by 
Wired’s Adrienne So featured the Cariloha bamboo face mask in her article titled “22 Face Masks We Actually Like to Wear!” She highlights how “When wildfire smoke blanketed Portland, Oregon, I did not have any N95 masks. Of the masks that I had on hand, Cariloha’s thick, 4-layer bamboo masks did the best job of filtering out the smoky smell and soot, without taking valuable PPE from first responders.” Wired is an influential lifestyle website reaching 7,143,050 unique monthly visitors.
22 Face Masks We Actually Like to Wear
By Adrienne So
Here are the WIRED staff’s favorite face coverings for running, walking the dog, going to work, or looking stylish.
IN APRIL, THE US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommended that all citizens wear nonmedical face masks to slow the spread of Covid-19. Earlier this year, we wrote about how to make your own mask. But months into the pandemic, a number of new studies have shown that simple T-shirts or bandanas might not be the most effective face coverings to reduce spread.
These are some of the masks that I and other WIRED staff members have used and recommend. I’ve also highlighted sustainable options, diverse and small manufacturers, and companies that are donating to worthy causes. Try a few and stay safe!
And remember to keep washing your hands regularly, staying at home when possible, and maintaining at least a 6-foot distance from others in public (preferably outdoors).
How We Evaluate Masks
Make sure any mask you wear adheres to the recommended CDC guidelines. A good mask should completely cover your nose and mouth, use at least two fabric layers, and be washable without damage. When evaluating masks, we actually wear them in our everyday lives. I also used the light test and the candle test. For the most efficacy, a mask’s weave should be tight enough to not allow light to show through, and thick enough to prevent you from blowing out a candle while you’re wearing it.
We’ve included some tips on mask care and choosing the best kind of mask straps at the end of this list. Also be sure to check out our Best Face Masks for Kids guide and how to prevent and treat mascne.
Updated for November 2020: We added more information on how we test masks, removed and demoted some old picks, and included a few more masks that we like.
Our Picks
A Great 4-Layer Mask
Cariloha Bamboo Face Mask
When wildfire smoke blanketed Portland, Oregon, I did not have any N95 masks. Of the masks I had on hand, Cariloha’s thick, four-layer bamboo masks did the best job of filtering out the smoky smell and soot, without taking valuable PPE from first responders. The very substantial mask has a smooth, moisture-wicking bamboo exterior and three interior layers, which include a PM 2.5 filter. It also has a nose band and O-rings on the ear loops to adjust the fit.
Cariloha is a bedding company, so the mask does feel a little bit like wearing a tiny duvet on your face. But otherwise, it’s very comfortable. I also later acquired a comfortable silicone CastleGrade reusable respirator, which has been FDA-registered and tested at Nelson Labs. This is a good reusable mask if you already donated your bin of emergency single-use N95 masks earlier this year.
Read more from Wired here.