Best Face Masks For Outdoor Workouts
In the time of COVID-19; outdoor workouts are looking a lot different.
Well, there’s one very important difference: masks.
If you are currently located in an area with a higher population density (like me), you’re highly encouraged to wear a mask while working out in the open air.
Some may think: “Why? I’m usually 6 ft apart from everyone else when I run anyway!” Which is why I did my research here!
The fact is: you should wear a mask.
Sure, it’s not required, and you’re generally not within six feet of other people (especially on a solo run). However, wearing a mask isn’t just for you; it’s for everyone else. Wearing masks greatly reduces the amount of germs transmitted and will help stop the spread. Another very important thing to note is when you’re exercising (biking, rollerblading, running), you’re breathing heavier. According to this study, ‘runners, brisk walkers and cyclists create a wake of air behind them that could carry exhaled respiratory droplets much farther than six feet.’, and another article recommends at least 32 feet of distance when exercising due to this. 32 feet is over five times the length of the recommended 6, and is a lot harder to realistically maintain. If you want to look into why you should wear a mask while exercising outside - this article is chock full of information.
Now that we’ve established you should be wearing a mask while exercising outdoors, we have to acknowledge the elephant in the room:
Running in a face mask is not easy.
If you’re using a regular bandana or cloth mask, the heavy inhale can often feel like you’re trying to breathe in the fabric and gives you a panicky suffocating feeling. If you’re using a medical mask and breathing too hard, you can get a similar effect, or even blow it off of your own face!
Thankfully, hope is not lost! Out of the extensive masks I’ve bought and tried (I live in the NYC area, folks - you can never have enough reusable masks!), I’ve found two that are absolutely amazing. I’m talking no chafe, no choking feeling, and minimal stuffiness.
This mask is great if you hate having things around your ears. It’s breathable, light, incredibly comfortable, and kind of bad-ass looking, too!
It’s only $11.95 on Amazon Prime, which means it can ship to you easily and quickly!
Because it is a fabric mask, there is little structure, so there is a little bit of the “sucking in fabric” feeling if you’re breathing especially heavily - it’s for that reason I’d suggest this mask more for bike riding, walking, or rollerblading; but not for hiking or running.Rothy’s Masks
Y’all, I have to say it: these are hands down the best masks I’ve found. Both for exercising and just normal day to day use. They’re breathable, light (you don’t even feel like you’re wearing one), high coverage (they lay down against your nose and cheeks so there’s no glasses fog), and flexibly structured.
Despite being a reusable washable fabric mask, there is no suffocating feeling - the mask doesn’t move no matter how heavily you’re breathing! If you’re a runner, I’m telling you now - you need this mask. Even if you don’t run, and you prefer hiking or any other outdoor activity; Rothy’s masks are the best.
Additionally, my pals over at Onzie just released a collection of breathable face masks. Check it out!
Exercise safely, my friends!
xoxo, Sarah
