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.

Aqua Lung Look 2

Specifications

The Look 2 is a pretty compact mask (it’s available in two sizes) yet still offers above-average side-to-side vision. The vertical view is about average. The mask fits close to the eyes, and feels snug and comfy with a very well-designed web strap that cradles the back of your head. U-joint-style Cardanic buckles move vertically and horizontally to enable you to find that perfect fit. The twin squeeze buckles hold fast but allow for quick micro adjustments. What’s really cool about the Look 2 is how easy it is to drop in specially made corrective lenses. The mask is designed so it can be quickly disassembled and corrective lenses inserted. Corrective lenses are available from -1.0 to -10.0 negative in .5 increments, and +1.5 to +3.0 positive, also in .5 increments.