How to Select a Snorkeling Mask

A good quality snorkeling mask is well worth the investment to help ensure a fun and rewarding underwater experience. Having your own mask has huge advantages over renting equipment you're not familiar with and with proper care a snorkel mask will last for years. So make sure you select one that fits well and is durable enough to properly seal itself dive after dive.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Select a mask made with a hypoallergenic silicone skirt. The skirt is the part that fits against your face and silicone lasts much longer than rubber or PVC which have a tendency to tear or rot. Silicone also stands up to chlorine and saltwater better than other materials.

2. Make sure the lens is made of tempered safety glass and not plastic. Inexpensive plastic lenses are great for small children to use in the pool, but snorkeling is a visual sport and you want a lens that offers the best quality viewing.

3. Choose a snorkeling mask with a large strap. The style of strap makes a big difference in how well the mask stays on your head and basically the more strap there is to secure the mask to your head the better it will hold.

4. Test the fit and how well the mask seals itself to your face by placing the mask on your face without securing the strap. Then breathe in through your nose and the mask should stay on your face even if you're looking down at the ground.

Tips & Warnings

• It's a good idea to bring along a spare strap when you go snorkeling, just in case you break yours.
• If you wear contact lenses, you may want to select a prescription lens for your mask. They can generally be made in just a few days and if you go snorkeling frequently could be well worth the investment.

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