Sometimes your most vivid memory from a snorkeling trip is how badly your gear failed: the mask that wouldn’t stop leaking, the snorkel that had you coughing up seawater, the fins that rubbed your ankle raw and stinging.To make more pleasant memories, consider packing your own tried-and-true mask, snorkel, and fin set.After testing eight sets of gear — analyzing every clip, buckle, and strap — we’ve concluded that the best snorkel set for beginners is the Cressi Palau LAF Set.