Narrow face masks

[Benutzer]

I'm a new student, looking for my first mask before class starts, and after doing a bit of trying on masks here and there, have figured out that a) I have a narrow face and need a medium or mid sized mask to fit and, b) not many LDS's in the area stock mid sized masks for me to try on.

So far I've found that the Atomic Frameless medium size mask seems to latch onto my face like the Alien facehugger. I'm "assuming" that it'll work underwater but don't really have a way to try it out until class starts. The LDS where I'll be taking the classes is not the same LDS that carries the Atomic line.

2 questions:
One, before I bite the bullet and just go ahead and get it, can anyone suggest others to try that will have similar field of view and fit? I've heard the Mares X-Vision mid might be good. I tried the regular sized one on and didn't like the FOV as well as the Frameless, but nobody seems to have a mid sized one in at the moment to try for fit. The Tusa Splendive IV fit good (not quite like the Frameless, but still very good), but the FOV isn't as nice.

Two, not being overly familiar yet with LDS's (or internet sellers), can anyone tell me what standard practice is? Do they normally take returns if you take it in the pool and it tends to leak?

Just to complicate it a touch, I have a mustache. I shaved a thin strip as I've seen recommended and the Frameless seems to seal great. But any recommendations for smaller masks get double bonus points if they're known to seal well with 'staches as well.

[MicahEW]

Scuba Toys will work with you and if you get a mask that is not what you need or expected they will return or exchange. beware of what site you order from as other ST forum members have had some issues with other sites. as far as trying on the masks if it holds a vacuum it will be fine. hold it up to your face suck in through nose and let go if it holds it will be fine. make sure you dont have any hair in the seal or it wont work.

[Benutzer]

That's good, although I think if I order the Atomic Frameless I have to get it from a LDS. I thought I saw a note somewhere that they don't allow online sales (?!).

I guess I'm concerned because I saw one online retailer's note (although it may not have been about masks) that they'd only exchange for a different size of the same model. And some folks have said that they had a mask that fit fine in the store only to find out they wouldn't work underwater. I'm not sure if that means it didn't really fit as well as they thought, or that some masks just change characteristics under pressure.

I'd be surprised if the Frameless didn't fit me in the water, because in the shop if I didn't exhale through my nose enough it pulled off with an audible "pop".

[MicahEW]

I have a scubapro frameless with black skirt and I do get a great seal from it too. I do agree I like to see and touch stuff before I buy.

[Benutzer]

I've learned the hard way that it's worth taking the time and trying to do your research beforehand so you don't spend a fortune and end up with gear that won't work well for you. If I had tried the Atomic Frameless AFTER I'd bought something else, I'd be kicking myself. I'm just wondering if there's something even better, since I haven't had the opportunity to try many smaller masks.

[dallasdivergirl]

I do have a narrow face & do have the mares x vision mid skirt & the splendive IV masks.

you might consider the mares liquid skin.

you were told correctly that atomic doesn't allow internet sales.

I will tell you

[Benutzer]

Sounds like we fit about the same masks. Are there many others that are close that I should try (doesn't seem to be a lot)? I tried the liquidskin, but unless there's a smaller size or I grabbed the wrong one, I wasn't impressed with the fit.

[dannybot]

Try before you buy, I went through several masks to fit my funny shaped narrow face. Also if it fits at the surface, it may still press and be uncomfortable at the bottom of the pool after 45 min.

[dallasdivergirl]

it would help if I would have finished my thought!

the tilos frameless with the split lenses (basically folds in half) is another one that I like.

the tilos panoramic fits a lot of faces & comes in two sizes.

I do have a narrow face & I have come to realize that I will have water in my mask no matter what I buy.

pretty much any mask that doesn't do a split type lenses is not going to fit me.

good luck with your search!

[Benutzer]

Hmmm... I haven't seen any shop around here that carries Tilos, but I haven't hit them all you so you never know. I'll definitely have to keep an eye out for those. I'm still really wanting to try a Mares X-Vision Mid sized one just for completeness, but I think the FOV won't be as nice as the Atomic Frameless.

The Frameless was a pretty sweet fit, at least in the shop. If the shop will guarantee it fits in the water, I'll probably go ahead with that one in the long run. You might want to try that one if you haven't yet. It's not split lens, but the mid sized one fits me great.