The Best Face Masks for Digital Nomads, House Sitters, and Travelers in a COVID-19 World
As digital nomads and full time house sitters and travelers, we’ve found that not every mask works for every situation. Sometimes we want something that’s quick and easy to put on, other times we want the highest level of protection, and then sometimes we want something that looks professional. We’ve done the DIY masks, used disposable and washable, tried out N95 masks, and worn various styles, all under different conditions from walking, traveling, running errands, and more. See our top picks and what we love (and what we don’t) about each!
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Wearing our Pacsafe Silver Ion face masks while volunteering at The Animal Pad for Trusted House Sitters.
COVID-19 and Continuing to Wear Face Masks
At this point it goes without saying, COVID-19 not only changed our lives but it changed the world. We consider ourselves incredibly fortunate to have been able to continue being digital nomads, full time house sitters and travelers, all while pursuing FI/RE (financial independence, retire early).
And, while the world is adjusting to COVID-19, vaccines are widely available and things starting to open up, it’s still important to be cautious and continue to wear face masks. In fact, we’ve rather enjoyed not getting sick this last year (seriously, with so much travel we were getting sick 2-3 times a year before hygiene standards increased in 2020) and so we’ll likely continue to wear face masks while traveling and in highly populated areas for the foreseeable future.
Importance of Face Masks
While we liked our DIY masks that we made out of comfortable cotton t-shirts early on in the pandemic, we decided it was time to step up our mask game.
It’s important to have a face mask that’s right for the occasion. Consider the following situations and it’s easy to see that there unfortunately probably isn’t a holy grail one-face-mask-fits-all.
Formal and professional situations
On a plane or in a densely populated area
Someone knocking on the door unexpectedly
Going to the doctors office
Public transportation
Walking the dog
Exercising in a gym or outside
Running errands
Winter weather
Summer weather
Visiting friends
Wearing makeup
Eating out
And the list could easily go on and on. The point is, that while we’re minimalist and only carry a 36L backpack apiece, we’ll need a couple of masks to keep us safe and comfortable in most situations we end up in, or at minimum to have a backup mask.
Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.
Wearing and Reviewing Face Masks
We got a variety of different masks, from fit and color, to style and price and wore them in all different conditions. We wore them to check the mail, to run errands, to exercise, to walk the dog, and to travel.
We then took notes on the pros, the cons, and our impressions. We’ve included all of our notes and even share when we disagree or had a different experience than the other did.
We hope you find our research helpful!
Important Notes:
1. Several of the masks in this review were sent to as as free samples. We remain unbias and this did not affect the outcome of our review.
2. At the time of publishing we learned that N95 Mask Co has/is facing challenges with licensing rights from Respokare products they sell. Additionally, our experience with customer service and shipping was very good, however consumer agencies are reporting less than ideal reviews of this company.
Pacsafe Protective & Reusable Silver Ion Face Mask
Description (directly from Pacsafe):
The Pacsafe Silver ion Face Mask is a reusable and washable mask constructed with five layers that provides at least 99% filtration efficiency against microbials and airborne particles down to 0.1 microns, with a silver ion fabric that effectively disinfects and reduces microbes. Material: Silver ion cotton (main material) Modal graphene cotton (lining).
Compliance / Rating:
ASTM Level 2 Compliant, SGS Test Report & Nelson Labs Particle Challenge Report
Overall:
The mask looks professional, is well constructed, and is easy to adjust because of the ear strap fittings and the flexible nose bar. It’s pretty comfortable, however we did have a bit of fogging on our glasses.
The flexible but sturdy vertical bar in the middle (nose to chin) kept the mask from forming to the contours of our face. It also kept lipstick and lip-moisturizer in place and made it more comfortable when talking, chewing gum, etc.
Comfort:
General wear: Sergio had this mask working well right away and found it quite comfortable. Shannon on the other hand had to cinch it tighter than expected around here ears to keep it from moving around her face and it was a balance between being too tight and uncomfortable, and too loose and moving around her face.
Exercise: We wore these masks while doing fast walking and wearing our 36L backpacks in pretty warm (~85°f) weather for two plus hours. Sergio didn’t have any problems with his sunglasses fogging, but unfortunately Shannon did. She tightened the ear straps which dramatically decreased the fogging, but increased the pull on here ears.
Cost:
This was the most expensive mask we tried, however a well fitting, professional looking, protective mask that’s reusable is worth the cost if it lasts a long time.
Sizing and Fit:
Shannon was a size medium and Sergio a large but once we received them we realized that we couldn’t tell them apart! The color was the same, there wasn’t a size tag, and when we compared them side to side, there was barely a difference. We ended up tying a tiny thread over one of the ear straps to tell them apart.
Final Thoughts:
The Pacsafe Silver ion Face Mask has earned a place in our bag, which says a lot! We like the idea of it being reusable (hand-wash only), adjustable, and collapsible for packing.
It would be preferable if there was a size indicator on the masks or we’d gotten different colors. Also, we wish there was research backing up the silver ion claim for the masks. However, the five-layers and ASTM Level 2 Compliance is great.
Respokare NIOSH N95 Respirator Mask
Respokare NIOSH N95 Respirator Mask
Description (directly from N95Maskco):
Revolutionary patented design by Innonix, a company at the forefront of cutting edge innovation in personal protective equipment for over 19 years. Advanced antiviral technology not only blocks 95% of small (.3 micron) particles, but inactivates up to 99.9% within minutes.
Compliance / Rating:
NIOSH approved N95
Nelson Labs tested: Validation tests were conducted in compliance with GLP regulation. Approved according to 42 CFR Part 84.
Overall:
This was our first N95 mask and it was clear that it had the tightest fit and the most filtration with four layers. It’s not reusable or washable, but in crowded places, this is going to give you the best protection.
The look is somewhere between professional and a throw-away surgical mask. The fit keeps the mask off your lips, keeping lipstick from smudging and making it easier to talk, but there is a bit of a ‘duck-bill’ look to it.
Comfort:
General wear: The masks have two straps that go around the head, which made it harder to wear with long hair or a hat.
This mask has a tight fit, so it’s inevitable that when you take it off you’ll have lines marking your face of where the mask was. However, this gives it the seal that keeps air from getting in or out without passing through the four layers of filtration. It of course makes breathing a bit harder, but that’s what happens with the high level of filtration and protection. Plus, because of the seal, we had very little issue with our glasses fogging.
Exercise: This mask was challenging to walk long distances in because of reduced airflow. Doing anything that get’s your heart rate and breathing up would be hard in this mask, unless that’s what your after of course.
Cost:
A bit more expensive than we’d like to pay for a non-reusable mask. However, for high-risk situations the cost is probably worth the protection.
Sizing and Fit:
It wasn’t the case for Sergio, as it fit well for him. However, for Shannon the fit was a bit too tight because it pressed down on her nose, obstructing her breathing. This caused her to constantly re-adjust the mask, which was helped by raising the top strap on her head, but then to get the strap to stay she had to prop it up with a high pony tail.
We both appreciated the separation from our mouth which gave us more freedom to talk and Shannon’s lipstick didn’t smudge.
Final Thoughts:
The N95 rating on the Respokare NIOSH N95 Respirator Mask makes it great for high risk situations. And since it’s collapsible it will fit well in our gear and packing lists. However, the fit, especially for Shannon makes this an ‘only when we absolutely need it’ mask. On the other hand, this is Sergio’s top N95 pick.
KN95 Face Mask
Description:
KN95 masks are designed to offer better protection than standard disposable masks. KN95 masks filter non-oil-based particles such as those resulting from viruses, PM 2.5 air pollution, wildfires, or volcanic eruptions.
Compliance / Rating:
KN95 (China’s version of the U.S. N95)
Overall:
We’ve seen these masks all over the place and you probably have as well. They certainly have more protection than a disposable surgical mask, however it was very clear to us when wearing them that they are definitely not N95 equivalents. The fit just wasn’t tight enough as we could breath more easily in them, our glasses fogged up from escaping airflow, and they were noticeably thinner than conventional N95 masks we tried.
Comfort:
General wear: We both put these on and had very, very little need to adjust. They just fit.
However, Shannon has small bendable ears (we didn’t know that was a thing before masks became common place!) and the straps pulled way too much on her ears, nearly slipping off at times.
Exercise: Other than the ear loops being too short for Shannon, these masks would work relatively well for exercise. However, because they aren’t reusable, you’ll end up with a sweaty mask at the end of your walk/jog/etc.
Cost:
The KN95 Face Mask is relatively inexpensive. It’s less than an N95, but more than a surgical mask.
Sizing and Fit:
This fit really well for Sergio, but the straps were just too short for Shannon.
There was decent separation of the mask from the mouth area, so no smeared lipstick for Shannon.
Final Thoughts:
We probably won’t be carrying this KN95 Face Mask with us and will opt for a reusable mask for both cost effectiveness and to use less resources.
NIOSH Cup Style N95 Respirator Mask
NIOSH Cup Style N95 Respirator Mask
Description (directly from N95Maskco)
The NIOSH approved N95 Respirator face mask is made per industry standards to block at least 95% of very small (0.3 micron) particles.
Compliance / Rating:
N95 and NIOSH approved.
Overall:
The cup style of this one makes it one of the best masks for keeping space between the mask and your mouth. However, it means that it doesn’t collapse down and therefore isn’t great for travel or packing. It also has that look that we’ve come to associate with construction… so we’re probably less likely to wear this in a professional setting.
Practically though, the seal around the face is tight. The exception for Shannon was that with the rigid shape the bottom of the mask rested a bit below her chin, leaving a bit of an open gap. And, being NIOSH approved with an N95 the safety of the mask is a highlight.
Comfort:
General wear: Like any mask that has straps that go around the neck and head (as opposed to around the ears) it’s more secure and has a tighter fit, but the trade off is that it’s harder to casually wear and take on and off quickly.
Sergio had very little need to adjust this mask. On the other hand, out of the box this mask was uncomfortable to the point of being painful for Shannon. Adjusting the nose bar took significant pressure off the bridge of her nose, which took this mask from a ‘no way’ to, ‘hmmm, I kinda like it’.
Exercise: The most protective consumer masks, arguably N95s, have a tight seal and multiple layers of protection. Which is great, but it does mean less airflow and more sweating. That’s not ideal for exercise. So, the cup design offers separation from the mouth which is great when you’re breathing heavy, however at the same time makes that breathing harder. That’s the tradeoff that needs to be made when exercising with an N95 mask.
Cost:
It’s on the higher side for an N95 mask, but it’s more durable and sturdy than others.
Sizing and Fit:
It’s a one size fits all mask and needed only minor adjustments for us. It sealed well to our face with the exception of a gap beneath Shannon’s chin.
Final Thoughts:
Although it fit well for Sergio, out of the gate, the NIOSH Cup Style N95 Respirator Mask was a no-go for Shannon because of the discomfort on the bridge of her nose. The discomfort was eased with adjustments but the simple fact that it isn’t collapsible is a final deal breaker for our lifestyle.
NIOSH N95 Foldable Mask
Description (directly from N95Maskco)
The NIOSH approved foldable N95 mask is made per industry standards to block at least 95% of very small (0.3 micron) particles.
Compliance / Rating:
N95 and NIOSH approved.
Overall:
This mask is visibly a disposable mask and because it’s white quickly shows signs of ware and dirt (and makeup!). It seemed well constructed but sadly after three or four times of taking it on and off one of Shannon’s straps broke (at the point where the strap attaches to the mask).
It’s collapsible but still has a sturdy enough shape that there’s separation between the mask and your mouth.
Comfort:
General wear: Like many of the other masks we’ve tried, we had completely different experiences.
For Sergio this mask started out really uncomfortable with a combination of itching around the nose area and discomfort from the metal nose bar placing pressure on the bridge of his nose. However, after a three-quarters of a day ‘breaking it in’ the mask became very comfortable.
“For Shannon this was immediately her favorite N95 mask. It was more comfortable than any of the others and didn’t cause any fogging of her sunglasses.”
Exercise: After Sergio’s ‘breaking in’ period, we both agreed that this was comfortable to exercise in. And, while Shannon had very little fogging of her sunglasses, Sergio had mild to moderate fogging of his glasses.
Cost:
Reasonably priced for an N95 mask.
Sizing and Fit:
Very little adjustment was needed to be made to make the mask fit well. The seal of the mask is tighter than a non-N95 would be, but that’s to be expected.
Final Thoughts:
The NIOSH N95 Foldable Mask landed a spot in our bag. Shannon is even going to pull out her travel sewing kit and do a stitch or two to extend the life of this mask. The strip of foam padding on the nose bar is a nice touch and because it’s collapsible it’s easy to tuck in our backpack.
DIY Handsewn T-Shirt Mask
Description
At the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic we were able to get one disposable mask apiece. However, when it became clear that COVID-19 was going to be around for a while and masks were going to be a normal part of our lives for the foreseeable future we knew it was time to get a long term reusable face mask.
Both because masks were a rare commodity and because we didn’t like the idea of the waste of always using disposable masks Shannon went on the search for a well fitting, yet simple mask that she could make with limited supplies (remember, craft stores like Michaels were wiped clean and elastic was impossible to find) and no sewing machine.
After dozens of YouTube searches Shannon took away ideas from several videos but liked most of all Jess Dang’s DIY Face Mask (the second mask in the video).
Since elastic was no where to be found so she cut thin strips of the cotton t-shirt to make ear straps.
And, we got creative with the nose bar and pulled the metal prongs from a couple of file folders and wrapped them with painters tape to sew into the top fold of the mask. After 100’s of wears and hand washes, the metal wore holes through the fabric, but we’ve been able to repair them so far.
Compliance / Rating:
None, although we doubled up the fabric.
Overall:
These were our go-to masks for over a year. They’re comfortable, soft and hand washable. The upside is that we can adjust the ear straps as needed (just unknot, tighten or loosen, and re-knot). The downside is that there’s no separation between your mouth and the fabric making makeup smear and talking and chewing gum less comfortable.
Comfort:
General wear: We wore these everywhere and all of the time. They’re comfortable enough that we’d be back in a private space and forget to take them off. We also had very little issues with fogging of our glasses.
Exercise: These worked well for exercise because they’re easier to breath in and don’t have a tight seal against the face.
Cost:
Money wise they were free, however they took about 2-3 hours each to hand sew.
Sizing and Fit:
These were custom made so they fit very well, however there aren’t any tight seals.
Final Thoughts:
These have the least amount of protection but are very comfortable and easy to fold up and tuck in a pocket. We’ll keep these around for most situations and will even use to put over an N95 mask to make it look a bit more ‘discreet’.
Reusable Handmade Fabric Mask
Description
In late summer of 2020 we house sat for Donna and very much enjoyed an evening around the dinner table with great conversation. We talked about COVID-19, about face masks, and travel. To our surprise and delight, on her return home she had a gift for us, two masks hand made by a friend!
Unfortunately, the talented maker of these masks doesn’t have an online store or Etsy, but we found some similar and highly rated masks:
Compliance / Rating:
None, but the fabric is at least double if not triple layered.
Overall:
These were gifted to us with claims of their comfort and that they stayed in place on your face and didn’t require constant adjustment. We’re happy to say that they lived up to the hype!
With an adjustable nose bar as well as what is referred to as a ‘3D’ structure, these masks not only stay in place but there’s a good amount of separation from your mouth and the mask. That means we can talk, chew gum, laugh, etc. without getting a mouth full of mask, and Shannon doesn’t have clown lips from smeared lipstick when she takes hers off.
Comfort:
General wear: Because the straps are over the ears, the mask is easy to get on and off quickly and is pretty comfortable to wear. The straps are light weight so they don’t pull on your ears, however this is probably the weak point of the mask as the elastic may wear out faster than we’d like.
Exercise: These masks have more coverage than our own DIY masks, making them a bit harder to breath in for exercise, but it means better protection.
Cost:
Ours were a gift, but similar masks are mid-range in price. In our opinion paying a bit more for a good reusable mask is worth the long term savings!
Sizing and Fit:
The ear straps are adjustable, there’s a flexible nose bar to get a good fit, and the coverage of the face and chin are good.
Final Thoughts:
These masks easily fold down and are easy to fit into the hip belt pockets of our backpack. Between the comfort and protection, we can see ourselves with these masks for years to come!
Highly Rated Masks We Like but Haven’t Tried Yet
REI Co-op Active Face Masks (UPF 50 sun protection)
Columbia Tech Trail™ Face Mask (UPF 50 sun protection)
Mask Accessories
Mask Bracket (helps keep your mask away from your mouth!)
Mask Tite (reduces or eliminates fogging!)
Antifog, mask seal (reduces or eliminates fogging!)
Mask Silicone Toggles (DIY your own adjustable straps!)
