Tips for finding a good fitting mask

[Boarderguy]

I'd love to take my snorkel with me to try on masks, but the local shop doesn't have a wide selection. They have like 12 total masks, and 8 of those are pink and tiny for girls and kids. When I bought my first mask for OW cert, I tried on every mask they had, and picked the best one that fit, and yes I used a snorkel when trying them out. But the snorkel isn't anything like my reg + 7mm hood squishing my cheeks into a smile.

I've just come to understandment that some people have weird faces that won't seal on most masks.

Check Amazon for other brands and sizes. Order what you can that has free returns (prime specifically). Find what fits you best with your reg or snorkel and keep it or go find that one from your LDS.

 

[schuylerclark]

In Atlanta, Divers Supply in Marietta probably has the biggest variety of masks in stock. I'd recommend starting there if looking for a new mask. That said, I found my perfect fit mask on a trip to Bonaire. I looked for a couple years and kept trying every one I saw at every shop I went to until I found it. It would be 100% perfect if it came in white, but oh well... guess I have to settle for just a great fit and view.

 

[Mike McG]

About to do my first dive in ginnie springs in about 2 weeks. I need to get a new mask so looking at various ones. My old one (about 15yrs old) was ok, but never really fit great and I would sometimes have to clear it out while diving. It was old, got dropped & cracked so going to get a new one

Gonna try a local dive shop and look at some one line. Any recommendations on certain brands that tend to fit better? Or is it all really depend on trying it on? Just curious

People will always say 'don't ever buy a mask online', seemingly oblivious to the fact you can actually buy ten or more masks online nowadays, try them all on and return them without ever paying, then simply pay for the one that you keep.

Klarna, Paypal, Clearpay, the list goes on. Sending them back costs a trip to the post office but driving to the nearest dive shop might be £30 in fuel and a full day.

I own 8 masks, all bought online.