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Mares

Discover the perfect spearfishing equipment.

Mares makes specially developed products that will allow you to explore marine life in its natural habitat in the most efficient way.

Mares spearfishing gear

    Mares history

    The company Mares took its name from its founder Ludovico Mares, a former diver for the Austrian Royal Navy during WWI who went on to focus on submarine recoveries. By the end of WWII Ludovico emigrated, arrived in Rapallo and began to make dive equipment in 1949.

    Ludovico Mares

    Ludovico Mares (source)

    His initial product offering was a few spearguns. He then added masks and fins. He was incredibly resourceful, fashioning his first scuba diving mask from a car inner tube and glass on the Portarata Square.

    Ludovico retired in 1971 and Mares was taken over by AMF which has other well-known sports brands in their portfolio including HEAD (tennis, skiing), Tyrolia (ski bindings) and Munari/Sanmarco (Ski boots). Today Mares continues to be a part of this group which is known simply as Head NV. It is a leading company worldwide in recreational scuba diving, snorkeling, spearfishing and freediving. It is still based in Rapallo, Italy.

    Mares innovation

    While many companies claim to be innovative, Mares has a really impressive history to back this up. Although the founder no longer works with the company, his creative spirit has without doubt remained, giving Mares many accolades over the years. These include bi-material technology for fins and custom optical dive masks – both world firsts.

    It also introduced the use of liquid silicone technology to its dive masks and the same technology is used extensively across many industries today.

    Mares product lines

    The company is now 75 years old and boasts five main ranges:

    Classic

    The classic Mares line includes products aimed at all scuba divers.

    XR

    Mares XR Extended Range is targeted at those who want to make more demanding dives. The range was born following a merger of Scuba Schools International (SSI) and the company’s desire to extend its catalogue to benefit not only technical divers but also those who wanted to expand their horizons without dramatically changing all of their existing equipment.

    Pure passion

    This range is targeted at those who are freediving and/or spearfishing.

    Aquazone

    This line includes products targeted at those who love swimming and snorkeling.

    The Diving Center

    These products were made with the needs of dive centres in mind.