Why do we go underwater? For some it’s the adventure, for others the sensation of weightlessness, but for nearly all the reason includes seeing some really cool stuff. That’s why the mask is such a critical part of a diver’s rig. A good mask provides so much field of view, fits so comfortably and works so well, you forget it’s even there. On the other hand, a bad mask hurts your face, fogs up and fills with water every six seconds. Perhaps more than any other piece of gear, a mask can make the difference between an unforgettable dive experience and 45 minutes of underwater torture. You’d think that after more than a half-century of mask development manufacturers would be running out of new ideas. But much to the glee of divers everywhere, each year we’re introduced to new lens shapes, softer skirt materials and more innovative buckle systems. We called on mask manufacturers to send us their freshest models; we received 18 new or improved designs. After checking out each mask in the ScubaLab shop, noting materials, design features and how the buckle systems worked, we took them into our test pool to measure their field of view, both vertically and horizontally. We then set out to dive each mask to see how well they fit, felt and behaved in the real world. We’ve divided our findings into three categories by mask type: single-window, dual-window, and three- and four-window.

Aeris Europa 3

Specifications

The Europa 3 is the smallest of the three-window masks in this review. It’s made specifically for women and smaller faces, but still allows full-face testers to enjoy the view, albeit a bit narrower than what’s found on the full-size masks. The corners where front and side windows meet are virtually seamless, but underwater you’ve got a 35-degree blind spot along with the additional 20 degrees of peripheral vision. The smooth, wide skirt provides an efficient seal. The quick-release buckles swivel to fit any angle, offer rapid strap swaps and disconnect to make it more compact for travel.