Masks are a huge part of the new normal and it seems like they will be here to stay for a while. Masks that cover the nose and the mouth have been demonstrated to slow the spread of the coronavirus that causes COVID 19, however, many people are struggling to get used to the idea of wearing a mask and the discomfort that can come with them.
Some people find it hard to breathe while wearing a mask. Others find that the loops that go around the ear cause chaffing. Those who wear glasses may find that their breath causes their glasses to fog up while they are wearing a mask. Given how new mask-wearing is to our culture, it can be difficult for consumers to know how to troubleshoot these barriers to wearing PPE.
In a very short period of time, a wide array of options for masks has appeared on the market. This is a brand new purchasing decision for everyone, so figuring out what will make a mask comfortable can feel like taking a shot in the dark.
There are more options to make masks comfortable than many people may think. Some are designed with comfort features and there are also products that can be used to make an ill-fitting mask easier (and safer!) to wear. The key features to think about are fabric choice, how the mask secures to the face and keeping the mask hygienic and safe.
1. Choose the Right Fabric
The market is currently flooded with masks made of a variety of materials; and fabric choice can have a big impact on breathability and comfort.
There are safety requirements that cloth masks should adhere to as well. Current epidemiological guidance recommends that cloth masks have three layers.
The inner layer that is closest to the face should be absorbent so that it can effectively absorb the droplets that carry the coronavirus. The middle layer should be an insert of fine, mesh-like material. The outer layer should be made of a material that repels water. Polyester or polyester-cotton blends.
There are many options available to ensure that masks are comfortable to wear, increasing the likelihood that they will be used. When selecting a mask, be sure to identify the fabric being used. Try to find breathable cotton-polyester blends or new “cooling” microfiber options for all-day comfort.
Here are our choices. All of these options are available in screen print and full color.
Turnaround time for production is standard. Masks can be decorated with the image of the buyer’s choice in one location. These masks make a great promotional item for those returning to the gym or a fitness class.
- Refresh Microfiber Cooling Mask with Travel Pouch Gray
- Comfort FLEX Mask with Travel Pouch Black
- Reusable Face Mask
2. Ear Savers
How masks feel around the ears can play a huge role in how comfortable they are to wear for even relatively short amounts of time.
Ear elastics that are too tight put a lot of pressure on the ears and cause chaffing. At the same time, masks need to fit snugly to be comfortable and effective.
A mask that fits well should cover from the top up the nose, just below where glasses would sit, to the bottom of the chin. The mask should conform to the face, but not be so tight that it cuts into the skin.
One of the options to take the stress off your ears is to use ear savers. This is a device that is worn behind the head which grabs the back of the ear loops. This takes the pressure off the back of the ears and also allows the mask to be tightened for the wearer’s individual head size and shape.
Here are our ear saver options. There are five ear saver designs to choose from, ensuring that there is a comfortable option for all preferences. This Face Mask Ear Saver is made of a soft, flexible TPR material that fits snuggly against the back of the head. It is available in a screen-print and can be decorated with one color in one location.
Some designs are available in screen print and some are available in full color. This is a great promotional item for school and community groups. Most products can be ordered in lots of fewer than 100 pieces.
Another option is The Mask Buddy. It is a satin-polyester blend loop that wraps around the crown of the head. It is available in custom colors and can be decorated with a screen-print in one color with the customer’s image in one location. This design can be produced in three days and is a great option for people looking for a promotional item as they hurry to reopen.
This similar design, the Mask Buddy Pro 1, is a sublimated elastic headband with buttons. It is printed in full-color and can be decorated in one location with a custom design. It also comes in custom colors and can be produced in three days.
Another alternative is Face Mask Snap and Hook Ear Savers. This design is intended for people already wearing a head covering, such as healthcare professionals. The snap and hook attach together on either side of a garment such as a hat, bandana, skull cap headband or similar item. The elastics of the mask are then looped 
around the snaps, bypassing the ears entirely.
This is a great option for people who cannot tolerate having the elastic behind their ears, or for people who will be wearing the mask for a long period of time. The design is a great promotional item choice for hospitals, medical centers, and similar environments where people will be wearing surgical caps and surgical masks all day. The design can be produced in 3-5 business days.
A great option for active people is this Cooling Headband with Mask Support. It comes in red, black, green, and blue and can be decorated with screen print in one location, using one color.
There are many ear-saver designs available that help mask-wearers avoid ear discomfort. This option also has the advantage of allowing people to adjust the fit of a mask they already own, making it an important strategy in increasing the uptake of mask-wearing.
3. Be Sure To Wash Your Mask
When cloth masks become wet from our breath or perspiration, they are no longer useful. If you are running a long day of errands in the heat, it is a good idea to have a second mask to change into. If masks are changed while on the go, the used mask should be stored somewhere separate from other belongings until the mask can be laundered.
If you will be taking off a mask while on the go to use again later, it is important to ensure that you do not touch the outside of the mask and that the mask is stored somewhere sealed, like in a sandwich bag.
Once masks have been touched on the outside, they could be contaminated with the virus and this could create a source of infection. A grimy, sweaty mask will also feel uncomfortable. Masks should not be worn more than once and should be laundered after each use. Masks can be washed in water that is at least 1400F with regular detergent to ensure all microorganisms are killed.
4. Try Head Straps instead of Ear Loops
One option that some people find more comfortable is a mask with straps that tie at the back of the head, rather than loops that go behind the ears.
This design has many advantages. Not only does it avoid the issue of rubbing behind the ears, but the ties are also completely customizable to the size and shape of a person’s head. Not only is a mask that conforms to the face well more comfortable, but it is also safer. When masks are not properly secured to the face, people will breathe around the mask, making it ineffective.
One of our head strap options is the Woven Face Mask. It is made of polyester and comes in white. It can be decorated in one location with a screen-print with one color.
5. Make Sure The Mask Fits With Glasses Properly
People who wear glasses face an additional comfort challenge when wearing a mask. As breath escapes from the top of the mask, this warm air comes in contact with the cooler surface of the lenses, causing the lenses to fog up.
There are some solutions to this issue though. There are mask designs available that have a metal strip sewn in that is designed to conform to the nose bridge to reduce condensation as well.
If the masks you already have don’t have this feature, one life hack is to sew in a piece of trimmed pipe cleaner to fit across the nose bridge. If a needle and thread are not handy, surgical tape can also work to seal the makeshift wire in.
6. Neck Gaiters
Another stylish and comfortable alternative to a mask that goes around the face and head is a Neck Gaiter. This option is a scarf-like loop with enough fabric to cover the face and nose when a face covering is needed.
It is a great option for people who feel more comfortable when they do not have anything around the head or ears. It is also helpful for those who want to be able to safely take the covering off or put it back on as needed while reducing the risk of contamination.
The neck gaiter is also a nice option aesthetically and looks like a scarf when not being used to cover the face.
We have the Multifunctional Wrap in white polyester. It is decorated with full color so that the design creates a pattern on a white backdrop. This works as a great promotional item for style and clothing retailers to increase face-covering in their stores.
The other option is Multifunctional Cooling Gaiter. It comes in a selection of 8 colors and can be screen-printed in one location with one color. Also made of polyester, the design is sportier with less fabric than the multifunctional wrap. This makes a great promotional item for gym operators who want to encourage patrons to wear masks as they reopen.
Wearing a mask in situations where social distancing is not possible is one of the most important things members of society can do to reduce the spread of SARS-CoV-2 (the virus that causes COVID-19).
Comfort does not need to be a barrier to engaging in this important practice. Everyone’s body is different and there are many options that allow wearing a mask to be comfortable for each individual. If you are looking for the perfect fit (literally and figuratively), at iPromo, we have a massive selection custom cloth face masks that are bound to fit your needs.