Apeks VX1 Scuba Diving Mask with UV Cut Lens

Apeks VX1 Scuba Diving Mask – A Frameless Low-Volume Mask Built for Long, Comfortable Dives

The Apeks VX1 is a frameless single-lens diving mask made from surgical-grade silicone, designed for recreational divers who spend enough time underwater to care about fit, comfort, and optical quality.

If you are past the beginner stage and starting to invest in your own gear, or if you already own a mask that fogs, leaks, or leaves pressure marks on your face after a long dive, this is worth a serious look.

What "Frameless" Actually Means for You

Most masks have a rigid plastic frame that holds the lens and connects to the skirt (the soft silicone part that seals against your face). A frameless mask removes that frame entirely.

The result is less bulk, less weight, and a lower internal volume. Lower volume matters because it means less air you need to exhale to clear water from the mask, and less effort to equalize if the mask presses against your face on descent. Both things make dives more comfortable, especially longer ones.

The Skirt and Seal

Apeks made the skirt from surgical-grade silicone, available in solid black or solid white. The grey version of this mask pairs with a mirror lens.

The skirt uses a combination of matte and gloss surface textures in specific areas. The matte sections grip the skin more effectively, while the gloss areas allow the skirt to flex and conform. The practical effect is a seal that adapts to a wider range of face shapes without needing to be forced into place.

The skirt geometry is also shaped to distribute pressure more evenly across your face. On a short dive this is a minor point. On a two-tank day or a longer technical excursion, it is the difference between arriving at the surface comfortable and arriving with a red ring pressed into your skin.

The Lens

The VX1 uses a single wide lens with what Apeks calls a Pure Clear construction, intended to eliminate the color shift and edge distortion that cheaper lenses can introduce. The grey version carries a UV-cut mirror lens, which reduces glare in bright, shallow water and in surface conditions.

A single lens gives you a wider, more panoramic field of view than a two-lens design. The tradeoff is that single-lens masks cannot be fitted with prescription lenses the way twin-lens masks can. If you need corrective lenses underwater, this is not the right choice.

Fit and Adjustment

The strap buckles use stainless-steel rollers inside a quick-release housing. This matters most when you are wearing thick gloves, dry gloves in cold water, or simply trying to adjust on a rocking boat deck. The rollers reduce friction so the strap slides smoothly with one hand rather than requiring two hands and good dexterity.

What Comes in the Box

• Silicone mask strap fitted as standard, comfortable for most conditions
• Neoprene strap included as an alternative, useful in cold water or with a hood
• Reusable zipped protective case for storage and travel

Having both strap types included is a practical detail. The neoprene strap sits better over a thick hood and is less likely to snag hair. Most masks ship with one or the other; getting both from the start saves a separate purchase.

Who This Mask Is Not For

If you need prescription lenses, a single-lens frameless mask is not the right category. Look at twin-lens masks that accept optical inserts instead.

If you are brand new to diving and not yet sure whether you want to invest in personal gear, a rental or entry-level mask makes more sense until you know what fit and features matter to you.

And if you dive primarily in dark or low-visibility water, the mirror lens will work against you by reducing the already limited light reaching your eyes. A clear-lens version of the VX1 would serve that environment better.

Build and Origin

The VX1 is designed and produced in Italy. For a mask, the country of manufacture is less about prestige and more about quality control in the silicone molding, which directly affects how consistently the skirt seals across production batches.

The materials and construction here are genuinely at the upper end of recreational mask design. The Apeks VX1 is not a starter mask dressed up with premium branding. It is a well-thought-out piece of kit for a diver who knows what they want from a mask and expects it to last.