Face masks are becoming de rigueur, if not downright required by local rules/laws. What does this mean for runners? PPTC’s Board recently asked members to wear face coverings while running and experts are advising that we wear face masks, even when running. But there is an ongoing debate about whether people exercising should be wearing face masks. There is even a story published by some tabloids about a runner in China who burst a lung while running and wearing a face mask. There is no question that doing so makes running more difficult, but runners are being called out for not wearing them . It is probably good practice to have a face covering ready, if not on, for when you’re running and maintaining social distancing is not possible.

Due to the demand for face coverings, clothing manufacturers and retailers all over have begun selling them (even Victoria’s Secret and The GAP!). Running apparel and accessories companies have also gotten in on the face mask game. Some of these masks are touted as being “performance” masks. If you’re looking for a face mask, below are some resources. This is far from an exhaustive list, but it may give you some help in narrowing down what mask(s) to get. Please note that none of these masks are medical-grade masks.

Check out this awesome design by Katie Dadarria (actual mask may differ).

BOCO Gear
(retail $11.99 + shipping)

BOCO Gear’s masks have the following features:

made of two layers of polyester fabric
have a pocket in which an optional filter (not included) can be placed for extra filtration

I’ve ordered my PPTC customized BOCO mask. While waiting for my PPTC mask, I tried a BOCO mask I received as part of my SWAG from a virtual race. This is a good mask. It’s a no-frills mask that fits comfortably and is breathable. It in only one size and if you have a small narrow or short face, it may run big. I have a full face, but still found the mask to be a little loose. For a more secure fit, you may want to tie a knot on each of the elastic loops or use an ear saver to hold the elastic taut over your face.

InknBurn
(retail $24.95 + shipping)

InknBurn’s masks have the following features:

washable
made of 3 layers of a polyester materials
includes a pocket in which an optional filter (not included) can be placed.

The masks feature the unique textile prints that InknBurn is known for. Like many of InknBurn’s products, the masks are released in limited quantities and sell out quickly. Their website lists particular times of day when masks are released for purchase. If you’re interested, check out the release times so you can be on your computer then.

I bought one of these masks and tested it on a run. I found it to be a very thick mask that made running particularly difficult. The mask got very wet on my run, which is problematic because wet masks are less effective. I found the mask to be a little short for my face when I’m running – I tend to open my mouth wide while running with the mask on in an attempt to get more air. This is a very attractive mask, but it’s relatively expensive for what has become a mask I’ll wear on walks and on trips to the grocery store.

Zensah
(retail $16.00 + shipping)

Zensah’s masks have the following features:

made of a woven material composed of 70% polyamide, 23% polypropylene, 5% elastane, and 2% silver material.
“antimicrobial, odor-free, moisture-wicking, quick drying, and ultra comfortable”[sic].

Zensah describes their masks as “performance” face masks. I ordered two of these masks and found that they are comfortable and are moisture-wicking. They will get wet, but I found that while the top of the fabric becomes very wet, the part against my face stays much dryer. I found it easier to breathe while running with these masks on. Unlike other masks I’ve found, these masks feature elastic bands that go over the head, not just over the ears. This design may accommodate more head sizes and I found it easy to pull the mask down and back up. The first mask I got was a white mask and it fit well except that the top elastic was a little loose. It fit better after I tied a knot to shorten it. The second mask I got was pink. It is surprisingly much smaller than the white mask I got, although Zensah sells the masks as being one size. Despite the difference in sizes, both masks fit me well and are comfortable.

Nick Wical in a Rafi Nova Performance face mask. Photo credit: Nick Wical

Rafi Nova
(set of two for $30 + shipping)

Rafi Nova is selling a variety of different face masks. They have the following features:

a multi-layer mask made of a cotton/poly blend material.
4 layers of materials, including 2 anti-bacterial layers and a filter (non-removable)
adjustment toggle
adjustable nose
includes an “exhalation valve” constructed with a washable plastic membrane (Glasses Performance Collection, only)

What caught my eye was their Glasses Performance Collection – Anti-Fog mask. If you wear glasses you know how annoying it is for your glasses to fog up when you’re wearing a face mask. My masks are on order, so I don’t know if the exhalation valve actually works to eliminate glasses fogging-up. (currently not available). I’ve left the link embedded here, but it appears that Rafi Nova has even taken down the page for the Glasses Performance Collection. If this is something you’re interested in, keep monitoring their website. Of course, after ordering the masks, I see an article about how masks with valves are not permitted in California because they don’t provide the necessary filtering – maybe these are different because there is a plastic filtering membrane. Right now, there are no such restrictions in New York.

Rafi Nova also makes masks without an “exhalation valve”, including a “Performance Mask”. I haven’t tried them, but PPTC member Nick Wical has tried them and is a fan of the Rafi Nova’s Performance Mask. PPTC member Regina Chan tried Rafi Nova’s Performance Mask, too, but found it too thick. While Nick acknowledged that the Rafi Nova Performance mask is thicker than some other masks, he “found that it prevented me from sucking in the material when breathing more heavily through my mouth. It fits my face well and being able to adjust the fit has helped to keep it just loose enough so it’s a little more comfortable in the heat, and so I can easily pull it down and back up when near people.” I’ve heard a lot of complaints about face masks being sucked in while running, so this may be a clear advantage of the Rafi Nova mask.

Hyperlite Mountain Gear
(pack of 5 for $20)

Hyperlite Mountain Gear’s masks have the following features:

two layers of breathable hydrophobic interlock polyester fabric with skin friendly durable water repellent coating.
dual elastic ear loop design
contoured and Adjustable Wire Top Seam
machine Washable
latex-free
elastic construction

These face masks are the cheapest of the ones I’ve purchased, but the price belies the quality of this mask. This is a well designed mask. The “elastic construction” noted in the description of the mask refers to the use of elastic sewn into the base of the chin portion of the mask. This creates a snug fit for the mask. It does take a little getting used to, but is not uncomfortable. This may be particularly good for people with leaner faces. Regina Chan let me know about the mask and it’s her preferred face covering for running. She likened it to being as lightweight as a neck gaiter, but cooler since there is no excess fabric. I bought these masks and they came in yesterday, just in time for me to add my review to this post. I agree with Regina that these masks are lightweight. It’s fairly easy to breathe through them - much like using a gaiter. The elastic construction and the wire top adjustable around the bridge of one’s nose makes for a good fit. My glasses didn’t even fog up! The downside? This mask does not wick away moisture at any level. The mask is described as being made of material that is hydrophobic and coated with a durable water repellent. It was very warm and humid when I tested this mask and the portion of my face covered by this mask was covered in sweat after just a short brisk walk. When I ran with this mask, breathing was easy, the mask stayed dry, but my face was dripping with sweat. If you can tolerate having a very sweaty face, this mask may be worth trying.

New Balance
(pack of 3 for $24.99 + shipping)

New Balance is selling what they call the NB Face Mask v3. It has the following features:

3-layer construction: nylon tricot inner layer, polyurethane foam 2nd layer, polyester suede outer layer, polyester/TPU outer frame,
brass moldable nose piece
spandex/polyester ear loops
does NOT have a filter pocket

At the height of the pandemic, New Balance shifted its production lines to make masks for front-line medical workers. Now that the inventory and supply of PPE for medical workers seem to be meeting their needs, New Balance appears to have shifted to making the face masks available for consumer purchase. I ordered the masks when they first became available and received them within days. Unfortunately they are now sold out, but you can sign up to be notified of when they become available again. There’s no mincing words. These masks are ugly. They look like coffee filters. The material resembles (and probably is) the material that is used to line the upper of sneakers. It is a stiffer fabric, so when you breathe in, it does not go in your nostrils or in your mouth. These masks also have adjustable metal nose pieces that help to create a secure fit.

When I got the masks, I put one on and it was like I had no mask on. Breathing in this mask is very easy. I checked the mask for a hole because it was so easy to breathe with it on! What would they be like on a run? Of the masks I’ve tired, this may be the best for breathability, even while running. It is warm, but I suppose any face covering will be warm during the summer. Because it is so easy to breathe with this mask on, I kept it on almost all the time, whether or not I could see someone approaching me on the trail. I took it off mostly to check the level of moisture accumulating on my face. I did get sweaty under the mask but since the mask doesn’t touch my face around my nostrils or mouth, those areas stayed completely dry and while the top of the mask touching the bridge of my nose got sweaty, the rest of the mask remained dry. This mask also has an adjustable metal nose piece which prevented my glasses from fogging up. This mask works well and is reasonably priced. I wish the mask didn’t work so well because they are really so ugly.

Adidas
(retail $16 for 3 + shipping)

Two layers of fabric
Made of 93% recycled polyester and 7% elastane
$2 from the sale of every pack of face masks goes to Save The Children’s Global Coronavirus Response Fund

This is a comfortable mask that is highly breathable. It is described on Adidas’ website as having a “tight fit for coverage”. The fabric of this mask is right up against your face. The outer layer of the mask is a heavier fabric, maybe something you’d find in a warm-up jacket for running. The inner layer of the mask is a perforated layer of fabric that is similar to the weight of fabric used for summer running shirts. Both layers of fabric are highly elastic. This along with the density of the outer fabric probably prevents the mask from going into your mouth or nose. What I found annoying is that there is a seam down the center of the mask. I could not help but feel the seam. This mask comes in two sizes XS/S and M/L. Using the guide on the website to measure my face, I initially bought the XS/S sized mask. While it fit my face. It just fit my face. I felt the mask creeping off my nose and chin when I opened my mouth wide (as I would when gasping for breath after a particularly hard effort). I bought the M/L sized mask and it fit me much better than the XS/S mask, but I still felt that seam on my nose and mouth. With the increasingly warm days of summer, I have found this mask to stay fairly dry even though it’s right against my face when I’m running and, importantly, I did not feel that this mask made my face warm. This mask shipped overnight to me in Brooklyn with normal shipping options. I did not buy them and have not seen them in person, but the Reebok mask looks almost identical to the Adidas mask. I would be surprised if Adidas and Reebok are not buying these masks form the same manufacturer and having them labeled for them.

Under Armour
(retail: $30 + shipping)

3 layers: Water-resistant outer shell (100% polyester), polyurethane open-cell foam middle layer, anti-microbial treated inside layer of UA Iso-Chill fabric (77% nylon, 23% spandex)
Soft, adjustable nose bridge
Stretchy ear loops & side panels for a more comfortable fit
Includes washable, anti-microbial carrying pouch with locker tag to mark your name or number

This is an attractive mask. When you take this mask out of the packaging, you immediately note how pillowy it is. Unlike the New Balance mask, the mask pictured on Under Armour’s website is exactly like the one you’ll get in the mail. It is contoured and designed to fit with the fabric lining spaced away from your face, The mask did not touch my nostrils or mouth when first worn. When I took large gasps of breath, the fabric touched my mouth, but did not go into my mouth. There is an adjustable nose bridge piece built into this mask, but I found it just a little too soft. I wasn’t able to contour it to be comfortable and secure over the bridge of my nose. This resulted in my glasses fogging up a little from time to time.

The Under Armour website says that the polyurethane open-cell foam middle layer lets air through, but makes it hard for moisture and sweat to pass. I was able to breathe fairly freely while wearing this mask. However, this mask was very warm. You can feel how warm this mask is just by putting it on and sitting in your home in the air conditioning. While outside, I started to sweat very quickly after putting this mask on and was only able to keep it on for 15 minutes before changing into a different mask. It was just too warm for a summer day. It may be a very comfortable mask when it’s cooler out and less humid. But if you’re looking for a mask to wear in the summer heat and humidity of New York City, you’ll want to pass on this relatively expensive mask.

Zansors Nano-Shield98 - Michael Wardian Special Edition
(Retail: $45 + shipping)

Zansors NanoShield98 - Michael Wardian Special Edition mask

Two layer mask: an outerlayer of cool fabric with silver ion and UV protection (85% polyester, 15% spandex) and anti-sweat tech and a nanofiber filter layer
Spring loaded stoppers for adjustment of the elastic earloops
Adjustable nose bridge
Washable carrying pouch

This mask got my attention when Michael Wardian posted about it. Michael Wardian just won a quarantine backyard ultra by completing 262 miles in 44 hours. He probably didn’t have to wear a face mask in Arlington neighborhood. Nevertheless, it caught my attention when a runner known for running incredible distances endorses a face mask. This mask is made of a material resembling the outer layer of a light warm-up running jacket. The mask is shaped with an oval pocket for placement of a nanofiber filter. The nanofiber filter feels like a multilayered paper filter. It is washable, but the packaging that comes with the mask warns against folding or crumpling the filter to avoid compromising the effectiveness of the filter. This nanofiber filter is allegedly “98% effective in shielding against airborne particles”.

I tried this mask on a hot summer day and was surprised to find that I did not feel hot with this mask on. I thought for sure that the black color of the mask (the only color available for individual mask sales) alone would cause there to be a heat sink and my face would heat up, but this did not happen. I didn’t feel like this mask was cooling my face, but it didn’t feel hot. This mask was very breathable (as breathable as the New Balance, Adidas, and Under Armour masks). This mask is contoured to be spaced apart from your nose and mouth. While the sides of the mask touched my face, the material was comfortable and I did not find my face hot or sweaty when I had this mask on. The mask comes with spring-loaded stoppers that you can place on the elastic ear loops to shorten them to secure the mask on your face. I found these stoppers to be annoying after a while (especially since I already have glasses on my ears and loops of my earbuds but you could just as easily adjust the size of the ear loops by tying knots in them or using an ear saver to pull them back.

After trying the mask with the nanofiber filter in place, I have been wearing this mask without the nanofiber filter. With or without the nanofiber filter in place this mask is comfortable and breathable. I do not know for sure, but I suspect that the Zansors Micro-Shield Pro mask is the same as their Nano-Shield98 mask, but without the nanofiber filter. The photos of the Micro-shield Pro mask on Zansors’ website do not show the inside of the mask, which would give it away as being the same as the Nanoshield98 mask (without the nanofiber filter), if it had the same oval cutout. The Micro-shield Pro mask is $10 cheaper than the Nanoshield98 mask. It would still be more expensive than any of other masks I’ve reviewed here. If the Micro-shield Pro mask is the same as the Nanoshield98 mask, but without the nanofiber filter, I’d recommend that you get that. It would be more than sufficient to protect you and others while you’re running. So, while the Zansor Nanoshield98 mask is an expensive mask, I recommend it.

Gaiters

Regina Chan’s neck gaiter ingenuity: Using mitten clips to secure her neck gaiter. Photo credit: Regina Chan

We’re all familiar with neck gaiters for running (known often under the brand name Buff). If you’re lucky, you have a few stocked away that you picked up for free at a marathon expo. There are plenty of neck gaiters available for sale right now. With summer upon us, you may want to look for one that is made of a cooling material with some UPF, maybe like the ones sold by Mission. I haven’t purchased any neck gaiters to use as a face covering while running since I have a stock of neck gaiters that I usually use for cold weather running. As it has gotten warmer, I’ve cut one of my gaiters to one third of its original length to eliminate the fabric around my neck. This has made running with a gaiter in the warmer temperatures more comfortable. I haven’t had a problem with keeping the gaiter up around my face while I run, but if you have a smaller head than I do, you may want to use a clip to clip the gaiter to a hat or visor. PPTC member Regina Chan bought mitten clips at a store for 99 cents to keep her neck gaiter up while she runs. She recently fashioned some elastic around a neck gaiter to create ear loops to hold the gaiter up while she runs.

DIY Face Masks

If you’re lucky and have some sewing skills, you can make your own face masks. One of the patterns and instructional videos that I saw circulating early on during the pandemic is from Deaconess Hospital. This is a pattern for a very basic rectangular mask with pleats. These masks seem to fit most adults. It’s also a pretty easy mask to whip up even if you don’t have a sewing machine or a lot of sewing skills. There are also a lot of patterns for contoured face masks. A little searching on Google and you can probably find a free pattern for a face mask in a shape that calls out to you.

There are also a number of different articles on what materials to use for any do-it-yourself face masks. I have some home-made masks made of two layers of quilting cotton. Quilting cotton comes in many different patterns and colors and I like this best about the material. However, they are not ideal for running, since cotton holds moisture. But if it’s not that hot and you’re going for a short run, they’ll be just fine. You may want to explore other materials for a DIY face mask for running. PPTC member Christine Frietchen has been testing out a face mask made of silk organza. Another of my running friends used material from a neck gaiter for her DIY face mask.

If you do not sew or don’t have the materials, you can find homemade masks available for sale online or you can ask a sewing friend to make a mask for you – for a time, members Christine Frietchen and Jana Velíšková generously volunteered to sew masks for other members, but I think they’re out of materials right now. PPTC and Blog Team member Donna Newton has been sewing masks and donated 200+ masks to healthcare organizations. She may still have some materials and will also sew masks from donated materials, so if you’re looking for a homemade mask, you can try reaching out to her. You can also try making a no-sew face mask from two rubber bands (or hair ties) and a bandanna, by cutting up a running shirt , or a sock.

General advice about face masks

By the time a vaccine is invented for Covid-19, we’ll probably all be experts about face masks and what works best for each of us. In the meantime, below are some basic tips:

Find a mask with a design that you like -Hopefully you’ll find one that you like and are comfortable with wearing while you’re running or walking. Like everything, be mindful of the design you choose and if it has wording on it, make sure you know what it says, so you don’t end up getting a mask that says something you don’t intend.
Wear a face moisturizer and sunscreen when you wear a face mask. Early on I found that wearing a face mask irritated my skin. Since then, I’ve layered on moisturizer before heading out. That seemed to eliminate irritation. I’m also hoping the sunscreen in my moisturizer will help cut down on unusual face mask tan lines. Washing your face after you’ve come in from a run (after first washing your hands) also should help eliminate skin irritation caused by moisture that collects on your face from wearing a face mask.
Wash your face mask! After you come in from your run, wash that mask! Bacteria can accumulate on the mask. Wash your mask after wearing it and allow it to completely dry before wearing it again. No one needs to get a bacterial infection from a dirty mask.
Use some anti-fogging tricks. If you wear glasses, you have an additional challenge of keeping your glasses from fogging up when you wear a face mask. Try to find a face mask with an adjustable nose strip or buy some adhesive aluminum nose strips to put on your face masks (you can find them on Amazon as well as other online retailers). The nose strips cut down or even eliminate fogging up of your glasses. Also, there are a number of different tips online that may be helpful. I’ve found limited success with anti-fogging sprays and waxes. I have yet to try the soap and shaving cream tricks. Resting my glasses on the mask seems to help. Find something that works for you so you’re not running around blinded.

We’re all looking for that face mask that is a barrier against respiratory droplets, but also feels like you’re running mask-free. I doubt we’ll ever find any such mask. In the meantime, stay healthy and safe. Face masks may be here to stay for a while whether we like it or not.

If you’ve found a publicly available face covering that is particularly comfortable when worn for running, let us know. You can email us at blog@pptc.org or comment below.

Text by: Linda S. Chan
Updated: July 11, 2020
Edited by: Rachael DePalma and Donna Newton
Photo credit: Linda S. Chan, unless otherwise noted
Produced by: Alison Kotch

Becoming A Masked Runner