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Look for technical, synthetic fabrics and a supportive fit that won’t fall down
It’s a truth now universally known that when you wear a face mask you protect yourself, and you protect others. In the past year, face masks have become a standard feature of everyday life – an unremarkable sight on the streets and mandatory in most indoor settings.
At first, there were only a limited selection of face coverings available. Now, there are myriad face masks to choose from, from fashionable to sporty, reusable to recycled.
In the UK there are some places where you must wear a face covering by law – unless, of course, you are exempt – including but not limited to public transport, taxis, shops and supermarkets.
Read more: Where to buy face masks in the UK – reusable coverings to shop now
But while most of us now have a much better understanding of how masks can help block the transmission of coronavirus, there aren’t currently any recommendations around whether or not we should wear one when exercising.
With gyms still closed and exercise limited to outdoors or at home, it’s down to personal choice whether you choose to exercise in a mask or not. But if you do want to wear one, be warned – some types of masks are better than others when it comes to working out.
Read more: Gigi Hadid’s silk face mask – where to buy the supermodel-approved covering and similar styles
Just like you should stay away from adding certain materials to your gym kit drawer, you should also steer clear from covering your face in those very same materials when working out.
The general rules? Avoid paper, surgical and cotton masks when exercising – they become damp when you sweat or breathe into them too intensely. Instead, choose masks made from breathable, synthetic materials.
You should also opt for models with two layers of fabric or less to avoid overheating. After all, you don’t want to cover your mouth and nose with excess material as it might constrict your breathing – proving more harmful than helpful.
We tested the following masks while running outside in the relatively cold British winter – looking at comfort, fit and staying power. Almost all are unisex.
You can trust our independent round-ups. We may earn commission from some of the retailers, but we never allow this to influence selections. This revenue helps us to fund journalism across The Independent.
If you’re looking for a bit of sunshine to brighten up lockdown life, it doesn’t get sunnier than these bold yellow unisex masks from Falke. They’re made from a fleecy knitted material – the outside layer is made from moisture-repellent hydrophobic, while the inside layer uses moisture-absorbing hydrophilic. This was the mask we immediately reached for when the temperature plummeted outside, and it’s definitely got a sporty and dynamic edge.
Made from recycled materials, this simple and lightweight mask easily stretches around the back of your ears to provide ample coverage. It doesn’t stick too tight to your face, so even when you’re running it lets in cool air and, importantly, hot breath out. Comfortable and washable, the material is quick-drying. Plus, you get three in one pack which is always helpful.
This mask is made from a cotton and spandex blend, so it’s not quite as sweat-wicking as some of the other options. It does, however, come with an adjustable metal nose bridge and adjustable ear straps – so it feels secure to move in. This mask also includes a recyclable PM2.5 filter, which is supposed to further protect you from small particles and contaminants in the air. We particularly like the block red colour.
Buff have been producing face coverings long before we knew what the word coronavirus meant – and their balaclavas and bandanas that you can pull up or down to cover the lower part of your face already prove popular for runners embracing the cold in the winter. But in addition to their popular neckwear, Buff has created a filter mask featuring a three-layer, replaceable filter system.
This one comes in some particularly colourful patterns, but the most unusual feature is its ergonomic design. At first, we weren’t really sure about the straps – they seemed a bit OTT. But, they did help to relieve any ear pressure when wearing for long periods of time.
From the sustainable workwear label Dai – who create stretchy yet sharp tailored items for women, by women – we tried its Covid-approved (by CITEVE – Technological Center of Textile and Clothing Industries), fitted mask.
The denim look was slightly unnerving (it’s not the usual fabric we’d choose for a workout), but both the outer layer and inner lining layer is actually 100 per cent cotton and breathable. We liked that the elasticated ear loops are adjustable, but it did sit a little bit too high up on our faces, which unfortunately meant we had to move it down a couple of times mid-run. Might be worth saving this one for the supermarket instead.
Made from the same smooth and sweat-wicking Lululemon fabric that we all know and love, these face masks are form-fitting and sit tight to the contours of your face. The centre-front seam also helps lift the mask away from your mouth so you don’t feel like you’re suffocating when running. We really wanted to love this mask, but, unfortunately, the double strap is where it lost some marks.
The top strap slipped down the back of the head, adding extra weight on the tops of the ears, while the bottom strap sat around the nape of the neck and ended up getting soaked in sweat. Lots and lots of colours to choose from though, so if you have thick, long hair that tends to stay put in a ponytail, we’re sure these straps would easily fit either side.
Designed especially for sport, this high-performance Under Armour mask also has a water-resistant shell. As the most expensive mask on our list, we were looking to be wowed. Both sleek and functional – the earloop design makes it easy to slip on and off (although we worry how long it will be before they stretch or snap) – there’s enough space to keep the material off your mouth and nose, plus a special foam layer which lets air pass through and blocks sweat, this mask is breathable and comfortable. But is it worth £26 for a 5km run? Probably not.
Offering three-layer protection, this antibacterial, sweat-absorbent mask made in a collaboration between Muc-Off and Sigma Sports looks a little different to the other face masks we’ve tested – and that’s mainly due to its additional nose tab.
Perfect for those who have issues with masks sliding down their nose or wear glasses, this mask was one we kept reaching for thanks to its UV and water-resistant fabric and helpful adjustable elastic straps. The negative? It’s only meant to be reused up to 20 times.
We really loved Falke’s sporty yellow mask – it immediately put a smile on our face and it feels and looks great (plus, it performs well – especially in the cold). If wearing happy colours boosts your mood in a time where good news is hard to come by, then we’re all for keeping the colours bright and the good vibes going.
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