For most of us, the first piece of gear we purchase is our mask. It’s small, relatively inexpensive, and having your own personal mask makes a huge difference. The Cressi Z2 ticked a lot of great boxes for us, offering a large field of view, a low profile, and a smaller version for people with smaller faces.First impressions: Fit for many faces
Having a narrow temple and small face, I have always struggled to find a properly fitting, comfortable mask. I had one Holy Grail mask, but after a decade of use it was just too old. So, I began my hunt for a new go-to. Working at DIVEIN.com, and with access to many shapes and sizes, you’d think I’d find a new mask pretty easily, but instead I felt like Goldilocks—one was too wide, one was too tall, etc. So, before we received the Cressi Z2 and the smaller Z2S to test, I had high hopes that maybe this was the one.
Right out of the box, the mask’s high-quality silicone is velvety soft and doesn’t have that tacky sticky feel of lesser-grade silicone. This frameless mask is very flexible, which means it can easily tuck away into a foot pocket for storage or a BCD pocket if you want it as a backup.
The strap is a generic plastic strap which, depending on your preference, you may want to swap out for softer neoprene. Although the nose pocket is perhaps a little on the larger side, there are indents around it so I could easily and comfortably equalize underwater.
Different lens options
We tested two models—one regular-sized Z2 in black with a yellow-tinted lens, and a smaller Z2S, also in black but with a clear lens. Yellow lenses are better suited for bright and hazy conditions, as they help to reduce glare and enhance contrast, making it easier to see details and edges.
Arguably when it comes to diving, the surrounding water blocks out a lot of the sunlight, so the tinted lenses aren’t necessarily essential. I would suggest that, in darker environments like caves, yellow-tinted lenses are not recommended. For regular open-water diving, I think whether you want tinted lenses or not comes down to personal preference.
Underwater fit
From the get go, holding the soft silicone in my hands, I had high hopes for this mask. The best mask is the one you don’t notice you’re wearing, whether it’s on your skin or you’re looking through it. The low profile means it sits close to the face, which gave me a clear and accurate view.
I also liked its relatively narrow skirt, so the mask didn’t start to cover my lips or pull at my hairline. I did, personally, find the nose pocket a little large but the side indents helped me to reach it for equalization.
Overall, our testers agreed that:
→ The regular Z2 is a good all-rounder, able to fit most divers
→ The smaller Z2S great for anyone who wants a smaller framed mask, such as women or teenagers
→ High-grade silicone is extremely soft and comfortable
The Z2/Z2S’s low profile, coupled with a wider field of view, make it much easier to see your buddy’s eyes and read facial expressions, as well as capturing your own for selfies. If you want a stylish mask that won’t hide your face and show your smiles, I definitely found the Z2/Z2S to be photogenically pleasing.
Price/quality ratio
Any decent mask costs around $50-80 and the Z2/Z2S sits very comfortably in the middle of that range at $60, making it good value. Similar masks that I have tried include the Apeks Reveal VX1, which does have higher grade silicone and a better lens, but not over-three-times-the-price better. Compared to other similarly priced masks,Z2/Z2S is a much better investment.
Do we recommend the Cressi Z2/Z2S mask?
Yes, absolutely. The Z2 is a classically designed mask made with soft silicone. It’s comfortable on the skin and fits even my small face quite well. The Cressi Z2/Z2S ticked all the right boxes for Torben and I, and I can happily say that the search for my new mask is finally over.
Specs & Features
| Dimensions | 4 x 4.25 in (102 x 119 mm) |
|---|---|
| Framed or frameless | Frameless |
| Lens (dual or single) | Single |
| Skirt | High-quality silicone |
| Lens treatment | Clear or UV420-coated lens |
| Volume | No info |
| Corrective lens compatible | No |
Take a moment to look at this.
