Mares Snorkels — Scuba, Snorkeling, and Freediving
Mares divides its snorkel lineup cleanly by purpose: the Ergo series for scuba divers and recreational snorkelers, and the Element, Dual Camo, and Pure Instinct Dual for freedivers and spearfishers. The engineering priorities are genuinely different between the two groups — scuba and snorkeling snorkels emphasize dry-top sealing, splash prevention, and easy clearing via purge valves, while freediving snorkels strip all of that away in favor of minimal weight, hydrodynamic profiles, and tubing optimized for a single deep breath rather than continuous surface breathing.
At DiveCatalog.com, we carry the full current Mares snorkel lineup as an authorized dealer.
Scuba and Snorkeling Snorkels — The Ergo Series
Ergo Dry — 100% Dry Top
The Ergo Dry uses a fully sealed dry-top mechanism that closes the tube when submerged, meaning water cannot enter regardless of wave action or submersion depth. A purge valve in the mouthpiece evacuates any water that does enter, and the corrugated silicone hose provides flexibility and natural positioning. The sliding swivel snorkel keeper allows precise adjustment on the mask strap, and the ergonomic mouthpiece is designed for comfort across extended sessions. The right choice for divers who want to surface and breathe without any clearing routine.
Ergo Splash — Semi-Dry Anti-Splash
The Ergo Splash uses an anti-splash semi-dry top that deflects surface waves and spray without fully sealing the tube — a simpler mechanism than the full dry-top that still keeps most water out under normal conditions. The same ergonomic silicone mouthpiece, exhaust valve for quick clearing, corrugated hose, and sliding swivel keeper as the Ergo Dry. A good match for calm to moderate conditions where a full dry-top is more mechanism than necessary.
Ergo Flex — Open-Top Classic
The simplest of the Ergo series: an open-top design with a transparent corrugated silicone hose, exhaust valve, flexible mouthpiece, and sliding swivel keeper. No splash guard or dry-top mechanism — water can enter the tube, but the purge valve makes clearing quick and straightforward. For divers who prefer the simplicity and unobstructed airflow of a classic open-top snorkel and are comfortable with the occasional clearing blow.
Freediving and Spearfishing Snorkels
Element — Minimalist Freediving
The Element is Mares' most stripped-down freediving snorkel: a soft, flexible tube with diameter and length optimized for easy emptying and natural breathing, a hypoallergenic silicone mouthpiece, and deliberately no purge valve and no snorkel keeper. The open-top design keeps the profile as lightweight and uncluttered as possible for breath-hold diving where simplicity and low drag matter more than wave protection or passive water management.
Dual Camo — Spearfishing Profile
The Dual Camo uses a D-shaped tube cross-section that minimizes contact with the temple during extended spearfishing sessions — a detail that makes a real difference during long stationary hunts where pressure points become uncomfortable over time. Black camouflage PVC tube construction is suited to prolonged saltwater exposure, and the hypoallergenic silicone mouthpiece handles extended wear. Tube diameter and length are tuned for easy clearing and natural breathing patterns during breath-hold diving.
Pure Instinct Dual — Bi-Material Performance
The Pure Instinct Dual uses a bi-material tube with two distinct softness levels in different sections, providing correct flexibility where the tube needs to bend while maintaining structure where rigidity aids airflow. The anatomical profile is highly hydrodynamic, reducing turbulence and noise during underwater movement — relevant for spearfishers where silence and streamlining are tactically important. The ergonomic hypoallergenic silicone mouthpiece and tube dimensions optimized for efficient breathing and quiet operation complete a snorkel built specifically for serious breath-hold work.
Choosing Your Mares Snorkel
| Diver Type |
Recommended Snorkel |
Key Reason |
| Scuba divers wanting zero water in the tube on surfacing |
Ergo Dry |
100% dry-top seal; no clearing required on surfacing |
| Recreational snorkelers in calm to moderate conditions |
Ergo Splash |
Semi-dry splash guard; simpler mechanism; still keeps most water out |
| Divers preferring a simple open-top design |
Ergo Flex |
Unobstructed airflow; purge valve for quick clearing |
| Freedivers wanting minimal weight and drag |
Element |
No purge valve, no keeper; pure streamlined simplicity |
| Spearfishers wanting comfort over long sessions |
Dual Camo |
D-shaped tube reduces temple pressure; camouflage PVC |
| Serious freedivers wanting maximum hydrodynamic performance |
Pure Instinct Dual |
Bi-material tube; anatomical hydrodynamic profile; low noise |
Why Buy Mares Snorkels from DiveCatalog.com?
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Authorized Mares dealer — genuine products, full manufacturer warranty
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Full snorkel range — dry, semi-dry, open-top, and dedicated freediving models
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Fast shipping — in-stock items ship within one business day
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Rewards program — earn points on every purchase
Frequently Asked Questions — Mares Snorkels
What is the difference between a dry-top and semi-dry snorkel?
A dry-top snorkel (Ergo Dry) seals the tube completely when submerged, so no water enters regardless of wave height or submersion. A semi-dry snorkel (Ergo Splash) uses a splash guard that deflects surface water without fully sealing — effective in calm to moderate conditions but not waterproof if the top goes underwater. The dry-top requires more clearing effort during manufacture but eliminates clearing on the diver's end; the semi-dry is mechanically simpler but may require an occasional clearing blow in rougher water.
Why don’t freediving snorkels have purge valves?
Freediving snorkels are cleared with a single sharp exhale on ascent — a technique that works naturally and reliably without the additional mechanism of a purge valve. Removing the purge valve reduces weight, drag, and the number of components that could fail or vibrate during a fast ascent. The Element and Pure Instinct Dual both omit it deliberately for exactly this reason.
What is the D-shaped tube on the Dual Camo for?
The D-shaped cross-section means the flat side rests against the side of the head rather than a circular tube pressing a smaller contact point against the temple. Over hours of spearfishing, that difference in pressure distribution meaningfully reduces fatigue and discomfort at the contact point.
Can I use a freediving snorkel for regular snorkeling?
Technically yes, but the open-top design without a splash guard means you’ll clear it more frequently in choppy water. Freediving snorkels are optimized for a specific use pattern — long breath holds, single deep dives, and brief surface intervals — rather than extended surface swimming with continuous breathing. For recreational snorkeling, the Ergo series is better matched.
Browse the full Mares snorkel collection above and reach out if you’d like help choosing the right snorkel for your diving or freediving.
