Which dive mask

Having bought literally dozens of masks over the last 25 years of diving... The only way to buy the right mask for your own particular face is to go into a shop and try 'em on. Fold the strap back out of the way, offer the mask up to the face and when it is in position suck in slightly through the nose and hold the breath. If the mask fits properly it will be held securely in place, no strap required. If it doesn't fit properly it will gradually let air in, break the vacuum seal and come 'unstuck'. If it doesn't stay securely in place, or feels uncomfortable in any way, try another. I also recommend pulling faces (if you know what I mean) when testing one that appears to fit to make sure it continues to do so no matter how your face muscles move.

If you are dead set on Amazon, then go order the one you found to fit from them instead.
 
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You can get a mask from a reputable manufacturer for £20-50. It all depends if it fits and how much you wanna pay. I normally use Deep Blue Diving http://www.deepbluedive.com/diving/masks.html. Their prices are very competitive and their service is excellent IME. Cost is irrelevant if it doesn't fit properly though... like I said before.:cool:
 
KevO said:
Having bought literally dozens of masks over the last 25 years of diving... The only way to buy the right mask for your own particular face is to go into a shop and try 'em on. Fold the strap back out of the way, offer the mask up to the face and when it is in position suck in slightly through the nose and hold the breath. If the mask fits properly it will be held securely in place, no strap required. If it doesn't fit properly it will gradually let air in, break the vacuum seal and come 'unstuck'. If it doesn't stay securely in place, or feels uncomfortable in any way, try another. I also recommend pulling faces (if you know what I mean) when testing one that appears to fit to make sure it continues to do so no matter how your face muscles move.

If you are dead set on Amazon, then go order the one you found to fit from them instead.
Click to expand...

+ 1
 
KevO said:
Having bought literally dozens of masks over the last 25 years of diving... The only way to buy the right mask for your own particular face is to go into a shop and try 'em on. Fold the strap back out of the way, offer the mask up to the face and when it is in position suck in slightly through the nose and hold the breath. If the mask fits properly it will be held securely in place, no strap required. If it doesn't fit properly it will gradually let air in, break the vacuum seal and come 'unstuck'. If it doesn't stay securely in place, or feels uncomfortable in any way, try another. I also recommend pulling faces (if you know what I mean) when testing one that appears to fit to make sure it continues to do so no matter how your face muscles move.

If you are dead set on Amazon, then go order the one you found to fit from them instead.
Click to expand...

Really good advice. I wasted a lot of money on masks that leaked ( water in my eyes doesn't bother me that much, but better if there. is none). Buy one that works properly for you and it should last many years.
 
The fit is EVERYTHING! A simple £5.00 mask that fits you properly will be better than a fancy one that costs £500 if the latter one leaks. I say again... the only way to know is to physically try one on. Either in a shop or find someone who already has one you can try. Any specific mask recommendations are worthless IMHO unless you try them on first. There are lots of respected manufacturers, don't be swayed by anyone else. Find one you like the look and price of and if it fits, buy it. If it doesn't, keep looking. Unless you are John Merrick or Felonius Gru (Despicable me) you will find one that fits. :cool:
 
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I agree with all above. Masks come in smaller sizes generally cheaper for children or larger for adult serious work. As said if you have a small face/ head then a smaller one will be fine. As said get a snorkel. The more expensive ones with an exit valve at the bottom are worth having but top should simply be open nothing fancy. You might find a wet suit that will suit your budget in a shop but do try trash markets. It is hard to find a big one but easy to find a small one. The wet suit or part of wet suit will make the water more inviting but also provides buoyancy. You might wan to buy a weight belt to neutralise that buoyancy as well.
The most important thing though is to practice. (a lot) snorkelling/diving is not a thing that comes easily at first so you don't want to be learning when you have a rope around prop in rough water. PS I snorkel so much that i have a fleet of masks all found lost in the water. My mooring is in a popular diving area. good luck olewill
 
Do you wear glasses? Masks are available with corrective lenses. It's not worth bothering with special lenses if the correction is small, everything will appear around 20% larger underwater anyway.
 
Just to add my tuppence worth personally I would not bother with a drain valve (completely unnecessary in my opinion) and one more place to let water in.
Get one made from silicone rubber, (it wont leave rubber marks on your face as it gets older) that fit's well,is low volume with the glass close to your eyes to aid clearing and prevent tunnel vision. I prefer the clear ones as they let more light in and most real dive masks have a double lip seal between the mask and your face.
If you do need glasses make sure your choice will take prescription lenses.
 
pete said:
Just to add my tuppence worth personally I would not bother with a drain valve (completely unnecessary in my opinion) and one more place to let water in.
Get one made from silicone rubber, (it wont leave rubber marks on your face as it gets older) that fit's well,is low volume with the glass close to your eyes to aid clearing and prevent tunnel vision. I prefer the clear ones as they let more light in and most real dive masks have a double lip seal between the mask and your face.
If you do need glasses make sure your choice will take prescription lenses.
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+1 Same with the drain valve snorkels. Expensive gimmicky **** IME. Sooner or later they all start to leak. Buy a simple standard snorkel and learn how to use it properly and you will not go wrong.
 
KevO said:
The only way to buy the right mask for your own particular face is to go into a shop and try 'em on. Fold the strap back out of the way, offer the mask up to the face and when it is in position suck in slightly through the nose and hold the breath. If the mask fits properly it will be held securely in place, no strap required. If it doesn't fit properly it will gradually let air in, break the vacuum seal and come 'unstuck'. If it doesn't stay securely in place, or feels uncomfortable in any way, try another.
Click to expand...

Wise words! +1
 
KevO said:
The only way to buy the right mask for your own particular face is to go into a shop and try 'em on. Fold the strap back out of the way, offer the mask up to the face and when it is in position suck in slightly through the nose and hold the breath. If the mask fits properly it will be held securely in place, no strap required. If it doesn't fit properly it will gradually let air in, break the vacuum seal and come 'unstuck'. If it doesn't stay securely in place, or feels uncomfortable in any way, try another. I also recommend pulling faces (if you know what I mean) when testing one that appears to fit to make sure it continues to do so no matter how your face muscles move.

If you are dead set on Amazon, then go order the one you found to fit from them instead.
Click to expand...

+ another one.

But I've also underlined the word slightly in reference to holding the mask in position by breathing in through your nose. You're looking for the vacuum to hold the mask to your face and if the mask is a good fit, even the slightest vacuum should do the job. Trying to snort the mask up a nostril isn't quite the same! :)
 
Highndry said:
+ another one.

But I've also underlined the word slightly in reference to holding the mask in position by breathing in through your nose. You're looking for the vacuum to hold the mask to your face and if the mask is a good fit, even the slightest vacuum should do the job. Trying to snort the mask up a nostril isn't quite the same! :)
Click to expand...

True dat! :cool:
 
If you have a face that Cressi big eyes don't fit then you should probably not be on the street. All silicon masks will fit just about everyone but there is a tremendous difference between a quality mask with minimum internal volume and a cheap one. Borrow one and try it! Also the new snorkels with exhaust valves are certainly worth the expense. Its not only the valves but the shape of the snorkel body that is computer designed to suit your breathing. After about 58 years of snorkelling I am amazed at the improvements technology has made to this simple pleasure.
 
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