USVI-On-Line

It seems I buy a new mask and snorkel everytime I head to the Caribbean. Anyone have advice on makes and models that will hold up, and more importantly, not leak too much?

Go to a dive shop and have one fitted

Yeah, I agree, the people at dive shops are very good at helping you get the right fit. We have used the same gear for years that we purchased at a local dive shop. I also purchased similar gear for my our adult kids online after they had tried ours and we knew what worked. Buying online allowed us to save some money but doesn't work well if you don't already know if what you are buying is a good fit.

Getting help from a dive shop is worth the extra money. Here's a couple of pointers about obtaining a non-leaky mask:

When you're buying a mask, put it over your face without putting on the strap. Inhale through your nose just a little and hold your breath. This should seal the mask to your face. Now bend over to look at the floor. If the mask doesn't fall off, it's a good fit.

When you are adjusting the strap, do not cinch it down tight. It should be fairly loose. It's only there for when you come out of the water (or if some idiot kicks you in the face with a fin ) so you don't lose it. Cinching it down like you're trying to cut your face in half actually makes it leak more.

When you put on your mask, get all hair out of the mask. Even just a few strands will cause it to leak.

This applies to moustaches, too. There are all kind of techniques for keeping a good seal while sporting a moustache but the best would be to shave it off.

Also: don't store your mask all winter at the bottom of a pool. I'm adding that one from experience.

-Sandy

I'll throw my vote in for going to a dive shop. It's worth it. You'll spend a bit more but you'll also enjoy snorkeling a lot more and you won't have to buy new equipment every year!

We're in a little town nowhere near the ocean, but we still found a dive shop, and snorkel equipment that fits and that we like!

We bought new snorkel gear this year at Low Key at Wharfside and were very happy. I was surprised at how differently masks fit, the most expensive one fit the worst. As the salesperson said, it's all about matching the shape of the face to the mask. Also love the new 17" fins that fit in our carryons.

Highly recommend going to a dive shop.

And one very simple thing to remember with any mask, is rinse it with fresh water after use and store it out of the sunlight. Salt water and excessive UV exposure will shorten the life of any mask.