How to Choose a Workout Face Mask
There’s always a tradeoff involved when it comes to shopping for face masks for everyday use. The more tightly-woven a mask’s fabric is, the more effective it will be, but the harder it will be to breathe in. (That’s because smaller holes between fibers make it harder for air and particles to pass through.) Cotton face masks have become a popular choice for everyday use since the material strikes a balance between breathability and the ability to trap respiratory droplets.
When you’re exercising, you might want to go even more breathable than you would otherwise. “Unfortunately, we do not have scientific evidence to support this, but it seems practical to choose fabric that is light, breathable, and moisture-wicking when choosing a face mask to work out in,” says Christa van Rensburg, M.D., Ph.D., sport and exercise physician, rheumatologist, and head of sports medicine at the University of Pretoria in South Africa. “Currently the most versatile pick is a mask made with a lightweight blend of spandex—which gives a bit of stretch—and polyester that’s sweat-wicking and breathable. Lighter cotton, polyesters, or performance fabrics are also acceptable and safe to use.”
There’s also a give and take when it comes to fit. “To be effective, a mask needs a tight seal around the nose and mouth, but that will decrease effective airflow and breathing,” says Dr. van Rensburg. “The best is to choose a mask that fits tightly, but still allows for comfortable breathing. It might take trial and error.” For the same reason, masks that are designed with an interior structure that prevents them from collapsing on your nose and mouth may feel more comfortable, she says.
When shopping for face masks, you may come across masks with small valves on the front. They allow for easier exhalation, but they still aren’t ideal, says Dr. van Rensburg. “The problem is that they only filter inhaled breath and not exhaled breath. A vented mask will thus work for the wearer as it is more comfortable, but it, unfortunately, won’t contain their droplets.”
Workout-friendly face masks aren’t hard to come by. Major activewear brands have started to come out with masks intended specifically for running or training. Under Armour recently launched its Sportsmask (Buy It, $35, underarmour.com.sg), which sold out in an hour. It’s designed to address some of the major downsides of working out in face masks. “The Under Armour Sportsmask is structured to sit up and off your face, which makes breathing and talking easier. It doesn’t move in and out as you breathe as cloth masks can,” says Cara McDonough, vice president of accessories and licensing at Under Armour. “Also, moisture-wicking fabric moves sweat to an inner layer so that sweat doesn’t build up on the mask in front of the nose and mouth, which might limit breathability.”
Designers at Reebok have also created three futuristic face masks designs. They’re purely conceptual, but they might inform future face mask designs, with features like a clear panel that reveals facial expressions and fitness app integrations. For now, the brand offers three-packs of breathable, recycled polyester face masks (Buy It, USD $20, reebok.com).
There are already plenty of lightweight, breathable masks to choose from, and activewear companies are no doubt continuing to focus on creating workout-friendly masks. Keep scrolling to see more options below.
Left: Reebok
Center: Reebok
Right: Reebok
The Best Light, Breathable Face Masks for Working Out
Now that you know what to look for when you’re shopping for a workout face mask, here are some of the best options to get you started.
Reebok Face Covers 3-Pack
Under Armour Sportsmask
BlackStrap Sustainable Antimicrobial Advanced Civil Face Mask
Athleta Made to Move Mask 3-Pack
Onzie Mindful Masks
Maaji Calm 5 Pack Face Covering
Hanes Signature Stretch-to-Fit Masks 6-Pack
The information in this story is accurate as of press time. As updates about coronavirus COVID-19 continue to evolve, it’s possible that some information and recommendations in this story have changed since initial publication. We encourage you to check in regularly with resources such as the CDC, the WHO, and your local public health department for the most up-to-date data and recommendations.
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