Favorite face masks/coverings?

[Maenad]

DH and I got a few cloth masks from Zazzle a month ago, and I've found that the elastic is too tight around my ears (they're uncomfortable when I wear them for more than an hour or so).

Searching for cloth masks or face coverings is... daunting. Everyone and their brother is making them, and I've even found what I think is a fraudulent entry on Amazon (shocking, I know). Major retailers like Target have them, but the quality control appears to be sketchy. Etsy is full of sellers who just started this year, so I don't know if they're actually reliable or not.

So I'm checking with the smartest people I know - what reusable cloth masks have you found that are comfortable and of decent quality for their price? I saw someone in another thread recommend the ones from Purple, but they're currently out of stock.

[OtherJen]

I ordered one each of these from Etsy:
https://www.etsy.com/listing/795287313/face-mask-with-filter-pocket-cotton-face?ref=search_recently_viewed-1&frs=1
https://www.etsy.com/listing/781094688/breathable-100-cotton-face-covering-mask?ref=yr_purchases

Both washed well. The second one is a bit more comfortable for me because of my face shape, but both are sturdy and reasonably comfortable. I haven’t worn either for more than 90 min. at a time so I can’t comment on longer-term comfort.

I bought some of these for my husband to wear at work, and he seems happy with them.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B089KSC6CY/ref=sr_1_3?dchild=1&keywords=Sambuya+mask&qid=1593699928&sr=8-3

They also washed well. I prefer to air-dry all of the masks to avoid shrinkage and keep the fabric from deteriorating.

[Caoineag]

Search dust masks. They are meant to be worn continuously by people exercising and doing things so they tend to be way more comfortable. I have a small head so I like the ones with draw strings but DH has a slightly larger head so all of his stay up no problem. They certainly filter more of the air then medical masks do.

[chicagomeg]

At the high end, I saw the Outdoor Voices one recommended on Wired.com. It has replaceable filters & is adjustable, but it's $20. I considered buying it but decided it was a bit too expensive, but it alerted me to the fact that there are adjustable ones, which I hadn't seen before.

I found a set of 3 adjustable ones on American Eagle, of all places, for $10. They haven't come yet. Will report back with the quality, but I empathize with your issues of them being too big or too small so I thought that might be helpful to you too!

[Cranky]

I'd ask around on FB - somebody will know someone who is making them and then you can get them customized. Elastic around the head instead of the ears is generally more comfortable, IMO, and I think t shirt fabric is more comfortable than elastic. Nose wires make a big difference.

[CupcakeGuru]

There are many people making good quality ones. I found great ones with filters on Nextdoor. Also Joann's has premade ones that look and feel pretty good.

The person who made the ones i bought, used elastic that was NOT sewn with the fabric. She made a hole in case the elastic breaks or you want to use longer ties to go around your head.

[Sibley]

The best facemasks I've found are from a local sewist who's making them with paracord to tie around the head. Apparently they are shipping masks, so if you're desperate I can get you in touch irl. I have a bunch, they're the most comfortable and easiest to breath with for me.

It's this pattern  http://eatpraycreate.com/2020/03/diy-face-mask-tutorial-and-pattern.html

[eostache]

My friend is making masks and selling on Etsy. I bought 5 from her and I have been happy with them.

https://www.etsy.com/shop/kimscatcorner/?fbclid=IwAR0ts7535zka9eT0AHVfEE40vvoKGsXoyGaG9voVKVx45vyn0ShXE1RsKdE

[the_fixer]

We have some from this company and they fit nice we are using size large.


https://www.xpagear.com/Safety-Shield-Face-Masks_c_602.html

I also have about 10 cloth ones that people have given us and 1 fits well the others are either too loose or too tight.


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[mm1970]

Not that you want to make your own but...I've tried several different patterns (4, maybe?) My husband doesn't like most of them, and has switched to using a buff.  But for shopping, he should wear a mask.

In any event, of all the patterns I've made, I like this one:

https://slyfoxfabrics.com/blogs/mash-ups/the-ten-minute-mask-by-beth-darrah

I don't really like the ear loop ones (they were too big for me).

[BikeFanatic]

I second going local someone is sewing them here with heavy material, maybe flannel and another I got has a place you can insert a paper towel inside between layers for extra protection. 10-20 dollars each proceeds to charity.

[Maenad]

Thank you everyone for the suggestions! I knew I could count on the folks here to have good ideas.

[Hula Hoop]

I bought some etsy cloth face masks back in April that look beautiful but the cloth is really thick and multilayered so they're really hard to breathe through.  My kids are using them as their 'special occasion' face masks.  For example, my younger daughter wore hers to her first day of socially distanced summer camp.

I've since bought a variety of paper and cloth masks.  I have a large head and I've found that the rubber band and paperclip solution works well if you have ear discomfort.  https://www.cnet.com/health/face-mask-feeling-uncomfortable-heres-what-you-can-do/

I tend to wear different masks for different occasions.  For example, I just got back from the supermarket where I wore my two layered cotton cloth mask.  But if I'm in a situation that I consider higher risk like public transport or going to the doctor, I wear a thicker disposable medical mask.  My husband and kids tend to wear surgical masks wherever we go.

[9patch]

I've made over 100 masks. I would recommend posting to your friends on Facebook, and asking to buy some cloth masks with a few different patterns from someone local. Wear it for a week or so, then ask your friend for modifications. I've fit lots of friends, and I think because everyone has a different face shape, different patterns will work differently for different people. I personally like masks that have quite a fitted top (because I wear glasses), but have pleats, to make it better for talking. I like ear loops because I wear my hair down now, but when I was doing a top knot, I liked the thicker elastic that went to the back of the head.

[CSuzette]

My favorite is by Ink n Burn. High end - made from workout wear fabric. Very comfy. Hard to get the best patterns. They upload the available patterns once or twice a day and usually sell out immediately.

[GuitarStv]

I've used multiple home made cloth type masks and some n95 respirators . . . but by far the most comfortable mask I've used is a 3M half face canister respirator that I purchased for painting stuff ages ago:



It straps on securely and is the only one that doesn't give me major acne on the lower half of my face when wearing for 5+ hours.  I keep trying different types though largely because it looks kinda goofy.

[scissorbill]

I like the gaiter style.  They're comfortable to be worn around the neck and pulled up when necessary.  They don't offer the best protection though so I wear a disposable surgical mask at the grocery store. 

[Rubyvroom]

The company I've used for business cards and promotional products tried to pivot into Covid related products, including masks. I just wanted to support them as they obviously were trying to stay relevant in an evolving and volatile landscape. The masks are good too I think, though I'm not exactly a mask connoisseur. They have pockets for filters and each mask comes with one filter, and they sell filters separately in 10 packs if you want more. Or you can wear it without a filter of course. They take ~3 weeks to arrive. I do think supporting local would be better if you have the patience, but it felt really difficult to navigate all of the options to me, so I opted for easy vs Etsy. Just Google Vistaprint. Good luck :)

[Hadilly]

I got some from Athleta. 5 for $30. Lined, very comfortable, adjustable ear loops. I like wearing the camouflage pattern.

[Physicsteacher]

Have you considered getting a 3D printed earsaver? It is a flexible piece of plastic that goes behind your head, allowing you to hook the loops of your mask to the plastic strip rather than to your ears. My roommate finds his very handy.

My latest attempt to improve our mask situation has been to make neoprene mask braces using the pattern from www.fixthemask.com. While they are intended to seal surgical masks to the face to provide protection more akin to that of an N95, I've found they are helpful for cloth as well. They greatly improve the fit to face of baggy cloth masks. (I'd tried the pantyhose overlayer strategy for this, but it squished my nose to the point that breathing was difficult.) I also experimented with using it to secure a gaiter with additional squares of fabric inside and got good results.

[cupcakery]

I like the gaiter styles.  I found one at Whole Foods that has thin, adjustable straps and that works well.  Most of them I can't wear.  I have a long, thin face and every other face mask I've tried falls right off.  Or they use elastic that is too thick and it digs into my ears.  Or both.  I don't know how to sew, otherwise I'd just make a custom one.

[terran]

. . . but by far the most comfortable mask I've used is a 3M half face canister respirator that I purchased for painting stuff ages ago:

Doesn't the exhalation valve on these kind of defeat the purpose of protecting other people if you have it?

[GuitarStv]

. . . but by far the most comfortable mask I've used is a 3M half face canister respirator that I purchased for painting stuff ages ago:

Doesn't the exhalation valve on these kind of defeat the purpose of protecting other people if you have it?

If the goal is to minimize transmission of droplets expelled by a person, this mask works reasonably well.  You can laugh, cough, sneeze, whatever and droplets expelled are either caught by the mask (there's a sharp 90 degree bend that your breath has to take before it extis the mask) or redirected down towards your chest, rather than out towards other people.

Honestly, I'm just happy to see people with masks on at all.  I've seen tons of people using N95 respirators with exhalation valves that exit straight forward, using thin buffs that water droplets can pass right through, etc.  Figure it's all better than no mask, or the ever popular style of mask over the chin.  :P