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Here Are Some of the Best Face Masks for Running and Biking

Check out the pros and cons of a bunch of innovative approaches from outdoors- and fitness-oriented brands.

under armour sportsmaskUnder Armour

By Tanner Bowden and Steve Mazzucchi

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When COVID-19 began its reign of terror in spring 2020, the scramble was on for a face mask — any face mask — to get safer and enter businesses without drama. Now things have changed, as the market has identified a need that isn’t going away anytime soon and jumped to satisfy it. The result is a glut of face masks from all sorts of brands, making it easy to get overwhelmed by the options.

To help you sort through them, we’ve called in a bunch of samples and begun trying them out. We are not scientists or virus experts, but we do have strong opinions about masks with any sort of technical bent. Is it realistic to be reasonably active wearing such products, or do you find yourself fighting the urge to tear them off at any moment? That was the main question pondered while biking and running around the city wearing the following 13 offerings. Read up, mask up and stay safe out there.

Editor’s Note: The understanding of what makes a good face mask continues to evolve, and studies assessing the effectiveness of various types of masks are ongoing. CDC guidelines recommend masks with two or more layers that fully cover the nose and mouth. Before purchasing any mask, make sure to assess what it actually claims to do and its materials. Follow our coverage of masks here.

Pros

  • For more coverage, Under Armour recently launched a Fleece Gaiter and a ½ Gaiter too.
  • The structure, wire nose bridge and soft fabric make this mask among the most breathable and comfortable we’ve tried.

Cons

  • The stretchy ear loops make it easy to don and doff, but they aren’t adjustable, so the fit kinda is what it is.
  • The mask has e a tendency to creep up on the face with extended use.

Pros

  • Adjustable ear loops, an adjustable behind-the-head strap and a nose bridge give this mask a close fit that stays secure even during intense and extended workouts.
  • An extended design creates an air pocket that makes it easy to breathe heavily — even with one of the three included filters — during, say, an hour-long run.

Cons

  • Not beard-friendly.
  • We consider wired nose bridges essential for a close fit, but this one can be uncomfortable at times.

Pros

  • Two-layer cotton canvas construction, adjustable ear straps and endless street cred.
  • Comes in a wallet-friendly two-pack, so you can wash one while wearing the other.

Cons

  • No wiring in the nose bridge area, so you can’t exactly dial in the fit.
  • Not particularly technical, better for a quick errand than an extended workout.

Pros

  • Even while running, this mask is highly breathable thanks to air holes near the chin.
  • The structured shape makes things comfortably roomy, and three adjustment points make it easy to dial in a precise fit.

Cons

  • The interior isn't as soft as other masks on this list.
  • Requires more of a process to put on — this isn't a slip-on, slip-off mask.

Pros

  • Comes in multiple sizes for adults as well as kids.
  • Just like the stretchy, comfy gaiter you know, but with added layers of protection provided by a replaceable filter (it comes with five) and the antimicrobial pocket that holds it in place.

Cons

  • The tube is quite long (20 inches in adult M/L, 18 in adult S/M) and prone to bunching, depending on how you wear it.
  • Like all gaiters, it's prone to slipping down and requires adjusting.

Pros

  • Includes an antimicrobial pocket for a filter (it comes with five).
  • Provides a comfortable, adjustable and precise fit that won't move around or slip off over long periods or during activity.

Cons

  • Compared to other masks, it isn't easy to put on, so it’s probably not ideal for lots of on-off transitions; it's better for situations where you intend to wear it for longer chunks of time.

Pros

  • Polygiene ViralOff finish and three layers of fabric ramp up the protection levels.
  • Adjustable elastic straps, a metal nose strip and a hypoallergenic merino wool blend inner surface make for one of the most comfortable masks around.

Cons

  • Wraparound strap style is not everyone's jam.
  • Three layers including one of merino wool makes it rather warm, better for winter workouts than summer ones.

Pros

  • Adjustable elastic straps and 3D-Mesh fabric up the comfort.
  • Comes with 30 filters for 99 percent filtration of bacteria and viruses emitted by the mouth, as required for surgical masks.

Cons

  • Filter must be fitted into a plastic frame and then inserted into mask, which takes some practice.
  • Pricy, and kinda makes you feel like a Storm Trooper (which could be a pro, depending how Imperial you lean).

Pros

  • Two layers of cotton protection for high exertion, low threat situations. Drop a filter in the pocket for increased protection.
  • Cut and sewn in the shape of an actual face for optimal comfort, with an internal bridge-of-nose wire for secure fit.

Cons

  • Filter is a bit tricky to insert.
  • Comes with just two filters, and a replacement three-pack costs $10.

Pros

  • Super soft and comfortable polyester with internal wiring to secure tightly over bridge of nose.
  • Three layers of protection, the middle one being a fleece droplet filter.

Cons

  • Neck straps are elastic but not adjustable.
  • While you shouldn't have to wash often, the Polygiene ViralOff antimicrobial treatment wears off after 20 washes.

Pros

  • Quick-Flip design makes it easy to hydrate without removing the mask.
  • Super comfortable fit and come on, there's a skeleton-face style.

Cons

  • No internal nose wire; straps are elastic but not adjustable.
  • This polyester/spandex blend provides two layers of protection… as long as you keep the Quick-Flip flap pulled down over your lips.

Pros

  • Ear loops keep it neatly in place, and it's easily one of the comfiest, beard-friendliest options we've tried.
  • This gaiter is made of thick merino wool, unlike the thin polyester and spandex mask used in the admittedly not-conclusive Duke study.

Cons

  • It'll shine come fall, but the wool definitely gets a bit hot and sticky on muggy summer days.
  • While it's a thick layer of protection, it's still just one layer.

Pros

  • Super comfortable, with wiring at the nose for a secure fit.
  • Microknit filter fabric blocks 99 percent of ultra fine dust particles.

Cons

  • The single-layer nylon/poly blend may not provide as much as protection as masks with more layers.
  • This mask comes in one size and slips over your head like a sleeve (with holes for your ears), meaning it's not particularly adjustable.
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