Full beard mask question

[Hmmca]

Hello everybody

My name is Greg and I am just starting out with free diving, and I had a mask question. It seems like to get a proper fit with a mask everybody says shave, right now I have a full beard that I would like to keep. Does anybody have a good idea for a mask that might work, I understand that there may be leaking, but still looking for the best direction to start.


Thanks

 

[hteas]

If you have access to a dive shop, go in and try as many as possible.
The way to do it is to lean your head back and place the mask on your face without pressing it down. Test the seal by sucking air in through your nose. See if you can find one that seals, or at least comes closer to sealing
An alternative that may give you a collection of masks is to buy one that appears to ahve a very soft skirt, like the newest Omer. There are several others that are similar. The very soft skirt will seal better than the older styles.

 

[Apneaddict]

Sporasub mystic, Tusa Panthes and the Omer Bandit / Alien, etc masks are all very soft.

Not sure if that will help or hurt a seal though, as a firm skirt may "press through" the beard hair better than an uber-complient one. Just a thought - I don't have a beard.

Guys with beards can use Vaseline to help with a better / more reliable seal.

Look at my blog for a really cheap and soft skirted mask. Might be a low-risk way of seeing if soft works for you.

 

[fabikp]

Hallo Hmmca, I have a moustache for 30 years now and my experience is: soft skirt masks leak, firm skirt masks seal. In other words: material of the skirt the harder (tougher, stiffer) the better.

 

[Hurlow]

I'll second the 'needs to fit your face first' comments.
Also, from what I understand liquid silicone is easier on masks than vasoline. I've used it for the past couple years with some success. You can find it online or in scuba shops.