Forums >Gears and Wears>Winter running mask
Does anyone have any suggestions for an item to cover one’s mouth when running in cold climates? Nothing below 0, but as the temperature in my area gets below 30 or even 40, I don’t like the feeling of all that cold air going in and out of my nose and mouth. I’m sure there are many others with a similar issue. Can anyone suggest a good item to buy for this problem?
an amazing likeness
Two of the more common solutions are...
Balaclava -- which is a full coverage of neck, head, nose mouth. You can tug it up and down to adjust to expose more or less of lower face.
Buff (aka neck gaitor) -- which covers your neck and you can pull it up to cover your mouth and nose as needed for comfort.
From the temps you mention, sounds like a buff is what you'd want more than the full head coverage of balaclava.
Acceptable at a dance, invaluable in a shipwreck.
I personally liked the underarmour sports mask because it held its shape when I breathe. Everything else I tried had a tendency to get sucked into my mouth as I breathed heavier when running, which was just annoying and made it even harder to breathe.
Some of the motorcycling face covers have small perforations And come in a huge variety of patterns. In early Covid when face coverings were required even outdoors within 30' of other people I got one for running and it's the best one I've had; but I usually wear Buffs of different brands. No, this is not an endorsement or discussion about the effectiveness of buffs vs n95 surgical masks to reduce transmission of CV19. It's a discussion about face coverings to run in, with a backstory explaining how I know.
Having lived at 10k' in Colorado, I found the thicker face coverings ice up or are hard to breath through. Thin perforated ones allow you to breath almost normally and keep your face frostbite-free.
About $10
There are hundreds of patterns on Ebay, these are a bit jingoist, search "motorcycle face covering" to discover more:
more, at about $5:
60-64 age group - University of Oregon alumni - Irreverent and Annoying
there are several options available for covering your mouth and nose when running in cold weather. Here are a few suggestions:
Balaclava: A balaclava is a full-face mask that covers your head, face, and neck, providing maximum protection from the cold. Most balaclavas are made of breathable, moisture-wicking fabric that will keep you warm and dry.
Neck gaiter: A neck gaiter is a tube-shaped piece of fabric that can be worn around your neck, pulled up over your mouth and nose, or even used as a headband or ear warmer. They are usually made of lightweight, breathable fabric that will keep you warm without weighing you down.
Running mask: There are several types of running masks available that are specifically designed to protect your face and lungs from cold air. These masks are usually made of moisture-wicking, breathable fabric and have a filter to trap airborne particles.
Scarf: A scarf can be a simple and effective solution for covering your mouth and nose when running in the cold. Choose a lightweight, breathable fabric like wool or fleece, and wrap it around your face as needed.