PICKING A MASK
For most divers, the very first piece of dive gear they own is a mask. Having a mask that fits well is a game changer in diving. Constantly fighting with a leaky mask is a sure way to ruin a dive which is why most divers opt to buy their own right away. Once you have a mask it marks who you are; when divers are wearing dark suits and BCDs the only distinguishable feature can be that mask. However, finding a mask that is perfect for you can be tricky. Most dive shops will have a large wall of masks of every shape and colour making it hard to pick the right one. All the lens options, black skirt or clear, framed or frameless there are so many choices, and when you’re just starting out it can be hard to know what it all means, so let’s break it down.
MASK SHAPES
The most important part of the mask is how it fits your face. This is why there are so many different masks on the market, and dive shops tend to stock so many different ones. None of the other options matter if the mask doesn’t fit your face.
There are two main shape styles; framed and frameless. Masks with a frame have a rigid frame that connects the lens to the skirt. Frameless masks have the mask skirt molded directly onto the lens. Frameless masks tend to be more compact, making them lower profile, and easier to fit in a pocket as a backup. However, because the skirt is directly attached to the lens, you can’t change the lens.
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While there isn’t an exact mask size, many brands offer “mini” versions of their most popular masks. These mini masks are the same
shape as the regular ones, just smaller for smaller faces. Some masks do tend to fit larger faces better, while some do fit smaller faces, but there is no small, medium, large option.
Kids masks tend to be separate as they are usually a lot smaller, but again it comes down to face shape more than anything.
An aspect of shape that often comes up while talking about masks is their volume. A mask's volume is how much space there is for air in the mask. The higher the volume a mask is, the more air needs to be added to the mask during descent to avoid a squeeze. For scuba divers this usually doesn’t matter too much as we’re continuously breathing, but for free divers it does matter. The more air a free diver needs to exhale into their mask, the less they have available for the dive, so they tend to prefer low profile masks. For scuba divers, the lower profile just means easier storage when used as a backup mask.
MASK SKIRTS
Good quality masks have silicone skirts. The quality and thickness of the silicone will vary, but most of what you’ll find at an actual dive shop will be silicone. Silicone is a very soft moldable material, so it will create a great seal on your face while being very gentle on your skin. Some masks do have plastic skirts; these will be the kind you buy at Walmart at a fraction of the cost. Despite the lower price tag, they aren’t worth buying as plastic is a harder material meaning it doesn’t seal very well, causing leaks, and they generally don’t last long.
Once you’ve confirmed the skirt is silicone, you need to decide on coloured or clear silicone skirts. Clear skirts allow more light in, allowing for a slightly brighter experience. Some divers also claim they help with peripheral vision. Because of this, clear skirts are great for helping with claustrophobia. The downside to clear skirts is they do eventually discolour with age and go slightly yellow. The silicone itself is still good and the mask will still seal well against your face, it just looks “dirty” even when freshly washed.
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Coloured skirts on the other hand, allow for a more focused view, as you don’t have a bright peripheral glare. Many photographers love them for this reason. Most often coloured silicone is black, but more brands are coming out with assorted solid colours, like my personal favourite the Oceanic Shadow Mask that comes in yellow, pink, turquoise, black, white or ice. Another benefit of coloured silicone is it doesn’t discolour with age, and the black silicone in particular hides dirt and other gunk (check out my article on Mask Hygiene if you’re interested in what other gunk may be on your mask)!
MASK LENSES
The two most common options for lenses are single or duo lens masks. Single lens masks offer a wider range of view, as there is no solid nose bridge. Duo lenses, as the name suggests, have two lenses separated by a nose bridge. The advantage to these masks is that you can usually put prescription lenses in them.
There are also a few manufacturers that make tri-, or quad-lens masks. These have the regular single or duo lens at the front, then additional small lenses on the sides. This offers significantly more peripheral view. It also tends to make the mask a lot higher profile. Having a higher profile mask is great if you have a bigger face, a larger nose, or, a more prominent brow. Unfortunately, these styles of masks tend not to fit small faces very well.
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If you wear glasses, there are a few lens options for you. If your prescription is a minor positive one, you can get stick in “gauge readers”. These are small magnifying lenses that glue into the bottom of your mask lens. They'll generally fit over any glass lens type. If you have a minor negative prescription, there are a few brands that have stock lenses that a local dive shop can swap for you. This is assuming you fit that brand’s mask though. Finally, if you have a complex prescription, you will likely need to have your mask sent in for custom lenses. Unfortunately, this option is rather expensive, but you can do it on any duo-lens style of glass framed mask.
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You can also get tinted or UV lenses if you’re diving somewhere with a lot of sun or glare. While these are great for protecting your eyes in the sun, if you use the same mask in a darker area they may not allow in enough light.
MASK STRAPS
All masks need a strap to hold it against the face. Nowadays most straps are silicone or rubber. Rubber and silicone straps both tend to get tangled in hair and can break. Conveniently, you can change your mask’s strap fairly easily, so if it comes with a strap you don’t want; no worries. Neoprene straps are the best choice for not getting tangled in hair. They are also more durable. I personally have never had a neoprene strap break while putting it on, whereas I have had a few silicone straps snap in my life.
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How the strap is connected to the mask is also important. Most masks have a buckle attached to the side of the frame or skirt to attach the mask. The buckle types can vary, so make sure you play with it and know how to adjust the strap before getting in the water. Some are very easy to adjust while others take some extra effort.
Once you’ve chosen your mask you can personalize it by getting it in your colour, or adding a fun strap. While many people tend to be drawn to colour first, this should really be the last thing you consider. Many masks come in a wide variety of colours so you can find a mask that suits your needs, then go through the colour options. Those that don’t have colour options can always be enhanced with a unique neoprene strap.