The 5 Best Reusable Face Masks 2021 | Reviews by Wirecutter

The “best” cloth face mask is the one you'll wear (and not fuss with). Here's how to find a mask that fits, filters well, and is reasonably ... Reviewsfortherealworld.Wirecutterisreader-supported.Whenyoubuythroughlinksonoursite,wemayearnanaffiliatecommission.Learnmore.FYIWe’veaddedanewpick:theHappyMasksPro.We’vealsoincludedresultsfromlabtestsonHappyMasksProandEnromasksthathadbeenwornandwashedoverthecourseofseveralmonths.ShowmoreWe’veaddedanewpick:theHappyMasksPro.We’vealsoincludedresultsfromlabtestsonHappyMasksProandEnromasksthathadbeenwornandwashedoverthecourseofseveralmonths.BothEnroandHappyMaskshaverecentlyreleasednewdesigns,whichweplantotestsoon.ShowlessDecember14,2021SaveInthefaceofnewviralvariants,frequentlychangingmandates,andshiftinglocalCOVID-19transmissionandvaccinationrates,maskswilllikelyremainuseful—ifnotrequired—forsometime.Fortunately,younowhavemanyhigh-qualityoptionstochoosefrom,especiallycomparedwithearlyoninthepandemic.Betweendisposablerespiratorsandcomfortable,reusableclothmasksthatfilternearlyaswellasmedical-grademasks(andcanbeadjustedforamore-securefit),justabouteveryonecanfindsomethingtheyfeelgoodaboutwearing.Herewerecommendavarietyofclothoptionsthatbalancefitandcomfortwithfiltrationefficiencyandbreathability.Must-havefeaturesFilterAfilter—onethatisincorporatedorfitsinapocket—helpsblocktinyparticlesthatoneortwolayersofclothalonecan’t.Nose-bridgewireAmoldablewirehelpsamaskfitclosely,preventingdropletsfromsneakinginandoutalongthesidesofyournose.AdjustableearloopsEarloopsyoucanadjusthelpamaskfitcomfortablyandsnuglyalongthesidesandbottomofyourface. Understandably,mostpeoplewouldpreferamaskthatfitslikeaproverbialglove,trapsallincomingandoutgoingviruses,letsyougulpinfreshairwithabandon,andfeelslikeitisn’teventhere.Unfortunately,thatmaskdoesn’texist.Shoppingforaclothfacemaskinvolvesmakingcompromises.Inthisguide,we’llwalkyouthroughthelatestresearchonclothfacecoveringsandhelpyoubuildacollectionofmasksthatsuityourvariousneeds.We’lltellyouhowtoimprovethemasksyoualreadyhavebyaddingafewinexpensiveaccessories.Andwe’llexplainhowprioritizingfitandcomfortcanleadtobetterprotection—forothersandforyourself.Foreachperson,aspecificmask’seffectivenessinvolvesmyriadfactors(thesizeofsomeone’sheadandfacialfeatures,theirbehaviors,andtheenvironment).Forthisreason,wecouldn’tpossiblyidentifythemosteffectivemaskforeveryindividualandeverysituation.Sowefavoredmasksthatareadjustableinmultiplewaysand—whenwornproperly—canfilterairborneparticlesbetterthanotherclothmasks,whilestillbeingeasyenoughtobreathethrough.Allofthemhaveincorporatedfiltersorpocketsforanadditionalfilterlayerandcanalsobewornoverasurgical-typemask.(FormoreinformationonN95andKN95respiratorsandsurgicalmasks,seebelow.Wehaveaguideforthose,too.)Thebestclothfacemaskforyouistheoneyou’llwearandnotfusswith,sowe’veprovidedarangeofoptionstohelpmakethathappen.OurpickEnroTechMaskBestbalanceoffit,comfort,filtration,andbreathabilityTheEnroTechMask,availableinsizesXXSthroughXL,hasabendynose-bridgewireandadjustableearloops,anditshouldfitmostfaceswell.Inlabtests,thismaskfiltered99%of0.5-micronparticles.BuyingOptions$17fromEnroOurpaneltesterslikedwearingthelightweight,filter-incorporatedEnroTechMask(formerlycalledtheEnroFaceMask)morethananyothermodel(asdidourjuniorpanelists,whotestedpint-sizeversionsforourguidetoclothfacemasksforkids).Youcanchoosefromsixsizesandfurtheradjustthefitwiththismask’spliablenose-bridgewireandsmartlydesigned,adjustableearloops.And,accordingtofiltrationefficiencyandbreathabilitytestingwecommissioned,theEnroTechMasksamplewesentfilteredabout99%of0.5-micronparticles(withagoodseal)—morethananyofourotherclothmaskpicksfiltered.It’salsomorebreathablethantheothermaskswerecommend.TheonlycatchisthattheEnrositsclosertothenoseandmouththandoourotherpicks,particularlytheHappyMasksProandProperCloth’sTheEverydayMask.Arecentupgrade,theEnroCurvMask,sitshigher;we’llbeprovidingfeedbackonitsoon.AdvertisementOurpickHappyMasksProHighfiltration,generousclearanceThismasktentsupoverthenoseandmouthmorethananyothermaskwetested.Soit’smorecomfortableandbreathablethanifitsatflatterontheface.Inlabtests,itfilteredoutaround94%of0.5-micronparticles.Thedrawback:It’shand-wash-only.BuyingOptions$24fromHappyMasksLongarecommendationinourguidetothebestfacemasksforkids,theHappyMasksProisnowalsoanadultpick.Arecentdesignupdateextendeditsverticallength,soit’sbetteratstayingputonadultchins.Welovehowitcombineshighfiltrationefficiency(filteringoutaround94%of0.5-micronparticles)withplentyofroomtobreathe,thankstowhatthemakerscalla“parrotbeak”–shapedsilhouette.Youmusthand-washandair-dryit,though.Duetosupplyissues,themaskiscurrentlyavailableviawaitlistonly.Anewdesign,calledtheHappyMasksUltra,ismachine-washable.Weplanontestingitsoon.OurpickProperClothTheEverydayMaskLotsofchoices,withapuffed-upsilhouetteThisstylishmaskhasgoodclearanceoffthenoseandmouthand—thankstoasewn-infilter—decentfiltrationefficiency.Youcanchoosebetweenadjustableheadbandsandearloops,bothofwhichprovideagoodfit.BuyingOptions$20fromProperCloth(earloops)TheupdatedversionofProperCloth’sTheEverydayMaskhasenhancedpleating,tofurtherliftthefabricoffyourface.Italsohasasewn-infilterlayer,whichperformedfairlywellinlabtestswecommissionedforfiltrationefficiencyandbreathability(filtering75%of0.5-micronparticles).It’sthedressiest-lookingofourfilter-incorporatedpicks.However,thematerialfeelsthickerandlessbreathablethanthatofthefilter-incorporatedEnroandHappyMasksPro.OurpickGrafLantzZenbuOrganicCottonFaceMask(withfilter)Versatile,adjustable,witharemovablefilterandroomtobreatheThismasktentsupoverthenoseandmouth,moresothanmostclothmasks.Sothefabricdoesn’tgetinthewayofbreathingortalking.Itsfilter(removableandsoldseparately)boostsfiltration,providingadditionalprotectionagainstincomingandoutgoingparticles.BuyingOptionsBuyfromAmazon$22fromGrafLantz*Atthetimeofpublishing,thepricewas$22.Dartsonthesidesofthepre-shrunk,two-plycotton-twill GrafLantzZenbuOrganicCottonFaceMaskkeepthesilhouettesomewhatpuffed(sothere’smorebreathingroom)andslightlyexpandable(soyoucanopenyourmouthwidewithoutthemaskslipping).Thenose-bridgewireonthismask—likethatontheKitsbowFaceMask—strikesanicebalancebetweenrigidandpliable,creatingagreatseal.Usedwithitsfilter(soldseparately),themaskbalancesbreathabilitywithsolidfiltration,assumingagoodfit.Butwewishthefiltercoveredtheentiremask,tomaximizeitsfiltrationpotential.OurpickKitsbowFaceMask(withfilter)Heavyandlightweightoptions,secureheadbandsStuffedwithitsassociatedfilter,thismask—withsturdyelasticaround-the-headbands—fitourtesterscomfortablyandperformedmoderatelywellinindependentlabtestsforfiltrationandbreathability.BuyingOptions$25fromKitsbowThesolid-colorversionsofthetwo-plyKitsbowFaceMaskaremadeofasubstantivecottoncanvas.Theplaidsaremadeofalighterperformancefabric,whichisusedinthecyclingapparelthiscompanyisknownfor.Theconemask’selasticheadbandsstayputonhairbetterthanmost;combinedwiththepliablenose-bridgewire(whichisaboutassturdyasthatoftheGrafLantzmask)andachoiceofthreemasksizes,theyprovideanice,closefit.Thismaskcomeswithtwofilters,andKitsbow’sfilters(unlikethoseofmostmask-and-filtercombinationswe’veseen)spantheentireareaofthemask,maximizingtheirfiltrationpotential.Inindependentlabtesting,thesolid-colormaskfilteredbetterthantheplaidversion,buttheplaidmaskwasmorebreathable.EverythingwerecommendOurpickEnroTechMaskBestbalanceoffit,comfort,filtration,andbreathabilityTheEnroTechMask,availableinsizesXXSthroughXL,hasabendynose-bridgewireandadjustableearloops,anditshouldfitmostfaceswell.Inlabtests,thismaskfiltered99%of0.5-micronparticles.BuyingOptions$17fromEnroOurpickHappyMasksProHighfiltration,generousclearanceThismasktentsupoverthenoseandmouthmorethananyothermaskwetested.Soit’smorecomfortableandbreathablethanifitsatflatterontheface.Inlabtests,itfilteredoutaround94%of0.5-micronparticles.Thedrawback:It’shand-wash-only.BuyingOptions$24fromHappyMasksOurpickProperClothTheEverydayMaskLotsofchoices,withapuffed-upsilhouetteThisstylishmaskhasgoodclearanceoffthenoseandmouthand—thankstoasewn-infilter—decentfiltrationefficiency.Youcanchoosebetweenadjustableheadbandsandearloops,bothofwhichprovideagoodfit.BuyingOptions$20fromProperCloth(earloops)OurpickGrafLantzZenbuOrganicCottonFaceMask(withfilter)Versatile,adjustable,witharemovablefilterandroomtobreatheThismasktentsupoverthenoseandmouth,moresothanmostclothmasks.Sothefabricdoesn’tgetinthewayofbreathingortalking.Itsfilter(removableandsoldseparately)boostsfiltration,providingadditionalprotectionagainstincomingandoutgoingparticles.BuyingOptionsBuyfromAmazon$22fromGrafLantz*Atthetimeofpublishing,thepricewas$22.OurpickKitsbowFaceMask(withfilter)Heavyandlightweightoptions,secureheadbandsStuffedwithitsassociatedfilter,thismask—withsturdyelasticaround-the-headbands—fitourtesterscomfortablyandperformedmoderatelywellinindependentlabtestsforfiltrationandbreathability.BuyingOptions$25fromKitsbowWhyyoushouldtrustusWhothisisforWhattoconsiderwhenbuyingaclothfacemaskHowwepickedandtestedOurfavoritefilter-incorporatedmasksBestbalanceoffit,comfort,filtration,andbreathability:EnroTechMaskHighfiltration,generousclearance:HappyMasksProApuffed-upsilhouette:ProperClothTheEverydayMaskMaskswithremovablefiltersVersatileandadjustable,withroomtobreathe:GrafLantzZenbuOrganicCottonFaceMask(withfilter)Heavyandlightweightoptions,secureheadbands:KitsbowFaceMask(withfilter)OthergoodclothfacemaskswithfilterpocketsConsideramaskwardrobeHowtoimproveamaskyoualreadyown(plusmaskaccessorieswelike)ClothfacemaskFAQsandtipsCareandmaintenanceWhattolookforwardtoThecompetitionSourcesWhyyoushouldtrustusIstartedresearchingmasksinspring2020,whenpeoplewerestillwearingbandanasandwipingdowngroceries.Motivatedbyself-interest(Iwantedtoprotectmyselfandmyfamily)andajournalisticmindset(thankstomorethanadecade’sworthofhealthreporting,abiologydegree,and,frankly,commonsense),Isuspected,despitevagueexpertguidanceatthetime,thatsomemasksreallyarebetterthanothers.AndsoItookamultidisciplinaryapproach.Overthepastyearandahalf,I’veconsultedmorethantwo-dozenauthorities—fromfashiondesignersandtextileexpertstoaerosolscientistsandinfectious-diseasespecialists—withtheaimofzeroinginonthesmallbutcrucialdesigndetailsthathaveanoutsizeimpactonhowamaskfits,feels,andprotects.Laterinthepandemic,aswelearnedmoreabouthowthevirusistransmitted,WirecuttercommissionedindependenttestsatColoradoStateUniversity’sCenterforEnergyDevelopmentandHealth.That’swhereJohnVolckens,professorofmechanicalengineering,andChristianL’Orange,assistantresearchprofessor,assessedthefiltrationefficiencyandbreathabilityofavarietyofclothmasksandfilters,includingforourpicks.WhothisisforTheKitsbowFaceMaskin(clockwisefromtopleft)Killingtonblue,drygrass,buff,andProvidencegrey.Photo:SarahKobosByactingasphysicalbarriers,clothfacecoveringscanhelppreventwearersfromtransmittingrespiratorydropletstothepeoplearoundthem.Thatgoesforeveryone—notjustpeoplewhoknoworsuspectthey’resick—because,asaJune2020reviewpointsout,asmanyas45%ofpeopleinfectedwiththecoronavirusmightnotshowanysymptoms.Regardlessofyourvaccinestatus,wearingamaskisnecessarywhenyou’retakingpublictransit,visitingtransportationhubs(suchasairports),workinginorvisitinghealth-caresettings,andmanyotherplaces.TheCentersforDiseaseControlandPreventionsaysunvaccinatedpeopleshouldcontinuewearingmaskswheneverthey’reindoorsinpublicandwhileoutdoorsincrowds(orwhenotherwiseunabletomaintainadistancefromothers).Maskscanalsohelpfilterincomingparticles—includingsmallones,calledaerosols—fromotherpeople,therebyprotectingthewearer,too.AsaCDCscientificbriefindicates,wheneveryonewearsmasks,infectionratesdecreasesignificantly.Foranup-closeviewofhowcloth-maskfiberscatchparticlesofvarioussizes,checkoutthisNewYorkTimesrendering.Thatsaid,wearingamaskisn’tanexcusetoignoresocialdistancing,justaswearingaseatbeltdoesn’tjustifyrecklessdriving.Aswithanypersonalprotectiveequipment,clothfacemasks“arethelastlineofdefenseinthehierarchyofcontrols,”saidBryanOrmond,anassistantprofessoroftextileengineeringatNorthCarolinaStateUniversity’sTextileProtectionandComfortCenter.“So,whileyouarewearingamask,youstillneedtosocialdistanceandpracticegoodhygiene(hand-washing).Alloftheseinterventionsworkintandemtogiveusthebestchanceofgainingcontrolofthesituation.”Scientistsarestillinthemidstofdeterminingwhichmaterialsandconstruction,exactly,makeforthemostprotectiveclothfacemasks.Butpastandcurrentfindings,pluscommonsense,canprovideclues.AsRainaMacIntyre,headoftheBiosecurityProgramattheUniversityofNewSouthWales’sKirbyInstitute,explained:“IntheabsenceofrandomizedcontrolledstudiesforSARSCoV-2,youhavetolookatprinciplesthathavebeenfoundbyclinicaleffectivenessandlabstudies,putitalltogether,andmakesensiblerecommendations.”HowclothfacemaskscomparetoN95respirators,KN95masks,andsurgicalmasksWe’veevaluatedavarietyofnon-medicalN95respiratorsandsurgical-stylemasks,andwehavesomerecommendationsthatareNIOSH-approvedorFDA-authorized.Mostclothfacemasksarenowherenearasprotectiveagainstvirus-sizeparticlesasproperlyfittedN95respiratorsare—front-linehealth-careworkersrelyonN95stosafelycarefortheirpatients.N95respiratorsarespecificallyconstructedtoblocktheinhalationofparticles,includingvirus-sizeparticles.They’remeanttofitthecurvesofyourfacewithoutgaping,andthey’refabricatedfromspecialmaterialthatfiltersoutatleast95%of0.3-micronairbornematter.AnN95respiratormask’sfibersareelectrostaticandnon-woven(haphazardlyarranged),makingitharderforparticlestopenetrate.SomeN95masks,includingWirecutter’spicksinourguidetorespirators,includevalves,foreasierexhalation.Thatfeaturecanbegreatduringwildfiresmokeconditions.ButastheWorldHealthOrganizationexplainedtousinanemail,whenthefocusispreventingthespreadofthecoronavirus,suchvalvesareproblematicbecausebydesigntheycanletunfilteredairescape.LegitimateN95masksareapprovedbytheCDC’sNationalInstituteforOccupationalSafety&Health;thereareuniqueidentifyingnumbersstampedonthemthatcanbeconfirmedontheagency’swebsite.NIOSHalsoprovidestipsonhowtospotcounterfeits.KN95masks(whichtheUSFoodandDrugAdministrationreferstoas“filteringfacepiecerespirators”)aremanufacturedinChinaaccordingtoChinesestandards,whichvaryslightlyfromUSstandards(mostKN95maskshaveearloopsinsteadofheadbands,forinstance).LikeN95masks,KN95masksarerequiredtofilteroutatleast95%of0.3-micronairbornedroplets.Lastyear,inthewakeofN95shortages,theFDAissuedanemergencyuseauthorization(EUA)formedicaluseofKN95masks,withdocumentsprovingthatthesemasksmettherequiredperformancestandardsstatedintheEUA’seligibilitycriteria,FDApressofficerShirleySimsonsaid.AuthorizedKN95modelsandtheirmanufacturerswerelistedundertherelevantAppendixA,foundontheagency’sPersonalProtectiveEquipmentEUAspage.ThatEUAhassincebeenrevokedforhealth-careprofessionals,thankstoareplenishedsupplyofN95respirators.Butfortherestofus,KN95sarestillavalidtoolforprotectionineverydaysituations.Still,fraudissopervasivethatNIOSHhaspublishedalistofstrategiestohelpbuyersspotfakes.AsTheWallStreetJournalreportedinMay2020(subscriptionrequired),someillegitimateKN95masksshedfibersthatirritatetheskin;othersfallwoefullyshortofthe95%filtrationefficiencypromised.InresearchdiscussedinaJuly2020preprint,membersoftheGreaterBostonPandemicFabricationTeam(includingaresearcherwho’dconsultedforacompanythatimportedpersonalprotectiveequipment)foundover100differentfilteringfacepiecerespiratormodelsinlocalhospitals.Ofthosetheyconsidered,includingKN95masks,manywereofunknownoriginsand“didnotperformtoacceptedstandardsandarelikelytobecounterfeit.”Unlikerespirators,surgicalmasksarenotmeanttocreateanairtightfit,sodropletscansneakthroughgapsaroundthecheeks.Butthematerialitself(consistingofnon-wovenlayers)typicallyfiltersmoreandsmallerparticlesthanmostclothmasks,andcouldpotentiallybemoreprotective—ifonlythemaskcouldbewornsnugtotheface.AsaSeptember2020paperfromresearchersatNortheasternUniversity(PDF)illustrates,asurgicalmasksealedtothewearer,withabandcutfromapairofnylonstockings,wentfromblocking50%to75%ofsmall(lessthan0.3-micron)particlestoblocking86%to90%.Butpeoplerarely,ifever,wearsurgicalmaskssotightlytotheirfaces.Morerecently,theCDCannouncedresearchfindingssupportingstrategiesthatarepossiblyevenmoreeffective,andcertainlymorepractical,thanwearingastockingoverasurgicalmask:Iftwopeopleweretoeachsecurethefitoftheirsurgicalmask—eitherbyknottingitsearloopsandtuckinginitssides,asshowninthisvideo,orbywearingawell-fittingclothfacemaskoverit—theirexposuretopotentiallyinfectiousaerosolswoulddeclinebyaround95%.TruesurgicalmasksareconsideredmedicaldevicesandareregulatedbytheFDA(notNIOSH).They’reusuallytestedmainlyforissueslikefluidresistance(tokeepahospitalworkersafefromsplatterunleashedduringamedicalprocedure,forinstance).However,thoseclearedthrough510(k)andauthorizedforemergencyusetypicallyundergospecialfiltrationtestingtosupportclaims.ThosearelistedinAppendixA:AuthorizedSurgicalMasks,andinformationabouttheirappropriateuseisavailableintheFDA’sFactSheetforHealthcarePersonnel(PDF).Becauseofthepandemic,though,thecurrentFDApolicyallowssurgicalmaskstobemarketedwithoutFDAreview,iftheyfollowFDArecommendationsasstatedinthisenforcementpolicypaper(PDF).Simsonrecommendsusingthemonlyinsituationswheresurgicalmaskswith510(k)clearanceoremergencyuseauthorizationsarenotavailable.“Sellersofthesedevicesshouldmeetthecriteriadescribedintheguidance,includingallappropriatelabelingtohelpinformconsumers,”Simsonwrote.Toaddtotheconfusion,the“surgical-style”masksyouseeonlineandinmanystoresareprobablynotprofessional-gradesurgicalmasks.They’rejustpleatedfacemasksmadefromlayersofvariousnon-wovenmaterials.That’snottosaysurgical-stylefacemaskscan’tbehelpful,butexactlyhowprotectivetheyareremainsunclear,absentanyregulation.Aswe’llexplaininmoredetailbelow,anextralayercan’thurt(unlessthelayermakesitsohardtobreathethatyoutakeoffthemask).Andnon-wovenmaterials,suchasthepolypropylenelayersinsurgicaland(presumably)surgical-stylemasks,canbolsterprotectionagainstoutgoingandincomingparticles.Soinsteadofusingafilterinyourwell-fittingclothfacemask,wearingasurgical-stylemaskunderneathitisanotherwaytolayerup.Thetwoworkintandem:Agoodclothfacemaskcanenhanceasurgical-stylefacemask’sseal,andasurgical-stylefacemaskcanbolstertheclothfacemask’sprotectionfactor.WhattoconsiderwhenbuyingaclothfacemaskPhoto:SarahKobosThebasicrulesofusingafacecoveringarefairlystraightforward.“Youwantthemasktogooveryournostrilsandyourmouthinsuchawaythatitdoesn’tslipoff,”saidRobinPatel,pastpresidentoftheAmericanSocietyforMicrobiology.Evenabandanatiedaroundyourheadisbetterthannothing.Butifyou’reinasituationwhereyouwanttomaximizethepotentialprotectionforothersandforyourself,youmightaswellchoosesomethingmoresubstantial.Whenyoucoughwithoutamaskon,aerosolsflyoutofyourmouthasfarasabout8feetonaverage,accordingtoaJune2020study.Tieonthatbandana,andoutgoingaerosolsgetonlyasfaras3feet7inchesonaverage,theauthorsfound.Wearawell-fittedtwo-layerquilting-cottonmask,andthosedroplets,onaverage,stopshortatamere2½inches.What’smore,aswenowknow,thatprotectionisenhancedevenfurtherwiththeadditionofnon-wovenfilters.Althoughit’struethatsomemasksfiltermuchbetterthanothers,amaskwon’thelpifit’sconstantlyslippingdownyournoseoritfeelssosuffocatingthatyou’reforcedtotakeitoff.Themaskswelinktointhisguidehavethedesigndetailsthatexpertstoldustheylookforwhenshoppingforthemselves,andthatwefoundgreatlyimpactfitandcomfort.Thesefeaturesincludemoldablenose-bridgewires,filterpocketsoranincorporatedfilter,andcordstoppers,adjustableheadbands,orties.Fit:CreatingaprotectivesealForamasktoworktoitsfullestpotential,ithastofit.“Whentherearelargegapsforthedropletstocomeout,itdoesn’tmatterhowgoodthefilterisorhowmanylayersyouhave,”saidLinseyMarr,anaerosolscientistatVirginiaTech.AsresearchatNortheasternUniversitysuggests,amaskthatconformscloselytothefacecanenhanceperformancebyasmuchas50%overthesamemaskthatdoesn’t.Aproperlyfittingmaskextendsverticallyfromthebridgeofyournose(justbelowtheeyeline)toaboutaninchunderyourchin.Anditstretcheshorizontallyfromcheektocheek or,evenbetter,asclosetotheearsascomfortable.“Ideally,itshouldcoverasmuchofyournoseandmouthaspossible,”saidGraceJun,anassistantprofessoroffashionanddisabilityatParsonsSchoolofDesigninNewYorkCity.Here’swhattodotomakesurethathappens:Studythesizingchart.Masksaretypicallynon-refundable;toensureareasonablefit,noteamask’sdimensions,andthenmeasureyourface(includingtheinchesaddedbyanyfacialhairandtheheightofyournose)withasofttapemeasuretoconfirmthatthenumberscorrespond.(Somebrandsprovidefacemeasurements,asopposedtomaskmeasurements.)Note,too,thatapleatedmaskexpandswhenyouadjustittocoveryourface.Forinstance,theheightoftheRendallCo.Sentrymaskwelikeis3inchespleatedand6½inchesexpanded.Whenindoubt,askcustomerservicefordetaileddimensions.Ifamaskistooshort,itwon’tstayputonyournoseorchin.Ifit’stootall,theedgescanblockyourvision,pokeyoureyes,orhangtooloosearoundyourchin,Junsaid.Masksthataretoowidecanaffecthowtheelasticfastenersfitaroundyourearsorhead.Ifyourmeasurementsfallbetweendesignatedsizes,sizeup,andadjustthefastenersasneeded.Or,betteryet,lookforanothermask.Don’tfallfor“onesizefitsall.”Thatonesizemightnotfityou.Andamongmasksthatcomeinmultiplesizeoptions,notallsizedesignationsarecreatedequal.“Evenaquarter-inchcanmakeadifference,”Junsaid,especiallyifyouhaveawiderorthinnerface,alongerchin,orahighernosebridge.Aproperlyfittingmaskextendsverticallyfromthebridgeofthenose(justbelowtheeyeline)toaboutaninchunderthechin.Anditstretcheshorizontallyfromcheektocheekor,evenbetter,asclosetotheearsascomfortable.Lookforanose-bridgewire.Amaskshouldgentlyhugthelinesofyourcheeks,dipalongthesidesofyournose,andcurveoveritsbridge.Amoldablewirehelpsamaskdothat.Withoutthatclosefit,dropletscansneakinandoutalongthesidesofyournose.Considerthemask’sshape.Conesilhouettesarelikelytocurvetothecheeksbetterthanaplainpieceofcloththatliesflatorarectangularmaskwithpleats.That’sprobablywhytheNortheasternUniversityresearchershavefoundthatnylon-stockingsealsoftenmakelessofaperformancedifferencewhenlayeredovercone-shapedmasksthanwhenlayeredovermasksofothershapes(thoughexactlyhowmuchofadifferencemayvarybyindividual;onlyonepersontookpartinthestudy).“Thefitwasalreadygood,”saidstudyco-authorLorettaFernandez,anassociateprofessorofcivilandenvironmentalengineeringatNortheastern.Cone-shapemaskshaveverticalseamsthatallowthefabricto“tentup,”givingitsomeheight,likeabracup.Dependingontheplacementofthestraps,cone-shapedmaskscanfitquitenicelyonthecheeks.Illustration:SarahMacReadingHowever,maskswithpleatsprovidemoreleewayforhighernosebridges,saidMichaelKaye,whoteachesdrapingandsewingasanadjunctprofessoratNewYork’sFashionInstituteofTechnology.(HechosethispleatedCDC-suggestedpatternforhiscustomsmall-batchmasks.)Comparedwithlessgenerouslycutconemasks,pleatedmasksmayalsofeelmorecomfortabletosomepeoplebecausetheyallowforspacebetweenthefabricandyourcheeks.(Readfurtherfortipsonimprovingtheseal.)Checkforadjustablefasteners.Atoo-snugfit,onethatleavesmarksonyourskin,maytemptyoutotakethemaskoff.Forasecurefit,adjustanyback-of-the-headelasticbandsbyeithertyingaknotorplacingthebandatopaponytail.(Adjustmentstothetopbandareespeciallycrucialforhelpingthemaskfitsnuglyaroundyourcheeks.)Elasticearloopswithcordstopsallowforacustomizablefit.Ifyouconsistentlyfindheadbandandear-loopfastenerstobetootight,oriftheygetinthewayofhearingaidsorglasses,considerties(asontheRendallCo.maskwelike);thedrawbackisthattiestendtoloosenmoreeasilyoverthecourseofaday.Illustration:SarahMacReadingExaminethefastenertexture.Headbandswithridgescangriphairbetterwithoutsliding,especiallyifyourhairisstraight,Kayesaid.Earloopsmadewithelasticcordshangmoreeasilyonless-rigidearsbutmaymakeyourearsfeelsoreafterafewhours,especiallyifthey’retootight.Pleatedmasksaredesignedtoaccommodatedifferentnose-bridgeheightsandchindepths.Video:SarahKobosAwireatthetopofsomemasksmoldsallaroundyournosetoformatighterseal.Video:SarahKobosStretchyfabricsallowsomemaskstofitalargerrangeoffacesizes.Video:SarahKobosMaskswithtogglesattheearloopsletyoueasilyadjustthemforacustomfit.Video:SarahKobosPleatedmasksaredesignedtoaccommodatedifferentnose-bridgeheightsandchindepths.Video:SarahKobosComfort:BalancingbreathabilitywithfiltrationJusttheideaofsomethingobstructingyournoseandmouthcanbedistressing—hencetheappealoflightweight,single-layermasksmadeofmore-breathablefabric.Butifyourgoalistoprotectyourselfaswellasothers,awell-fittingmaskthatbalancesbreathabilitywithfiltrationefficiency(thepercentageofparticlesthatamaskcanblock)worksbest,assumingyoukeepiton.“Youneedtobalancecomfortandrisk.”—LinseyMarr,VirginiaTechProtectingothersisrelativelyeasy:Almostanyclothcanhaltthelarger-than-5-micronglobulesshootingfromyourmouthwhenyou’retalkingloudly,singing,coughing,orsneezing.Butit’ssnaggingthe1-micron-or-smallerparticles—whichcancomefromyouandothersbreathingandtalkingatregularvolume—that’stough.Earlyinthepandemic,healthofficialsconsideredthosetinyaerosolstobelessworrisome.Butnow,morethanayearlater,theCDChasdeclaredquitetheopposite:“COVID-19spreadswhenaninfectedpersonbreathesoutdropletsandverysmallparticlesthatcontainthevirus.Thesedropletsandparticlescanbebreathedinbyotherpeopleorlandontheireyes,noses,ormouth.”Infall2020,theCDCreportedthatit’spossibletobeinfectedinapoorlyventilatedindoorspacebyapersonmorethan6feetawayorevenshortlyafteraninfectedpersonhaslefttheroom.Theagencynotedthattimingmatterstoo:You’remorevulnerabletoinfectionthelongeryoushareairspacewithaninfectedperson.Specifically,spendingmorethanacumulative15minutesoverthecourseof24hourswithaninfectedpersonconstitutes“closecontact.”(Independentexpertshavedisputedtherationalebehindboththe6-feet-of-distanceand15-cumulative-minutes-of-exposureguidelines,statingthateventhoughthenewguidelinesareanimprovement,dropletscaninfectotherswellover6feetaway,dependingontheventilation,andthiscanhappeninfewerthan15totalminutes.)InFebruary2021,ASTMInternational(formerlytheAmericanSocietyforTestingandMaterials)approvedanewstandardforbarrierfacecoveringsintermsoffiltrationandbreathability,aswellasfit.The16-pagesetofguidelines(youcanaccessthenewstandard,knownasdesignationF3502,here,withfreeregistration)detailsthenecessarydesignandtestingconsiderationsrequired,muchofwhichwediscussinthisguide.However,becauseASTMInternationaldoesn’tcertifyorvalidateaproductasmeetingthesecriteria—itsimplycreatedthem—it’suptomanufacturerstofollowthroughandgovernmentagenciestomandatethestandard.Somemaskmakersmaydecidetoattainthesespecifications;somemaynot.Thosethatdowouldbeabletostateclearlyontheirpackagingspecificbreathabilityandfiltrationvaluesthatcanhelpshoppersmakeaninformeddecision(assumingthelabelingistruthful).Nomaskisguaranteedtoprovidecompleteprotection.AsCDC/NIOSHhealthcommunicationspecialistNuraSadeghpourexplainedinDecember2020,“productsthatdon’tmeetthestandardmaystillhavesomeutility,butwon’tbeabletoclaimthattheymeettheASTMrequirements,whichprovideabaselineforperformance.”Inthemeantime,manyunknownsremain,includinghowmuchofthevirusapersonmustinhaletocauseaninfection,saidSarahBrooks,directoroftheCenterforAtmosphericChemistryandtheEnvironmentatTexasA&MUniversity.What’smore,nomaskisguaranteedtoprovidecompleteprotection.Ifyou’restrugglingtoleaveamaskon,playaroundwithdifferentmaterials.“Youneedtobalancecomfortandrisk,”saidVirginiaTechaerosolscientistLinseyMarr.Tothatend,considerthefeaturesbelow.Tightweaves:Yourmaskislikeachain-linkfence.“Themorethreadinagivenarea,themoresolidthebarrier,theharderitistogetthrough,”explainedNorthCarolinaStateUniversitytextilescientistBryanOrmond.AstheaforementionedApril2020studysuggests,threadcount(thenumberofverticalandhorizontalthreadsinasquareinch)matters.Withdropletssmallerthan0.3micronatlowflow(similartowhathappenswithbreathing),atwo-ply,80-thread-countquiltingcottonexhibitedfarlessfiltrationefficiencythanatwo-ply,600-thread-countpillowcase-likematerial.Unfortunately,fewmaskmakersprovidethread-countinformationonline,andyou’releftwithtakingtheirwordforhow“sturdy”or“tightlywoven”thematerialsthey’reusingare.Sobeforeyoubuy,makesureyourmaskatleasthasmultiplelayers(readon),preferablywithanincorporatedfilterorafilterpocket(seebelow).Whenthemaskarrives,holdituptothelight.“Themorevisibleopeningsyouseeinthefabricstructure,thelesseffectivethematerialmaybeatfilteringparticles,”Ormondsaid.Tobolsteramaskmadewithlooselywovenfabric,addmorelayersinthefilterpocketsoastoblockmoreofthelightcomingthrough(butnotsomuchthatthemaskfeelssuffocating).Alternatively,youcanwearamaskmadewithnon-wovenmaterialsunderneathaclothmask.Multiplelayers:AccordingtoaJune2020metareview,multilayermasksaremoreprotectivethansingle-layermasks,andspecifically“12–16-layercottonmasks”areassociatedwithprotection.(Insertlaugh-cryemoji.)Amorerealisticgoal,expertssay,istoaimforaminimumoftwolayers:asomewhatwater-resistantouterlayerandacomfortableinnerlayer.(Asnotedbelow,anincorporatedhigh-filtration-efficiencyfilterisevenbetteror,attheveryleast,apocketforaddingoneyourselfinhigher-risksituations.)“Themaskislikeanobstaclecourseforthevirustogetthrough.Eachlayercanmakeadifference,”saidAmyPrice,aseniorresearchscientistatStanford’sAnesthesiaInformaticsandMediaLab.Filterpocketorincorporatedfilter:Themostpotentiallyprotectiveclothmaskshaveahigh-filtration-efficiencyfilterincorporatedbetweentheinnerandouterfabriclayers(asyou’llfindinourtoppicks,theEnroTechMaskandtheHappyMasksPro).Butyoumightalsodowellwithmasksthatconsistofatleasttwolayersofclothandapocketthatallowsyoutobolstertheirfiltrationquotientwithanadditionallayerortwoofyourchoice(whetherit’sanotherpieceofclothor,betteryet,afiltermadefromnon-wovenmaterial).Ofcourse,youcanalsoleaveitempty—wearingthemaskasis(inlow-risksituations)orstrappedoverasurgical-stylemask(inhigher-riskones).Afilter’snon-wovenmaterialsconsistoffibersspunintoarandomwebthatisthenheatedtoformasheet.Slippedinbetweentwoormorefabriclayers(eitherplacedinapocketorsewnin),thenon-wovenmaterialcomplicatestheexistingmazeavirusneedstogetthroughbeforeitcanreachyournoseandmouth;thiscreates“atortuouspathway,”saidMarkLosego,anassociateprofessorintheSchoolofMaterialsScienceandEngineeringatGeorgiaTech.Viewanyspecificfiltrationclaimswithahealthydoseofskepticism—someofthemaskswetestedinthelabfellshyoftheirclaims.Washingafilter-incorporatedmaskweakensthefilterovertime,too,asourexperimentwiththeEnroandHappyMasksProproved.Ifyou’restuffingamaskpocket,trytofindafilterthatcoverstheentireexpanseofthemaskandstaysput.Otherwise,you’renottakingadvantageofthefilter’sfullestpotential—dropletstendtosneakthroughportionsofamaskwiththeleastresistance.Slippedinbetweentwoormorefabriclayers,anon-wovenmaterialcomplicatestheexistingmazeavirusneedstogetthroughbeforeitcanreachyournoseandmouth.Ifyourclothmaskfitsgreatbutdoesn’tcontainafilterorpocket,that’sokaytoo.Youcansimplystrapitoverahigh-filtration-efficiencysurgical-stylemasktoboostthefiltration.Generouscut:Thisistherarefeaturethatenhancesbothbreathabilityandfiltration.By“generous,”wedon’tmeanamaskthat’stoobigforyou.Itshouldbeawell-fittingmaskthat’sintentionallydesignedwithalargersurfaceareasothatitstands“taller”onyourface(formorespacebetweenthefabricandyournose),wideronyourface(witheachsidestretchingclosertoeachear),orideallyboth.Thisway“youhavemoreaircomingthroughthecloth,andthatairisfiltered,asopposedtoairsneakinginfromthesides,”saidSupratikGuha,aprofessorattheUniversityofChicagoPritzkerSchoolofMolecularEngineering,whoco-authoredtheApril2020studyonmaskmaterials.Asimplycutflatmaskcreatestheoppositesituation:Itsitsclosetoyournoseandmouth,soyouhavelessfilteredairtobreatheinatanygiventime.HowwepickedandtestedPhoto:BillCotton/ColoradoStateUniversityOverthecourseofresearchingandreportingthisguide,wespokewithmanyexpertswhodescribedthefacemaskmarketplaceasthe“WildWest.”AlthoughupdatedCDCguidelinesandthenewASTMInternationalstandardshavecreatedaclearerpictureofwhatagoodnon-medicalmaskshouldlooklike,it’shardforshopperstoknowwhetheranyonemaskwillfitontheirface,muchlessprovidesufficientfiltration.Sowestartedwiththebasics:fitandcomfort.Weconsideredscoresofclothfacemaskstoutedbyfriends,colleagues,bloggers,andotherpublications,andwealsowindow-shoppedonInstagram,Facebook,andseveralretailersitesbeforesettlingonthemaskswewouldtryourselves.Sincepeople’sfacesandpreferencesaredifferent,allthemasksweoptedtotestarehighlyadjustable—bothintermsofhavinganose-bridgewireandsomewaytofine-tunethefasteners.Wealsolookedforthosewithafilterpocketorasewn-infilter.Wefavoredmachine-washabledesigns,butwemadeexceptionsifthemaskincorporatedahigh-performancefilter.Sixpanelists(fourofwhomarepicturedinthisguide)woreandwashedthemasksastheywentabouttheireverydaylives(teachingvirtualandin-personclasses,ridingbikes,shoppingforgroceries,droppingkidsoffatschool,takingcabs,walkingdogs,andsoon).Theyeachmadenotesonthepliabilityofthenose-bridgewire,thesturdinessandbreathabilityofthecloth,themask’sabilitytostayput,theeaseofadjustability,andthemask’sgeneralcomfortlevel.WealsoconsultedWirecutter’sstaffwriterforfitness,whoworeourpicksoutonruns.Allofthisresultedinalistthatwebelieveincludesmaskswiththemostthoughtfulandsturdydesigns,aswellasmodelsthatshouldcomfortablyfitmostfaces.TheBestClothandDisposableMasksforKidsandToddlersThebestmaskforkidsistheonethey’llputonandkeepon.Wehavesixtorecommendthatarecomfortable,breathable,andfitarangeofages.Next,wecommissionedanindependentlabatColoradoStateUniversity’sCenterforEnergyDevelopmentandHealthtotesthowwellthemasksmightfilterdroplet-andaerosol-sizeparticles.“Measuringmaskfiltrationprovidesameasureofbest-casemaskperformance.”—ChristianL’Orange,ColoradoStateUniversityInDecember2020,wesentthecenter’sassociatedirector,ChristianL’Orange,25totalclothfacemasksandfilterinserts,includingsomesizedforchildren.Becausecloth-maskmakersrecommendwashingmasksbeforewearingthemforthefirsttime,werannewmaskandfilter-insertsamplesthroughthelaundryandair-driedthem.(Weleftanynon-washableinsertsastheywere.)Wethenlabeledeachmaskandfiltersamplewithanumberandsealedeachindividuallyintoaplasticbagbeforeshipping.Weincludedanymask-associatedfilterssothattheresearcherscouldtestrelevantmaskswithandwithoutthosefiltersintheirpockets.WealsosentasamplefromapackofrectangularPM2.5filterinsertsweboughtonline.Becausewedidnotsendthemasksandfiltersintheiroriginalpackaging,mostofthebrandingwasobscured.However,toavoiddamagingthemasks,wedidnotcutawayanyintegratedlabels.(TheHerschelmaskwelike,forinstance,hasaprominentlabel.)InApril2021,wesenteightadditionalmasks—includingsixclothmasks,anN95,andaKF94—toColoradoStatefortesting.InAugust2021,wetestedanewbatch(whichincludedcandidatesforourguidestodisposablemasksandkidsmasks)andausedEnroandHappyMasksPro(bothofwhichhadbeenwornandwashedoverthecourseofaboutsixmonths).WheretoBuyN95s,KN95s,andSurgical-StyleMasksin2021We’vebeenresearchingmedical-stylemasksandrespiratorsformonths.Here’swhatwe’rebuying.Sincethestartofthepandemic,ColoradoStateUniversity’sJohnVolckens,ChristianL’Orange,andtheirteamhaveregularlyevaluatedN95andsurgicalmasksbeforehealth-careworkersinthestateusethem,sothegroupalreadyhadtherelevanttestprotocolsinplace.Thecenter’sexperimentalsetupismeanttoassessfiltrationefficiencyalone;inthetestswecommissioned,theresearchersdidnotevaluatemaskfit.“Measuringmaskfiltrationprovidesameasureofbest-casemaskperformance,”L’Orangesaid.Inthetests,theresearcherssealedeachmask—ormaskwithfilter,ifthecompanysoldone—toafixtureinsuchawaythatparticleswouldflowthroughonlyaportionofthemaskmeasuring89mm(about3½inches)indiameter.(Thelab’ssetupisnotmeanttoassessmaskfit.Sealingtheedgesofeachsampledownisonewaytoassumeaperfect,gap-freefit.)Thelab’sequipmentthendrewtheseparticles—ranginginsizefromcloseto0.5micron(aroundthesmallestsizethatcancarrythecoronavirus)to10microns(abovewhichnearlyallmasksare99%efficient)—throughachamberatarateof15litersperminute(whichissimilartotherateatwhichapersonexhaleswhentalkingatnormalvolume).Theteamthencalculatedthenumberofparticlesenteringandexitingthemaskmaterialtoyieldtherateofpenetrationforaspectrumofparticlesizes;theymeasuredbreathabilitybycalculatingthepressuredrop(orflowrate)fromonesideofthemasktotheother(thelowerthepressuredrop,thehigherthebreathability).Eachmaskunderwenttworuns;ourgraphsbelowshowtheaveragefiltrationefficienciesandpressure-dropscoresbetweenthetwotests.Airflowisgeneratedinsideanairchamberanddrawnthroughtheportionofthemaskthat’stypicallywornoverthenoseandmouth.Photo:BillCotton/ColoradoStateUniversityEachmasksampleisclampedtothemachinetoformaperfectseal.Thelabdoesn’ttestmasksonamannequinbecausefitvariessomuchfrompersontoperson.Photo:BillCotton/ColoradoStateUniversityEachclothfacemasksampleissecuredtothetestequipmenttocreateaperfectsealforcontrolledfiltration-efficiencytesting.Mostpeopledon’twalkaroundwiththeedgesoftheirmasksgluedtotheirfaces,sotheresultsofthistestingspeakonlytothemaskmaterial’sabilitytofilterparticlesofvarioussizes(theytellusnothingaboutthemask’sfit).Photo:ChristianL'Orange/ColoradoStateUniversityAirflowisgeneratedinsideanairchamberanddrawnthroughtheportionofthemaskthat’stypicallywornoverthenoseandmouth.Photo:BillCotton/ColoradoStateUniversityBecauseadd-infiltersrarelycoveramaskfromedgetoedge,wemustacknowledgethatthereal-lifefiltrationefficienciesformanyofthesemasksarelowerthantheaveragedresultssuggest—evenifthemasksarewornperfectly.Thisisbecauseafractionofinhaledparticleswill“takethepathofleastresistance”andreachthenoseormouththroughportionsofthefabricthatthefilterdoesn’treach,L’Orangesaid.Nevertheless,“addingafilterisn’tgoingtohurt,”headded.“Itcanonlyhelp,unlessitmakesthemasksouncomfortablethatyouwon’twearitproperly.”Still,theresultsofferaquantitativemeansforcomparison,evenifwecan’ttakethematfacevalue.Keepinmind,too,thatmaskswithdifferentfiltrationefficienciesmaynotbeasfaroffastheyseem.“Giventheuncertaintiesinmeasurementsandfit,there’snotabigdifferencebetween80%and95%,”Marrexplained.Still,shesaid,“Ifyou’reinahigh-risksituation,likeaverycrowdedindoorsettingwithlotsofunvaccinatedpeopleandyouyourselfareunvaccinated,thenIwouldgowiththebestmaskavailable.”(Incontrast,sheadded,ifyou’refullyvaccinatedandwillingtoacceptatinybitofrisk,andthevenuesallowyoutogomask-free,youcanstopwearingyourmask.)Finally,it’simportanttonotethateventhoughnotallthemasksperformedwellatthesmallerparticlediameters(aerosolsize),allofthemdidwellonthebiggerparticles(dropletsize).Thetiniestdiameter,at0.5micron,isclosetotheworst-casescenario.Inreallife,manyoftheparticlesyou’relikelytoencounterwillactuallybefairlylarge,L’Orangesaid:Particlesgeneratedfrombreathingcanbeaslargeas5microns,andthosefromtalkingaslargeas10micronsormore.Manyofthemaskswetestedfilteredaround50%ormoreofthelargerparticlesinthelab’stests.“AlthoughtheCOVID-19virusisquitesmall,thevirustypicallyleavesaperson’sbodycontainedinliquiddroplets,whicharemuch,muchlargerthanthevirusitself.Ifwecanpreventthespreadofthevirus-containingdroplets,wecangoalongwayincontainingthevirusitself,”L’Orangeexplained.What’smore,ifyou’rewearingatwo-layermask,andthepersonnexttoyouiswearingthesamemask,you’reeachprotectedbyfourlayersoffiltration.“Alittlebit[ofprotection]fromalotofpeoplecangoalongway,”saidL’Orange.Herearethefiltrationefficiencies(percentageofparticlesfiltered)ofthematerialsfromourfavoritemaskswithrespecttoparticlesize(inmicrons).Clothmaskswithoutfiltersperformedpoorlyinfiltering0.5-micronparticles,thesmallestthelabusesforthistest(theSARS-CoV-2canbefoundinparticlesastinyas4.7microns,accordingtoa2020paper).Thosemaskswithincorporatedfiltersblockedthetiniestparticlesbest.Mostcloth-maskmaterialswetestedfilteredcloseto95%of10-micronparticles,thedropletequivalentofjust-visiblespittleemittedduringcoughing,sneezing,and—sometimes—talking.Data:Volckenslab,ColoradoStateUniversity/Chart:WirecutterThetrade-offwithdense,multi-layeredclothmaterialsisthattheytendtobemoredifficulttobreathethrough.Fortunately,masksintroducedlaterinthepandemicthatincorporateeffectivepolypropylenefilters,suchastheEnroandHappyMasksPro,haveallowedthesenon-disposablemaskstolightenupquiteabit.Indeterminingourpicks,welookedformasksthatwethoughtwouldfitmostpeoplewellandofferedagoodbalancebetweenfiltrationefficiencyandbreathability(whichweevaluatedbyconsideringthelab’s“pressuredrop”scorebutmoresoourexperiencewearingthem).Allofthesefactorsareequallyimportant.AsL’Orangeexplained:“Youhavetoaskyourself,whichmaskwillyouusethatwillhelpyoubethemostcompliant?Idon’tcareifamaskis99%efficientifyou’renotwearingitcorrectly.”Weplottedthepercentageof0.5-micronparticlesblockedbyourfavoritemasks(filtrationefficiency)againsthoweasytheyweretobreathethrough(pressuredrop).Asthegraphsuggests,themostbreathablemasksalsotendtobetheleastprotectiveagainstthesmallestparticles.Data:Volckenslab,ColoradoStateUniversity/Chart:WirecutterOurfavoritefilter-incorporatedmasksTheseclothmaskshaveafiltersewninbetweenthefabriclayers.Assumingagoodseal,afew—includingtheHappyMasksProandtheEnroTech—protectalmostaswellasthemedical-stylemasks,whilebeingeasiertoadjustandarguablymoresustainable.Andthoughchancesaregoodthattheirhighfiltrationefficiencywon’tlastwithprolonged,rigorouswashandwear,they’llstillbemoreprotectivethanall-clothmaskswithasimilarfit.Bestbalanceoffit,comfort,filtration,andbreathability:EnroTechMaskTheEnroTechisbyfarthebest-fittingandmostprotectiveyetbreathablemaskwe’vetested.Itcomesinscoresofdesignsandismachine-washable.Photo:SarahKobosTheEnroTechin(clockwisefromtopleft)ActiveBlue,InBloomBlue&Pink,DarkBlueTieDye,andInBloomBlue&Pink.Photos:WirecutterStaffTheEnroTechin(clockwisefromtopleft)ActiveBlue,InBloomBlue&Pink,DarkBlueTieDye,andInBloomBlue&Pink.Photos:WirecutterStaffTheEnroTechisbyfarthebest-fittingandmostprotectiveyetbreathablemaskwe’vetested.Itcomesinscoresofdesignsandismachine-washable.Photo:SarahKobosOurpickEnroTechMaskBestbalanceoffit,comfort,filtration,andbreathabilityTheEnroTechMask,availableinsizesXXSthroughXL,hasabendynose-bridgewireandadjustableearloops,anditshouldfitmostfaceswell.Inlabtests,thismaskfiltered99%of0.5-micronparticles.BuyingOptions$17fromEnroConstruction:three-ply;polyesterouterlayer,melt-blownpolypropylenefilterlayer,cottoninnerlayerSizesanddimensions(heightbywidth):5.375by7.5inches(XXS),5.5by8inches(XS),5.75by8.5inches(S),6.125by9inches(M),6.625by9.5inches(L),7.5by9.5inches(XL)Filter:incorporatedWhywelikeit:TheEnroTechMask(previouslycalledtheEnroFaceMask)iseasilyourfavoritemasktowear,andevenourkidtesters(whotriedthekidsandyouthsizesforourguidetomasksforkids)approved.Comparedwithourotherrecommendations,theEnroTechMaskfeelslighterandmorebreathable.Yetit’sthemostfiltration-efficientclothmaskwe’vetested—blockingout99%of0.5-micronparticles,accordingtothelabtestingwecommissioned.Youcanchoosefromsixsizesandfurthercustomizethefitwiththismask’spliablenose-bridgewireandadjustableearloops.(Abeadincorporatedintotheloopsingeniouslypreventsthecordstoppersfromslippingoff.)Thecompanyrecentlylaunchedanupgradedversion,calledtheEnroCurvMask,whichtentshigheroffthefaceandincludesamoreexpansivefilterlayer;itcosts$5more.(WeplantotesttheEnroCurvsoon.)Flawsbutnotdealbreakers:ComparedwiththeHappyMasksPro(andEnro’snewestmodel,theEnroCurvMask),theEnroTechMaskhaslessclearanceoverthenoseandmouth,whichmeansslightlylesscirculationoffilteredairabovetheface(thoughitdidn’tbotherourtesters).Inaddition,theTech’sfilterdoesn’textendthroughtheentireexpanseofthefabriclikethefiltersintheCurvandHappyMasksProdo.Soparticlescouldpotentiallyseepthroughthethinnermargins,makingtheprotectivecapabilitieslikelylessinrealitythanthelabresultssuggest.We’llbetryingouttheCurvMasksoonandwillreportback.Welab-testedthefiltrationefficiencyofanEnromaskafteralmostsixmonthsofadmittedlyroughreal-lifeuse:wornandmachine-washedabout48timeswithhouseholdlaundryonthewarm-watersetting(so,potentiallyhigherthanthe100degreesFahrenheitrecommendedbyEnro),andthenthrowninadryerona90-minute“timeddry”cycle(probablyhotterthantheEnro’srecommendationtotumble-dryonlow).Theresult: Whentestedinthelab,theusedEnromaskdemonstratedabout44%filtrationefficiencyfor0.5-micronparticles, lessthanhalfofthevaluewesawwithabrand-newEnro(thoughstilltwotoalmostfourtimesbetterthanaclothmaskwornwithoutafilter).Tobefair,ourexperimentwasunscientific,andthecompanytoldusthatifthemaskstartedtolookweathered(whichthisonedid),itwasprobablytimetoreplaceit.Butwedowonderifthemaskwouldactuallymaintainitsfiltrationefficiencyupto100washes,asEnroclaims,evenifthecareinstructionswerefollowedtotheletter.We’lldiveintothisissuewithfurthertesting.Inthemeantime,air-dryingthemaskmayhelplengthenitslife.Highfiltration,generousclearance:HappyMasksProPhoto:SarahKobosPhoto:SarahKobosPhoto:SarahKobosOurpickHappyMasksProHighfiltration,generousclearanceThismasktentsupoverthenoseandmouthmorethananyothermaskwetested.Soit’smorecomfortableandbreathablethanifitsatflatterontheface.Inlabtests,itfilteredoutaround94%of0.5-micronparticles.Thedrawback:It’shand-wash-only.BuyingOptions$24fromHappyMasksConstruction:five-ply;polyesterinnerandouterlayer,nanofiberfilterlayer,non-wovenfilterlayerSizesanddimensions(heightbywidth):5.3by7.9inches(S),6.7by9.3inches(M),6.9by9.6inches(L),7.3by10inches(XL)Filter:incorporatedWhywelikeit:Aftergettingadesignupdateearlierthisyear(enhancingchincoverage),theHappyMasksPro—along-timepickinourguidetothebestkidsmasks—finallyofferedasecurefitfortheadultsonourpanel.What’smore,themask(whichthecompanycalls“parrotbeak”–shaped)stilltentshigherupoverthenoseandmouththananyotherclothfacemaskwetried.Soitenablesmorefilteredairtocirculateoveryournoseandmouthandfeelsmorecomfortable.Ourlabtestfoundthatitblocksaround94%of0.5-micronparticles,assumingagoodseal—which(alongwiththeEnromask)offersmoreprotectionthanProperCloth’sTheEverydayMaskandthepocketedclothmaskswetested.Adjustableearloopsandthreesizesmeanthatagoodsealisrealisticallyachievableformanyfacetypes.ThecompanyrecentlylaunchedanupgradedstylecalledtheUltra,whichissaidtohaveastrongernose-bridgewireandadditional“innersupport”(soitcanbemachine-washedaswellashand-washed).Weplanontestingthisversionofthemasksoon.Flawsbutnotdealbreakers:HappyMaskshasstruggledtomeetdemandinrecentmonths.Andyoucurrentlymustjoinalengthywaitlisttoorderthesemasks.TheHappyMasksPromustbehand-washedandair-dried.(ThenewHappyMasksUltra,whichcosts$5more,canbemachine-washed.Butthere’sawaitlistforthataswell,sowehaven’ttestedityet.)Accordingtoourlabresults,theEnromaskmaybeabitmorebreathable,givenitspressuredropof2.2mmH2O(similartothatofthemuch-less-filtratingall-cottonBaggu,andlessthanhalfthatoftheHappyMasksPro’s4.6mmH2O).(Thehigherthepressuredrop,theharderitistobreathe.)Inreality,though,mostadultsdidn’tfeelmuchofadifference,thoughafewoftheschool-agedpanelistsinourguidetokidsmasksdid.Welab-testedaPromask,washedandwornbyastafferroughly36times(sometimeshand-washedandair-driedasdirected,butalsosometimesinadvertentlythrowninthewashingmachineanddryer).Whenwetestedthismaskinthelab,wediscoveredthefiltrationefficiencyhadbeenreducedtoabout30%.HappyMasksPro’sownthird-partytestinghasshownthatitretainsitshighfiltrationefficiencyafter50washes.Weplanonfiltration-testingthenewHappyMasksUltrainthelabsoon,bothfreshoutofthepackageandmachine-washed,withtheinstructionsrigorouslyfollowed.Apuffed-upsilhouette:ProperClothTheEverydayMaskThefilter-includedProperClothEverydayMask,showningreymelangecotton,scoredabout75%filtrationefficiencyfor0.5-micronparticles.Thismaskisavailablewithback-of-headbandsorearloops,andcoloroptionsaresubjecttochange.Photo:SarahKobosTheProperClothEverydayMaskindarkandlightgreymelangecotton.Photos:WirecutterStaffTheProperClothEverydayMaskindarkandlightgreymelangecotton.Photos:WirecutterStaffThefilter-includedProperClothEverydayMask,showningreymelangecotton,scoredabout75%filtrationefficiencyfor0.5-micronparticles.Thismaskisavailablewithback-of-headbandsorearloops,andcoloroptionsaresubjecttochange.Photo:SarahKobosOurpickProperClothTheEverydayMaskLotsofchoices,withapuffed-upsilhouetteThisstylishmaskhasgoodclearanceoffthenoseandmouthand—thankstoasewn-infilter—decentfiltrationefficiency.Youcanchoosebetweenadjustableheadbandsandearloops,bothofwhichprovideagoodfit.BuyingOptions$20fromProperCloth(earloops)Construction:three-ply;variousmaterialsdependingoncolorchoice,includingcotton,linen,andcotton-linenblendsforbothinnerandouterlayersSizesanddimensions(heightbywidth):5.8by8.2inches(small),6.5by9.4inches(large)Filter:incorporatedWhywelikeit:ProperCloth’sTheEverydayMask,madebytheshirtcompanyofthesamename,hasatailored,dressed-uplook.Itoffersmoderateprotectionagainstthesmallestparticleswetested,assumingagoodseal(about75%filtrationefficiencyfor0.5-micronparticles).The2.0versionwetriedpuffsupabovethefacemorethantheothermaskswetested(exceptfortheHappyMasksPro,aswellastheEnroCurv,whichweplantotestsoon).TheProperClothmaskinSmallfitparticularlywellonpanelistswho’vefoundthatmostmasksthey’vetriedhavefelttoobigforthem.Thecompanynowsellsasubtlytweakeddesign—the2.1—whichslightlyreducesthebulkattheouteredgeofthemask.Italsorecentlyintroducedakidsversion,calledtheEverydayMask95EC,madefromcottonandpolyester.WelikethatTheEverydayMaskcomesinanear-loopversion(fortake-on-take-offease),aswellasinanear-friendlyheadbandformat(forextended-wearsituations).Youcanalsochoosefromanarrayofbeachyfabricsandcolors.Whenwetestedthefiltrationefficiencyofthemaskincottonandincotton-linen—backbeforethecompanyintroducedthesewn-infilter—wefoundthattheformerwasslightlymoreprotectivethanthelatter,assumingaperfectseal.Flawsbutnotdealbreakers:Labtestingrevealeda75%filtration-efficiencyratingfor0.5-micronparticles,assumingatightseal;thisisn’tasimpressiveasresultsfortheEnroandHappyMasksPro,butit’sstillmuchmorepotentiallyprotectivethanwhatcloth-onlymasksprovide.Thefilterdoesn’textendtomatchtheouterlayeredgetoedge;inreal-worldusethatmeansthismaskwillprobablyfiltersomewhatlesswellthanthelabresultssuggest.Thenose-bridgewireislesssturdythanthatoftheGrafLantzandKitsbowmasks,soyoumaybemorelikelytoexperiencefoggingglasses.Althoughtheincorporatedfilterisconvenient,itdoesaddhefttothemask,makingitfeelstifferandheavierthaneventhefilter-incorporatedEnroandHappyMasksPro.Themaskdoescomeinlighterfabrics,suchasall-linen.Butwehaven’ttestedthoseversionsforfiltrationefficiencyandbreathability.Areadercomplainedofmangledelastics,thoughwehaven’texperiencedthatproblemyet—tobesafe,air-dryyourmasksinsteadofmachine-dryingthem.ProperClothrecommendshand-washingitsmasks,thoughitnotesthatmachine-washingthemisfine.Welikethatthefilterismachine-washable,too.And,accordingtoourtest,thefilterstillworksafteroneruninthelaundry.MaskswithremovablefiltersAmongthefirstclothmaskstobesoldinthepandemic,thesemasksaretypicallymadewithpolyester,cotton,linen,nylon,orsomeotherfabriccombination.Ourrecommendationsarealldesignedwithapocketsoyoucanslipinafilter,eitherincludedorsoldseparately.Youcanwearthesemaskswithorwithouttheaddedfilter.Addingthefiltertendstomakethesemaskshardertobreathethrough.Yetwhenwornwithoutone,they’renotnearlyasgoodasourfilter-incorporatedormedical-stylemaskpicksatblockingoutsmallparticles.However,theydocomeinanarrayofstylesandmaybeagoodoptioninlow-risk,short-durationsituations.Versatileandadjustable,withroomtobreathe:GrafLantzZenbuOrganicCottonFaceMask(withfilter)TheGrafLantzZenbuOrganicCottonFaceMaskinolive.Itspart-pleat,part-conedesignleavesmoreroombetweentheclothandyournosecomparedwithmostothermasks.Photo:SarahKobosTheGrafLantzZenbuOrganicCottonFaceMaskin(clockwisefromtopleft)tomato,cloud,black,andolive.Photo:SarahKobosTheGrafLantzZenbuOrganicCottonFaceMaskin(clockwisefromtopleft)tomato,cloud,black,andolive.Photo:SarahKobosTheGrafLantzZenbuOrganicCottonFaceMaskinolive.Itspart-pleat,part-conedesignleavesmoreroombetweentheclothandyournosecomparedwithmostothermasks.Photo:SarahKobosOurpickGrafLantzZenbuOrganicCottonFaceMask(withfilter)Versatile,adjustable,witharemovablefilterandroomtobreatheThismasktentsupoverthenoseandmouth,moresothanmostclothmasks.Sothefabricdoesn’tgetinthewayofbreathingortalking.Itsfilter(removableandsoldseparately)boostsfiltration,providingadditionalprotectionagainstincomingandoutgoingparticles.BuyingOptionsBuyfromAmazon$22fromGrafLantz*Atthetimeofpublishing,thepricewas$22.Construction:two-ply;organiccottontwillouterlayer,organiccottonpoplininnerlayerSizesanddimensions(heightbywidth):7by8.5inches(regular,expanded),3.75by8.5inches(regular,flat),6.5by7.5inches(petite,expanded),2.5by7.5inches(petite,flat)Filter:soldseparatelyWhywelikeit:Thismaskismadefromtightlywovencottontwill—perhapsthesturdiest-feelingfabricinanyofourpickswithremovablefilters.Alongwiththeremovablefilter,themask’sdensefabrichelpsitblockoutthesmallestparticlesbetterthanalltheothertwo-plycottonmaskswelab-testedwiththeircorrespondingfilters:around90%forthesmallestparticleswetested(0.5micron),assumingatightseal.(Wealsothinkthecrisptwillgivesthemaskadressierlookthanotherswetried.)Moreimportant,wefoundthatatightsealismoreeasilyachievedwiththismaskthanwithmostothers:TheGrafLantzZenbuhasoneofthesturdiestnose-bridgewireswetested;itbendswhereyouneedittoandkeepsitsshapewithoutfeelingtoostiff.Ourtestersfoundthatthismasksealedoffatthetopbetterthanmost,reducingthepotentialforglassesfogging.AswiththeProperClothmask,dartsonthesidesoftheGrafLantzZenbutentupthemiddle,soyourmouthandnosedon’tfeelasconstricted.SimilarinshapetotheBaggumask,theGrafLantzhasextramaterialatthetopandbottomthatprovidesadditionalcoverageofyournoseandchin;thisisusefulifyouwillbetalking(oryawning)whilewearingthismask.Includingtheremovablefilter(soldseparately)booststhismask’sfiltrationefficiency.Flawsbutnotdealbreakers:Somepanelistscomplainedthatthefabricpoppedinandoutwitheveryinhaleandexhale(acommontrade-offwhenyouhaveagoodseal);anothersaidthefabricfelttoostiff.UnlikewiththeKitsbowmasks,theseparatelysoldfiltersdon’tspantheentireGrafLantzmask’sshapeexactly,sotheydon’toptimizethepotentialforprotection.Also,at3.5inches,theopeningtothefilterpocketisaggravatinglysmall(thoughnotassmallasthatoftheRendallCo.mask),sostuffingitrequiressomepatience.ThePM2.5filtersaresoldseparately,soyouneedtoplunkdownanadditional$12(fora10-pack)or$50(fora50-pack)fortheaddedbenefit.GrafLantzwarnsthatthenose-bridgewiremaybreakifyoufolditcompletelyinhalf,thoughwehaven’texperiencedanyissuesinthatregard.Heavyandlightweightoptions,secureheadbands:KitsbowFaceMask(withfilter)TheKitsbowFaceMaskinbuff(left)andProvidencegrey(right).Thesolid-colorversionsfeelthickerthantheplaids,andtheyfilteredalargerpercentageofthesmallestparticlesinlabtesting.Photo:SarahKobosTheKitsbowFaceMaskin(clockwisefromtopleft)Killingtonblue,drygrass,buff,andProvidencegrey.Photo:SarahKobosTheKitsbowFaceMaskin(clockwisefromtopleft)Killingtonblue,drygrass,buff,andProvidencegrey.Photo:SarahKobosTheKitsbowFaceMaskinbuff(left)andProvidencegrey(right).Thesolid-colorversionsfeelthickerthantheplaids,andtheyfilteredalargerpercentageofthesmallestparticlesinlabtesting.Photo:SarahKobosOurpickKitsbowFaceMask(withfilter)Heavyandlightweightoptions,secureheadbandsStuffedwithitsassociatedfilter,thismask—withsturdyelasticaround-the-headbands—fitourtesterscomfortablyandperformedmoderatelywellinindependentlabtestsforfiltrationandbreathability.BuyingOptions$25fromKitsbowConstruction:cottonduckouterlayer,cottonmuslininnerlayer(solidcolors);polyester-cottoninnerandouterlayers(plaids)Sizesanddimensions(heightbywidth):5.75by9.25inches(small),6.5by10inches(medium),7.25by10.75inches(large/XL)Filter:twoincluded;replacementsavailableWhywelikeit:TheKitsbowFaceMaskhasapleasinglypliablenose-bridgewireandagenerouscutthatresistsslippage.Wornfilterless,theheaviersolid-colorvarietiesfilterparticlesevenmoreefficientlythanthefilter-freeGrafLantzZenbudoes;theplaids,notsomuch,butthey’relighterandmorebreathable.Kitsbowistheonlybrandonourlistofferingaremovablefilterthatgenerouslyspanstheareaofthemaskitself,therebymaximizingthemask’sprotectivecapabilitiesasawhole.ThisalsomeanstheKitsbowmask’sreadingfromthelab(wemeasureditwiththeplaidversion)istruertoreal-lifeuse(again,assumingaproperfitandsubstantialseal)thanthatoftheGrafLantz,ProperCloth,ororiginalEnromask(allofwhichhavefiltersthatfailtocovertheentireexpanseofthemask’sfabric).What’smore,theKitsbowfeaturesapocketthat’sopenonbothends,allowingeasyfilterplacement.Themask’srangeofsizesandeasy-to-knotheadbandsbothmeanyouhaveahigherchanceoffindingagoodfit.Flawsbutnotdealbreakers:Thesolidversionplusthefiltermayprovidemaximumprotection,butforsomepeopletheKitsbowmightfeeltooheavytobreathethrough.Inaddition,thismask’sdimensionsallowforlessclearanceoverthenoseandmouththantheHappyMask,GrafLantz,andProperClothmasksdo.Theheadbands—thoughgreatforextended-wearsituations,orforthosewhowearhearingaids,glasses,orotherwiseprefernottohaveamasktouchingtheirears—arelesspracticalthanearloopsfortake-on-take-offsituations.Thebandsarealsothick,andtheyfeelmorecomfortablewornwellaboveandbelowtheearlobes(toavoidcrushingthem).OthergoodclothfacemaskswithfilterpocketsTheeasy-to-adjustmasksbelowappearedonourlistoffavoritesbeforeourDecember2020filtration-efficiencyandbreathabilitylabtests.Westillthinkthey’llfitmostfaceswellandcomfortably.Butusedasis,they’renotparticularlygoodparticleblockers.Thefirstthreedon’tcomewithfilters;thelast(Cottonique)includesremovablefiltersbut,liketheothers,hadamuchlowerfiltrationefficiencyvaluethanthatofourtoppicks.Inahigher-risksituation,wesuggestdoublingthemupwithasurgical-stylemaskoraddingyourownfilters.Ifyou’relookingforbrightcolorsorwhimsicaldesigns:TheroomyBagguFabricMask(earloops)coveredandsealedcomfortablyforjustabouteveryoneonourpanel,andeachthree-packcomeswithanarrayoffundesigns,includingdaisiesandbrightcolorcombos.Theinnerlayeristhesamefabricastheouterlayer,sopeoplewhohavesensitiveskinandarenotdoublemaskingmayprefertheKitsboworGrafLantzmasks;bothofthosehavesoftercottoninnerlayers.Ifyouwantsomethinglightweight:Despiteitssimple,slimdesignandrelativelylowprice,HerschelClassicFittedFaceMaskissurprisinglygenerousincut,leavingspacebetweenthenostrilsandcloth.Yetitdoesn’teasilyslipwhenyoutalk.Theeasy-to-access sleeve(ontheundersideoftheinnerlayer)meansaddingafilteriseasyaswell.Ifyourearsgetsore,theenclosedplasticfastener,whichhashooksatbothends,attachesthetwoearloopstoeachotherbehindyourheadtorelievepressure.TheprominentHerschellabelmaybeaturnoffforsomefolks,however,andpeoplewithalargerchin,longerface,orhighernosebridgemayfindthatthismasklacksverticalcoverage.Ifyouhavealargefaceorabeard:TheRendallCo.Sentrymaskconsistsofagenerousswathofmaterialthattuckswellunderthechinifyouneeditto,andacleverdrawstringsystemletsitadjustmoreeasilythanmosttie-onmasks.Butthefilter-pocketopeningisverysmall(about3inches),andslippinginafilter(notincluded)requiresbothdexterityandpatience.Giventhatthetiesmakeiteasierontheears,youmayjustwanttodoubleupwithasurgicalmaskifyou’reinasituationthatrequiresextraprotection.Thismaskmaybetoobigforsmall-ishfaces,particularlyaroundthechin.Ifyouhavesensitiveskin:Thecotton-knitCottoniqueElitePlusHypoallergenicFaceMask,whenwornwithitsremovablefilter,blockedmoresmallparticlesthansomeofthecotton-wovendesignswetested.Itfeelslikethethick,softcottonofafavoritetee,includingtheadjustableearstraps.Offeringamplecurve-conformingcoverage,themaskcomesinatwo-packwith10filtersandtwosetsofcordstoppers.Somepeoplemightfindthestraps,whichyoupullthroughloopsandleavehangingbytheears,weird-lookingandpronetoslipping.Butyoucanalwaystiethemunderyourchinorbehindyourhead.ConsideramaskwardrobeSincewearingamaskisthenewnormal,you’lllikelywanttohaveafewonhand.Thatway,you’llalwayshaveabackupattheready,aswellassomeleewayifyoudon’tgettothelaundryasplanned.Ifyoufindamaskyoulove,itmaybebesttobuymultiplesofthatstyle.Youmayalsoconsidercollectingahandfulofdifferentstyles,onesthataremoreorlesspracticalfordifferentsituations.Themaskyoumightchoosetowearforatriptothegrocerystore,forexample,isn’tnecessarilythesametypeyou’dreachforwhenexercising.Keepyourmasksaccessible.Storetheminabinoronhooksnearthedoorsoyou’relesslikelytorushoutwithoutone.Ifyou’reusingfiltersinamaskpocket,havethematthereadytoo.Stashaspareortwoinatoteoryourcar.Thisway,iftheoneyou’rewearinggetsdirtyorwet,you’llhaveanotherhandy.“Virusesthrivewheninwet,warmmaterials,”theKirbyInstitute’sRainaMacIntyresaid.“Awetmaskbecomesanincubator.Takeitoffimmediatelywithouttouchingthefacepieceandputonanewone.”Gatherarangeofmaterialsandmaskshapes.Berealisticaboutwhatyou’llbewillingtowearindifferentsituations.Tryanew-to-youmaskonathomesothatyoucanevaluatethefitandyourcomfortbeforewearingitinpublic.Ifyoucanbuymorethanonemasktype,considerchoosingoneforrainydays,withatoplayertreatedinsuchawayastopreventdropletsfromsoakingin.(TheHappyMaskProandEnromaskshavesomelevelofwaterresistance.Noneofthemarewaterproof,soyou’llneedtochangeyourmaskifitdoesstartpouring.)Includeamixoffasteners.Earloopstendtobeeasytoputonandtakeoff,whichisidealforrunningimpromptuerrandsanddiningoutside.Forlonger-termwear,youmaywantamaskwithtiesorheadbands,whichputlesspressureonyourears.Howtoimproveamaskyoualreadyown(plusmaskaccessorieswelike)Typically,wornmasksarenon-refundableanddifficulttodonate.But,dependingontheissue,youmightbeabletoimprovemattersandkeeptheproblemmaskinyourrotation.Here’swhattodo.Ifapleatedmaskgapesaroundyourcheeks:Thisproblemiscommon—mostpeopledon’thavearectangularface.Ifthemask’sbandsdon’thelpsealoffthesides,tryaddingachainofthreerubberbands,asthisclevertechniquedemonstrates.Thisfoldingtrick(video)wasdevisedfordisposablesurgical-typemasks.Butitmayhelpwithclothonestoo,especiallyifyoustitchthecreasesinplace.TheFixtheMasksiteoffersadownloadabletemplateformakingamaskbraceoutofarubbersheet,anditalsosellspre-madeones(whichwehaven’tyettested).Ifthemaskistoobig:Ifamask’searloopsarethinenough,tieknotsneartheendsoraddanappropriatelysizedcord-locktoggle.Ifthefastenersaretoothick,secureasmallpieceofyarnorstringasclosetotheendsofeachloopasappropriate.YoucanalsothreadastrapofVelcrothroughthetwoearloopssothemaskattachesatthebackofyourhead.Iftheear-loopelasticshurtyourearsorinterferewithhearingaidsorheadphones:Afteryou’vewornearloopsforafewhours,thatpressurecanbepainful.Youcantry“earsavers,”buttheVelcrotrickworksforthispurpose,too.Ifthemaskdoesn’tsealaroundyournosebridge:Youcanupgradewire-freeclothmasksbysewinginyourownaluminumstrips.Supermarkettwisttiescanwork,too,saidJuanHinestroza,anassociateprofessoroffiberscienceatCornellUniversity.TheBestAnti-FogforGlassesandaMaskAloose-fittingmaskcanleadtofoggyglasses.Ifyoudon’twanttotapethetopofyourmasktoyourface,anti-fogdropsmighthelp.(Somightsoaporspit.)Ifthemaskfabricgetsupinyournoseormouthwhenyoubreathe:Maskbracketstentthefabricupoveryournoseandmouthandmaintainthespaceevenasyouinhale.Takenote,though,thattheseworkonlywithgenerouslycutmasks,whichmaintainagoodsealevenasthecentralportionisproppedup.Theseadd-onsarealsoiffyforsensitiveskintypes:Madefromplasticorsilicone,theycancausefrictionandirritationiftheydon’tfitproperly,saidPhiladelphiadermatologistCarrieKovarik.ClothfacemaskFAQsandtipsWhatisdoublemasking?Withgrowingconcernsovermore-contagiouscoronavirusvariants,morepeoplearedoublemasking—thatis,wearingasurgical-stylemaskunderneathaclothfacemask.Asurgical-stylemask(assumingit’slegitimateandmadeofnon-wovenmaterials)offersgreatfiltration,whileagoodclothfacemaskcanbeadjustedtosecureagoodfit.Thetwomasksworkintandemtomaximizebothfitandfiltrationoverall.Infact,aCDCstudyontwodummyheadsconcludedthatwhenbothdummiesweredoublemaskedwithasurgical-stylemaskandawell-fittingclothfacemaskoverit,thetransmissionofpotentiallyinfectiousaerosolswasreducedbyaround95%.(Thestudyalsofoundthatpeoplecanachievesimilareffectsbywearingjustalegitimatesurgicalmaskbutknottingitsearloopsandtuckinginitssides,asshowninthisvideo.)WhataboutBuffs,neckgaiters,andfaceshields?Neckgaiters,suchasthosefromBuff,gainedsuddennotorietyinearlyAugust2020whenheadlinesdeclaredthatwearingthemwasworsethanwearingnomaskatall.Lostintheconversation,however,wasthefactthatgaiterscomeindifferentmaterialsandcanbewornindifferentways—resultingindifferentdegreesofprotectionagainstthereleaseofdroplets,dependingonhowtheresultsaremeasured.ADukeUniversitystudy,whichunintentionallysparkedtheruckus,lookedatonelayerofaparticularpolyester-spandexdesignusinganovelcontraption(theactualtopicofthepaper).Whentheresearchersanalyzedthesprayemergingfromthegaiterwearer’smouth,thethreads,astheteamhypothesized,seemedtohavebrokenupthelargerdropletsintosmallerones,potentiallymakingthemmoreeasilyinhaledbypeoplearoundthewearer.However,otherresearchers,usingmore-conventionalexperimentalapproaches,havefoundthatgaiterscanbequiteprotective—especiallywhenworndoubledover(asexplainedinthisnon-peer-reviewedpreprintPDF)or,evenbetter,withtheadditionofapapertowel(asdescribedinanon-peerproof-of-conceptstudy).Aswithregularclothfacemasks,thekeyistocreatemultiplelayersandagoodseal.Onedisadvantageofwearingagaiteristhatremovingitcanbetricky.Todosowithoutpotentiallycontaminatingyourself,slipyourhandsinsideatthebottomedge,sothatyoucanusethebackofyourhandstostretchthefabricinoppositedirectionsandliftthegarmentoverandoffyourhead.Washyourhandsafterward.Afaceshieldcanprotectyoureyesandblockbigdropletsfromdirect-to-the-facecoughsandsneezes.Whetheritblockssmallerdropletsisapointofcontroversy.Itdoesn’tsealoffthelowerpartofyourface,afterall,sotheoreticallydropletscandriftinandoutfromundertheshield.Andanot-yet-peer-reviewedpreprintissuedinOctober2020byresearchersattheCDC’sNationalInstituteforOccupationalSafety&Healthreportedthatshieldsblockedonly2%ofaerosolsemittedbyacoughsimulator—worsethanadrugstore-varietythree-plyclothfacemask(whichblocked51%)andasingle-layerpolyesterneckgaiter(47%).TheCDCdoesnotadviseusingshieldsinplaceofmasks,nordomanydoctors.“Weareonlyrecommendingfaceshieldsinspecialsituationsforourpatients,suchasthosewhohaveuniquefacialanatomyoranunderlyingdisorderthatmaymakemaskwearingdifficult,”FeliciaScaggsHuang,associatedirectorofinfectionpreventionandcontrolatCincinnatiChildren’sHospitalMedicalCenter,toldusinaJune2020interview.However,asseveralexpertspointedout,shieldshavesomeadvantagesovermasksinparticularsituations,andcertainlytheyprovideaddedbenefitswhenpeopleweartheminadditiontomasks.“Becausetheshieldishighlyreusable,they’revaluableforhealth-careworkerswhoneedtokeeptheirN95cleanforlonger,”saidRonShaffer,formerchiefofresearchfortheNationalPersonalProtectiveTechnologyLaboratoryattheCDC’sNIOSH.Faceshieldsmayalsobeusefulasextraprotectionforthosewhoarewearingaclothmaskinotherclose-rangesituations.HowdoIpreventmaskne(andrelatedskinconcerns)?“Maskne,”orface-mask-associatedacne,isarealityformanypeople.Ifyouconsistentlybreakoutinarashoracnewhenyouwearaclothfacemask,looktothelayerofthemaskthatliesclosesttoyourface.Thedispersedyesontheclothcanmigrateontoskinandcauseskintobecomesensitized.Somesyntheticfabrics,suchaspolyesterornylon,canimpairtheskinbarrierandinciteinflammation,saiddermatologistTeresaOrangesoftheUniversityofPisa’swoundresearchunit,whohaswrittenonthetopic.(Microfibermaybemoretolerable,thoughcotton,shesaid,“isthebestmaterialintermsofirritationprevention.”)TheAmericanAcademyofDermatologyhasadditionaltips.Somefabricsmayalsochaplips.Tomitigatelipirritation,beforedonningamask,slickpetroleumjellyontoyourlips—it’sbetteratstayingputandsealinginmoisturethanlipbalms,saidPhiladelphiadermatologistCarrieKovarik.HowdoIreduceglassesfoggingwithafacemask?Choosingawell-fittingmask,ideallywithamoldablenose-bridgewire,shouldhelpalleviatethecommonproblemofglassesorothereyewearfoggingwhenyournoseandmoutharecoveredwithcloth.Themosteffectivewaytoreducefoggingwhenyou’rewearingamaskistocreateabettersealbetweenthetopofthemaskandyourskin,leavinglessroomforairtoescapeyourmaskandreachyourglasses.Sofarwe’vetestedahandfulofanti-fogsprays,gels,andwipesagainsthouseholdsurfactants(suchasbabyshampooandbarsoap),andwe’vefoundthatUltraClarity’sDefogItdropsarethemostcompatiblewithdifferentlenstypesandcoatings.However,inourexperience,coatingourlensesinspitworkedjustaswelltoreduceglassesfogginginsomecases.WhatifIhavearespiratoryconditionorotherdisabilitythatprecludeswearingaconventionalclothmask?Variousrespiratory-medicinegroupsissuedastatementonthisveryconcern.Theysuggestworkingwithyourdoctortofindasolutionthatworksforyoursituation.Forinstance,evenifafaceshieldisn’taseffectiveasclothfacemasks,wearingoneisbetterthanwearingnothingatall.AsAlbertRizzo,chiefmedicalofficeroftheAmericanLungAssociation,pointedout,thosewith“underlyingchroniclungdiseaseshouldbeabletowearanon-N95facialcoveringwithoutaffectingtheiroxygenandcarbondioxidelevels.”But,headded,doctorsshouldapproachtheproblemonacase-by-casebasis.Forpeoplelivingwithotherswhodependonlipreading,theNationalAssociationoftheDeafprovidessomeguidelines.Maskswithsee-throughpanels(suchasthesemasks)mayhelpwithlipreading.Withlow-risksituationsandsocialdistancing,faceshieldsmaymakecommunicationeasier;otherwise,textingcanalsobehelpful.Whataboutclothfacemasksforkids?Whenyou’reconsideringthedelicatebalancebetweencomfortandprotection,keepinmindthatforchildren,comforttendstowinout.Afterall,whatgoodisahighlyefficientfilterifyourkidrefusestowearit?AsLeonardoTrasande,aprofessorofenvironmentalmedicineandpopulationhealthatNYUSchoolofMedicine,pointedoutaboutclothmasksingeneral,“Ifitaddstocomfortandmoreconsistentlygetspeopletowearamaskthantheyotherwisewould,that’sanimportantfactortoconsider.”SeeWirecutter’sguidetothebestclothanddisposablefacemasksforkidsandtoddlersforourrecommendations.CareandmaintenanceLiketrustyT-shirts,thebestmasksaremachine-washable,sincetheycanbequicklycleanedandputbackintherotation.(Everymaskwerecommendcantoleratelaunderinginawashingmachine;wealsohaveadviceonhowtowashyourclothfacemasks.)Ifyoudon’thaveamachine,orifthemaskmanufactureradvisesotherwise,it’salsookaytohand-washthemask.Noneedtousehotwater:Heatcanshrinksomenaturalfabrics,anditcanalsohastenwearandtearovertime,particularlyforsyntheticmaterials.Alwayswashanewmaskbeforewearingitforthefirsttime.Andalwayswashyourhandsaftertouchingawornmaskandbeforetouchinganythingelse.Washyourmaskaccordingtothelabel.(Ifyou’veusedapolypropyleneorpaperfilter,removethatpiecefirstandthrowitoutimmediatelyorfollowthemanufacturer’sguidelines.)AstheCDCsuggests,youcanwashyourmaskwiththerestofyourclothing.Ingeneral,anylaundrydetergentwilldo,evensoap.Thecoronavirusiseasilybrokendownwithsoapandwater,whetherit’sonyourhandsoramask.“Thevirusisessentiallygeneticmaterialwrappedupinashelloflipidsandproteins.Soapliterallydissolvesitawayandmakesitdisintegrate,”saidHanaAkselrod,aninfectiousdiseasephysicianatGeorgeWashingtonUniversity.Noneedtousehotwater:Heatcanshrinksomenaturalfabrics,anditcanalsohastenwearandtearovertime,particularlyforsyntheticmaterials,saidCornellfiberscientistJuanHinestroza.Warmwaterisadequate(thoughforsomemasks,acoldwashispreferable—again,checkthemanufacturer’sinstructions).Dependingonthemanufacturer’sinstructions,youcandryyourclothmaskinthedryerorallowittoair-dry.Remember,though,thatheatacceleratesbreakdown,particularlywithelastics,saidMichaelKayeofFIT.Eitherway,makesurethemaskiscompletelydrybeforeyouwearitagain.Ifyoudecidetoironyourmask,avoidironingtheelastics.“Ifyou’reahealth-careworkerorotherwiseworkinahigh-riskoccupationforCOVID-19exposure,followyourworkplacerules,whichmayincludethemorestringentCDCguidelines,”saidAkselrod.“Butinaneverydayenvironment,youcanbasicallycleanyour(non-work)clothmaskasyouwouldyourusuallaundry.”Predictingthedurabilityofdifferentmaskfabricsis“challenging,”Hinestrozasaid.Itdependsonnotonlythefrequencyatwhichtheyarewornandwashedbutalsothehumiditylevelsbetweenyournoseandmouthandthemask.“Idonothaveexactdata,”hesaid,“butmyfeelingisthatthewearerwillbetiredofusingaparticularmaskfasterthanthemaskbecomingunusable.”WhattolookforwardtoWeplantotestthehigher-tentingEnroCurvMaskandthemachine-washableHappyMasksUltra.TheEnroCurvMask(whichcostsjustalittlemorethantheEnroTechMask)tentshigheroffthefaceandincludesamore-expansivefilterlayer.TheHappyMasksUltra(whichcostsafewdollarsmorethantheHappyMasksPro)hasastrongernose-bridgewireandmore-durableinnersupport;thecompanysaysthismakesthemaskmachine-washable.Weplantotestbothdesignupgrades,andwewillupdatethisguidewithourfindingssoon.ThecompetitionJustbecauseamaskisn’toneofourpicksdoesn’tmeanit’snogood.Somemasksmayworkwellforyourparticularfacialfeatures,circumstances,andpreferences.Theonlywaytoknowforsureistotryiton.Inearlysummer2020,whenwestartedouroriginaldraftofthisguide,wecouldn’trecommendthevastmajorityofmaskssoldonlinebecausetheydidn’tsatisfyourbasiccriteria—atleasttwolayers,afilterpocket,anose-bridgewire,adjustabilityaroundtheheadorears,and(unlesstheyhaveahigh-performancefiltersewnin)machine-washable.Themaskswedismissedoutrightatthetimeincludedmodelsfrommanypopularbrands,suchasEverlane’s100%HumanFaceMask(nofilterpocketornose-bridgewire);thebeloved,inexpensiveOldNavypleatedmasks(nofilterpocketornose-bridgewire);Madewell’sFaceMask(nofilterpocket,nowire,notmachine-washable);andtheearlyversionsofpleatedmasksfromGapandAthleta(nofilterpocketornose-bridgewire).Designedbyacompanythathaslongsolddisposablemedical-stylemasksforessentialworkers,the3MReusableDailyFaceMask(3-Pack)isaclothfacemaskmeantfortherestofus.Wehaven’tlab-testeditforfiltration,butthetwo-layercottonmaskisincrediblyopaquewhenhelduptothewindow(suggestingatightweave)andyetmorebreathablethanmost.It’sdesignedwithanose-bridgewireandexpansiveadjustableearloops.However,forafewtesters,itlackedatightsealorsattooclosetothemouth.Thesatiny-surfacedärFaceMaskcomeswithalightweightremovablefilter.Butwefounditsconstructionbafflinglyclumsy.Thenose-bridgewireandcushionattachestothedisposablefilterinsteadoftothe$30maskitself,renderingthelatterprettyuselessonceyougettiredofspending$11foranewthree-packoffilterseveryfewweeks(eachfilterlastsabout40hours,ortwoweeks).Wealsodon’tlikethatthisfilterismerelyVelcroedontothefabricatthreepoints;ithasatendencytobunchupwhilealsolyingdirectlyontheface,pickingupsweatandskinoils.Alas,the“selfcleaningfunction”appliesnottothefilterbuttothefabric.Finally,theclunkyadjustablebucklesandthethick,notveryelastickyelasticsthatformtheearloopsmakeitchallengingtoformatightseal.ThecozyBeatBasicmask—an“Amazon’sChoice”offeringwithmorethan25,000reviewslastwechecked—lackedafilterpocket,anditsearloopsfailedtooffersufficientelasticity.WelikedthebreathabilityandlightnessoftheBuffFilterMask,aswellasitseasilyadjustableheadbands(whichoperatesimilarlytofanny-packstraps).Butafteratestertookitoutonarun,thefabric,alongwiththefilter,becamecompletelyanduncomfortablydrenched.Wewishedthatittentedupmorefromtheskin.Admittedly,conditionshadreachedahumid90degreesFahrenheitthatday;evenso,withthematerialsoporous,wehadexpectedmoresweatwicking.Wealsowishedthatthefilterpocketstretchedhorizontallyacrossthemaskforaddedfiltrationefficiency.Thefour-ply,filter-incorporatedCopperCompressionCopperInfusedFaceMask,availableinatwo-pack,blocked83%of0.5-micronparticlesinlabtesting.Butbecauseofitsstifftexture,sometestershaddifficultyachievingagoodseal.Mostpeoplearelikelytofindalighter,morebreathablefeelwithEnro’smaskorProperCloth’sTheEverydayMask.WetriedtheFigsFionxProtectiveFaceMaskonlyinsizeM/LbecausetheS/Msizewassoldoutatthetime.Thelargersizeturnedouttobequitelarge(weconfirmedthatitcouldfitoveranN95respirator),albeitpleasinglysoft,andtheear-loopelasticswererelativelythickanddifficulttoadjustbyknotting.WepreviouslyrecommendedBananaRepublic’soriginalFaceMask,whichthecompanysoldinaneconomicalthree-pack.Itfitandfilteredbetterthanmostmasksinitspricerange,butitisnolongeravailable.Gap’sAdultContourMaskandthenow-discontinuedAthletaMadetoMoveMaskfeltniceandcameincutedesigns.Butbothweretooshort,whichcausedthesemaskstoslipeasilydownthenosesofourtesterswhentheyspoke.Thenose-bridgewiresalsodidn’tmoldwell.WefoundsimilarproblemswithBananaRepublic’snewerstyles,suchastheBananaRepublicFaceMask(2-Pack)withheadbandsandthepolyester-spandexBananaRepublicFlyweightFaceMask(3-Pack)withearloops.ThesamegoesforthenewerAthletaWomen’sActivateFaceMask2-Pack.TheprettyHedley&BennettWakeUp&Fightmasks,madefrombreathablecottonorcotton-polyester,hadthinner,easier-to-knotelasticsbutstillleftgapsforourtesterswithnarrowerfaces.Ifmostmasksaretoosmallforyou,thenylon-polyester-spandex-knitHoneywellDual-LayerFaceCoverwithReplaceableInsertsandnose-bridgewiremaywork.Itcomeswithtwofilters;additionalpacksaresoldseparately.Wedidn’tevaluatetheminthelab,butHoneywell,alongtimemakeroflegitimateN95masksandsurgicalmasks,reportsthatthird-partytestinghasshown97%filtrationefficiencyforaerosolsassmallas0.1micron.Thismaskfeelssturdyandsitswellabovetheface,providinggenerousbreathingroom.However,thematerialissomewhatstiff,andtheearloops,whileadjustable,arethick.Forsomepeople,thismask,at6.25incheshighand9.1incheswide,maybetoolarge.Thefilter-incorporatedInexGearTheBetterMaskfitourpanelistswell,anditfeltlighterthanmanyothermaskswetried,too.Butinourlabtesting,itfilteredonly20%of0.5-micronparticles—aboutthesameasmanyall-cottonclothmaskswe’vetriedwithoutfilters.Manytesterslovedthefilter-incorporatedL.L.BeanNon-MedicalMask,whichlookedandfeltlikethefilter-incorporatedEnroTechMask.However,onetesterfoundittobehotandhumidafterall-daywear.Itcomesincutepatternsaswellassolids.We’vesincelab-testedthismask,onlytofindit’sroughlyhalfasprotectiveastheEnro.WethinkspendingthefewextradollarsfortheEnroisworthit.AthirdclothlayerintheLo&SonsAllDayComfortFaceMask,whichattacheswithVelcro,canbeaddedorsubtractedasneeded.Butwefoundthematerialstoolightforourcomfort,giventhatthemaskhasnopockettoaccommodateanon-wovenfilter.Theneopreneearloops,thoughcomfortable,weredifficulttoadjustinourtests.Ourfitnesswriterlikedrunninginthismask,sinceithadalanyardforeasyput-on-take-offsituations.PaneltesterswhoworetheOutdoorResearchAdrenalineSportsFaceMaskKitwhileworkingoutallhadhighpraiseforthisalmost-airy,adjustablemask.Itsdome-likesilhouetteoffersmoreclearancethanmostmaskswe’vetried,soyoudon’tgetthefilterorfabricupyournoseormouth,evenwhenyou’rebreathinghard.(However,ifyou’reusingworkoutequipmentclosetoyourface,theelevated“beak”mayfeelawkwardatfirst.)Anddespitecominginonlyonesize,thismaskoffersasturdynose-bridgewireandhighlyadjustableearloopsthatenhancethesealonawidevarietyoffacesizesandshapes.The100%polyestersee-throughmaskactsmerelyasaholder;it’stheincluded,detachablefilterthatdoesthehardwork.AccordingtoourlabtestingwithColoradoState,itscoredabout85%infiltrationefficiencywith0.5-micronparticles.Oursolegripeisthatonlythreefilterscomeinapack,andtheycangetabit“wilted”afteraweekorso,dependingonhowoftenandhowhardyouworkout.At$20forapackof25,thefilter-layerrefillsaremoreexpensivethanifyouweretosimplydoublemask,thoughthebreathabilityfactormaybewellworththeinvestmentforsomepeople.IttookseveralwashesforthesyntheticsmelloftheOutdoorResearchFaceCoverKittodissipate,andtheremovablefilter(threeincluded)sitsindirectcontactwiththeface.WestronglyprefertheAdrenalineSportsFaceMaskKit,whichpanelistswhoworkedoutwhilewearingmasksenjoyedusing.ThedapperRoyalJellyHarlemAdultMask,whichweorderedinasturdypinkseersucker,hadaheightissue;also,itsthird“filter”layerisnon-removable,andthemaskdoesn’thaveanose-bridgewire.TheScoutFaceMaskismadeofsoft,pre-washedcottonandisavailableinwhimsicalpatterns.Buttheear-loopelasticsontheversionwetriedweretoothickforourtesterstoadjusteasilybyknotting,resultingingapsalongtheside.Despiteitsself-described“nanotechfabrication”and“ultra-breathable”feel,theSpaceMaskwasstiflingformanypanelists.Ourlabtestingshowed40%filtrationefficiencyfor0.5-micronparticles—itperformedonlyslightlybetterthantheBananaRepublicFaceMask(nolongeravailable),whichcostaroundathirdasmuch.TheStark’sFaceCoveringincorporatesasewn-infilterthatclaimstoblockparticlesassmallas0.3micron.Wechosenottotestitinthelabbecauseitsproblematicfit—nonose-bridgewire,littleclearancearoundthemouth—preventsusfromrecommendingthismaskanyway.WewantedtoliketheTomBihnV6,ahandsomemaskwithbuilt-infiltersthatcostlessthanmostothersofsimilarbuildqualityatthetimeofourtests.Withcotton-broadclothinnerandouterlayersandfourlayersofpolypropylenesewninbetween,insteadofapocket,itfeelssubstantial,fostersgoodairflow,andtentsoffthefacewell.Afewofourtesters,however,hadahardtimegettingagoodsealalongthejawline.Abitofplayingaroundwithknotsandponytailscanhelpsecureit,butthatmayalsopullthefabrictooclosetothemouth.Ifithappenstofityou,though,thismaskisagoodvalue.Therelativelyexpensivepolyester-polyurethaneUnderArmourSportsmaskiswellconstructedandavailableinfivesizes.Butifyouover-orunderestimateyoursizeatthetimeofordering,assomeofourpanelistsdid,it’sdifficulttoadjust.Ourstaffwriterforfitness,whotookthemaskonruns,appreciatedthewayittentedupoverthenose.Butshedidn’tfinditparticularlymoisture-wicking(infact,themaskfeltclammyattimes).Shealsofoundtheearloopsabit“flimsy”andactuallypreferredrunningintheHerschelmaskwerecommend.AfterhearingravesabouttheVistaprintRFSMask,wegavethatmodelatry,too,butwefounditschincoveragequitenarrow,withatendencytorideup.SourcesHanaAkselrod,MD,MPH,infectiousdiseasephysicianandassistantprofessorofmedicine,GeorgeWashingtonUniversity,phoneinterview,July1,2020SarahBrooks,PhD,directoroftheCenterforAtmosphericChemistryandtheEnvironmentatTexasA&MUniversity,phoneinterview,June19,2020LawrenceChu,MD,directoroftheAnesthesiaInformaticsandMediaLab,StanfordUniversitySchoolofMedicine,Zoominterview,June26,2020LorettaFernandez,PhD,associateprofessorofcivilandenvironmentalengineeringatNortheasternUniversity,phoneinterview,June19,2020SupratikGuha,PhD,professorofmolecularengineeringattheUniversityofChicagoPritzkerSchoolofMolecularEngineering,phoneinterview,June26,2020JuanHinestroza,PhD,associateprofessoroffiberscienceanddirectorofTheTextilesNanotechnologyLaboratoryattheCollegeofHumanEcologyofCornellUniversity,Zoominterview,July10,2020GraceJun,assistantprofessoroffashionanddisabilityatTheNewSchool,ParsonsSchoolofDesign,NewYorkCity,andCEOofOpenStyleLab,phoneinterview,June23,2020MichaelKaye,adjunctprofessoratFITandfounderofMichaelKayeCouture,phoneinterview,June17,2020CarrieKovarik,MD,associateprofessorofdermatologyattheHospitaloftheUniversityofPennsylvania,phoneinterview,June29,2020RyanLively,PhD,associateprofessorintheSchoolofChemicalandBiomolecularEngineeringatGeorgiaTech,phoneinterview,July3,2020ChristianL’Orange,PhD,associatedirectoroftheCenterforEnergyDevelopmentandHealth,ColoradoStateUniversity,andassistantprofessorofresearch,mechanicalengineering,phoneinterview,January5,2021MarkLosego,PhD,associateprofessorintheSchoolofMaterialsScienceandEngineeringatGeorgiaTech,phoneinterview,July3,2020RainaMacIntyre,PhD,headoftheBiosecurityProgram,KirbyInstitute,UniversityofNewSouthWales,andprincipalresearchfellowatAustralia’sNationalHealthandMedicalResearchCouncil,Zoominterview,June28,2020LinseyMarr,PhD,professorofcivilandenvironmentalengineering,VirginiaTech,phoneinterview,June26,2020RobertMazzeo,PhD,associateprofessorofintegrativephysiology,UniversityofColoradoBoulder,phoneinterview,June29,2020TeresaOranges,MD,PhD,dermatologistatAnnaMeyerChildren’sUniversityHospitalinFlorenceandattheWoundResearchUnitattheUniversityofPisa,Zoominterview,July13,2020BryanOrmond,PhD,assistantprofessoroftextileengineering,TextileProtectionandComfortCenter,WilsonCollegeofTextiles,NorthCarolinaStateUniversity,phoneinterview,June12,2020RobinPatel,MD,professorofindividualizedmedicineandofmicrobiologyattheMayoClinic,pastpresidentoftheAmericanSocietyforMicrobiology,phoneinterview,July6,2020AmyPrice,DPhil,seniorresearchscientist,AnesthesiaInformaticsandMediaLab,StanfordUniversitySchoolofMedicine,Zoominterview,June26,2020AlbertRizzo,MD,chiefmedicalofficeroftheAmericanLungAssociation,phoneinterview,June17,2020NuraSadeghpour,healthcommunicationsspecialist,CDC/NIOSH,emailinterview,December23,2020RonShaffer,PhD,formerchiefofresearchattheNationalPersonalProtectiveTechnologyLaboratoryattheNationalInstituteforOccupationalSafetyandHealth,phoneinterview,June29,2020FeliciaScaggsHuang,MD,associatedirectorofinfectionpreventionandcontrol,divisionofinfectiousdiseases,atCincinnatiChildren’sHospitalMedicalCenterandassistantprofessorofpediatricsatUniversityofCincinnati,emailinterview,June22,2020ShirleySimson,pressofficer,FDA,emailinterview,January15,2021LeonardoTrasande,MD,MPP,professorandvicechairofpediatricsandprofessorofenvironmentalmedicineandpopulationhealthatNYUSchoolofMedicine,authorofSickerFatterPoorer,phoneinterview,June30,2020EricWestman,MD,associateprofessorofmedicineatDukeUniversitySchoolofMedicine,phoneinterview,August12,2020AboutyourguideJoanneChenJoanneChenisWirecutter’sseniorstaffwriterreportingonsleepand,onoccasion,otherlifestyletopics.Previously,shecoveredhealthandwellnessasamagazineeditor.Afteranassignmentforcedhertosleepeighthoursadayforamonth,sherealizedthatsheis,infact,asmarter,nicerpersonwhensheisn’tsleep-deprived.FurtherreadingTheBestRespiratorMaskforSmokeandDustbyTimHeffernanThesemasksworktoblockparticulateinhalationinconditionsrangingfromwildfiresmoketodustyhomeprojects.WheretoBuyN95s,KN95s,andSurgical-StyleMasksin2021byJoanneChenWe’vebeenresearchingmedical-stylemasksandrespiratorsformonths.Here’swhatwe’rebuying.TheBestClothandDisposableMasksforKidsandToddlersbyChristinaSzalinskiThebestmaskforkidsistheonethey’llputonandkeepon.Wehavesixtorecommendthatarecomfortable,breathable,andfitarangeofages.PeopleAreSewingFaceMasksforMedicalWorkers.ShouldThey?bySigneBrewsterAsalast-resortmeasure,somehospitalswouldconsiderusinghomemademasksforpatientswhodon’thaveCOVID-19.EditDismiss