Some swear by them, others think they’re restrictive and prone to clogging. So, should you install a snorkel sock on your 4×4?

We all understand the advantages of installing a snorkel on your 4×4 — cleaner air intake, better water crossing performance, and more. And we’re all aware of how vital it is to use high-quality filters on our 4×4s. Snorkel socks have been around for a while, and many people use them, particularly those in arid, dusty locations or areas plagued by insects (like locust swarms). But what exactly is a snorkel sock, and is it worth putting one on your 4×4?

What is a snorkel sock?

It’s just as the name suggests — a cover that goes over the top of your snorkel (though some are designed to fit inside too), aimed at capturing various debris that might otherwise travel down your snorkel and into your airbox. It can trap everything from larger bits like leaves and branches, all the way down to bigger dust particles you’d expect when tailing another vehicle closely on a dry, dusty track. Sounds smart so far, doesn’t it?

Do they actually trap a significant amount of dust?

Definitely — to the extent that they can work a little too well. Let’s imagine you’re hitting the Oodnadatta track with a group of friends, driving far too close behind another vehicle and sucking in dust every single kilometre. The sock will collect an impressive amount of that dust, especially if it’s the fine, clingy kind. How fast your sock clogs depends heavily on your proximity to the car in front — eventually, it’ll start to restrict the airflow into the engine.
Personally, I once had one completely stuffed with dust, choked off airflow, and ripped straight through the ram-head of the snorkel within just 45 minutes of driving. Sure, I was too eager and stayed way too close behind the vehicle ahead — but I learned my lesson. If you aren’t in such a rush and it takes your sock four hours to fill up, how many spare socks will you carry, and how often will you need to clean one each evening at camp? Add in the risk of being a bit careless with the petrol you use to rinse the sock, or hastily slipping it back on — and let’s not forget: diesel engines absolutely hate pulling in petrol vapours.

Can you use them all the time?

No, you shouldn’t make the snorkel sock a permanent installation. Why? Because like any item left exposed to the elements — sun, rain, wind — it will wear out. Being made of rubber-coated foam, it won’t take long for UV rays and moisture to break it down. If you insist on running one simply because you think it gives your 4×4 a stylish appearance (and honestly, that’s the exact reason I ran one too), just be ready for it to decay fast — and possibly get pulled into your air filter, becoming a new source of clogging. Also, consider that these socks can increase fuel use and place more minor load on your turbo and engine thanks to the airflow restriction, which becomes worse as dust builds up.

So, do you actually need one?

That’s the big question. The quick answer is — not really. Because your original equipment air filter should already catch everything, and sometimes even better than a sock. More importantly, the air filter has a far larger surface area to hold debris, so it won’t clog up as fast and won’t limit airflow the way a sock does.
Another argument is that if you’re doing a convoy trip up the Oodnadatta track, maybe just remember to drop back a little and get out of the cloud of dust — that’s smarter and safer, you’ll get a better sightline of the road, and you won’t be continuously pulling in dirt through your intake.
On the flip side, if you’re planning a short journey and expect extreme dust conditions, and can’t avoid driving in someone’s dirty cloud, and you’re already onboard with all the inconveniences that come with using snorkel socks — then sure, use one. And Toyota drivers, take note! They are also great at keeping larger debris out of your system — think bugs, locusts, crickets and the like. In fact, we’ve also heard some people living in remote parts of the country just placing fine mesh or simple flyscreen over the snorkel end to deal with massive locust attacks.