FREEDIVING EQUIPMENT 

RECOMMENDATIONS & IDEAS

As freediving is growing in popularity there is also more and more freediving gear to chose from. Below we will give you some ideas and tips about the best equipment for freediving as well as suggestions on where to buy.

MASK
Freediving masks differ from other masks in having a smaller volume than scuba masks. The are also genreally a more snug fit. To find the best mask you should try one on your face. If you dont have the opportunity, you'll have to guess and read the descriptions of the mask if it fits a smaller face or a bigger nose etc.
Our favourite mask are: 
- Aquasphere 'Sphera'; easy to find in US, Europe
- Reef 'Inferno': easy to find in south africa
- Cressi 'Nano': easy to find in Europe

FINS
The fins we use in freediving are longer than snorkelling and scuba diving fins. They also always have a full foot pocket instead of a heel strap for a better fit. We more or less always use thin neoprene socks in the fins to avoid chafing. There are a few different materials in the fin blade which gives a different response in the water. The plastic or fiberglass fins are cheaper and good for beginners, but they don't last as long as carbon fins. Carbon are more light weight and gives the blade a nice flex in the water and are more energy consuming and easy to fin.
- Mares Concorde; plastic fin, semi soft and good for beginners. Easy to find in Europe, US, South America, Asia
- Leaderfins; offers different blades at a good price. Easy to order online and ships worldwide
- Alchemy; great tailormade carbonfins for beginners who wants to go directly for carbon. Ships worldwide from Europe
- Spierre fins: durable tailormade carbon fibre fins well suited to beginners to advanced. Ships worldwide from South Africa

WETSUITS
Generally freediving suits consist of a pair of high pants or long johns, and an upper jacket that fits like a tight sweater with a hoodie. The top connects between the thighs with velcro or stubs. The best freediving suits are tailormade to fit your body. Some brands of very flexible surfeits or triathlon wetsuits are also good for beginners and warm water freediving. The suit should have a snug fit but you must still be able to move and breathe freely. There are a number of different inside and outside materials on freediving suits which gives them different charachteristics. For beginners we recommend a nylon inside (like on surf or scuba suits) with either a smooth-skin (the raw neoprene) or nylon outside. These suits are easy to put on and will keep you warm. Smooth-skin is more fragile but more stretchy. Nylon is better for places with rocks and for extending the lifetime of the suit, but it will not be as flexible. We've found that having one side smooth-skin and one nylon makes for a more durable but still flexible suit. Smooth-skin inside and outside is very fragile and you can literally put a finger through it if you're not careful, let alone tearing it on a rock or reef.
There are mainly two big international brands specialising in tailor-made freediving wetsuits:
- Oceaner wetsuits from Canada; ships worldwide but most affordable in US and Canada
- Elios wetsuits from Italy; ships worldwide but most affordable in Europe 

- Coral wetsuits in South Africa are great for affordable tailor-made suits and warm water triathlon suits if you are based in South Africa or passing through.

YOGA GEAR:

We love our I AM WATER Eco-Yoga Mat especially made for us by Sentiens Yoga in South Africa.