What Should You Look For When Buying A Diving Mask?

The type of diving mask you choose will greatly determine your diving experience since it largely affects how you perceive the underwater world. Unfortunately, finding the right mask for your diving needs isn’t always easy. There are numerous options to choose from, and they all come with different features.

It also doesn’t help that manufacturers keep touting their masks as the best, often trying to lure you with bells and whistles that may not add to your diving experience. The trick is knowing what to look for when shopping for a diving mask.

Fortunately, we have some tips that will guarantee you get value for your money.

1. Determine Your Needs

The first thing you need to think about is what you need the mask for. Do you need it for deep-sea diving or free diving in a tropical sea? If you’re planning on diving in murky, deep waters, it will present different needs and challenges compared to tropical seas that often have plenty of visibility.

Having an understanding of your diving adventures allows you to narrow your focus on diving masks (duikmasker) with features that match your needs. For instance, for deep-sea diving, you’d want a diving mask with lenses that maximize light underwater and enhance perception. This way, you’ll be able to explore without hassle and take clear pictures for lasting memories. Also, consider whether you want a full face mask or a partial face mask.

2. Find the Perfect Fit

You could have the best diving mask in the world, but it won’t make any difference to your diving experience if it doesn’t fit. No one likes clearing their mask now and then when diving. For this reason, it’s best to ensure the mask you choose has a snug but comfortable fit.

The best thing to do is to visit a local shop and try on a few masks until you find the one that fits you best. However, this isn’t always possible. Sometimes, you have no option but to shop online. There are a few things you can do to ensure your online shopping experience isn’t a complete disaster.

For starters, make sure the manufacturer you’ve chosen has a return policy. This way, you can always get a replacement if you end up with the wrong size. Also, ensure there’s a sizing chart on the website that guides you on how to go about identifying your size. It also helps to read customer reviews to see if customers are getting the right size after using the size chart. Some customers offer tips like, “Size up if you want a snug but comfortable fit.” Such tips go a long way in helping you know which size to opt for.

3. Know Your Face Shape

Apart from fit, it’s crucial to ensure the mask you choose matches your face shape. You see, some masks have a wider skirt that covers more of your face, and others have a narrower skirt that fits closer to the eyes and nose.

A good mask should match your face shape without leaving gaps and pressure points. To test if the mask is a good fit for you, place it on your face without fastening the straps and inhale through your nose. The mask is supposed to stay in place, creating a perfect seal without any air escaping. If it falls off or lets air in, it’s not a good fit for your face shape.

4. Don’t Focus Too Much on the Price Tag

Contrary to popular belief, the priciest diving masks are not necessarily the best. You can find an affordable diving mask that offers incredible visibility and fits perfectly. This said, you’re likely to enjoy better features the more you spend. For instance, most masks with a higher price tag tend to offer a better field of view and skirt geometry.

Ultimately, your choice should boil down to what you need and how much you will spend. Therefore, begin by setting a budget and shop around to see what offerings are available within that budget.

Try to focus more on features and the fit of the mask. It doesn’t matter what you look like in the mask since no one will see you underwater. As long as the mask offers what you need, fits comfortably and is made of durable materials, you’re good to go.

5. Find Out If There’s an Option to Add Corrective Lenses

If you wear prescription glasses, you’ll need to invest in a diving mask that allows for the addition of prescription lenses. In most cases, you can buy any mask that works and find a company near you that cuts custom lenses. You’ll need to consider this when setting your budget since the cost may add up.

However, if your prescription is not complicated, you can opt for models that allow you to swap out the lens with off-the-shelf replacements. These lens options only correct the spherical reading of your prescription and go up by five power points.

There’s also the option of stick-on lenses if all you need is a bit of help reading your gauges in the lower third of your mask.

Conclusion

As you can see, much thought should go into selecting a diving mask. The trick is not to be lured by the bells and whistles.

Consider your diving needs and the features that would work best for you underwater. Most importantly, set a budget and ensure the mask you choose fits perfectly and suits your face shape.