Masked for every occasion. My hunt for the “perfect” mask unveiled…
By: Valerie Wagner
Tags: Review, Masks, Covid 19, Clothing, Coronavirus

Masked for every occasion

My first month into the pandemic, I went hunting for the ‘perfect’ mask. After wearing multiple subpar masks I bought on the fly, I realized I had to buckle down and do a deep dive into the situation. While no mask will ever be perfectly perfect, I do have my demands!

These include:

• protective

• comfortable

• breathable

• able to walk/talk/bike ride without feeling like it’s sucking to my nostrils

• NO condensation build-up leading to damp fabric

Below are my 4 favorites, in no particular order. I tested each out in a variety of situations. The first 3 can be easily washed and are reusable. And now that I’ve lived and breathed with the masks for over 7 months, below are my takes.

ASRV’s ‘Mask on the Move’

ASRV is a high performance apparel company which prides itself on taking risks, exploring new ideas. This mask is lightweight cotton that has not gotten damp. Very comfortable. It has a mesh copper non-removable filter between the 2 layers of cotton. Apparently viruses cannot adhere to copper, so I’m assuming this adds to the effectiveness. This is a main go-to for biking. And a close friend of mine runs 3 miles a day in it. They were selling an even lighter weight version, but it’s currently sold out.

2. Because I Hate the Sucky Sucky

Company: Rendall

Mask: Sentry

https://rendallco.com/products/sentry

Rendall’s ‘Because I Hate the Sucky Sucky’ mask

Rendall is a company that makes workwear for chefs. This mask is simply tightly-woven cotton with a pocket for a filter. I selected the Sentry model because I like the way I can tie it around my head and then easily pull it down around my neck, if needed. It has really great full-coverage and a bendable wire to shape it to your nose. This one is the best of the 3 in terms of not sucking to your nostrils when breathing due to the design of the horizontal pleats—so it’s great for an Aaron Sorkin Walk and Talk, attending the latest protest march, or simply for making a phone call when out and about. Additionally, Rendall sources fabric and manufactures all of their products locally in Los Angeles, supporting their local business community.

3. High Efficacy Against Contagion

Company: Ministry of Supply

Mask: 3D Print Mask 2.0

https://www.ministryofsupply.com/products/3d-print-knit-mask-kit?color=light-grey

Ministry of Supply’s ‘High Efficacy Against Contagion’ mask

Ministry of Supply is a company founded by MIT grads who create clothes made of high-performance materials. I read about their first mask in Fast Company, which I promptly purchased. Since my purchase, they have come out with version 2.0, optimized to be lighter weight with more comfortable ear loops. Their mask is the one I wear to physician appointments or on public transportation, when I want to feel extra secure being indoors, potentially around people who are infected. They also have a new, more affordable mask called the Apollo, which I haven’t tried yet, but I’m sure is worth a spin. And, on a feel-good note, for each mask purchased Ministry of Supply donates a mask to healthcare workers — with over 38,000 masks donated to date.

4. Summer Blockbuster

And what I discovered over the course of a hot NYC summer, is that when it comes to comfort, breathability, and easy walk and talks, I couldn’t beat a plain, blue disposable mask. I don’t love the fact that it’s disposable, but it was a game-changer when it came to being active in the heat and humidity. I do reuse these for a certain period of time, assuming they have not gotten soiled or exposed, but now that the weather has cooled off, I’m utilizing my fabric masks more often again.