Rubber Mask straps vs Neoprene slap straps

"ChrisMSD" <ChrisMSD@cox.net> wrote in message
news:mA2ye.22569$8o.2284@fed1read03...
> > Do slap straps hold better or is it just personal preference?

I don't know. The mask strap does not need to be tight; so the amount of
pressure on the strap at the hold points should not be great. This being
said, many divers adjust the strap too tight and the excess tension will
cause slippage. I'd suggest checking the tension on the strap when the mask
is being worn. If the tension is not great, check the strap tensioners for
defect.

Few things are more important than a properly fitting mask. With a slight
inhale the mask should seal to your face without the strap. If it does not
seal to your face with the slight inhale, it may leak no matter how much
tension there is on the strap.

"ChrisMSD" <ChrisMSD@cox.net> pounded away at his keyboard resulting
in:

:Do slap straps hold better or is it just personal preference?

It depends on how they secure the mask. I have one type that uses
velcro and it ain't gonna slip, end of discussion.

I also have one that threads through a clip, the same way rubber
straps do. All else being equal, this would probably be less secure
because the webbing has less friction than rubber (I think).

On the personal preference side, I like slap straps because they:

a. look cool
b. make it easier to put the mask on and off.

Dan Bracuk
If we don't succeed, we run the risk of failure.

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You should not need a tight mask, only one that fits properly. The strap is
there to stop it falling off. If you end a dive with a red ring around your
face then the mask was too tight.

The advantages of a 'Slap Strap' are that, unlike silicon straps, it is much
less likely to fail and break (it will start fraying years before it fails)
and that you can easily adjust it underwater.

For those two reasons alone I have changed all my mask straps for Slap
Straps (the ones with Velcro straps, not those that simply slip over the
existing silicone straps).

TonyH.


"ChrisMSD" <ChrisMSD@cox.net> wrote in message
news:mA2ye.22569$8o.2284@fed1read03...
>I took a scuba refresher course today and had problems with my mask.
> It is a new Oceanic Lite Vision 3 with the standard rubber strap.
> I kept having to tighten one side because it kept coming loose.
> I noticed the other three people in the class and the instructor all had
> neoprene slap straps with advertising something or another.
> Do slap straps hold better or is it just personal preference?
>
> ChrisMSD
>
>
>

Tony Howard wrote:
> You should not need a tight mask, only one that fits properly. The strap is
> there to stop it falling off. If you end a dive with a red ring around your
> face then the mask was too tight.
>
> The advantages of a 'Slap Strap' are that, unlike silicon straps, it is much
> less likely to fail and break (it will start fraying years before it fails)
> and that you can easily adjust it underwater.
>
> For those two reasons alone I have changed all my mask straps for Slap
> Straps (the ones with Velcro straps, not those that simply slip over the
> existing silicone straps).
>
> TonyH.
>
>
> "ChrisMSD" <ChrisMSD@cox.net> wrote in message
> news:mA2ye.22569$8o.2284@fed1read03...
>
>>I took a scuba refresher course today and had problems with my mask.
>>It is a new Oceanic Lite Vision 3 with the standard rubber strap.
>>I kept having to tighten one side because it kept coming loose.
>>I noticed the other three people in the class and the instructor all had
>>neoprene slap straps with advertising something or another.
>>Do slap straps hold better or is it just personal preference?
>>
>>ChrisMSD
>>
>>
>>
>
>
>
They have the advantage of comfort - you never end up pulling clumps of
hair out. This is partly because they slip off more easily, also less
likely to get twisted (both these can be avoided if you are careful
anyway). Perfectly secure while underwater but if you don't hold on
properly while doing your entry you are more likely to lose the mask.

I took a scuba refresher course today and had problems with my mask.
It is a new Oceanic Lite Vision 3 with the standard rubber strap.
I kept having to tighten one side because it kept coming loose.
I noticed the other three people in the class and the instructor all had
neoprene slap straps with advertising something or another.
Do slap straps hold better or is it just personal preference?

ChrisMSD

"ChrisMSD" <ChrisMSD@cox.net> wrote in message
news:mA2ye.22569$8o.2284@fed1read03...
> > Do slap straps hold better or is it just personal preference?

I don't know. The mask strap does not need to be tight; so the amount of
pressure on the strap at the hold points should not be great. This being
said, many divers adjust the strap too tight and the excess tension will
cause slippage. I'd suggest checking the tension on the strap when the mask
is being worn. If the tension is not great, check the strap tensioners for
defect.

Few things are more important than a properly fitting mask. With a slight
inhale the mask should seal to your face without the strap. If it does not
seal to your face with the slight inhale, it may leak no matter how much
tension there is on the strap.

"ChrisMSD" <ChrisMSD@cox.net> pounded away at his keyboard resulting
in:

:Do slap straps hold better or is it just personal preference?

It depends on how they secure the mask. I have one type that uses
velcro and it ain't gonna slip, end of discussion.

I also have one that threads through a clip, the same way rubber
straps do. All else being equal, this would probably be less secure
because the webbing has less friction than rubber (I think).

On the personal preference side, I like slap straps because they:

a. look cool
b. make it easier to put the mask on and off.

Dan Bracuk
If we don't succeed, we run the risk of failure.

----== Posted via Newsfeeds.Com - Unlimited-Uncensored-Secure Usenet News==----
http://www.newsfeeds.com The #1 Newsgroup Service in the World! 120,000+ Newsgroups
----= East and West-Coast Server Farms - Total Privacy via Encryption =----

You should not need a tight mask, only one that fits properly. The strap is
there to stop it falling off. If you end a dive with a red ring around your
face then the mask was too tight.

The advantages of a 'Slap Strap' are that, unlike silicon straps, it is much
less likely to fail and break (it will start fraying years before it fails)
and that you can easily adjust it underwater.

For those two reasons alone I have changed all my mask straps for Slap
Straps (the ones with Velcro straps, not those that simply slip over the
existing silicone straps).

TonyH.


"ChrisMSD" <ChrisMSD@cox.net> wrote in message
news:mA2ye.22569$8o.2284@fed1read03...
>I took a scuba refresher course today and had problems with my mask.
> It is a new Oceanic Lite Vision 3 with the standard rubber strap.
> I kept having to tighten one side because it kept coming loose.
> I noticed the other three people in the class and the instructor all had
> neoprene slap straps with advertising something or another.
> Do slap straps hold better or is it just personal preference?
>
> ChrisMSD
>
>
>

Tony Howard wrote:
> You should not need a tight mask, only one that fits properly. The strap is
> there to stop it falling off. If you end a dive with a red ring around your
> face then the mask was too tight.
>
> The advantages of a 'Slap Strap' are that, unlike silicon straps, it is much
> less likely to fail and break (it will start fraying years before it fails)
> and that you can easily adjust it underwater.
>
> For those two reasons alone I have changed all my mask straps for Slap
> Straps (the ones with Velcro straps, not those that simply slip over the
> existing silicone straps).
>
> TonyH.
>
>
> "ChrisMSD" <ChrisMSD@cox.net> wrote in message
> news:mA2ye.22569$8o.2284@fed1read03...
>
>>I took a scuba refresher course today and had problems with my mask.
>>It is a new Oceanic Lite Vision 3 with the standard rubber strap.
>>I kept having to tighten one side because it kept coming loose.
>>I noticed the other three people in the class and the instructor all had
>>neoprene slap straps with advertising something or another.
>>Do slap straps hold better or is it just personal preference?
>>
>>ChrisMSD
>>
>>
>>
>
>
>
They have the advantage of comfort - you never end up pulling clumps of
hair out. This is partly because they slip off more easily, also less
likely to get twisted (both these can be avoided if you are careful
anyway). Perfectly secure while underwater but if you don't hold on
properly while doing your entry you are more likely to lose the mask.