Here is our mini guide to what you have to think about when buying a diving mask. An important point about masks is: The most important thing is that the mask fits well, has a good field of vision and is comfortable on the face. Do not choose a mask solely based on the least volume or the best field of vision if it gives you a mask that is not comfortable or that is difficult to get close.
1. What are diving masks made of?
Mask skirt: Most diving masks have a silicone mask skirt. This material does not become stiff in cold water, and is soft and comfortable.
Frame: The frame around the glasses is mostly made of plastic with varying degrees of stiffness, but on some diving masks the glasses are integrated directly into the silicone, so there is no plastic frame on the mask.
Glass: The glasses must be tempered, that is, they have been treated so that they can withstand temperature fluctuations without shattering (look for a T (tempered) on the glass). Please note that the mask must be cooled to room temperature if you burn the glasses.
A few models made for pool or apnea may have plastic glass, and plastic is significantly more prone to scratches and wear and must be treated with care. These diving masks are not suitable for air diving. If a diving mask has plastic glass, it is clearly described in the product text.
2. Are there different types of diving masks?
Yes. You may have heard talk of a large field of vision, and seen that some masks are transparent and others are not. That there is talk of mask volume and that not all masks are suitable for freediving?
BUT, the vast majority of diving masks in our range can be used for both freediving, diving and snorkelling. The differences are as follows:
Frameless vs. double glass
Some masks have a continuous glass (mon lens). These are called frameless. Other diving masks have two-piece glass. What you choose will be a matter of preference.
Volume
How much room (and thus air) there is in the mask. For snorkelling it doesn't matter, not even for light freediving. But when you dive down, a pressure is created which means that you have to breathe a little air out of your nose to prevent the mask from being pulled in towards your face and causing discomfort. Therefore, volume has something to say for divers, freedivers who dive relatively deep and not least for apnea practitioners who dive very deep. Equalizing mask pressure must be done even at a depth of a few metres, but then it is to a lesser extent.
Field of vision
Is there a big difference? Not so much. BUT, some masks excel and are made with the intention of having an extra large field of vision. For freedivers, a large field of vision combined with low volume is the dream, and then there are some mask models that stand out: Frivannsliv Vidsyn , Hollis M1 and Atomic Frameless 2 . The Zeagle Scope Mono also has a very good field of view.
When the glasses are connected (monoglass) and not split in two, you can have the experience of seeing better even though the side view on smaller masks with monoglass may be less horizontal. Larger masks with monoglass have a larger field of view than the small ones.
Color of the mask skirt
The mask skirt can be transparent or colored through. If it is transparent, more light is let in to the eyes, if it is colored through, you get a "sun shielding effect". For freediving and scuba diving, transparent silicone is often used, while typical snorkel masks are sometimes transparent. This will be a matter of preference.
Interchangeable glasses
If you need glasses with vision correction, this can either be specially ordered or you can buy a diving mask where the glass can be replaced. Hollis M3 has the option for this, the glasses can be found here .
ATTENTION:
A snorkel mask/full face mask is not the same as a diving mask. The snorkel masks cover the entire face and are exclusively made for surface snorkelling. The English word for snorkeling mask is Full face snorkeling mask.
3. How do I find a diving mask that fits my face?
Most diving masks fit most adult faces, and as a starting point you can choose the mask that is within your budget and that you think looks good. However, if you find that a diving mask does not seal or is painful to wear, it could be one of these challenges:
Mustache
If the mask is leaking and you have a moustache, the moustache could be the 'culprit'. Shave off the mustache at the very top (so-called freediving beard) or put Vaseline in the moustache. One tip is to look for diving masks where the mask skirt just below the nose does not go too far down towards the mouth. Our experience is that Frivannsliv Vidsyn is the best mask model for you with an ornamental bush on the upper lip.
Pancakes
Does the mask press against your forehead when you dive? There is a slight difference in the distance between the mask frame and the forehead on different diving masks, and some may have a nose bridge that is higher than others. If forehead squeezing is the case, then it is wise to avoid the very smallest mask models. Feel free to ask us for advice, as we want to have knowledge about this with the range we have at all times.
Salvimar Endless excels in this field, avoid the very smallest freediving masks that are particularly suitable for deep freediving/apnea.
Give in and smile
Do you have marked coves? This can create leaks on some masks. Then choose a diving mask where the mask skirt just below the nose is narrow (same as if you have a moustache). If you are diving and grinning widely at a large cod swimming by, this can create a leak. But you can't get away from that.
Wide face
Some of the smallest mask models may be too narrow if you have a wide face. The Hollis masks are generally relatively roomy, the same applies to Frivannsliv Vidsyn. Avoid the smallest models such as Omer Wolf, Omer UP-M1, Salvimar Endless and Salvimar Neo.
Narrow face
As a rule, most diving masks fit narrow faces, but there are some models in a small-fit version that will suit very narrow faces and big children particularly well. These are, for example , the Cressi F1 smallfit and the Oceanic Shadow mini . Omer Wolf , Omer Alien , Frivannsliv Sneaky , Salvimar Endless and Salvimar Neo also suit narrow faces.
Conclusion
If you are going snorkelling or light freediving, you can buy exactly the diving mask you want from our range, if you are going deep freediving then choose one of the very smallest models, e.g. Omer Up-M1 or Omer Wolf . Feel free to ask us for advice if you need guidance.
