Interested in testing what lives in our oceans? Snorkeling is a good way to comfortably discover what lies beneath the floor. With the fitting gear, it’s straightforward to stay your face within the water and see belongings you’ve by no means seen earlier than, all whereas conserving fixed airflow.
Traditionally, snorkeling gear consists of a masks, snorkel, and fins. However, in recent times, full face snorkel masks have emerged, which marry two items of substances into one.
If you’re feeling adventurous or on the lookout for a change, maintain studying to be taught all there may be to learn about full face snorkel masks and get a shopping for information on the most effective full face snorkel masks.
Our Picks for Best Full Face Snorkel Masks
Full Face Snorkel Masks Comparison Table
Best Full Face Snorkel Masks: Reviews
When selecting a full face masks, it is rather necessary to purchase from a good model, as a result of many cheaper masks haven’t undergone correct testing, posing critical dangers when utilizing them within the water.Here’s our information to among the finest full face snorkel masks.
Ocean Reef Aria
What We Love:
- Anti-fog lens
- Largest visual field
- Lightweight with detachable snorkel
Ocean Reef is a good model that makes prime quality and reliable merchandise. Their full face snorkeling masks isn’t any exception.
The lens is designed to be anti-fog and the respiratory expertise is seamless and pure within the backside chamber. Ocean Reef claims that the Aria masks has the biggest visual field in comparison with opponents, so take pleasure in an uninterrupted viewing expertise.
It’s made out of sturdy however light-weight supplies and includes a removable snorkel, making it sensible for journey.
This masks is made to provide the most effective snorkeling expertise with as little trouble as attainable.
Tribord Easybreath
What We Love:
- Various sizes for the right match
- Shatterproof lens
- Long snorkel
The Tribord Easybreath is available in many alternative sizes, guaranteeing that the person utilizing the masks will get the right, leak-free match. Be positive to take a look at the sizing chart to search out the scale that’s finest for you.
This masks includes a shatter-proof 180-degree lens, offering an uninterrupted view of the ocean beneath. The snorkel on this masks is longer than others, permitting customers to look additional and see extra with out interrupting their respiratory.
HEAD Sea Vu Dry
What We Love:
- Officially security examined
- Wave guards
- Easy-to-use purge valve
This masks was formally security examined, making it a very good possibility if in case you have considerations associated to masks use.
The Sea Vu has fixed air move circulation which helps with respiratory and retains the lens away from fog. The dry snorkel additionally options wave guards to additional maintain water out of the masks, and has a purge valve on the chin to get journey of something that does get within the masks.
The skirt is made out of prime quality silicon, creating a snug and agency seal round your face to stop leaks.
Seaview 180 V2
What We Love:
- Officially security examined
- Flowtech superior air consumption system
- Anti-fog lens
This masks has been examined protected and includes a separate respiratory chamber, in addition to 4 consumption valves to just be sure you’re at all times respiratory recent air.
This Flowtech superior air consumption system gives a 50% simpler respiratory expertise in comparison with different full face masks. The 180-degree lens doesn’t fog up as a result of a method valves and fixed airflow.
Seaview 180 GoPro Compatible
What We Love:
- GoPro Mount
- Heavy obligation silicon skirt
- Nylon straps
If you’re trying to take footage whereas snorkeling, that is the masks for you. Not solely is it prime quality, however it has a built-in GoPro mount for organising your digicam.
This masks gives a simple respiratory expertise, and is nice for each freshmen and superior snorkelers alike. The purge valve on the chin lets you simply eliminate any water that will have slipped into the masks, however don’t be too involved about that as a result of the silicon skirt retains you dry.
The straps are made out of nylon, creating a snug expertise as a substitute of low cost straps pulling at your hair.
Read More: Best Snorkeling Gear: Ultimate Comparison Guide 2023
Vista Vue
What We Love:
- Enhanced respiratory expertise
- Extra extensive snorkel tube
- Fog-free lens
This masks presents an unparalleled respiratory expertise. Not solely does air go away by means of the highest of the snorkel, however there are two valves above your ear to let the air out as nicely. This retains the person from respiratory outdated air and makes respiratory simpler general.
The snorkel on this masks additionally has an additional extensive tube with a multi-purge valve, significantly rising airflow as nicely. There’s a fog-free 180-degree lens that provides an important viewing expertise, all with out worrying about respiratory.
Bonus: Other Essential Snorkel Gear
If you’re on the lookout for extra gear to boost your snorkeling expertise, listed here are some solutions.
Fins
Fins are an important piece of snorkeling gear that mean you can journey by means of the water shortly and scale back fatigue. Besides their advantages, fins significantly differ in fashion and dimension.
We actually like this pair from Cressi.
Snorkel Vest
A snorkel vest is a superb device for freshmen to assist with buoyancy and flotation. It’s additionally a very good piece of apparatus for individuals planning on snorkeling for a very long time because it retains you from having to tread water and getting drained out.
Antifog Spray
Antifog spray is a superb device to deal with masks lenses earlier than getting within the water. Even for those who dive deep or expertise nice variation in temperature, your masks ought to keep fog free.
Dry Bag
It’s sensible to take a dry bag with you on any water journey, snorkeling not excluded. A dry bag seals to maintain every thing inside dry, irrespective of how moist your environment are. I by no means exit on the water with out one among these! If you’re on the lookout for data on how to decide on the finest dry bag, take a look at our full assessment.
What is a Full Face Snorkel Mask?
A full face snorkel masks is a bit of apparatus used for optimized underwater viewing. Like regular snorkeling gear, it lets you breathe whereas floating on the floor of water. The distinction is that it presents a extra pure expertise.
These masks cowl your whole face, with the highest portion used for viewing and the underside half for respiratory. The snorkel is constructed into the masks, permitting customers to breathe and not using a mouthpiece.
Full face masks are rising in reputation in the case of snorkeling as they provide a extra relaxed expertise with a wider vary of imaginative and prescient. The massive masks wraps round, giving snorkelers 180 levels of imaginative and prescient versus simply having the ability to see what’s in entrance of you.
A standard false impression with full face masks is that you could breathe underwater for those who’re utilizing one. Unfortunately, this isn’t the case. Like conventional snorkeling gear, you possibly can solely breathe when floating on the floor of the water. Once you submerge fully, air gained’t have the ability to come by means of the snorkel anymore.
Most full face masks characteristic a dry prime snorkel that seals when it’s submerged, and reopens as soon as the snorkel resurfaces. This successfully retains water out of the masks.
Full Face Snorkel Mask vs Traditional Snorkel Mask
There are a number of principal variations in the case of full face masks and conventional snorkeling masks.
Coverage
The principal distinction between full face masks and conventional masks is the diploma of protection. As talked about above (and clear from the identify), full face masks cowl your entire face from prime to backside, whereas regular masks solely cowl the eyes and nostril.
Breathing
The principal profit of getting a full face masks is having the ability to breathe out of your nostril and mouth as you’ll naturally, versus solely by means of your mouth with a standard snorkel.
You additionally don’t have to fret about conserving a mouthpiece in place because of the snorkel being constructed into the masks, making it extra comfy to make use of and eliminating jaw fatigue.
Field of Vision
Full face masks characteristic a wrap round design giving customers a larger visual field than they might have whereas utilizing a standard masks. Full face masks not solely wrap round your whole visual field, however they prolong previous the nostril, creating an enormous lens and optimized visuals for customers.
Extra Seal
Like conventional masks, full face masks come full with a silicon skirt that creates a seal towards your face to maintain water out. Because this masks covers your whole face, it strikes much less and creates a larger seal, making it much less liable to leakage than conventional masks.
Be positive to decide on the fitting dimension on your face when buying to verify the skirt creates a real watertight seal.
Anti-Fog
One of the largest complaints with conventional snorkel masks is that they fog up. While it’s practically inconceivable to thoroughly remove foggy masks, that is drastically diminished when utilizing a full face masks.
If you’re enthusiastic about studying extra about conventional masks and different tools, take a look at our full snorkeling gear assessment.
Pros and Cons of a Full Face Snorkel Mask
There are definitely benefits and drawbacks to buying and utilizing a full face snorkel masks.
Here are some execs and cons that will help you resolve if that is the most effective piece of apparatus on your aquatic adventures.
Pros
- Full face masks are nice for freshmen. It typically takes a while to get used to respiratory with an everyday snorkel, however with a full face masks you possibly can breathe commonly.
- No jaw fatigue! The worst half about utilizing a standard snorkel for a protracted time period is that your jaw will get drained from holding it in your mouth. With a full face masks, there’s no mouthpiece, and thus no jaw fatigue. These masks are nice for longer excursions, particularly in case your jaw tends to tense up simply.
- Full face masks give a wide variety of view. Because these masks cowl your whole face, they provide you a whole 180-degree view with none obstruction.
- They’re much less liable to fogging. There’s nothing worse than getting within the water and having your masks fog up. However, full face masks repair this for essentially the most half as they don’t fog up because of the distinctive respiratory mechanism and air move valves.
Cons
- They’re bulkier than conventional snorkel gear. These masks are notably bigger and take up extra space than a person masks with separate snorkel. This makes them much less sensible to pack for journeys.
- You gained’t have the ability to dive deep. While with regular snorkel gear you possibly can take a dive and your snorkel valve will shut (with a dry-top), this isn’t attainable with a full face masks. Diving deep will create tons of stress contained in the masks that you simply gained’t have the ability to equalize with out entry to your nostril. So for those who wish to ceaselessly dive beneath the floor for a better take a look at what’s beneath, a full face masks isn’t really useful.
- You could have some problem respiratory. It’s been reported that some customers have had problem respiratory whereas carrying a full face masks, particularly when exercising intensely. Some individuals have discovered it arduous to get sufficient oxygen to maintain them comfy whereas their faces are within the water. A big a part of that is that outdated air has a tough time leaving the masks, forcing you to breathe this in as a substitute of recent air. That being mentioned, some masks have higher air circulation than others.
What to Look for in a Full Face Snorkel Mask
Here are the qualities you need to search for when weighing totally different full face masks choices.
Anti-Fog
Look for a full face masks that has an anti-fog lens. Most of those nifty devices do, however some are extra liable to fog than others. A foggy lens can break a snorkel expertise, so it’s necessary to search out the clearest lens attainable!
Field of View
When shopping for a full face masks, search for ones that provide a whole 180-degree view. The finest masks can have the lens extending previous the facet of your eyes, with the body as far to the facet of your head as attainable. This will enable you an unobstructed view of the world beneath.
Skirt
You’re going to need a masks with a silicon skirt to maintain it sealed tightly round your face. A decent-fitting skirt is essential to conserving water out and imaginative and prescient clear.
Cheaper masks characteristic plastic or rubber skirts, however it’s completely advisable to spring for one manufactured from 100% silicon. Skirts made out of different materials aren’t as comfy, don’t create as tight of a seal, and are extra liable to tears or rips.
Straps and Buckles
When weighing totally different masks, check out the straps and buckling mechanisms.
It’s finest to get a masks with thicker straps which gained’t lose their type and stretch out as simply as thinner straps. Wider straps additionally are typically extra comfy, so that you’re much less more likely to have to regulate them whereas within the water.
In phrases of a buckle, it’s advisable to search out one which has a push launch button so to get out and in of your masks shortly and simply.
Wave Guard
You completely need to buy a full face masks with a wave guard on prime of the snorkel. This will maintain the snorkel free from water when a wave comes. Almost all full face snorkel masks characteristic a dry-top snorkel, however look further intently for ones with wave guards.
Dry-Top Snorkel
As talked about above, virtually all full face masks characteristic a dry-top snorkel; nonetheless, this isn’t essentially a assure.
When buying a masks (particularly ones which are cheaper), double examine that this mechanism is in place. Otherwise you’ll have a lower than excellent snorkeling expertise as you’ll find yourself swallowing numerous salt water!
How to Choose the Best Full Face Snorkel Mask for You
Choosing a masks that’s best for you is a very powerful a part of buying this piece of apparatus! Here are some issues to remember.
Size
The most necessary issue in the case of selecting a full face masks is buying the fitting dimension. It’s uncommon to discover a full face masks that is available in one dimension as a result of if the masks is just too massive it is going to leak, and if it’s too small it is going to be uncomfortable and hinder your view.
If you’re undecided which dimension to buy, I like to recommend taking a fast measure of your face after which consulting the masks’s sizing chart. This ought to enable you decide the right dimension, and offer you a pleasing snorkeling expertise.
Breathing
If airflow is a principal concern with a full face masks, I’d go for a masks with elevated air move valves and superior expertise to maintain the air inside your masks recent and breathable.
Masks like Seaview V2 and Vista Vue supply the most effective respiratory expertise.
Vision
If you put on glasses, you need to search for a masks that has the choice so as to add a prescription lens. This lets you take pleasure in all that the underwater world has to supply with out sacrificing clear imaginative and prescient.
Using Your Full Face Mask For the First Time
When you obtain your masks, strive it on and modify it to your face to verify there’s a watertight seal.
Also be sure that your masks matches appropriately within the correct locations. The skirt needs to be comfy round your lips and nostril, and shouldn’t come too near your eyes.
Once you already know that your masks matches correctly, you need to deal with it earlier than utilizing it in water. This will stop it from fogging up, even when the lens is fog-proof. Use heat soapy water and a delicate fabric to wash the masks clear of any leftover residue from manufacturing. Not solely must you get the lens and body, however wash the skirt as nicely.
Note: Be cautious with what materials you employ to scrub the lens as full face lenses are liable to scratching.
For extra remedy, it’s also possible to use toothpaste! This ought to be sure that your masks doesn’t fog once you use it within the water.
After you match and deal with your masks, I like to recommend hopping in a pool to observe respiratory and be sure that every thing is comfy so to get used to it earlier than setting off in your snorkeling journey.
Caring for Your Full Face Mask
No matter the masks you select, it’s necessary to take care of it correctly for those who’d prefer it to final for a very long time.
The principal factor to do is to scrub it after each use. Sure, this can be a ache, particularly for those who use your masks ceaselessly, however it is going to be sure that the masks has a protracted lifespan.
It’s much more necessary to scrub your masks for those who put on sunscreen with it. Sunscreen and silicon aren’t precisely a match made in heaven, and if sunscreen is left on the skirt for too lengthy, it is going to break it.
When cleansing the masks, use a fabric designed particularly for lenses to maintain it scratch-free. If you possibly can’t discover this sort of fabric, you need to use cotton which ought to work simply as nicely.
You must also watch out the place you place the masks and attempt to maintain its lens up every time attainable. A giant tip is to maintain it away from sand! These masks are fragile, so make sure you deal with it with care.
When packing or touring together with your masks, at all times maintain it within the carrying case it got here with to keep away from the lens getting scratched. If you don’t have a carrying case, wrap it in a t-shirt or pillow case.
Now you already know all there may be to full face snorkel masks. Always keep in mind to observe the “buddy rule” and snorkel with a pal.
Enjoy your water journey—the ocean is asking!
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