Clear Skirt vs. Black Skirt – How to Choose the Best Scuba or Snorkel Mask for You

Whether you’re going deep-sea diving or just snorkeling in the calm Caribbean waters, the

first piece of equipment you’ll want to invest in is a high-quality mask. When choosing a mask design, you’ll have two different silicone skirt options, clear or black. While mask fit and comfort are highly important, the color of the skirt can make or break your experience.

The best scuba or snorkel mask skirt design for you will depend on a variety of factors, including application, environment, and personal preference. Before you decide to purchase a dive mask, you’ll want to make sure that you’re getting the proper one to suit your specific needs. So, let’s determine whether a clear silicone mask or a scuba black skirts is best for you so we can get you into the water!

The advantages of a clear silicone mask

A clear skirt snorkel or scuba mask is an attractive option for both snorkellers and divers. The clear silicone mask is aesthetically more pleasing since your natural features are visible through it. But, looking good has low importance when you’re underwater, and functionality should be a priority. The clear skirt design feels less confining since it lets in more light and provides the illusion of a wider field of vision, although you technically can’t see clearly out of either side of the mask. One thing you can see through the clear skirt is light, which can be an advantage for night divers or cave divers who are trying to keep track of their dive buddies.

A clear skirt allows more natural light to enter the mask and illuminate your facial features. That makes this type of mask the best option for those wanting to take underwater photos or videos of themselves. It also enables users to detect movement around them better than people wearing all black scuba masks. This makes a clear skirt mask a great option for people who are new to snorkeling and scuba who may have fears or reservations about feeling visually restricted under the water.

The disadvantages of a clear silicone mask

Although the lightness of a clear skirt mask can be a benefit, it does have its drawbacks. The amount of natural light entering the mask can result in glares or reflections created by the sun. If you’re snorkeling in very clear water with direct overhead sun, it can be distracting and make it harder to focus, even if you aren't looking at sun with scuba mask. The clear silicone masks are also more prone to wear and tear than their black counterparts. They can scratch easier and become slightly discolored with age.

The advantages of an all black scuba mask

Black skirt scuba and snorkel masks are a favorite among the underwater photographer and spearfishing community. Scuba black skirts allow you to focus your attention forward and avoid distractions around you which help photographers and spearfishers to zero in on their targets more effectively. Even if you’re not taking photos or fishing, you can still benefit from a mask with a black skirt. They block out any unwanted light to prevent glare from the sun or reflections off the sand. You will also come across other solid skirted masks, like white, which create the same underwater environment that you'd experience with a black skirted mask, they just look aesthetically different.

If you’re snorkeling on a really sunny day, a black skirt will help to shade your eyes from the sun above, which can be blinding and make it harder to see. Additionally, if you’re snorkeling in shallow, clear waters, the sun will bounce off the sand and can hit your eyes from below. So, the black skirt is extremely beneficial in these situations. When you’re snorkeling in tropical locations with harsh sun, a black skirt will likely be the best option, especially if you’re an experienced snorkeler or diver.

The disadvantages of an all black scuba mask

Although a black skirt mask helps snorkelers and divers focus, it has drawbacks. The black skirt can feel slightly more enclosed for people who are new to snorkeling and diving, giving a sense of tunnel vision. This is both a pro and a con depending on what you are looking for in a mask.

If you are looking to take underwater selfies, or are having someone else take videos and pictures of you, then you may prefer a clear skirt. The black skirt can cast shadows over your eyes, meaning they won’t be as visible in videos and photographs. In general, many people consider black skirted masks less physically attractive on the face than clear skirted masks. But that may not be a concern for you.

What is the best scuba mask color? Clear skirt or black skirt?

The best silicone skirt design for you will depend on how you intend to use it. Both mask designs are beneficial for different reasons and will support an epic underwater experience! Snorkel in the clear Caribbean waters and get amazing photos of marine life with the black skirted mask, or go on a night dive with friends using the clear skirted mask. Choose your own scuba mask color and check out our range of black and clear skirted masks here.