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If you put on your glasses with your face mask before leaving the house, the chances are high that you will undertake a foggy commute. Whether you’re just walking with your dog on a cold day or carrying your groceries to your front door, when your glasses disappear, it’s not just annoying to have them taken off – it can be pretty deadly risky if you can not see where you’re headed, not to mention your vision which can be even worse than it is without your prescription.
But why does this happen in the first place? “The short answer: condensation,” explains Danielle Richardson, optometrist and West Coast director of clinical care at Zak in Los Angeles. “When hot air hits a cool surface (the lens), condensation forms.” In other words, walking outside in the winter makes your breath harder to see. The good news is: there are some simple things you can do to make the world not look so vague.
How to prevent the glasses from fading when wearing a face mask
If you are looking for the best face mask to wear with goggles, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention currently still asks to wear masks that fit as snugly as possible and contain at least two layers of material. And if you are going to wear glasses with your mask on, the CDC recommends going with an option that “fits well on your nose or one that has a nose wire to limit fog.”
It all sounds pretty simple, but it can still be a challenge to fasten your mask so it doesn’t make your glasses look like you just got out of the shower. Fortunately, more brands are releasing masks aimed at giving you a clearer view when you wear glasses, and there are specific features to look at when buying one. It all comes down to how it fits on your face.
“The best type of mask to wear is one with a dense seal over the bridge of the nose,” says Dr. Richardson. “This can be achieved with a metal wire or other structure in the mask and / or adjustable ruffles.”
Look for masks with a flexible seal that you can bend and shape to fit the contours of your nose. This will help you to better surround your features and lie flat against your face, thus clearing away the air sacs that often lead to fog and condensation when you breathe. You could also consider a good KN95 mask or a duckbill style mask, which sits away from your mouth, to guide your breath. forward in the filter, rather than trapping it in the mask or directing your breath upwards, where it can make your glasses blow.
Besides looking for the right mask features, there are a few things you can do that have little to do with your mask at all, such as choosing the right frames. “The best thing to do is to make sure your glasses fit your face well and fit properly,” says Dr. Richardson. ‘You want to avoid styles where the lenses touch your cheeks and instead opt for styles that allow the circulation of air. If the glasses sitting on the cheeks are unavoidable, I recommend that patients wear their mask tightly around the nose and cheeks and allow the lenses to rest on the mask, instead of the face. ”
Meanwhile, in addition to better-fitting face masks, companies have also released other products aimed at preventing misty lenses, including Warby Parker, which sells a bottle of anti-spray lenses that you can also use to clean your lenses.
What are the best face masks to buy if you wear glasses?
With this expert advice in mind, we have selected some of the best face masks to wear with your glasses, to hopefully help you avoid a confusing walk in the process.
Public goods KN95 face mask
Public goods
If you are looking for a protective KN95 face mask that you can wear with your glasses, consider this one from Public Goods, which you can buy in packs of 10. Mask from Public Goods offers up to 95 percent filtration with a mechanical filter, according to the company, along with five layers of defense per mask. Each has a nose clip to ensure there is not so much extra space between your face and your mask.
KN95 face mask for public goods (10 pieces), $ 44, available at public goods
is Big logo Gray self-cleansing face masks
is
Our editors have tested the sleek face masks of är and recommend that you wear them with glasses. You can get it with or without the exhalation valve, and it comes with the company’s three-layer Nanofilter.
är Big logo Gray self-cleansing face mask, $ 29.90, available on Concept är
The Tie Bar 5-Pack Cotton Solid Masks
The Tie Bar
The company that sells some of your favorite ties and dress shirts is now designing two-layer cotton masks that you can wear with any outfit. And with their built-in wire, it especially includes your glasses. This package is machine washable and the masks are in one size.
The Tie Bar Cotton Solid Masks (5-Pack), $ 30, available at The Tie Bar
WWDOLL KN95 face mask (25 pack)
Amazon
These FDA-approved WW95-branded KN95 masks are not reusable, like some of the other options on this list, but they have a convenient nose clip and five layers to filter out harmful particles. You can buy it in both 25 and 50 packages. They fit snugly over the face, allowing you to comfortably wear your glasses over the mask.
WWDOLL KN95 Face Mask (25-Pack), $ 49.74, available on Amazon
Bonobos Riviera face mask
Bonobos
From dog stand to a red flower pattern, you will have no problem finding a stylish mask at Bonobos. This machine-washable Riviera model has a filter and has a double layer of cotton with a thread to fit your mask better over your nose. Instead of ruffles, Bonobos increased the comfort and wrapped the straps of the masks around your head and neck, closing the gaps that can cause the condensation and misty glasses.
Bonobos Riviera Face Mask (3-Pack), $ 25, available at Bonobos
Huckberry Triple Woven Face Mask (2-Pack)
Huckberry
Huckberry’s own woven masks are available in three colors and contain a blend of polyester and cotton and elastic earrings, so you will get a secure fit every time. You can clean it in the washing machine and change the bridge of the nose so that it is more comfortable with your frames.
Huckberry Tri-fold Woven Face Mask (2-Pack), $ 18, available at Huckberry
Bilio Face Mask
Huckberry
Anyone with a spectacle prescription should know about Bilio’s mask. When you wear it, the ‘nose shrink’ gives you a tighter fit so you don’t have to remove your glasses just to see what’s in front of you. The durable material is a blend of recycled polyester and silver yarn, and the company says it’s supposed to fit even better the more you wear it. It is currently available in small / medium and large / extra large sizes and in three colors, including sage, onyx and pigeon.
Bilio Face Mask, $ 38, available at Huckberry
Under Armor Sports Mask
Under armor
If you do outdoor workouts and wear glasses, you want to practice one of our best face masks, such as the Under Armor sports mask, which you can adjust to better fit your nose. The fabric helps protect your face from the sun’s rays, and you can buy it in five different sizes. The brand even recently designed it in the new ColdGear Mock long-sleeved shirt. Under Armor currently has a deal where you can get two for $ 40, so you will always have a clean mask ready when you are ready for your next run.
Under Armor Sportsmask Face Mask, 2 for $ 40 or $ 30 each, available at Under Armor
Herschel Supply Company classic face mask
Herschel
From its sleek range of backpacks to its durable handbags and discs for laptops, Herschel has a huge inventory of go-to accessories. And now you can even pick up the company’s face masks that you can fit closer to your nose. Apart from the appropriate features, including smart earrings that you can easily pull on or untie, we like that the brand makes eight versions of this mask, from a stylish design of the peacoat stripe, to camo and more.
Herschel Supply Company Classic Fitted Face Mask, $ 14.99, available at Herschel
Outdoor Research Essential Face Mask Set
REI
Essential Face Mask from Outdoor Research has a nasal thread and is resistant to the wear and tear of daily use thanks to its polyester fabric, which can also repel sweat. With the kit you get your mask, three disposable filter inserts and a carry bag, so you do not have to worry about dropping it on the ground.
Outdoor Research Essential Face Mask Kit, $ 20, available at REI
Cotopaxi face mask
Cotopaxi
Cotopaxi’s face mask is available in packs of three or five and a ton of fun and unique color combinations. It contains a nose thread along with two layers of woven cotton, so you can be prepared whether you are shopping at a campsite and anywhere else. Cotopaxi says if you buy one of the masks, the company will donate a mask to the nonprofit Mercy Corps.