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Here are the masks Boston.com readers think you should be wearing
Readers told us their favorite masks just in time for the return of indoor masking in Boston.
After a summer of loosened mask rules in Boston, an indoor mask mandate is officially back in place starting Friday which means many of us are either dusting off our mask collection or stocking up ahead of the fall.
Last month, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention updated its guidelines that anyone in areas with high COVID-19 transmission rates should once again wear masks indoors. In the early days of the pandemic, similar mask guidelines led to a lot of questions about which masks were safest to wear and where to get them. Now that masks have become a fixture of everyday life, most people not only own several masks but also know which ones they prefer.
We asked readers which face masks they actually like to wear, and they shared the types and brands they grab as they head out the door. Here are the masks most frequently mentioned by readers.
Surgical masks
The most commonly mentioned masks were surgical masks, with more than 30 people saying they were the best option. Readers said they liked that disposable surgical masks are used once before tossing, which limits the spread of germs.
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“I don’t want to wear any mask outside of a healthcare environment,” said Dave of Leominster. “If I have to wear one then I prefer the surgical mask as it is light and I throw it away when dirty or damp.”
Many also appreciate that surgical masks tend to be a lighter option in the summer months.
“They are not as hot on your face. I have several other masks but find these to be the most comfortable,” said Carol from Dorchester.
Cloth masks
Cloth masks became popular in the earliest days of the pandemic when other options were sold out. They’re easy to make at home and help to control the spread of the virus. Readers who mentioned cloth masks said they often pair them with other masks, and like that they can be easily cleaned when needed.
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“I made a cloth mask that connects behind my head. It’s easily adjustable, so I can resize it for the correct fit or to account for an additional medical mask underneath, and since it connects around the neck, it doesn’t put pressure on my ears and I can hang it around my neck when not in use, which allows me to easily keep it on my person when I’m out and about,” said Scott from Norwood.
KN95 masks
Readers who prefer the KN95 mask said they felt the safest compared to other masks on the market. These masks are “designed and tested to ensure they perform at a consistent level to prevent the spread of COVID-19,” according to the CDC.
“Cloth masks protect other people, not the person wearing them,” said one reader. “I prefer to protect myself as well as others. I also don’t know who is vaccinated and who isn’t, so protecting myself and my family is my top goal.”
N95 masks
Not to be confused with the KN95, the N95 mask is more cone-shaped and used most often by medical professionals and construction workers. Readers who named them as their favorite noted that the snug fit made them feel safe wearing it.
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“N95 masks provide the highest level of protection,” said a reader. “They are also very comfortable.”
KF94 masks
This mask is growing in popularity in the United States and is “essentially the South Korean equivalent of the N95 mask,” according to Stephen Morse, an epidemiology professor at Columbia University. Readers who’ve gotten their hands on one said the masks are very comfortable.
“The KF94 has a flat front that works well with a secondary surgical mask. It looks over the ear and fits tight on my face. I buy Korean brands because that country has good governmental standards and testing for masks,” one reader said.
Best face mask brands, according to readers
Readers also mentioned a number of brands that they trust to make high-quality masks. For anyone looking to stock up on masks from local and small businesses, our readers suggested these sellers:
- EnvoMask: “The best N95 mask out there. Made right in N.H., this mask is super comfortable with a silicon gel seal around your face so it creates a seal. The filters are easily changeable and the mask is quick on and off.”
- Reign Vermont: “They have a nose wire, double-sided, and pleated. The organic cotton feels nice [on] your face if you are wearing it for long periods of time.”
- Im2: “Immigrant Mask Makers of Western Mass. make a super non-fogging mask. Nice colors, too.”
Here’s a list of other frequently mentioned mask brands from our survey:
- Adidas
- Athleta
- Gap
- Jaanuu
- Jill and Ally
- Old Navy
- Under Armour
Responses have been edited for length and clarity.
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