A well-fitted mask beats any anti-fog coating.

Yes, but the real battle is fit, not gimmicks.

Anti-fog coatings on new masks work great — for about three dives. Then they wear off and you’re back to spit or commercial defogger. Every diver I know uses spit. It’s free and it works. So don’t buy a mask because of some fancy anti-fog claim.

Comfort for hours in saltwater comes down to the skirt material and the seal. You want a soft, medical-grade silicone skirt that molds to your face without pinching. The frame should sit just inside your brow bone and below your nose. If it touches your upper lip, it’s too long. If it leaks when you smile, move on.

Try before you buy if possible. Put the mask against your face without the strap, inhale gently through your nose. It should stay on with suction alone. If it falls off, that mask will leak.

Also get a low-volume mask if you want easy equalizing. And rinse it in fresh water after every saltwater session — salt crystals destroy silicone over time.

Your mask is the only thing between you and a mouthful of seawater. Spend the extra twenty bucks.