How to Choose the Best Freediving Mask

Freediving allows you to connect with the underwater world, using just a single breath to guide your exploration. This truly offers ultimate freedom in terms of experiencing the wonders of the depths without being hindered by heavy diving equipment or stuck floating on the surface. Instead, you can embrace your inner mermaid/merman and swim with total flexibility. However, having the right gear is essential for both your safety and experience when under the water. In this guide, we’ll explain how to choose the best freediving mask, including what features to look for and how the right mask can help elevate your underwater adventures.

Unveiling the World of Freediving

Freediving isn't just a sport; it's a beautiful intersection between human capability and aquatic harmony. Unlike scuba diving, which relies on intricate equipment or snorkeling that keeps you near the surface, freediving is an elegant dance with the depths, using nothing more than a lungful of air. As you descend, you become one with the ocean while staying deeply connected to your breath and body. As much as scuba diving allows you to spend extended amounts of time underwater, there’s a silence and connection you experience when freediving that can’t be replicated, even if you can only remain underwater for a few minutes.

Why Your Mask Matters

When it comes to gear, freedivers require unique and purpose-built equipment to handle the challenges of diving. Beyond long-bladed bi-fins, freedivers also need specialized freediving masks. Freedivers have different requirements when it comes to choosing an appropriate mask, and a freediving mask tackles the functional needs of navigating frequent changes in pressure and depth.

With each passing meter in depth, the pressure increases. This pressure compresses the air within your mask, ears, lungs, and other air spaces. Unlike scuba divers who can rely on external air sources and snorkelers who breathe air through their snorkel, freedivers depend solely on their breath to equalize pressure. This is where the importance of a specialized mask becomes crystal clear.

Navigating Pressure with a Low-Volume Mask

At the core of a quality freediving mask is its low-volume design, which offers both hydrodynamic properties and functional properties. Volume refers to the airspace within the mask. A low-volume mask holds a distinct advantage – it requires less air for proper equalization. As you descend deeper into the water, the pressure pushes air spaces to compress, meaning you need to release air to maintain pressure balance. You can see the issue here, as when freediving, you only have access to a single breath's worth of air, so it’s essential to conserve as much as possible.

In a high-volume mask, the process demands more air release for equalization, depleting your limited air supply quickly, and cutting each dive short. Beyond that, with a high volume of air, the pressure can be very uncomfortable on your face and even lead to ruptured blood vessels in the eyes. Clearly, this isn't the aquatic serenity you signed up for. A low-volume mask is a much better option and streamlines the equalization process, making pressure adjustments smoother, without any discomfort.

Getting the Perfect Fit

Beyond the right volume, an essential part of choosing the best freediving mask is getting the perfect fit. The last thing you want is a leaky mask while you’re 20 feet underwater. Here are some steps to ensure the freediving mask you buy is the best possible fit for your face:

Tilt Your Head Back: Before you secure the mask's strap, tilt your head slightly back. This moulds the mask to your face's natural contours.
Mask Placement: Gently position the mask on your face without the strap. Make sure the seal covers your eyes, nose, and mouth.
Inhale Through Your Nose: Breathe in gently through your nose. The mask should suction perfectly to your face. If the mask sticks without air leaks, you've struck gold. You should be able to lean forward without the mask falling off. If it feels loose, then it likely has air leaks and isn’t the proper fit.

Choosing the Right Materials

Not all two freediving masks are created equal, and the materials your freediving mask is made from is a very important consideration. Opt for a mask with a high-quality silicone skirt. Silicone will form a better watertight seal to the face than cheap rubber and is more pliable. This will keep your vision clear when under the water. The skirt may come in different colors, including black and clear. But this is more than just a style choice. A black skirt can reduce glare and sun exposure, helping you to see more clearly, while a clear skirt can expand your peripheral vision. This choice comes down to personal preference.

When it comes to lenses, it’s important to choose a freediving mask with tempered glass. Plastic lenses will scratch easily and fog up quickly, especially in colder water. Tempered glass is durable and safe, with no risk of shattering. And don't forget the anti-fog film. Fogging can obscure your vision, and with only a few minutes underwater, you want to be able to see everything clearly. An anti-fog coating takes care of that, ensuring your lenses remain crystal clear, even in the depths.