FINIS Snorkel Dry Top

I bought this for my Finis Snorkel, and first I must say to install it(it does say this in its instructions) Place both the top and snorkel end in some hot water for a bit...it softens them both so that you can slide them together.It works...very well...surface dives only to return to the surface with a dry snorkel. Be warned that as the snorkle is exeptionaly long, adding this does cause slight breathing resistance. I think its worth it though and as many folks use this for lap swim, its kinda nice to have the resistance.

The auto plugging effect is great for doing laps and can even allow flip turns with the Finis center snorkel. I use the center snorkel as my muscle mass doesn't allow me to maintain boyancy well. When I sink a bit, the stopper keeps the water out and keeps me breathing without any water obstruction when I get the intake above the water line again. I'm a recovering runner from an FAI injury, and the transition to swimming with the center snorkel allowed me to maintain my breathing habits, ingrained in me from 20 years of jogging. I love this as part of my overall swimmingnlaps set up.

I love FINIS products and own many (Zoomers, agility hand paddles, snorkel, cardio cap). I consider myself to have an above average cardio capacity. I swim with the FINIS Cardio Cap 6 days a week (10 Miles) and barely noticed the difference in the load except for the fact that my heart rate monitor displayed an increased BPM of 8-10 beats higher with the Cardio Cap in place. The Cardio Cap states that it "increases conditioning and workload to the lungs by 40%". I bought this FINIS Swimmer's Dry Top so I could lower my lap times by making flip turns while keeping the snorkel dry. For that purpose it works well. HOWEVER...the level of air restriction mentioned in the product description is, in my opinion, GROSSLY understated. More emphasis needs to be placed on exactly how restricted the air flow actually is. This Dry Top attachment has to restrict airflow by at least 80%. I found it very difficult to draw air through the tube once this Dry Top attachment is in place. I was actually getting lightheaded after swimming 6 laps. I had to remove it from the snorkel after 10 laps.This product would merit a 4-5 star rating if FINIS can find a way to increase the airflow while still keeping the snorkel dry. Otherwise this product will be too restrictive for the average user to take advantage of.

The snorkel topper really turns the snorkel into a useful tool for training. No more whale-like water shooting for me as the pressure created by the topper pushes water down the bottom of the snorkel (which I wondered about it's usefulness up until this moment).It does restrict airflow a bit, but that is a welcome side effect for me as I had lung surgery and can always use some excercise there as well.

I guess I like it. It does what it is designed to do... keep water out of the ol down spout. But also, as mentioned by others, it cuts your air intake to around half of what you get without it. Man, it gives these 60 yr old lungs something to cry about. (Did your Mama ever tell you that?) I used it for the first time today at the pool where I swim 2-3 times a week. I'm trying to learn to do the dolphin swim and I keep dipping the top of my snorkel into the water, not funny, so don't laugh. And I don't know if it's called the "dolphin swim" or not. No, I don't care. I just want to learn to do it.So anyway, today I used this thing and it gave me chest pains. No not my heart, my lazy lung muscles, or what ever they are called. I've deduced that I need to ease into using this slowly. But just like any muscle you don't use much, It hurts till it gets accustom to the workout.Nicely made and mine fits tightly into the tube. It won't come out on it's own, unless maybe if I sneeze while under water.

I enjoyed using my Finis snorkel, but found that water was getting into it occasionally. That was why I bought the snorkel...so that I could avoid breathing water. I decided to buy this dry top and was surprised by how well it works. I read that it slightly reduces the airflow into the snorkel, but I didn't experience any noticeable reduction in air at all. It does keep water out of the snorkel, which enables me to keep swimming instead of having my concentration interrupted by water getting in. When I received it, I tried to put the top on without running hot water over the snorkel and the snorkel top (like the directions suggested). When I did submerge both in hot water, the top slipped right in.In my opinion, this upgrade to the snorkel makes a world of difference in an already great product.

I purchased this unit with the snorkel and continually used it in conjunction with the snorkel. Everytime I submerged it, water came in. It did not matter if I did a flip, or just went under water in a straight line. It also restricts your airflow. I finally took it off. I found I could breathe muuuuch easier. I know that the snorkel can take in water without it, however I wish I had not thrown out the package that it came in. This was a real waste of money.

I swim with this product most of the time. I do not see any advantage in twisting my neck trying to breathe! For those with neck and shoulder problems, this is the best method. Add to it the Finish M3P player with your favorite tunes and it is a joy to swim endlessly! Many thanks to the Finis people and their great products. I had to put in a "plug" for the music I get to hear underwater with no garbling sound at all. The finest products. I will continue to buy from them and appreciate the great service. This was sent in a timely manner. Barbara