With so many masks now being manufactured in China and the Far East, they all appear to be very similar. Manufacturers may introduce their tweaks here and there, a slightly different buckle perhaps, but essentially you'd be hard-pushed to tell them apart. The Far East is mass-producing masks in the same way that GM and Ford mass-produced cars. There are, however, some masks that stand out from the crowd. Two in particular are the X-Vision mask from Mares and the Matrix mask from Cressi. Both these companies have kept production in-house and have come up with two ultra-low-volume masks with particularly soft silicone. Indeed, the Mares offering is manufactured from what the company calls 'LiquidSkin'. This is a super-stretchy and pliable silicone that gives a superb seal. Cressi, on the other hand, has developed its patented raked lenses with an inverted drop shape and has produced a mask with an incredibly small volume, as well as introducing a soft silicone skirt with a new profile and a broader seal area. Both masks have good strap adjustments, which also pivot to accommodate any angle that is required.

I've been using these two masks for the past four months and they are very similar in how they feel underwater, although obviously different in design. Both give an excellent seal, allowing the strap to be less tight than usual. In terms of vision, it would be impossible to tell them apart without some kind of scientific test. So which one do I prefer? Well I'm going to have to sit on the fence on this one. There's nothing in it in either terms of price or performance. Both masks are available in a range of colours and in either black or clear silicone.

MARES
VERDICT
Excellent pliable seal
Value 8/10
Performance 9/10

CONTACT
Company Mares
Phone 01539 724740
Web www.mares.com

CRESSI
VERDICT
Ultra-low volume
Value 8/10
Performance 9/10

CONTACT
Company Cressi-sub
Phone 01484 711113
Web http://www.hayesandjarvis.co.ukwww.cressi-sub.net