![snood with hood snood with hood](https://i.etsystatic.com/11225103/r/il/37d5b4/2004597487/il_fullxfull.2004597487_i0jq.jpg)
Neck gaiter with filter pocket, £13.25/$17.91, Etsy If you want to ensure your gaiter is as safe as possible, you can choose one with a built-in pocket for a filter and ear loops Pack of four snoods with filter pocket + PM2.5 filters, from £17.99, Amazon SHOP NOW This pack of snoods comes with 20 PM2.5 filters, which will block pollution and add some additional protection against COVID-19 RELATED: Face masks for eyeglasses wearers: Tips and tricks Shop neck gaiters and snoods with a filter pocket Of course, face masks offering the highest protection are N95 masks, which should be reserved for medical personnel or those who come in direct contact with people who are showing symptoms or have tested positive for COVID-19. Many prefer snoods to face masks because of comfort and breathability, like this warm but lightweight bamboo designīamboo handyband, £12.95, Seasalt SHOP NOW There are also snoods made from antibacterial fabric, and even with filter pockets built in so you can add a disposable filter for extra protection. This means you will have improved breathability but a decreased ability to contain droplets that may spread the virus.
![snood with hood snood with hood](https://sc02.alicdn.com/kf/HTB1GlZMHVuWBuNjSszbq6AS7FXaa.jpg)
Silk face bandana, £28.11/$38, Etsy SHOP NOWĪccording to the University of California at Berkeley, fabrics used for neck gaiters or snoods are often thinner than materials used for standard cloth face masks. If you have maskne or sensitive skin, try a silk gaiter, like this one Any fabric which filters nose and mouth droplets that could potentially carry the virus is helpful, although effectiveness at preventing the spread ranges quite widely.For example, wearing a silk bandana provides a minimum of protection, versus a cloth face mask with a filter which is a much more efficient barrier.Īfter an August 2020 study sparked alarming headlines that snoods could be worse than no protection, Science News reviewed the report and concluded you "shouldn’t trash your neck gaiter". "The headline that neck gaiters can be worse is totally inaccurate,” University of California San Francisco infectious diseases specialist Monica Gandhi, told the magazine, adding that such headlines also "can turn people off of mask wearing, which we know can protect both the individual wearing the mask and those around them." The general rule has been that any face covering is better than no covering. RELATED: Face masks for men, from XXL sizes to masks for beards Are neck gaiters effective to prevent the spread of coronavirus? Lele Sadoughi Jet Pearl Embellished Gaiter, £47.33, Shopbop SHOP NOW Lele Sadoughi face masks are a favourite with celebrities thanks to the brand's chic styles – check out this gaiter with faux pearls Others may simply like how a neck gaiter looks – and as a result, like silk or muslin scarves, neck gaiters have become a popular option when it comes to face coverings. Moko snood with ear loops and filter pocket, pack of 3, £12.99/$14.99, Amazon SHOP NOW Why do people choose to wear a neck gaiter as a face covering?Īs more people find themselves having to wear a face mask for the first time, some have found that the standard mask is uncomfortable or they have problems staying cool underneath so prefer a neck gaiter because of breathability. Neck gaiters have in the past been most commonly used in winter, for sports, running or riding motorcycles, and are often made of fleece, wool or synthetic materials. Amidst the coronavirus pandemic, lightweight neck gaiters have been used as an alternative face covering to a standard face mask.Īs face coverings become a main staple in our wardrobe, there are increasingly fashionable styles out there – like this two-tone reversible snood in leopard print, that you can find in the chic Oliver Bonas line of neck gaitersĪnimal print jersey snood, £16/$23.50, Oliver Bonas SHOP NOW RELATED: 9 sporty face masks to work out in What is a neck gaiter?Ī soft tube snood with ear loops to keep it comfortably in place – and it's anti-bacterialĪnti-bacterial snood face covering, also in grey, £15/$22, Accessorize SHOP NOWĪ neck gaiter is a fabric scarf that slips over your head and then covers your neck, mouth and nose. If you need to know where to shop a disposable face mask, we've got you covered! Check out our story on where to buy N95, FFP2 and FFP3 face masks for increased protection against COVID-19. And note that as of February 2021, the US Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends 'double masking' - wearing a surgical mask underneath any cloth mask or neck gaiter.