THE BEST FREEDIVING EQUIPMENT
We often get asked by many of our readers and fellow travelers about freediving equipment.
What mask to buy? Does fin length really matter? What is freediving anyways?
It is very important to know what to look for when investing in freediving equipment, even if you are just a beginner/ occasional snorkeler. Buying a proper mask once, is way better than wasting your money on cheap knockoffs that will eventually break and ultimately diminish your underwater experience. We ALWAYS travel with our masks and we highly recommend you buy your own personal mask to bring with you on your next adventure.
To make things easier for everyone, we have decided to put together this blog shortly describing the best freediving equipment. We use all the products we have listed below and can highly recommend all of them!
MASKS
GOING LOW…
No matter your skill level, we always recommend investing in a low-volume freediving mask (Low volume means minimum air space inside the mask).
Benefits:
-A lot easier to decompress during descent
-Conserves your air in lungs
-Makes you more stream line underwater
-Smaller mask easier to travel with and carry around
-Freediving masks look way cooler than bulky scuba masks-Still ideal for Scuba (many scuba divers prefer using freediving masks)
– Mask will eventually mold into the shape of your face making it super comfortable for you
Here are some of our all-time favourite masks:
TECHNISUB MICROMASK
- Low volume, wide-angle view
- Black silicone (comfortable & no sunlight distraction)
- Extremely durable (Been using it for years, never breaks)
- Small and compact, easy to travel with
OMER ALIEN MASK
- Low volume, designed for freediving/ spearfishing
- Soft, black silicone (very comfortable on face, no sunlight distraction)
- Buckles positioned on skirt, reducing total weight of mask and increased hydrodynamics
MARES STAR ELITE
- Extremely low-volume, smaller view angle
- Mirror-shaded lens (delivers a dark tint)
- Looks very cool when wearing it (we use it in many of our underwater photos)
- Mirror lens not ideal for spearfishing/ diving in low-light (can order with clear liquid lens)
FINS
This is an essential piece of freediving equipment. You may have noticed that we, along with all other freedivers, use longer fins. The fundamental purpose they serve is to give you a slow, efficient fin stroke, as well as give some serious propulsion when needed. They also make you look super cool underwater…
MATERIALS:
Polymer Plastic Fins: -Most common type fin (low budget)
-Sturdy, can survive bumps and scratches from collisions
-Plastic will eventually bend over time, diminishing efficiency
Fiberglass Fins: -More expensive than plastic fins
-Durable against collisions
-Does not lose shape over time
Carbon Fiber Fins: -Premiere level fins (most expensive)
-Most efficient, largest ratio between propulsion and energy
-Lightweight, won’t ever bend over time. Fragile against collision
Beginners can stick with the cheaper polymer plastic fins.
Intermediate & advanced divers, consider a pair of fiberglass or carbon fins.
OMER STINGRAY POLYMER FINS
- Very popular, low budget
- Extremely durable for travel (no worry about scratches)
- Very lightweight
- May bend over time
MARES RAZOR PRO POLYMER FINS
- Popular, low budget
- More sturdy than omer stingray
- Very lightweight and durable
OMER STINGRAY CARBON FINS
- Premiere level, high budget
- Extremely efficient
- Lightweight, won’t ever bend over time
- Fragile against collisions/ scratches
BAGS AND ACCESSORIES
We admit that we are slightly obsessed with buying spearfish- and freediving equipment. Over the the years we have gone through an incredible amount of equipment and accessories. Here are some of the accessories we’ve found to be very useful on all our travels and dive excursions:
SUUNTO D4I DIVE COMPUTER
- Four modes: Air, Nitrox, Freedive, and Off
- Full continuous decompression algorithm
- Innovative Apnea timer and timer in air/ nitrox modes
- Updatable firmware
- Optional wireless integration to tank gauges
- Very straight forward and easy to use
- Looks epic to wear (I wear mine almost all the time even out of the water)
-We have used many different computers, and will always recommend this one to our friends!
Dive computers are a great investment for any budding diver. Computers tell you how deep you are going and for how long, amongst many other functions.
RIFFE DRIFTER UTILITY PACK
- Speargun Stock Keeper with stowable straps – holds up to 2 spearguns
- Exterior hypalon lined fin secure system
- Convertible floor system – can remove for increased compartment capacity
- Very compatible for camera equipment as well
- Back panel access chamber
- Capacity 35L
-This really is the ultimate travel bag for your equipment, we use it on all travels.
BEUCHAT MUNDIAL LONGFIN PACK
- Long fins fit inside pack (has drain outlet)
- Adequate space for all other diving equipment inside
- Has bungee cord for speargun mount as well
- Ideal for the longer premium carbon fins
- Can fir 2x pairs of fins inside
- 38″ long, 12″ wide, 9″ deep
-We often use only this bag on dive travel trips with, it can hold both our dive equipments.
MARES ATTACK FIN BAG
- Popular, basic freedive fin bag.
- Ideal for carrying plastic freedive fins (often not big enough for longer carbon fins)
- Single back strap with external pouch
- No speargun straps
We hope this article highlight the best freediving equipment was insightful and will help you make a decision on what equipment to buy! Even if you are just starting out with the sport, these pieces of equipment will be of great help to get you going deep!
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