Beginner 6 minutes
Masks: the piece where price matters less than fit
How to test a mask in thirty seconds, and why internal volume matters
It's the cheapest piece of gear you're going to buy, and the one that can ruin a dive the most. A mask that keeps leaking isn't a minor inconvenience: it's a constant distraction that eats up attention you need for other things.
In this article you'll see how to correctly test a mask's fit, what internal volume means, what lens types exist, the options for someone who wears prescription lenses, and why masks fog up.
It's the purchase where the relationship between price and result is weakest: a budget mask that fits well works better than an expensive one that doesn't match your face.
The fit test
The standard test is done without the strap on and takes a few seconds. Place the mask on your face without pressing, and breathe in gently through your nose. If it stays stuck on its own and holds for a few seconds without you supporting it, the seal is good. If it comes loose or you feel air getting in, that mask isn't for your face.
It's worth repeating the test while looking down and to the sides, because the motion changes the shape of your face, and some masks that seal fine head-on lose their seal when you turn your head.
The most common mistake is tightening the strap to compensate for a bad fit. It doesn't work: the strap is there to keep the mask from coming off, not to force the seal. A strap that's too tight deforms the skirt, worsens the seal, and leaves marks on your face.
There are two situations that prevent a seal for reasons unrelated to the mask itself. Hair trapped under the skirt, even a thin strand, creates a channel through which water keeps leaking in. A mustache produces the same effect: the usual solution is trimming it or applying a sealant product to the area.
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