You’ll find a wide variety of the best neoprene masks in the mask reviews below. It’s important you pick a type that suits your purpose, your face, and your comfort preferences. Here are categories and options to consider so you can find the best for you.
Ties vs Ear Loops
The most popular designs for the best neoprene face masks are ones held in place with ties that fasten behind your head or ear loops. There’s no best here because it’s about what you find most comfortable and practical:
- Ties or straps behind your head: You can easily adjust the size, ensuring optimum comfort. Ladies may not prefer this since it could ruin your hairdo for the day.
- Loops behind the ear: This type is quick to put on, but you may find the pull of the loops starts to irritate you after a while.
- Elastic behind the head: Here you don’t have to worry about the discomfort of the mask pulling your ears, but once again not everyone wants their hair messed up by the mask. When not in use it’s easy to slide down to hang around your neck, so you can’t lose it.
The Cut & Coverage
The cut of the mask determines how big a part of your face the mask will cover. Some may prefer a large area so it prevents dust and other particles from adhering to your face—perfect for sports that involve dust. A smaller area could be ideal if the larger masks make you feel hot.
The cut will also affect aspects like whether the mask will cause your glasses to fog up.
The Fit
Some masks follow the contours of a person’s face while others have a more basic design. The closer fit tends to be comfortable but make sure there’s enough space between your face and the mask to ensure comfortable breathing.
With or Without Filters
Masks can simply be layers of fabric or it can allow for filters. Some even have valves to support airflow. These features will affect the look, weight, and comfort of the mask, but they’re often effective in blocking particles. You need to decide which aspects are most important to you and shop accordingly.