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If you put on your glasses with your face mask on before you leave the house, chances are you will end up with a foggy commute. Whether you’re just taking your dog on a cold day or carrying your groceries to your front door, if your glasses fog up, it’s not only so annoying to want to take them off – it can also be pretty damn risky if you can’t see where you are going, not to mention that your eyesight may get worse than without a prescription.
But why is this actually happening at all? “The short answer: condensation,” explains Danielle Richardson, optometrist and West Coast director of clinical care at Zak in Los Angeles. “When warm air hits a cool surface (the lens), condensation forms.” In other words, when you step outside in the winter, your breathing makes it harder to see. The good news: There are a few simple things you can do so the world doesn’t look so blurry.
Prevent glasses from fogging up when wearing a face mask
If you’re looking for the best face mask to wear with glasses, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention currently still calls for wearing masks that fit the best you can and have at least two layers of fabric. And if you’re going to wear goggles with your mask, the CDC recommends opting for an option that “ fits snugly over your nose or has a nose thread to prevent fogging. ”
It all sounds pretty easy, but it can still be a challenge to secure your mask so your glasses don’t look like you just got in the shower. Fortunately, more brands are releasing masks that are meant to give you a clearer picture when you have your glasses on, and there are specific features to look out for when shopping for them. It all comes down to how it fits your face.
“The best type of mask to wear is one with a good seal over the bridge of the nose,” says Dr. Richardson. “This can be accomplished with a metal wire or other structure in the mask and / or adjustable ear loops.”
Look for masks with a flexible seal that you can bend and shape to fit the contours of your nose. That will help it frame your features better and lie flat against your face, eliminating the air bubbles that often lead to fog and condensation when breathing. You may also want to consider a good KN95 mask or a duckbill mask that sits away from your mouth to help direct your breathing. forward in the filter, instead of trapping it in the mask or directing your breathing upwards where it can fog up your goggles.
In addition to looking for the right mask features, there are a few things you can do that don’t have much to do with your mask at all, such as choosing the right frames. “The best you can do is make sure your glasses fit your face properly and are properly adjusted,” notes Dr. Richardson. “You want to avoid styles where the lenses touch your cheeks and instead opt for styles that allow air circulation. If the glasses on the cheeks are unavoidable, I recommend that patients put their mask tightly around the nose and cheeks and leave the lenses rest on the mask, instead of the face. “
Meanwhile, aside from better-fitting face masks, companies have marketed other products to help prevent fogged lenses, including Warby Parker, which sells a bottle of anti-fog lens spray that you can also use to clean your lenses.
What are the best face masks you can buy if you wear glasses?
With this expert advice in mind, we’ve picked out some of the best face masks to wear with your goggles to hopefully help you avoid a steamy walk in the process.
Public goods KN95 face mask
Public goods
If you’re looking for a KN95 protective face mask to wear with your goggles, consider this one from Public Goods, which you can buy in packs of 10. The Public Goods mask 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 make sure there isn’t that much extra space between your face and your mask.
Public Goods KN95 Face Mask (10-pack), $ 44, available from Public Goods
is Big logo Gray self-cleaning face mask
is
Our editors have tested är’s slim face masks and recommend wearing them with glasses. You can get it with or without the exhalation valve, and it comes with the company’s three-layer Nanofilter.
Big logo Gray Self-Cleaning Face Mask, $ 29.90, is available on Concept
The Tie Bar, 5-pack of cotton solid masks
The tie clip
The company that sells some of your favorite ties and shirts now designs two-layer cotton masks that you can wear with any outfit. And with their built-in cord, that’s especially true for your glasses. This pack is machine washable and the masks come 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-cleared WWDOLL branded KN95 masks aren’t reusable like some of the other options on this list, but they have a handy nose clip and five layers to filter out harmful particles. You can buy them in 25-packs as well as 50-packs. They fit snugly over the face and allow you to wear your glasses comfortably over the mask.
WWDOLL KN95 Face Mask (25-Pack), $ 49.74, available on Amazon
Bonobos Riviera face mask
Bonobos
From pied-de-poule to a red checkered floral pattern, at Bonobos it is no problem to find a stylish mask. This machine washable Riviera model is suitable for a filter and has a double layer of cotton with a thread to make your mask fit better over your nose. Instead of ear loops, Bonobos has increased comfort and designed the masks’ straps to fit around your head and neck, sealing the gaps that can often lead to condensation and fogged glasses.
Bonobos Riviera Face Mask (3-pack), $ 25, available from Bonobos
Huckberry Tri-fold Woven Face Mask (2-Pack)
Huckberry
Available in three colors, Huckberry’s proprietary woven masks contain a blend of polyester and cotton and feature elastic ear loops so you always get a secure fit. You can wash it in the washing machine and you can adjust the bridge of the nose to make it more comfortable with your frame.
Huckberry Tri-Fold Woven Face Mask (2-Pack), $ 18, available from Huckberry
Billing Face Mask
Huckberry
Anyone with a prescription glasses should know about Bilio’s mask. When you wear it, the “nose cup” provides a tighter fit, so you don’t have to take your glasses off to see what’s in front of you. The durable fabric is a mix of recycled polyester and silver yarn, and the company says it should fit even better the more you wear it. At the moment, it is available in both small / medium and large / extra-large sizes and in three colors, including sage, onyx and pigeon.
Bilio Face Mask, $ 38, available from Huckberry
Under Armor Sportsmask
Under armor
If you do outdoor workouts and wear your goggles, you’ll want to try one of our best workout face masks like Under Armour’s Sportsmask, 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 recently even designed it in the new ColdGear Mock Shirt with long sleeves. Under Armor currently has a deal where you can get two of these for $ 40, so you’ll always have a clean mask ready to go when you’re ready for your next run.
Under Armor Sportsmask Face Mask, 2 for $ 40 or $ 30 each, available from Under Armor
Herschel Supply Company Classic fitted face mask
Herschel
From the sleek line of backpacks to the durable carry-on and laptop bags, Herschel has a wide range of go-to accessories. And now you can even pick up the company’s face masks that can be placed closer to your nose. Aside from the appropriate features, including smart ear loops that you can easily put on or take off, we like that the brand makes eight versions of this mask, from a stylish peacoat-designed stripe design to camouflage and more.
Herschel Supply Company Classic Fitted Face Mask, $ 14.99, available from Herschel
Outdoor Research Essential Face Mask Kit
KING
The Essential Face Mask from Outdoor Research has a nose clip and can withstand the wear and tear of everyday wear thanks to the polyester fabric, which can also wick away sweat. With the kit you get your mask, three disposable filter inserts and a carrying case so you don’t have to worry about dropping it on the floor.
Outdoor Research Essential Face Mask Kit, $ 20, available from REI
Cotopaxi face mask
Cotopaxi
Available in packs of three or five and a ton of fun and unique color combinations, the Cotopaxi face mask features a nose thread and two layers of woven cotton, so you’re prepared whether you’re camping, in the store, and everywhere else. Cotopaxi says if you buy one of its masks, the company will donate a mask to the nonprofit Mercy Corps.