- The CDC states that wearing a face mask helps slow the spread of COVID-19 in public settings by reducing the number of respiratory droplets expelled into the air.
- Though a normal cloth face mask is great for going to the store or walking around your neighborhood, they aren't necessarily great for those who stay active by running, biking, or working out.
- Some of the main features to look for in an active face mask is how comfortable it is, how well it fits your face, and whether it's able to absorb moisture like sweat.
- Our top pick, the Primal Mask 2.0, uses an innovative design to make it easier for a wearer to breathe while exercising and also features an additional pocket for a filter.
While much of the world had already been using face masks to slow the spread of bacterial and viral disease, it's a relatively new concept in the western hemisphere. In an effort to reduce COVID-19 spread, the CDC recommends that everyone wear a face mask in public settings. This rule is particularly important when indoors but applies to outdoor situations when around others, as well.
It's also important to wear a face mask when working out since exercise often results in heavier breathing. The general rule of thumb is to wear a mask if you're exercising within an enclosed space, such as a gym or studio, or in an outdoor space within six feet of another person.
How to shop for an active face mask
The issue is that wearing a face mask when exercising is uncomfortable. If the material is extremely thick it can make it more difficult to catch your breath, many fabrics aren't conducive to wicking sweat or keeping you cool, and certain fabrics cause high friction that can lead to chafing and breakouts.
"The best fabric to look for when you're going to sweat a lot is either nylon or polyester, both of which absorb moisture and help keep the skin as dry as possible," Dr. Elizabeth Mullans, a board-certified dermatologist, told Business Insider. "Cotton face masks are best for a breathable fabric. However, note that cotton absorbs sweat and will stay wet if you sweat a lot during your workout."
Another feature to look for is ear loops as opposed to ties since the latter can come undone during intense movements. To help reduce breakouts, it's recommended you wear a mineral sunscreen underneath your mask, and to wash the mask between every use with hypoallergenic detergent.
How we testEach face mask featured in this guide went through several rounds of active testing in order to judge its effectiveness in five different categories: Comfort, fit, performance, how easy it is to clean, and value. Here's what we looked for in each category.
- Comfort: Though comfort and fit are relatively similar, there are a few distinctions that set these two apart. First, we viewed comfort as to how well the mask felt over the course of a workout. Did it start to feel heavy or constricting the longer we ran or biked? Did it irritate our skin or develop any hot spots where it would uncomfortably rub? Fit does contribute to the outcome of some of these questions but comfort itself is still a central concern when shopping.
- Fit: For normal cloth masks, throwing one on that may or may not exactly fit your face can be remedied by tightening a nose clip or trimming some of the ear loops. An ill-fitting active mask, on the other hand, can be much more of an annoyance. You don't want to be constantly adjusting the nose flap or ear loops, or pulling the mask back up onto your face if it slides down often. How a mask fits also lends itself to how comfortable it ultimately is, especially if you run or bike long distances, or spend hours lifting weights.
- Performance: Performance was judged by how well a mask was able to wick sweat away from our face. The last thing you want is for a mask to get soaked with sweat and feel as though you're wearing a wet washcloth (which may hinder how well you're able to breathe, especially during a more grueling workout).
- Easy to clean: As is the case with normal cloth face masks, throwing them into the washing machine or hand washing them yourself is typically an easy process. However, we wanted to see how quickly they were able to dry and whether they needed to be cleaned after each time we were active, or if they were able to go multiple workouts before a wash.
- Value: A mask's value comes down to not just its actual sticker price, but how durable it is and how well it performs relative to its cost. For instance, a shoddy budget mask might be desirable because it costs less, but if you're buying the same budget mask at two or three times the rate you'd buy a more expensive, premium option, then you might be spending the same amount of money in the long run. To that end, we also wanted to make sure that our budget pick wasn't something that'd only last for one or two workouts.
As the need for these face masks continues to grow, so, too, does demand. To help narrow down the field of potential options, we tested an assortment of active-intended masks from brands like Athleta and Primal Mask. So, no matter if you're on a budget, looking for some sun protection, or just want the best one available, we have you covered.
Here are the best face masks for being active: