The best face masks for running and workout out
Wendy Rose Gould
- 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 maskThe 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:- Best face mask overall: Primal Mask 2.0 with X-Frame
- Best budget face mask: Athleta Made to Move 3-Pack
- Best face mask for sun protection: Hide-a-Mask
- Best face mask for water sports: Vast FM Face Mask
- Best stylish face mask: Perspective Fitwear Got You Covered Tech Mask
The best face mask overall
Perhaps one of the chief complaints of face masks, especially when exercising, is that the fabric clings to the front of your face. Primal solved that problem with the X-Frame, a lightweight plastic insert that fits perfectly inside the mask and pushes the fabric out and away from your mouth. This not only makes it easier to breathe, but it also keeps sweat-soaked fabrics from rubbing against the sensitive skin on your face.
The mask itself is made from carbon fabric (an exceptionally lightweight polymer) and features an adjustable ear strap and a metal nose support. In addition to having a space for the X-frame, there's also a pocket that allows you to insert an additional filter. The Primal 2.0 Filter and Frame bundle comes with both the X-Frame and an NT3D Nanotek filter.
Pros: Lightweight, breathable fabric, X-Frame design keeps fabric away from mouth, metal nose guard, adjustable ear straps, has a pocket for an additional filter for added protection
Cons: Limited design options
The best budget face mask
The design of Athleta's Made to Move Mask is pretty straightforward with a few bonus surprises. The exterior is constructed from a lightweight polyester/spandex material and the interior lining is a polyester/mesh. The fabric promotes improved airflow and helps wick away moisture so that you're not bogged down by a sweat-soaked mask.
The ear straps are adjustable and feature a soft, elastic binding that prevents you from tangling or snagging hair. There's also an innovative head strap (which you can remove or leave) that alleviates pressure from the back of your ears. Finally, the mask has an interior pocket for removable filters (not included), and the bundles come in a variety of print options.
Pros: Inexpensive, elastic binding that prevents snagged hair, head strap alleviates pressure on ears, insert space for a removable filter
Cons: Fabric tends to stick to your mouth when breathing deeply, runs small
The best face mask for sun protection
As the name implies, the mask is concealed under the brim of the hat, where it stays put with the help of strong magnets until you're ready to use it. This six-second video shows you exactly how it works. Though Hide-a-Mask started out as a Kickstarter campaign, the brand officially launched in August of 2020 and now makes its products available to anyone.
In addition to the traditional baseball cap style, it also comes as a trucker hat (aka a mesh back for better airflow to your head) and a visor option. Numerous colors and designs are available to choose from, as well. The mask itself is made from 92% double-knit polyester and 8% spandex blend, features a robust nose guard, and can easily be removed from the hat for washing.
Though you could technically wear Hide-a-Mask anytime you're outdoors, it's a great option for exercise when extra protection from the sun comes in handy. Because not all outdoor activities require you to wear a mask all the time, it's also great for situations when you want to be able to easily put on and remove a mask without worrying about losing it.
Pros: Sun protection, hide-able mask, nose guard, easy to remove the mask for washing.
Cons: The mask sags very slightly under the brim, but not enough to impact your line of sight.
The best face mask for water sports
The FM Face Mask's material — which is manufactured by Swiss textile company Scholler — is a blend of 80% polyamide, 13% polyester, and 7% elastane, and is given a water-repelling treatment. The interior lining is Aquaterra, VAST's surf tee non-cling fabric that helps wick moisture, zap bacteria, and prevent rashes.
In addition, the mask design features a one-piece construction which translates to less stitching and less points of entry for pathogens. That also makes it easier to clean. There are straps instead of ear loops, which might be preferred if you tend to experience irritation and skin discomfort from the standard loops.
Finally, the design was inspired by the look and feel of fighter pilot face masks, which gives it a rather cool aesthetic.
Pros: Fabric repels water, non-clingy and moisture-wicking interior lining, one-piece construction, cool aesthetic
Cons: Ear straps instead of loops (might be a pro depending on your preferences)
The best stylish face mask
Prospective Fitwear's Got You Covered Tech Mask sits around your neck until you need to use it, which gives it less of a "we're living through a pandemic" feel and more of a stylish, athletic scarf vibe. This also makes it a great mask for cold-weather workouts since it will provide extra warmth around your neck. If you want to keep things simple, there are solid colors to choose from, as well.
The material is soft and lightweight, moisture-wicking, boasts an SPF 50+ protection, and is OEKO-TEX certified (free of known harmful substances, which is a bonus since it sits so close to your mouth). It does a modest job of staying put, but because there are no nose guards, straps, or anti-slip rubber around the top, there's potential for slippage. For that reason, it might serve you better for low-impact workouts or in situations when you're outdoors and need to quickly cover if you run into someone else.
Pros: Fun and colorful prints, SPF 50+ protection, lightweight and soft, free of harmful substances
Cons: Has the potential to slip down, material sits very close to the mouth which can make it harder to breathe deeply
The best for use with N95 filter
The Active Mask from Oura was one of our favorites we tested thanks to a few key features, including its ability to use an N95 filter for added protection, how easy it is to fold up and pack along in its companion bag, and the fact it uses antimicrobial fabric to ward off germs (and allow us to wash it less frequently). At $73, it's certainly not the cheapest of this bunch but with all it offers, it's well worth the investment.
The mask's design makes it easy to put on or take off, as it has just two elastic loops on either side that slip over your ears. We tested both the medium and large sizes and found that getting the correct size is highly important as the ear loops could either feel too snug around your ears if the size is too small, or the nose flap can easily slide off if it's too big.
We did appreciate the nose flap, however, as it allowed the mask to be more comfortable, especially while running or biking, and its included nose clip easily contours to your nose to keep the mask in place. Even when testing the larger size, this nose clip helped keep the mask (mostly) in place — we'd still recommend swapping out for a different size if you buy one that's too big.
Cleaning the mask is extremely easy, too, and thanks to its antimicrobial fabric, doesn't need to be done as much (however, we'd still say you should do it after a particularly sweaty run or bike ride). Oura also includes a handy pouch for the mask to fold up and store in, making it a nice portable option, as well.
Our favorite feature, however, is its compatibility with an N95 filter. By slipping one into a small built-in pouch inside the mask, it grants an added layer of quality protection (and peace of mind). The mask is also made of hypoallergenic fabric, offers sweat-wicking capabilities, and is said to break down odor as it's being used — even after our most grueling (i.e. sweatiest) workouts, we never encountered any foul smells.
It's expensive but if you're in the market for a mask with added protection, that fits well, and is easy to clean, the Oura Active Mask is what you seek. -- Rick Stella
Pros: Comfortable fit, nose flap guides breath down instead of up into your face, made of hypoallergenic and antimicrobial fabric, easy to hand wash and dries quickly, features a pocket for use with an N95 filter
Cons: Expensive, unless you get the correct size, you may have some fit issues
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