Save Phace "Sports Utility Mask" - better than a Gecko!

[John Kennett]

< Update: Total Eclipse (black) and Storm Troopa (white) masks in stock at £55 each - includes a FREE dark smoke lens while stocks last. You can buy them online at the RIBnet shop. JK >

Since I first started driving a RIB I've been looking for the perfect solution for protecting my face from rain, wind and spray. Unless you're going really slowly, rain hurts; cold wind makes your eyes water,especially at speed; and facefulls of salt spray get tiresome really quickly.

A few years back the recommended solution was a cheap moped helmet with a visor. However they are too heavy for comfort, the lining gets waterlogged, and if you get thrown overboard they can be lethal.

Gecko helmets (and other like the Gath and Future Safety marine helmets) have solved a lot of these issues. Some people swear by them, but they are really more than most people need -- it's a lot of money to pay just for something to hang a visor on! I have never found any of them particularly comfortable in use either.

Until now my preferred option has been dirt bike goggles. They are cheap and light, and protect the eyes but are far from perfect. They tend to fog up (some more than others), they leak through the vents, the foam gets soggy,and they leave most of the face open to the elements.

I've now found something much better, the Save Phace "Sports Utility Mask".

I tried one last weekend on the Folly cruise, and it was brilliant. Easy, comfortable (even over glasses), and really does the job. Unfortunately (!) the weather was good, so I had to hang my head over the side of the tubes to catch some spray, but the mask coped superbly.

They are currently available in the UK from a few snowboarding shops at £69.95, but RIBnet members can buy them for just £49 plus postage which is not much more than a decent pair of goggles.

I'll post some more details shortly, but in the meantime you can get the full-on hard sell from the manufacturer's web site www.savephace.com

John

Mask designs below (L-R) Total Eclipse, Storm Troopa, Firewater, BlewByU

[John Kennett]

Here are some more details about the masks:

• The SUM protects your face from rain and spray lashing your face, watery eyes from the cold wind, sudden extreme pain from hitting bugs, wind blown face, flapping cheeks, and just about anything else you're likely to encounter on a RIB.
  
• It's lightweight, comfortable, and easy to put on and take off
  
• The lens is treated with a durable and effective anti-fog coating at the factory so it will not fog up
  
• This SUM fits comfortably over most prescription glasses and sunglasses
  
• Choice of styles from solid colors to radical graphic designs
  
• Lenses are interchangeable and available in clear, light smoke, dark smoke, amber and yellow.
  
• Each mask comes with a free cloth stuff sack for easy storage when it's not in use
  
• One size fits 98% of the population
  
• Adjustable elastic strap holds the SUM firmly in place, even at high speeds
  
• Soft, comfortable, closed-cell polyurethane injected foam hugs your face so no water gets in the lens area
  
• Easy to store and maintain. A SUM doesn't take up much space and can be simply dried off with a cloth after use
  
• Virtually indestructible, made out of tough durable ABS plastic

The RIBnet offer is £49 for any design of mask, complete with a light smoke lens and a stuff sack. Additional lenses are £15, P&P is £3 for one item or £5 for two or more.

I'll be getting the first shipment in the New Year, so let me know which designs you want!

John

Mask designs below (L-R) Black Mamba, Hannibal, Blue Angel, Code Red, Inferno

[Charles]

Comprehensive report here: http://www.tackletour.com/reviewfishhedz.html

[Milan]

They look the absolute mutt’s nuts you will definitely be getting my order so glad I haven't bought a gecko helmet yet
So that’s what the survey was about why didn’t you just come out and tell us

[Hightower]

What a wonderful Idea John, trouble is I couldn't tell when you'd taken yours off .

Do they do one in a Green Goblin syle?

Can you manage to wear a woolley hat with the mask on?

[Biggles]

John,

Do they do a bit that covers your scalp ?

[Hightower]

Originally Posted by Biggles

John,

Do they do a bit that covers your scalp ?

What Nick! You meen Wigs? Or hair transplants?

[Biggles]

Originally Posted by Hightower

What Nick! You meen Wigs? Or hair transplants?

[Nick Hearne]

Well I suppose if you do not mined looking like a dick then they are just the gob!
But then this will do the job for less!
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Draper-69933.../dp/B0001KA1HQ

[Nos4r2]

Originally Posted by Nick Hearne

Well I suppose if you do not mined looking like a dick then they are just the gob!
But then this will do the job for less!
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Draper-69933.../dp/B0001KA1HQ

Then you can look like an extra from the YMCA video...