686 Polygiene Viraloff Archetype Face Mask

COVID-19 had reached pandemic status before the first quarter of 2020 was finished, and it changed our lives almost overnight. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention along with the World Health Organization gave people guidelines on how to protect themselves from the deadly and highly contagious virus, and eventually, it became clear that face masks are critical in slowing transmission rates.

While countless brands make reusable face covers, 686’s mask tackles multiple protection issues at once. It’s made with four layers of fabric to reduce air flow, but it’s still breathable thanks to the two inner merino wool layers. Those layers are helpful when wearing the mask for extended periods or during intense activities because they wick away moisture, preventing the mask from becoming too humid. Merino wool is naturally antimicrobial, but 686 also added Viraloff antimicrobial coatings — a technology that attracts and disables microbes with silver ions — to three layers of the mask.

Four layers of fabric are already double what most face masks have, and 686’s mask has a dedicated filtration layer to help further reduce the spread of moisture droplets and viruses.the mask includes a filter pocket so people can insert yet another layer of protection if desired. Its stretchy fabric and long ties also provide a superior fit on a wide range of face shapes.

Though there are plenty of face masks available now — each of which is better than not wearing a face mask at all — there might not be one better than this.

Specs

Fabric: Wool-polyester blend, polyester-spandex blend

Fit: Head-tie closure

Properties: Anti-microbial, UPF 50 sun-protection, washable $27