Hollis M1 Frameless Diving Mask - Review 2023

Review

The Hollis M1 dive mask is a brilliant product. It’s low volume and wide field of view make it a great mask for freediving and spearfishing. The lens is made from Saint-Gobain DIAMANT® crystal clear glass – this essentially means that the lens is made from a tempered extra clear glass with a low iron content which allows for a higher transmission of light. This reviewer believes this optical feature is a unique selling point in Hollis’ new line of masks.

The lens sits directly on your face without any frame around it, which makes it easy to equalise when diving deep underwater. It also means that there’s less chance of water entering the mask if there’s a leak in your equipment or a strong current pulls you over sideways while diving.

The frameless design of the mask reduces its volume and increases your field of vision compared to conventional masks with frames. This should normally also increase the level of comfort however it actually feels slightly rigid. We wonder if this was to make the frameless design more robust and durable and we question if it is worth it. The mask can be slightly uncomfortable…. if the fit isn’t right on your face. For this reason, we’d recommend trying it out in-store or purchasing it from a supplier with a good return policy.

The strap on this mask has small teeth, so it can slip easily if you’re moving around a lot underwater or if it gets wet from sweat or condensation. This means that you’ll need to tighten your straps regularly during your dives or get a different type of strap like one made from rubber or silicone instead of nylon webbing.

Features

The Hollis M1 is a new, enhanced model of the popular Hollis M4 mask. It has been completely redesigned to offer better visibility and increased comfort in the water. Many divers have said how fantastic the optical clarity of this mask is, along with it being a really streamlined product with no fuss – ideal for freedivers.

Ultra Clear Lens Clarity

The Hollis M1 Diving Mask features a Saint-Gobain DIAMANT® Crystal Clear Lens which offers unprecedented visual quality with a comfortable wide field of view and low distortion. This lens is also scratch resistant, making it an excellent choice for divers who want a high quality lens that won’t easily be damaged by contact with the rocks or sand on the seabed or shore.

The wide vision offered by this mask makes it easy to see your surroundings while diving, so you can concentrate on enjoying your dive without worrying about bumping into anything along the way.

Unfortunately, this market-leading clarity is reduced by persistent fogging.  This can be stopped with a suitable anti-fogging solution. There are several different types of anti-fog treatments available for masks,  the most common are oil-based solutions that need to be applied before each dive. Also, feel free to check out this page on simple fixes to any regular fogging issues you may be experiencing.

Adjustable Straps with Buckles

With the Hollis M1, you can quickly and easily adjust your mask thanks to the strap buckle system that is conveniently built right into the skirt. Users can fine-tune their fit by tightening or relaxing their strap as necessary thanks to the ease of these buckles. Beginner divers in particular can utilize this to make sure their comfort is not a problem so they can concentrate on learning all their new skills.

The only issue our divers noticed was the strap sometimes loosened unintentionally. This may be due to the small teeth on the strap. They don’t seem to hold onto the buckle well enough at all times. There are not a lot of online complaints about this so the strap might not loosen often or to an extreme degree.

Hot tip! If you find this is the case with your mask, then we would recommend buying some silicone grip tape and putting some around the top of the strap so that it doesn’t slip off your head when it gets wet.

Frameless and Flexible Silicone Skirt

The Hollis M1 is a frameless diving mask with a 100% pure silicone skirt. It has a low profile and can fold flat for packing. The silicone skirt on this mask is flexible and does not have a rigid frame. This means that it will conform to your face better than other masks on the market.

It is not as comfortable as other frameless masks such as the Cressi F1 mask. We believe Hollis have tried to enhance rigidity of the mask for durability and safety by strengthening the skirt material which means it can pinch and dig if the mask is not a right fit for your face.

In our opinion, one of the best features of this mask is its ability to fold flat for easy packing and storage. If you travel frequently with your scuba gear or if you just want to keep things organized in your gear bag, then this is an excellent choice for you.

Price/ Quality Ratio

The Hollis M1 dive mask is a high quality product with a slightly high price tag. However, it’s worth every penny! The M1 is designed for the more advanced or intermediate diver and will provide crystal clear vision in all kinds of conditions as long as you fog treat it.

The Hollis M1 dive mask is made from high-quality materials that are durable enough to last through 100s of dives without losing its shape or quality. This means that you don’t have to worry about replacing your equipment every few years, which can be costly if you use it often enough.

Do we recommend it?

Yes, we certainly do and in fact, so do many of its owners!

The Hollis M1 is a good choice if you’re looking for a versatile diving mask. It has a soft outer skirt that fits closely to your face but we recommend trying it out in-store if possible or purchasing from a supplier with a refund policy as we found comfort varies with face shape on this one. The crystal clear lens means you can enjoy a thrillingly awesome experience underwater without missing anything due to low optical quality.

The only downsides to this model are that it doesn’t come with a snorkel attachment and there’s no anti-fog treatment included, so make sure you buy some before using it for the first time!

Check out our Snorkel and Scuba Mask Guides to make sure you choose the right model for you!