there are masks specific to those face types. Same thing on the fins. If you get a full foot fin they are flexible to fit a range of foot types. If you get the booties, just get the type you will need for where you are going. If you are going to a rocky area, the hard sole booties are good for that. Then you just get fins to fit that shoe size.

[ScubaJW]

Fit is very important as you realize. I have a very narrow face and I had a hard time finding the right mask for me. Thanks to the forums, I was able to find several masks for small faces in stores. I bought Poseidon Technica and Atomic Ultraclear Frameless mask (medium size). Both fits perfectly for me.

I know you don't want to do this, but I recommend you to try out the masks in person. If you insist that you wanted to order something online, then search on forum for masks. If you or your wife has a narrow face, then you should try out my masks. There are more out there that will fit smaller face.

Good luck!

[WAHMof2]

I'm sure that ST could get some general idea of fit from a few simple measurements, and you can't beat the prices on their packages. My hubby and I have VERY different faces, and we can both wear the same masks. I figured one that would seal on his odd ugly wierd shaped face would never fit on my beautifully shaped, petite female face. I was wrong!!

(joking hon, please don't read this okay???)

[Super-Duper Scubasteve]

Yeah, ST will definantly get you whatever you need at good prices