It didn't take long.
Well, I guess it took SOME time. Like many people I scrambled to make masks out of quilting cotton and whatever else I could find just to have something. But by five months(!) into the coronavirus pandemic, almost every clothing vendor offered some sort of mask. This includes fencing and other vendors of athletic wear.
I'm not ready to go back out onto the strip, but in anticipation of future days I've been slowly accumulating a collection of sports masks. This post is the first of several reviews of what's currently on offer. Keep in mind that anecdotes aren't data so your mileage may vary widely. Also none of these are paid promotions, so you're getting my unfiltered opinion. [Badger says: "unfiltered." Heh! I see what you did there.]
The first to arrive via increasingly slow mail was Adidas' sport mask.
Specs:
Filter pocket: yes
Ear loops or ties: ear loops
Nose wire: no
Sizes: medium (top/blue) and large (bottom/black)
Fashionable? It's compact, sleek, and the logo, while visible, is subtle. It's minimal enough to be appropriate for strip, street, and restaurant (when they open back up).
Fit: I favor sport masks for every day because most are either shaped or made out of stretchy materials that give a tight seal around the face, and the Adidas mask is no exception. It comes in two sizes but I didn't notice much difference between them. However, my husband found the large too tight around his ears to be wearable.
The ear loops are just an extension of the stretchy binding around the edges. They hold the mask tight to my face, but I'm not sure how long they'll last before tearing or stretching out of shape.
The filter pocket is a nice touch. Adidas doesn't offer a filter but I strongly suggest you use something because the mask fabric, while tightly woven, is fairly thin.
My one reservation about structure is the lack of a nose wire. I haven't worn my contacts since the pandemic started and unless a mask conforms tightly to my nose I get the dreaded glasses fogging. I fixed this by adding my own nose wire, available from multiple vendors on Etsy. One side is sticky so no sewing is required.
How is it on the strip?
As a test run I wore the size small with a carbon filter and stuck-on nose wire under my fencing mask and did 3 minutes of footwork. I don't sweat much, so I can't say how well it holds up when damp. It didn't hinder breathing as much as I expected, and while I was huffing and puffing more than usual it was manageable. It cut off my low line peripheral vision, but I think this is probably a risk with any mask.
Verdict:
Pro: lightweight, snug fit, pocket for your filter of choice, can fence in without suffocating
Con: thin fabric, flimsy ear loops, no nose wire (this last one easily fixable), unknown endurance when wet
Have you tried the Adidas mask or another fencing mask on the strip? What did you think? We'd love to hear from you!
