What is Gummi Bear Silicone?

In classical settings, the atelier process is defined as when a principal master collaborates with assistants and apprentices to produce fine art, science, architecture and engineering solutions. By capitalizing on a long series of iterations, the end product’s quality is increased by the gathered creativity, intelligence and ingenuity of the collective. 

Throughout its history, Atomic Aquatics has used the atelier approach to refine its product offerings to deliver superlative performance and elite gear to the most discerning clientele and divers in the world. As Atomic Aquatics co-founder and head designer Dean Garraffa likes to say, “We design to wreak havoc on traditional designs.”  

Such an atelier process unfolded when Dan Huish, one of the founders of Huish Outdoors, mentioned during a meeting that he’d always had a problem getting face masks to seal over his mustache. For years, the elder Huish had dealt with leaky masks letting him down and not performing up to his high expectations. 

So when it came time to brainstorm at one of Atomic Aquatics’ atelier creative meetings, Huish elevated his personal experience as an unmet need in the dive industry. As he figured, there had to be a better way.

“I can do that,” Garraffa replied quickly, his mind already racing with ideas. 

To make Huish’s dream a reality and bring 100%, no-questions-asked sealing to an elite dive mask, Garraffa knew he’d need to get creative and think outside the box.  

Up to that point, he’d already spent a lot of time thinking about this problem and dreaming up solutions, often experimenting with molding layers of various materials—especially silicones. 

After a long series of trial and error and leaning on his team to assist in conceptualization, they leapt into the experimental process. This series of prototyping and refinement led Garraffa to the idea of applying medium-hard silicone to ultra-soft silicone around the face, which he believed would provide the perfect seal he’d been tasked with creating. Another first.

The result? Ultra soft and comfortable Gummi Bear Silicone. After a difficult molding process, Garraffa’s team came up with a seal they knew would impress Dan Huish, and by default, the expectations of their discerning customers—an atelier process Garraffa described as “100% risk with 100% successful results.”

But to be fair, such stories of ideation, iteration and obsessive duty to perfection are par for the course for Atomic Aquatics. As one of the company mottos goes, “It is rocket science.” 

As with most top-tier products, the genesis of Gummi Bear Silicone came from an unmet problem in the market. Touching on an issue without a solution, Huish set off a firestorm of creativity in Garraffa and his team, and they became obsessed to find not just any solution, but the solution.

Want to experience Gummi Bear Silicone for yourself? Find it in the Venom Frameless Mask.