Neck gaiter that's nearly as Covid-proof as a tightly woven cloth mask

July 17, 2020 2:15 PM

I've started to researchresearchresearch neck gaiters (or buffs) to add to my personal PPP arsenal. While I agree 2- or 3-ply cloth masks made of tightly woven fabric are best, there are some situations (e.g. hiking) in which something that's easier to slip on and off might work better for me. So far, I've only found extremely gossamer gaiters that emphasize breathability. Most seem to be pre-Covid legacy accessories intended for UV protection. I'd like something that's, if not as good as a regular cloth mask, at least a bit beefier than what I'm seeing out there. Where are the good gaiters?
posted by Text TK to Clothing, Beauty, & Fashion (16 answers total)

FWIW, I prefer masks with elastic that goes around the head (rather than the ears) precisely because they are easy to slip down like a neck gaiter. Masks with that design are widely available. I like these because they come in a large and I have a big head, but they are $$$.

You might also be interested in Twily masks, which are unusual bandana-like design. I haven't tried them.
posted by caek at 2:30 PM on July 17, 2020 [4 favorites]

The Buff brand ones are two-layer, though still pretty breathable. Definitely more protective than the cheapo lightweight ones I've seen, though.
posted by wnissen at 2:50 PM on July 17, 2020 [2 favorites]

The Buff ones are great and seem to be what all the joggers/cyclists around here are adopting. I think it's more than enough protection, especially outdoors.
posted by bradbane at 3:04 PM on July 17, 2020 [1 favorite]

Most Buff-type neck gaiters are long enough to fold down over your face, making a 2-ply covering. In terms of their permissability -- in my area, anything that covers your nose and mouth and doesn't have an exhalation valve is legal. That includes bandannas, which are certainly less secure than a gaiter that stretches fairly tightly around your face.

I will note that I've been making masks (and gaiters, for that matter), and I find that face coverings made of stretchy technical fabrics are pleasantly soft on the face, but a little harder to breathe through than several layers of cotton. YMMV. Personally, I've come to prefer masks with elastics that go around the head, for the same reasons as caek.
posted by ourobouros at 3:13 PM on July 17, 2020 [3 favorites]

There are gaiters that have pockets for removable filter pieces. This one seems to be out of stock, but that's the idea.

Also not every mask with an exhaust port is bad - I have a cloth mask with an exhaust value... that's covered on the inside with another layer of cloth. It makes no sense why the valve is there, but it's a fully covered cloth mask.

Edit: here's one in stock on amazon.
posted by GuyZero at 3:22 PM on July 17, 2020 [1 favorite]

I have a Buff brand one of these that works great -- it's definitely at least as protective as a mask because it still goes all the way down to my neck even when I'm using it. It's long enough to double it up.
posted by dbx at 3:49 PM on July 17, 2020

The OP's request is totally reasonable, and people are answering in good faith so I hope this isn't considered a derail, but I don't want to let the claim in another answer that these things are "at least as protective" go unchallenged.

Maybe they are good enough for hiking (seriously, maybe they are!) but there is plenty of evidence and common sense that suggests that a gaiter (or any mask made out of regular cloth without a dedicated filter) is absolutely not "at least as protective".

See Cloth masks can protect the wearer for more on the role of the filter. Note where "2 layers of Rayon + 2 swiffer dryer sheets" comes on that list (and that's with a homebrew filter!) Just because a stretchy piece of rayon feels like it's restricting your breathing, doesn't mean it has any medical use, even if you double it up. And a mask that restricts your breathing without protecting yourself and others is worse than no mask because you're going to touch it more, or even remove it.
posted by caek at 3:56 PM on July 17, 2020 [5 favorites]

I’m in a similar position and finding interesting stuff like that marketed towards urban cyclists pre-COVID and everyone now. Like to help with smog and allergens. Sorry no specifics but the idea is you have a higher flow to support physical activity and also the convenience and extra buffer of an all-around coverage and partial seal.

Remember, the best filter is useless if most of your air is coming in through cracks. Terms like /bike mask filter gaiter/ get some neat hits, I’ll update you when I try one, good luck :)
posted by SaltySalticid at 4:04 PM on July 17, 2020 [1 favorite]

I work on a farm and cotton bandanas folded on the diagonal and tied around the neck are popular for keeping handy in case someone walks up. A large cotton napkin or dish towel might be a tighter weave if you can find/tolerate one. It’s not ideal, but for short outdoor interactions the risk is relatively low.

Also, as a hiker, please avoid crowded trails. Both COVID and ecological damage from overuse are risks. I haven’t been out hiking since March because I live in a city and people overcrowding trails nearby led to a lot of closures. People traveling for outdoor recreation is part of the reason for a current spike in my state. I miss the woods a lot, but it is what it is.
posted by momus_window at 4:23 PM on July 17, 2020 [2 favorites]

I bought a set of these gaiters with a little filter pocket and some filters, though I haven't tried them for bike riding (which is their intended use).

It's pretty comfortable, not too hot, and is easy to pull up and adjust. The filter definitely covers the exhale area of the nose and mouth for me. I'm still having a fogging problem with my glasses, but I think a little wire piece would help.

We also just got these pricey items from Kitsbow. Very comfy and pretty easy to use and adjust when wearing glasses. The filters though are a bit over the top for an outdoor distanced activity though. I'd definitely want to use them if I were indoors in a less distanced setting though as I feel very confident about the quality and that it will do what it says it does. I know, not a gaiter, but I thought I'd add it in, because I've made three different patterns in two sizes with various ties and elastic. I also bought some Levi's brand, Buck Mason and had some disposables from Diaso that we keep on hand as well.
posted by typetive at 6:29 PM on July 17, 2020 [3 favorites]

Perhaps look at motorcycling rather than walking. You get pretty simple tube buffs, nothing shaped and no valves - they're just clothing roughly equivalent to a scarf. (I've also heard them called 'snoods'.) They're built for warmth, and the one I has seems to be jersey knit polycotton with something like elastane in it.

It's considerably thicker than a cotton mask but it is not in any way an official medical grade mask. I think it's about as good as anything fabric based would be. The problem I had is that it's also too warm right now.
posted by How much is that froggie in the window at 9:10 PM on July 17, 2020 [1 favorite]

I was looking for something similar, primarily for bicycling. The Strategist had a round up of masks for runners and suggested the Buff gaiter as an option. I decided to buy one in the lightweight merino for my partner. It’s way too thin to be of much use as a mask, and not much better folded in half, so I’d avoid the merino and get the regular kind. They are long, so doubling should be easy.
posted by bluedaisy at 9:13 PM on July 17, 2020 [1 favorite]

Remember, the best filter is useless if most of your air is coming in through cracks.

The mask isn't to protect you. The mask is to protect other people from you.
posted by mhoye at 7:52 PM on July 18, 2020 [1 favorite]

Mod note: One comment removed - OP is asking for a cloth mask not a medical mask
posted by jessamyn (staff) at 2:03 PM on July 19, 2020

Following up on this, in case anyone is still reading: gaiter-style masks appear to be worse than no mask at all according to this paper, just published in Science.
posted by caek at 10:32 PM on August 9, 2020

Caek, I realize this article has gotten huge press today but it's almost completely misinterpreted. Look at this picture from the study of the gaiter particles vs. the no mask particles and tell me you think it's better to have no mask. Also, it's not Science, but the considerably less prestigious Science Advances, second, the sample size was one person speaking with each mask for a total of 100 seconds, third, the focus of the paper was not specific masks but rather the ease of the method of study, and fourth, even if you ignore all that, the study shows that gaiters in fact dramatically reduce the total volume of virus, even if they slightly (10%) increase the total count of particles.
posted by wnissen at 10:11 PM on August 11, 2020 [3 favorites]