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.

Cressi Big Eyes Evolution

Specifications

The dual-density skirt on the Big Eyes Evolution offers very soft material that comes in contact with the face and more-substantial material where it attaches to the frame. Side-to-side vision is above average, but downward viewing is exceptional due to the lenses’ “V” shape. The buckle attachments are flexible, allowing them to move in all directions for fit and also to fold flat for packing. The split strap is wide and supportive, but the belt loops that should keep the excess strap secured are too large and slide off the end of the tabs. The Evo also offers optical lenses from -1.0 to -6.0. A small screwdriver is all that’s needed to replace standard lenses with corrective lenses.