by
Olivier Poirier-Leroy
Looking to add the FINIS Swimmers Snorkel to your training stack but aren’t sure? Here’s how it performs in the water and compares to other swim snorkels.
The FINIS Swimmers Snorkel is the one that started all. Launched back in 1995, it was the first front-mounted snorkel designed for competitive swimmers.
The goal?
To allow swimmers the ability to focus exclusively on technique and body position without worrying about turning the head to breathe.
Thirty years later, the FINIS Swimmers Snorkel still leads the pack when it comes to snorkel performance.
Although the competition has stiffened significantly since then—particularly from its sister product, the FINIS Stability Snorkel—the FINIS Swimmers Snorkel is still the best overall snorkel for most swimmers.
Here’s why.
Having used the FINIS Original Swimmers Snorkel a LOT over the years—it was my first snorkel back in 2016—I’ve logged a lot of miles wearing one.
Especially during my distance phase in 2019 when I was regularly logging 70k weeks at the pool.
The FINIS Swimmers Snorkel was a key part of all of that swimming as I used it to reduce neck and shoulder strain and build better stroke rhythm.
The things I liked most about the snorkel then still apply to what I like about it now:
The FINIS Original Swimmers Snorkel was developed by high-level swimmers (Pablo Morales, Olympic gold medalist butterflyer, helped design it and is a co-founder of FINIS) and you feel this experience when swimming with it on.
When pushing off, or sprinting with fins and paddles on, or doing a flip turn, or working on undulation under the water, the snorkel feels secure and stays in place.
Nothing will snap you out of a training trance faster than a snorkel that twists, leaks, or otherwise needs to be adjusted mid-lap.
The snorkel is best in class simply because it works at the one job it needs to do—not leak and stay in place—so that I can focus on technique and swim performance.
The FINIS Original Swimmers Snorkel, like other snorkels designed for competitive (and recreational) swim use features a front-mounted snorkel use.
Why is this important?
Because as you speed up in the water, and fight the forces of frontal drag and increased flow, you are going to need a snorkel that is hydrodynamic and presents a minimal surface to “catch” the water.
The front-mounted design also means you can successfully complete arm strokes without smacking the tube with the hands and arms.
Competitive swimmers use their swim snorkels a lot. Whether it’s for doing drills, kick without a board, or simply reducing neck/trapezius tension, snorkels are an essential part of swim kit.
Which means that they need to be comfortable for extended wear. The head bracket on the FINIS O.G. Snorkel is made with a soft plastic that sinks in properly against the forehead (line up the head bracket just over the eyebrows for a secure and comfy fit). Perfect for those long sets at the pool.
Swimmers new to swimming snorkels tend to be antsy and apprehensive about swallowing or choking on pool water that finds its way into the tube of snorkels. Fair!
One way to clear water is using a forceful exhale (side bonus: this is a great lung workout) and the other is a purge valve that clears water for easier breathing.
The FINIS Original Swimmers Snorkel has a purge valve at the bottom of the tube to keep water out so that you can focus on swimming fast and well instead of, you know, gagging on chlorinated pool water.
The FINIS Original Swimmers Snorkel is also available in a junior size for younger age group swimmers just getting into the sport and being introduced to swim gear like snorkels.
The great thing is that the benefits of swim snorkels apply equally to developing youth swimmers (unlike swim paddles, there is no increased joint and tendon stress with snorkel use).
The Junior Original Swimmers Snorkel has a shorter tube, narrower head bracket and smaller mouthpiece to accommodate smaller faces.
I always recommend this specific snorkel to family members, including nieces and nephews, and youth swimmers who ask me for snorkel advice when starting out with one.
Although the original, and in many ways the best, there are two main things that could use some improvement.
The FINIS Original has a lot going on with the head bracket. Two buckles for strap adjustment and a bracket that covers the full horizontal distance of the forehead.
Compared to the fairly minimalistic design of the Speedo Bullet Head and the unfortunately-now-discontinued MP Michael Phelps Focus Snorkel, the head bracket has a lot of moving parts, which can lead to breaks.
My first FINIS Swimmers Snorkel broke at the head bracket, with the strap snap breaking off after a couple of years of use.
One of the ways that swimmers use snorkels is as a way to build respiratory strength by restricting the amount of air flow coming in and out of the tube. (I prefer breathing patterns, but hey, whatever floats your boat.)
FINIS does offer restriction caps for the top of the tube, but sold separately.
Swimmers who want the caps bundled with the snorkel may want to consider the TYR Ultralite 2.0 Snorkel, which is a simple and lightweight snorkel that comes with two caps for tinkering with air flow.
I glowingly reviewed the FINIS Stability Snorkel when it was first launched. Both snorkels are awesome for a majority of swimmers, and the original is better for general audiences.
But for the swimmer who wants the best of the best, the FINIS Stability Snorkel is superior.
Here’s why:
The FINIS Swimmers Snorkel is ideal for swimmers just getting started with snorkels, while the Stability Snorkel is more of a high-performance snorkel.
The FINIS Original Swimmers Snorkel is the best overall snorkel for most swimmers, and I don’t just say that out of a sense of nostalgia (okay, well, maybe a little bit…).
It’s the perfect option for swimmers new to snorkel use, experienced swimmers who like the fit of a wider head bracket and fast-clearing purge valve, and swimmers and swim parents who appreciate the flexibility of junior sizes and different color options.
Get yourself one, use it to target the things you want to improve in the pool, and happy swimming!
9 Benefits of Training with a Swim Snorkel. The swim snorkel has become part-and-parcel of every competitive swimmer’s gear bag. Here are a bunch of reasons why you should use it in practice today to swim faster.
Olivier Poirier-Leroy Olivier Poirier-Leroy is the founder of YourSwimLog.com. He is an author, former national level swimmer, two-time Olympic Trials qualifier, and swim coach.
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