Flaws but not dealbreakers: As with the Kitsbow and Graf Lantz masks, the filter-pocket opening is very small (about 3 inches), and slipping in the filter requires both dexterity and patience. If you can buy more than one mask type, consider choosing one with a top layer treated in such a way as to prevent droplets from soaking in. Shop Vida Mask Reviews say that the site is doing exceedingly well by venturing new artists and encouraging buyers to purchase fashionable PM 2.5 Masks online. And be realistic about what you’ll be willing to wear in different situations. An N95 respirator is specifically constructed to block the inhalation of particulates, including virus-size droplets. I wanted to love the mask immediately because of it’s soft feel and on-trend fabric, but unfortunately the fit of the mask was loose around my nose and cheeks, leaving a large gap between the mask and my face. These add-ons are also iffy for sensitive skin types: Made from plastic or silicone, they can cause friction and irritation if they don’t fit properly, said Philadelphia dermatologist Carrie Kovarik. We like the breathability and lightness of the Buff Filter Mask as well as its easily adjustable headbands (which operate similar to fanny-pack straps). The “Sportsmask” is made with performance fabrics and according to the website, it has enhanced airflow, water-resistance, cool to touch feel, built-in UPF 50+ sun protection, and anti-microbial treatment to keep the mask fresh. An N95 respirator mask’s fibers are electrostatic and nonwoven (haphazardly arranged), which makes it harder for particulates to penetrate. Generous cut: This is the rare feature that enhances both breathability and filtration. Tha Baggu Fabric Mask (ear loops) in succulent (top left, bottom right) and daisy (top right, bottom left). The masks we recommend here are those we believe to have the most thoughtful and sturdy designs, as well as models that should comfortably fit most faces. Just the idea of something obstructing your nose and mouth can be distressing—hence the appeal of lightweight, single-layer masks made of more breathable fabric. Even a bandana tied around your head is better than nothing. Take it off immediately without touching the face piece and put on a new one.”. For people living with others who depend on lip reading, the National Association of the Deaf provides some guidelines. It doesn’t seal off the lower part of your face, after all, so theoretically droplets can drift in and out from under the shield. The Athleta mask strikes a nice balance between providing protection and breathability. A pocket for an additional middle layer, or filter, can be useful for higher-risk situations. These face masks are a hit with CNET readers and come in a variety of styles. A Duke University study, which unintentionally sparked the ruckus, looked at one layer of a particular polyester-spandex design using a novel contraption (the actual topic of the paper). The best feature of this respirator is that it is NIOSH … The solid varieties seem more tightly woven and feel heavier than most of our other cotton picks. Understandably, most people would prefer a mask that fits like a proverbial glove, traps all incoming and outgoing viruses, lets you gulp in fresh air with abandon, and feels as if it isn’t even there. These features include moldable nose-bridge wires; cord stoppers, adjustable headbands, or ties; and filter pockets. The solid-color versions of this two-ply cone mask have the substantive, tight-weave feel of cotton-canvas painter’s pants; the plaids are made of the lighter performance fabric used in the cycling apparel this company is known for. The Take Care mask is good for someone who prefers to tie their mask around their head. An easy-access pocket in this mask accommodates a filter (not included). Use the enclosed back-of-the-head hook, if you like, to relieve ear pressure. It’s easy to default and pick a mask based on a fun pattern or color, but you may end up with a mask that offers minimal protection or does not fit your face comfortably. A properly fitting mask extends vertically from the bridge of the nose (just below the eye line) to about an inch under the chin, and it stretches horizontally from cheek to cheek, or even better, as close to the ears as comfortable. If the fasteners are too thick, secure a small piece of yarn or string as close to the ends of each loop as appropriate. Adjustable nose wire: Yes Ear loops or ties: Ear loops Filter: No Different sizes: One size How to wash: Machine wash and dry. As Albert Rizzo, chief medical officer of the American Lung Association pointed out, those with “underlying chronic lung disease should be able to wear a non-N95 facial covering without affecting their oxygen and carbon dioxide levels.” But, he added, doctors should approach the problem on a case-by-case basis. A simply cut flat mask creates the opposite situation: It sits close to your nose and mouth, so you have less filtered air to breathe in at any given time. Another perk to ties I found while testing is that they allow for a tighter fit to your face, meaning better protection. An adjustable drawstring and commodious pleats accommodate larger heads and facial features. Another plus of this structured design was that even when the mask was soaked in sweat the fabric did not cling to my face, allowing me to breathe comfortably. Wash your hands afterward. Burt's Bees Restoring Antioxidant Mask. Video: Sarah Kobos, Stretchy fabrics allow some masks to fit a larger range of face sizes. Some N95 masks, including Wirecutter’s picks in our guide to respirators, include valves for easier exhalation. Get the Daily Tube Multifunctional Face Mask from BlackStrap for $19.95 Get the Adjustable Drawstring, Filter Pocket & Nose Wire Neck Gaiter Face Mask on … At the beginning of the pandemic, sewing enthusiasts started making their own face masks at home, with some creating mass amounts to donate or sell to those in need. This is good for someone who doesn’t like it when masks press against their nose and mouth. The Old Navy Mask (available at Old Navy) finished in second place and is our best value pick. No need to use hot water: Heat can shrink some natural fabrics, and it can also hasten wear and tear over time, particularly for synthetic materials, said Cornell fiber scientist Juan Hinestroza. It took several washes to dissipate the synthetic smell, and the removable filter (three included) sits in direct contact with skin. But because the mask has less stretch than before, people with a larger face or higher nose bridge may do better with more generously cut masks we recommend, such as the Baggu, Graf Lantz Zenbu, or Rendall Co. Sentry. ©2020 Reviewed, a division of Gannett Satellite Information Network LLC. Guidance on face mask use for the coronavirus may be shifting because, in large part, we can’t always tell who is ill and who isn't. Tight weaves: Your mask is like a chain-link fence. As long as masks remain a staple in daily life, we’ll be here with updates. The dapper Royal Jelly Harlem Adult Mask, which we ordered in a sturdy pink seersucker, had the same height issue; also, its third “filter” layer is non-removable, and the mask doesn’t have a nose-bridge wire. A moldable wire helps a mask do that. If you consistently find headband and ear-loop fasteners to be too tight, or if they get in the way of hearing aids, consider ties (as on the Rendall Co. mask we like); the drawback, of course, is that ties tend to loosen more easily over the course of the day. Photo: Sarah Kobos, The Banana Republic Face Mask in navy blue. Each has a pocket for a filter (two included). Read one writer’s full review. That being said, it’s no surprise we love the brand’s masks. The Herschel Supply Co. Classic Fitted Face Mask in black and white. You can try “ear savers,” but the Velcro trick works here, too. If a mask is too short, it won’t stay put on your nose or chin. I then walked in each mask for 20 minutes outside in my neighborhood, monitoring whether or not they stayed in place, made it easy to breathe, and fogged up my glasses. Testers who didn’t find the latter to be a problem appreciated this mask’s generous sizing and breathability. Photo: Sarah Kobos, The Proper Cloth Everyday Mask in olive (left) and navy linen (right). Its name means it can block at least 95 percent of tiny particles — 0.3 microns — that are the hardest to capture. To test wearability and comfort, I first evaluated how easy it was to put on and take off each mask. We’ll throw the masks into the wash again and again and field feedback from our readers and long-term testers. Choosing a well-fitting mask, ideally with a moldable nose-bridge wire, should help alleviate the common problem of glasses or other eyewear fogging when your nose and mouth are covered with cloth. That way, you’ll always have a backup at the ready, as well as some leeway if you don’t get to the laundry as planned. After all, peer reviews are a critical part of any scientific process. Another downside is that the ties which secure the mask to your face can slip leading to constant re-adjustments. This is why we decided to test masks—to help you figure out which ones are actually worth your money. Thanks to pleats and a spaghetti tie looped into a drawstring system, it can adjust to fit most heads and facial features, including those more generously sized. Our staff writer for fitness, who took the mask on runs, appreciated the way it tented up over the nose but didn’t find it particularly moisture-wicking (in fact, it felt clammy at times). The Kitsbow Face Mask in (clockwise from top left) Killington blue, dry grass, buff, and Providence grey. “But in an everyday environment you can basically clean your (non-work) cloth mask as you would your usual laundry.”, Predicting the durability of different mask fabrics is “challenging,” Hinestroza said. Due to coronavirus (COVID-19), face masks and coverings have become a new normal for society. One drawback is that the elastic used to secure the mask on the face is short, making it complicated to tie around the head. The best cloth face mask for kids is the one they’ll put on and keep on. With stretchy ear elastics and bendable wire around the nose, this mask is affordable and won’t leave painful chafe marks on your face. After hours of wearing them, the face coverings were better than I expected. Although I thought the thin material would make the mask more breathable, it actually felt a bit suffocating to wear. There are a lot of reasons to hate pollution, but what it does … The masks that we dismissed outright at the time included models from many popular brands, such as Target’s Adult Fabric Face Mask (no nose-bridge wire), Everlane’s 100% Human Face Mask (no filter pocket or nose-bridge wire), and the beloved, inexpensive Old Navy pleated masks (no filter pocket or nose-bridge wire), as well as Madewell’s Face Mask (no filter pocket, no wire, not machine washable) and the early versions of pleated masks from Gap and Athleta (no filter pocket or nose-bridge wire). They suggest working with your doctor to find a solution that works for your situation. Warm water is adequate (though for some masks, a cold wash is preferable—again, check the manufacturer’s instructions). All of these interventions work in tandem to give us the best chance of gaining control of the situation.”, Scientists are in the midst of determining what materials and construction, exactly, make for the most protective cloth face masks. Wirecutter is reader-supported. However, I found this mask hard to breathe in. Adjustable nose wire: Yes Ear loops or ties: Ear loops Filter: Yes—Filter pocket; filters not included Different sizes: One size How to wash: Hand wash and dry flat. The Cottonique Elite Hypoallergenic Face Mask is constructed with the thick, soft cotton of a favorite tee. This gives a snug fit around the border of the mask, providing protection while leaving some space between your face and the material. Care instructions: hand wash, lay flat to dry, Adjustable nose wire: Yes Ear loops or ties: Ear loops Filter: Built-in filter Different sizes: One size How to wash: Hand wash only. With research on non-medical mask filters’ efficacy and, in some cases, long-term safety still in its infancy, we can’t recommend the “best” filter just yet, though we hope to as the science accumulates. That Healthy Skin Glow’s mask, another “Amazon’s Choice” item, satisfied all of our criteria, including ear toggles, yet left side gaps that we couldn’t easily adjust for. Photo: Sarah Kobos, Tha Baggu Fabric Mask (ear loops) in succulent (top left, bottom right) and daisy (top right, bottom left). Star rating: 4.3 out of 5. Also, depending on the shape of your head and hair type, the ties can slip off occasionally and get caught in your hair if you’re not careful. Fashion retailer Anthropologie carries a ton of masks from contemporary fashion brand Amadi. 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