Last Updated: March 28, 2023
You can see a lot of men sporting a beard these days. But does it cause any issues when scuba diving? Is it a comfy fit, or would you need to chop it off?
Think about this, it’s a beautiful day outside, and your friends have called you out to venture into the vast depths of marine life. In order to experience this, you will need to wear a full-face mask.
Your beard and mask might not go hand in hand with each other, though. But don’t worry, there is a solution for that.
In this guide, you will find the best diving and snorkel masks for those with facial hair – whether beards or mustaches. That way, our bearded buddies won’t have to shave it off and still enjoy exploring the wonders of the sea.
After all, wouldn’t you rather keep your beard and take a dive than trim it off?
So, let’s get right into it.
Best Scuba Masks For Bearded Divers – Top 7 Picks
1. Hollis M1 Frameless Dive Mask
If I had to pick a winner from this list, it would be the Hollis M1 frameless scuba diving mask.
This mask has an excellent 4.5/5-star rating and comes with a huge variety of features that cater to all those with a beard. It is one of the most versatile diving masks available as it can be used for spearfishing, scuba diving, freediving, and snorkeling.
It has a skirt that is frameless, which means the lens of the mask is directly attached to this skirt. This improves the quality by making it so much more durable and reliable.
Made of 100% pure silicone material, not only does this make it more durable, but it also increases the longevity of the mask.
One of the stand-out points is the Saint-Gobain Diament technology, which means the user has a clear view through the lens at all times.
Additionally, for better viewing, the lens is also extremely wide and has a low volume. This will allow you to have a larger, open view of marine life.
In terms of fit and adjustability, it comes with adjustable straps that can be tightened or loosened as required. This will help give you a comfy fit and also avoid the water from entering your mask.
For easy storage, it comes in a small case that will keep your mask safe and clean when you are not using it.
- High-quality view without any obstructions
- Durable silicone material
- Saint-Gobain Diament technology
- Storage case is included
- Occassional fogging of the lenses
2. Atomic Venom Frameless Mask
The Atomic Venom is one of the most high-quality masks available. It comes at a high price but keep in mind that with good features and ratings.
The lenses of the Venom mask are made of tempered glass. When you put this on, you are guaranteed to have a super clear vision. The glass is also very smooth and does not distort under any circumstances.
In terms of material and build, the Atomic Venom is made of a silicone material called “Gummi Bear Ultrasoft.” This is a medical-level material that feels super soft and comfortable on the skin, even when you have a beard. Additionally, this material also gives a seal that is leak-free on your face.
The skirt is designed by using silicone that has two layers: a thin layer and a thick one. The thicker layer can be found near the lens, and helps to give more support to the user. In contrast, the thin layer is found around the face area. This makes the mask extremely versatile and effective.
The frameless design also helps to give more support by fitting perfectly around the face, that is why its ideal for men with facial hair.
The swivel buckle will help adjust the tightness and give you the best fit.
- Gummi Bear Ultrasoft silicone
- Tempered glass lenses
- Swivel buckles for added support
- A little bit on the pricier side
3. Cressi Matrix Premium Scuba Snorkel Dive Mask
The Cressi Matrix had to be included here because of its versatility. This is a mask that has proven to be useful with both beginner and professional divers.
It is a reliable model that is very durable in terms of build and material quality. The lenses are made with tempered glass and the skirt is made of a hypoallergenic silicone material.
The highlight of this model is the design of the lenses, that allows you to have easy visibility of the downward areas as well. It also does not allow any leaks of water to enter the mask.
Additional features include an anti-fog properties and low internal volume level. This is best suited for easier equalization. It also comes with micro-adjustable straps so that you can adjust them as needed to give you a better fit.
Two-year warranty means that if you have any issues with the mask, you know where to go.
And the best part about the Cressi Matrix Premium mask is that all the features come at an incredibly affordable price. That being said, they are certainly not to be underestimated.
- Safe, hypoallergenic material
- Anti-fog property
- Patented Cressi design
- Extremely affordable
- Does not have good peripheral vision
4. Scubapro Frameless Gorilla Mask
The main reason why the Scubapro Frameless Gorilla Mask is on this list is for comfort. It is an extremely comfortable model and also very lightweight.
It is a mask that has one single lens in a frameless design. The single lens will allow you to spend more time under the water without any discomfort issues on the skin or the beard.
When you take a close look, you will notice that this model has a unique design. The frameless feature allows you to have maximum comfort and the whole mask itself consists of just one lens and the skirt.
Designed to be very versatile, which means that other than using it for just scuba diving, you can also use it for other water sports. It also comes with a wide headband and a buckle system for adjusting the size, and for more convenience, you can do this with just one hands.
The light weight helps in also keeping the noise levels inside the mask to a minimum. It can also be cleaned easily because the lenses are made of tempered glass material. This gives you a good view of what’s ahead of you at all times.
- Lightweight
- Low internal volume
- Easy adjustable buckles
- Maximum comfort throughout
- The wide headband might look very “out-of-place” sometimes
5. Cressi Scuba Diving Mask with Inclined Tear Drop Lenses
The Cressi Mask with inclined tear drop lenses is a revolutionary product when it comes to dive masks.
It is made of high-quality silicone material and makes for the perfect mask if you ever want to go scuba diving, snorkeling, or even freediving!
Similar to the other Cressi model, the lenses are also a little raked. This allows you to get a better vision of what’s underneath you as well. This is also known as downward visibility.
The frame uses a special patented Cressi design. This includes the double injection of the elastomer on some type of rigid material.
Unlike the other models where the adjustable buckles are added to the skirt of the mask, the straps of this one are attached to the rigid material. This helps give the buckle easy movement and avoids any damage while doing so.
This mask is manufactured using the system of IDF (Integrated Dual Frame), that joins two frames together. This, in turn, will help in minimizing the volume inside the mask.
It is also comparatively lightweight and feels very comfortable against the skin and facial hair, so keeps you free from irritation.
- Patented Cressi technology for lenses and design
- Easy buckle movement
- IDF technology reduces internal noise
- Very lightweight and comfortable to use
- Not good peripheral view
6. Scuba Choice Classic One-Window Silicone Purged Mask
The Scuba Choice is another mask that is extremely affordable but comes packed with loads of features.
One of the greatest things about this scuba mask is that it comes with purge valves. They are very useful for beginner divers because these valves make breathing under the water very easy. All you need to do is simply blow out the air through the nose, and this will help in clearing it.
This model also has a single lens which will allow you to get complete, unobstructed view. That being said, the sides are quite solid and sturdy. This is not an ideal feature for peripheral viewing though.
On the other hand, the system for sealing has a high-quality, comfortable construction to it. This will help in avoiding the water entering the mask and keep you secure at all times.
Overall, the Scuba Choice mask is made of durable, quality materials that help in increasing its longevity. You may have noticed that the mask is a little bulky in terms of size. However, it can still be adjusted for a snug, comfy fit.
- In-built purge valves
- Single lens for unobstructed view
- Sturdy build
- Not suitable for peripheral vision
- A little bulky design
7. Oceanic Shadow Frameless Dive Mask
The Oceanic Shadow mask comes in two size options. It can perfectly fit medium to large-sized faces. On the other hand, the Oceanic Shadow Mini is designed to fit small-sized faces.
Despite the size, they both come in a frameless design which automatically means they are much easier to use and are super lightweight. They are also very compact, which makes them easier to store.
The single lens that allows you to have wide views of the ocean in front of you. The skirt of this scuba mask is made of soft silicone material that feels very comfortable on the skin and the beard. This material will not cause any kind of irritation or redness whatsoever.
This mask also comes with plastic buckle in case you need a better fit. The only downfall is that it is a little bulky, and might keep poking you quite often. This can cause a bit of a discomfort.
- Two sizes
- The single lens gives a wide view
- Low internal noise levels
- Lightweight and easy to store
- Adjustable plastic buckles might be uncomfortable
Things To Look For in a Scuba Mask For Facial Hair
When you decide to purchase a scuba mask, your preference plays a major role. However, if you have facial hair, you might want to put some more thought into it.
The type of scuba mask you choose largely depends on the type of beard or mustache you have.
For a Full Beard
If you’ve got a full beard that somewhat looks like Santa Claus’s, a full face mask is certainly not the best option. This is because the silicone design will not comfortably stick to your face and skin if you have a full beard.
In contrast, for regular dive mask, you will make sure that it is comfortably sealed beneath your nose. If you have a full beard, the hair might get in your way.
In this case, you have two solutions. You can either use a sealant that will help keep your mask on, or you might have to trim your beard a little just to make it a little thinner.
For a Medium Beard
Both type of scuba masks will work just fine if your beard is not very bushy and thick. A goggle type of (regular) mask is the best fit if you’ve got a small stubble or a very thin beard. It will also work fine if you’ve got a medium-sized thin beard.
However, if you have a goatee, you should opt for a full face mask.
For a Little Beard
If you are someone who has just a beard and no mustache, a typical diving mask is recommended. This is because, without a mustache, your goggles will sit and seal properly on your face.
For Only a Mustache
We understand how frustrating it is to have someone ask you to shave your mustache off. If you’d still like to go scuba diving, a full face mask will be the ideal choice for you.
Without a beard to interfere, the silicone will easily stick to your skin. This way, you don’t have to trim your mustache at all.
Conclusion
A lot of people want to explore the world under the water and capture its beauty. Dive masks may seem like a simple accessory for most people, but what about those who sport facial hair?
Well, as you can see diving with a full beard or mustache is not a problem, as there is a dive mask for anyone.
My best recommendation is the Hollis M1 Frameless Scuba Mask. Not only does it have all the required features, but it also comes at a good price. This is the ideal pick for all our bearded scuba divers.
However, make sure you purchase the one that is best suited to your face and needs. With that, you’ll be all set to scuba dive.