Silicone, leather or washable: choosing a shisha hose

The short answer: for most people a silicone hose is the best choice. It's washable, hard-wearing and doesn't hold on to old flavours. Leather and traditional hoses look and feel premium, but most can't be washed inside. Then pick a mouthpiece you enjoy holding.

Silicone hoses

• Washable: rinse through with warm water after a session.
• Hard-wearing: flexible and hard to damage.
• Flavour-neutral: they don't hold on to yesterday's flavour.
• Lots of colours to match your shisha.

Browse silicone hoses.

Leather and traditional hoses

• Premium look and feel, like Wookah's leather hoses.
• Usually not washable inside, so check the maker's advice. Wipe the outside and keep it dry.
• A great choice if you want the hose to match a premium or wooden shisha.

The mouthpiece

The mouthpiece is the part you hold, so it's worth choosing well. Aluminium is light and colourful, stainless steel and carbon are premium and solid, and wood and glass look beautiful. A heavier mouthpiece feels more substantial; a lighter one is easier to pass around. See mouthpieces.

Length and fit

• Length: around 1.5 to 1.8 metres lets you sit comfortably without the hose pulling on the shisha.
• Fit: most hoses fit standard hose ports, but some shishas use their own connector. Check the product page, or use a hose adapter.
• Mouth tips: disposable mouth tips are a good idea when you're sharing.

Hose set or hose only?

A hose set comes with a matching mouthpiece, ready to use. A hose on its own is ideal if you already have a mouthpiece you love.

Keep your hose fresh: see how to clean your shisha.