I just tried Under Armour’s face mask for runners — and I was really surprised
I only tried Under Armour's face mask for runners — and I was really surprised
The first fourth dimension I ran with a face up mask I barely made it two blocks without gasping for air like a fish on country. What should've been a leisurely 9:00 pace turned into a strenuous 13:30 schlep across the Jersey City waterfront.
Still, I kept at it and each time I ran outdoors I donned a dissimilar mask. KN95s, cotton masks, two-ply masks, you name it. However, with each run I'd hitting the aforementioned trouble — my mask would cling to my face and slowly suffocate me like i of those facehuggers from Aliens.
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Then in July I learned that Nether Armour had created a face mask specifically for runners and athletes. The mask was described as being water-resistant and designed to stay off your mouth while wicking away sweat and allowing air to catamenia through. Even better, information technology claimed to provide a snug fit with glasses. I was sold! And then I saw the price: $30.
At the time, I was curating face masks for our where to purchase face masks story and no mask came close to this price. So I was initially appalled at the $thirty cost tag and swore that I wouldn't purchase it. Sure, I can spend $30 on two cocktails, merely $30 for a face mask is absurd.
Only the more I ran with my cotton fiber face masks, the more I realized that I needed a better solution. And then I scrap the bullet and purchased the UA SportsMask. I wish I had purchased it sooner.
UA SportsMask: First impressions
The UA SportsMask comes with a soft pouch to store the mask and an instructional carte that shows yous how to properly wear it. It's available in various sizes and UA recommends that you lot measure your face earlier purchasing it. (As with all face mask purchases, UA doesn't accept returns of its mask). I blindly purchased the L/XL, which offers a nice fit.
The mask is made of three layers: a water-resistant outer beat; a breathable eye layer that lets air through (while blocking moisture/sweat); and an anti-microbial inside layer that feels absurd against your pare. (Spoiler: it does feel cool, but only while you're sitting idle).
There's a bendable nose bridge to seal the mask against your face up and stretchable ear loops. Right off the bat, I could tell the ear loops would be a problem. Non considering they didn't stretch enough, but because they seemed very flimsy. Similar the type of earloops that would shred subsequently a few washes. (Note: it's been 15 washes and they have not shown signs of shredding).
Notwithstanding, I donned my mask and went for my start run. I'm a mouth breather when I run — I inhale and breathe heavily through my oral fissure. I as well tend to sweat a lot. So later running a mile, my regular cotton fiber mask would stick to my rima oris making it almost-impossible to breathe properly without having to adapt it every few steps. The UA SportsMask on the other paw felt absurd. That'southward partially due to its design. The mask juts out a flake from your nose and that extra space is designed to requite your olfactory organ and oral fissure more than space to exhale. This helps prevent the mask from sticking to your face similar a normal cotton mask would.
I dear the fact that mask — for the most part — stays put. Even when doing brusque sprints, I didn't have to finish and conform my mask. I tried doing burpees with the mask on and once again it clinged to my face without having to adjust it.
UA SportsMask: What could be better
I tend to run during the twenty-four hours, but on a few occasions I've found myself running on evenings, so I was initially shocked that Under Armour didn't put whatsoever reflective material on their mask. Granted, I did buy the Black/Charcoal model, merely I'd love to come across more prominent reflective material on the mask for dark runners.
Too, if you lot wear glasses exist prepared to leave them at domicile because my glasses fogged up within minutes of hitting the pavement. Fortunately, my eyesight isn't that bad, so I'k able to run without spectacles, but I was disappointed to larn the mask and my glasses don't play nice together.
Even so, my biggest gripe with the UA SportsMask is that it soaks up a lot of sweat. So on long runs (7+ miles), it would slip from my face and I would take to readjust it every few minutes. I also noticed that it felt heavier on long runs, due to all the sweat it absorbs. If you're a low-cal sweater or if you're only doing curt runs, you probably won't run across this problem. Otherwise, this was a major con.
Another matter I've noticed is that after nearly 15 runs, my mask has a very low-cal odor to it. Like damp gym clothes that weren't properly dried. I only notice the odor when I starting time don my mask and it dissipates the second I'm outdoors, just that makes me worry that the mask'due south inner layer doesn't properly air out. (For what information technology'southward worth, I wash my mask immediately afterward every use and let it air dry out). I've likewise noticed a few loose threads after simply a few months with the mask, which is disappointing considering its $30 toll tag. (You tin meet the loose threads in the above photo).
UA SportsMask: Bottom line
If you're working out at a public gym or doing short to medium runs outdoors, the UA SportsMask should be your get-go and but option. Information technology's not cheap, but no cotton mask comes close to offering the air period provided by the UA SportsMask. Just keep in mind that if you're a heavy sweater, the mask does accept a few drawbacks, but none that are an absolute bargain breaker.
Source: https://www.tomsguide.com/news/i-just-tried-under-armours-face-mask-for-runners-and-i-was-really-surprised
Posted by: blackwastain.blogspot.com
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