Mares — Italian Dive Engineering Since 1949
Ludovico Mares founded the company that bears his name in 1949, driven by a passion for the sea and a conviction that diving equipment could be built better than what was available at the time. He started with masks and spearguns, designed and produced in Italy with the kind of attention to engineering detail that Italian manufacturing has long been known for. Nearly seventy-five years later, Mares remains headquartered in Italy and remains one of the most recognized names in diving equipment worldwide — a brand whose products you'll find at dive centers, on rental racks, and on the wrists and feet of divers across virtually every corner of the sport.
What's defined Mares across that span is genuine in-house engineering. Technologies like VAD (Vortex Assisted Design) for regulators, SLS (Slide and Lock System) ballast for BCDs, and Channel Thrust fin propulsion weren't licensed from elsewhere — they're Mares' own patented solutions to specific diving problems, refined across decades of real-world use.
At DiveCatalog.com, we carry the full current Mares lineup as an authorized dealer: regulators, BCDs, wetsuits, dive computers, fins, boots, and masks. Browse the subcategories below or explore the full Mares catalog here.
The Mares Product Range
Regulators
Mares regulators span from the record-breakingly compact 62X first stage (the smallest in the market at 63mm) through the technical-oriented 82X, with second stages built around Mares' patented VAD (Vortex Assisted Design) and PAD (Pneumatically Assisted Design) systems that work together to reduce breathing resistance at any depth. The rugged Rover octopus, rated to over 113,000 venting cycles, is purpose-built for the heavy use rental fleets demand.
→ Browse Mares Regulators
BCDs
The Prestige line is Mares' proven jacket-style workhorse, available in unisex and women's-specific (She Dives) configurations. The Magellan HD and Kaila bring Mares' SLS (Slide and Lock System) ballast for fast, secure weight integration. The Guardian and Grace integrate Mares' Ergotrim and Airtrim 2.0 technology — pneumatic buoyancy control that works in any body position, not just upright.
→ Browse Mares BCDs
Wetsuits
The Evolution uses high-grade ultra-elastic neoprene with an internal Glideskin lining at the cuffs and ankles for a genuine "second skin" feel. The Rover line covers rental and warm-water needs across shortys and full overalls in 3mm and 5mm thicknesses.
→ Browse Mares Wetsuits
Dive Computers
The Puck 4 and Puck Pro+ are Mares' compact, single-button wrist computers, both Bluetooth-enabled for app-based logbook sync. The Smart brings a clean, ergonomic interface for multimix and freediving. The Genius is Mares' flagship — a full-color, Trimix-capable computer supporting up to five high-pressure gas probes and predictive gas-change management for serious technical divers.
→ Browse Mares Dive Computers
Fins
The Plana Avanti Quattro Plus uses a four-rib blade that arches through the kick stroke to channel water more efficiently. The X-Stream and Volo Power bring Mares' Channel Thrust technology and Optimized Pivoting Blade (OPB) system to open-heel fins, while the all-rubber Power Plana is built specifically for technical divers running drysuits and steel backplates, where negative buoyancy in the fin itself is a genuine advantage.
→ Browse Mares Fins
Boots
Mares boots range from the 2mm Equator low-cut sock through the 5mm Trilastic and Flexa DS — the latter featuring an exclusive drainage system that prevents the boot from suctioning to the fin pocket, a small detail that makes a real difference moving around a boat deck between dives.
→ Browse Mares Boots
Masks
Mares' LiquidSkin technology — used across the X-Vision, Force-X, and other models — uses a bi-silicone skirt construction for a more adaptable seal across different face shapes. The I3 adds dual side lenses for extended peripheral vision alongside the main front lens.
→ Browse Mares Dive Masks
Key Mares Technologies
VAD (Vortex Assisted Design): A patented regulator airflow system that creates a swirling motion inside the second stage, directing air toward the mouthpiece to reduce breathing resistance and support more natural inhalation at any depth.
PAD (Pneumatically Assisted Design): Works alongside VAD in Mares' higher-tier regulators, using pneumatic assistance to deliver smooth, high airflow even in extreme conditions and cold water, where ice formation inside the bypass can be a concern for less robust designs.
SLS (Slide and Lock System): Mares' BCD ballast system, designed for stable weight retention with increased holding surface area and a quick-release mechanism — used across the Kaila and other BCD lines.
Ergotrim / Airtrim 2.0: A pneumatic inflation and deflation system that allows buoyancy adjustment in any body position, not just vertical — useful for divers working in non-standard orientations, such as photographers or those doing close inspection work.
Channel Thrust: Mares' fin propulsion technology, using blade geometry and perforations to direct water flow more efficiently through the kick cycle, reducing the "parachute effect" that wastes energy on the recovery stroke.
Why Buy Mares from DiveCatalog.com?
-
Authorized Mares dealer — genuine products, full manufacturer warranty
-
Complete Mares ecosystem — regulators, BCDs, wetsuits, computers, fins, boots, and masks
-
Expert advice — our team can help you build a complete, properly matched Mares kit
-
Fast shipping — in-stock items ship within one business day
-
Financing available — for premium regulator and computer systems
-
Rewards program — earn points on every purchase
Frequently Asked Questions — Mares
Who founded Mares and when?
Mares was founded in 1949 by Ludovico Mares in Italy, beginning with masks and spearguns before growing into a full diving equipment manufacturer over nearly seventy-five years.
What is VAD technology?
Vortex Assisted Design is Mares' patented regulator airflow technology, creating a swirling air motion inside the second stage that directs air toward the mouthpiece and reduces breathing resistance — particularly noticeable at depth and in demanding conditions.
Which Mares dive computer should I choose?
The Puck 4 or Puck Pro+ are accessible, compact entry points with Bluetooth app sync, well suited to recreational divers. The Smart adds a refined interface for multimix and freediving. The Genius is Mares' flagship, built for technical divers running Trimix with multiple gas sources and up to five high-pressure probes.
What is the difference between the Prestige and Magellan HD BCDs?
The Prestige is Mares' proven jacket-style BCD line. The Magellan HD uses a back-buoyancy design with a monoplate backplate and 180N of lift — a different buoyancy geometry suited to divers who prefer the streamlined trim of a back-inflate design over a jacket style.
Are Mares fins suitable for technical diving?
Yes — the Power Plana in particular is purpose-built for technical divers, using natural rubber construction that's negatively buoyant, a genuine advantage when diving a drysuit and steel backplate rig where you want the fins to counterbalance rather than add to your buoyancy.
Browse the full Mares collection above, or navigate to a specific category — regulators, BCDs, wetsuits, computers, fins, boots, or masks. Reach out if you'd like help building a complete Mares kit.
Sale
