How to try on a diving mask? What dive mask size do I need?

In our online dive shop, you’ll be overwhelmed by the large selection of diving masks and snorkel masks. This isn't just to ensure that everyone finds a mask in their favourite colour, but to ensure everyone finds their optimal fit, so that the mask doesn’t press or leak while diving or snorkelling. This can only be achieved through trying them on – here’s how to do it!

The fitting of the diving mask is very quick and helps you to sort out a suitable mask from an unsuitable one in no time. There is a simple procedure for this and a few important details you need to pay attention to.

• Does the mask seal properly? (Vacuum test)
• Can the mask be properly adjusted?
• Is the mask the right size?
• Does the mask cause painful pressure points?
• Can you equalise pressure easily with the mask?

When trying on the mask, do not use the mask strap at first. Push the mask strap forward and press the mask onto your face. Pay attention to the following:

• there should be no hairs under the mask's sealing lip
• ensure the mask is correctly positioned on the face – lower edge between nose and upper lip, upper edge above the eyebrows but below the hairline.
• you should not press wrinkles into your face, which can happen with incorrect placement on the face, too much pressure, or simply if the mask is too tight
  

Is the mask positioned correctly? Then slightly inhale through your nose – a vacuum should form inside the mask, which means that the mask should gently suction onto your face and practically stick to it as long as you hold your breath and do not exhale into the mask. Specifically, this means that once you have placed the mask on and inhaled through your nose, the mask should now 'stick' to your face even if you move your head slightly, as long as you hold your breath.

NOTE: Diving Mask for Bearded Divers - the sealing test does not work with facial hair. With a beard, the sealing lip does not lay completely flat, so when inhaling, a vacuum cannot form inside the mask as a small amount of air will push into the mask. With light facial hair, it might work to some extent, but with a thick moustache, the vacuum test cannot be performed correctly. In this case, simply pay attention to the other fitting criteria to find a suitable diving mask, but always remember that areas with dense facial hair may allow a small amount of water to seep in while diving or snorkelling.

Possible Solutions – Shave the beard, or apply a thin layer of Vaseline over the beard (this only helps to a limited extent with a very thick moustache). In any case, look for a mask with a very soft and thin upper lip area!

NOTE: Diving Mask for Bearded Divers - the sealing test does not work with facial hair. With a beard, the sealing lip does not lay completely flat, so when inhaling, a vacuum cannot form inside the mask as a small amount of air will push into the mask. With light facial hair, it might work to some extent, but with a thick moustache, the vacuum test cannot be performed correctly. In this case, simply pay attention to the other fitting criteria to find a suitable diving mask, but always remember that areas with dense facial hair may allow a small amount of water to seep in while diving or snorkelling.

Possible Solutions – Shave the beard, or apply a thin layer of Vaseline over the beard (this only helps to a limited extent with a very thick moustache). In any case, look for a mask with a very soft and thin upper lip area!

A high-quality mask should definitely have an adjustable mask strap. The length of the mask strap can usually be adjusted via the buckles. Take a quick look at the adjustment mechanism of the buckles before you put on the mask.

Once the mask is on and the strap is correctly positioned, adjust the strap to the optimal length. It’s best to adjust both ends simultaneously so that you end up with roughly equal free ends on both sides and the strap is centred. The diving mask should not be too tight – when properly adjusted, you should still be able to easily pull the mask a few millimetres away from your face with the thumb and forefinger of both hands. Don’t worry, the water will press the mask against your face; you don’t need to tighten the strap more, or it could become painful. If you have a deep, red mark from the mask on your face after half an hour in the water, it’s a clear sign that the strap is too tight.

If the mask is sealed and the mask strap is correctly adjusted, you can now check the proper fit. Use a mirror to ensure that the mask’s sealing lip is positioned correctly and that the mask is the right size for your face. If you don’t have a mirror, someone standing in front of you can also check if it fits correctly.

The sealing lip should lie as flat and evenly as possible all around the face, on the skin, without pressing too hard into the face, and without distorting the natural shape of the face. Pay special attention to the following positions:

• At the temples, the sealing lip must lie completely on the temple, not on the corner of the eye or on the eyebrow. The eyebrows and the entire eye socket must be inside the mask. Outwards, the sealing lip should not extend over the hairline.
• On the forehead – here too, the sealing lip must completely cover the eyebrows, which should be entirely inside the mask. Upwards, the sealing lip should not extend over the hairline.
• In the mouth area, the narrow part of the seal should be roughly halfway between the upper lip and the bridge of the nose. It should not impede lip movement or press painfully on the bridge of the nose.

Is everything in its place? Then this is the right size diving mask for you.

If you have now found a mask that seals well and fits properly, you are almost there! Just make sure to check whether the mask frame causes any pressure points anywhere. This issue occasionally arises with two-lens masks on the forehead, between the eyebrows, or with single-lens masks on the bridge of the nose, where the mask frame rests over the nose.

To do this, simply leave the mask on for a moment longer, and gently press against it with your hand to see if the mask frame presses painfully against your face anywhere.

The pressure equalisation test is the final step in your search for a suitable diving mask. You must ensure that you can perform pressure equalisation with this diving mask, which means you need to be able to reach your nose with two fingers unimpeded. Keep in mind that this should still work when you have a regulator in your mouth and are wearing thick neoprene gloves.

If this works without any issues, you have likely found a well-fitting diving mask in the right size.

TIP: What else you need to consider when buying a diving mask can be found in our guide on “What is the best diving mask for me? How do you find the right diving mask?” and “How do I recognise a good diving mask?”.

Conclusion - If you want to enjoy an unobstructed view underwater without pain and without water entering the mask, invest in a high-quality diving mask and do not skip the fitting. You need no longer than 2 minutes to determine whether a diving mask is suitable for you or not, if you pay attention to the right details during the fitting.

Here’s a summary of all the necessary steps for properly fitting a diving mask:

1. Place the diving mask on your face and ensure the correct position (do not use the mask strap!)

2. Slightly inhale through your nose – the mask should gently suction onto your face and stick without you having to hold it, as long as you hold your breath (this may not work or may not work as well with facial hair)

3. Remove the mask and familiarise yourself with the mask strap adjustment mechanism

4. Put the mask back on, position the strap correctly at the back of your head, and adjust it properly.

5. Use a mirror to check the correct positioning of the sealing lip – alternatively, have someone else check it.

6. Leave the mask on for a moment and gently press it against your face – check if the mask frame presses anywhere on your nose.

7. Check if you can perform pressure equalisation unimpeded – consider if this would still work with a second stage in your mouth and with neoprene gloves.

If all these points are correct and you also like the mask, then we can only congratulate you on your new favourite diving mask! With the right care, you'll be able to enjoy it for a long time!

TIP: for the proper cleaning and maintenance of your diving mask, read our guide “How do I clean my diving mask? Care, repair, and transport of the diving mask”