You’re here, looking for the best face masks for glasses wearers, for a reason: The Fog. Soon after the CDC began recommending everyone wear a mask, a film of condensation settled in on the faces of all glasses-wearers. As a four-eyed freak myself, I haven’t been immune. In April, during speedy jaunts to pick up groceries, I almost collided with another bespectacled person on three separate occasions.
As for why the The Fog happens, you probably remember the reason from your middle school science classes. Hot breath plus cold lenses means water vapor condensates—and blurs everything. Early quar solutions to the mask fog situation—back when finding a face mask meant scouring Etsy for something, anything in stock—ranged from practical (anti-fog spray for your lenses) to absurd (using tape or stuffing napkins into the mask to plug up any gaps between your face and the fabric).
Now you get served 12 ads for masks with every thumb scroll on Instagram, so scarcity isn’t the issue. Fit is. To avoid The Fog, you need a mask that fits, tightly (but comfortably), along its top-most line. An adjustable nose bridge—usually a wire in the top hem—is a necessity, but not always enough. Adjustable ear ties are a big boost. Ultimately, the best mask for anyone who wears glasses will be the one that creates a breath-bottling seal against your unique snowflake of a face.
Below, you’ll find a selection of masks represent a wide variety of materials and patterns, so there’s bound to be at least one that’ll fit you—and prevent The Fog.
The Best Reusable Face Masks for Glasses Wearers
.jpg)
Buck Mason was early to the mask game, and has sold a ton since the beginnings of the pandemic—while also continuing to refine its M1 mask’s design. The latest version features ear ties (versus elastic loops) for a more customizable fit and a breathable, anti-microbial breathable fabric.
.jpg)
Baggu makes two versions of its masks, but the one you, a glasses-wearer, want is the one with ear ties for a better fit. Baggu’s masks, made with a thick quilter’s cotton, also have an adjustable nose bridge. They only come in packs of three, each with a variety of colors or patterns.
.jpg)
Brooks Brothers’ masks are as simple and classic as the company’s button downs, with a nose bridge and no-frills design. Speaking of which: they only come in white—careful with that coffee (or lipstick).
This Urban Outfitters face mask is made from a blend of cotton, rayon, and spandex, like the perfectly stretchy pair of chinos you’ve worn through the entirety of quarantine. The company sells other face masks, but this is the one you should get if you wear glasses. It comes in four deeply tinted colors.
KEs makes a lovely silk face mask with ear ties. Just because you wear glasses doesn’t mean you have to deprive yourself of micro-luxury! Plus, when you buy one directly, the company also donates one to a healthcare professional.
There are more face mask retailers operating on Etsy than we care to count. If you don’t want to do the scanning yourself, Dainty Bean offers a simple face mask with ear ties in a bunch of different colors and patterns that should arrive on your doorstep in about a week. Make sure you get the adjustable nose bridge, which costs an extra buck.
.jpg)
For each purchase of these pleated masks with ear ties, the company is donating a set of masks to unhoused and low-income people in Los Angeles.
It’s less gorp-core than KEEN’s sandals, but this simple face mask’s adjustable ear loops and nose bridge should get you a fog-less fit—and at a solid price. The mask also comes in black and “drizzle” (sort of a tie-dyed blue).
Merna Maita is a female-owned company making good-looking cotton muslin masks with ear ties. It will donate a pair of masks to frontline workers and those in need for each purchase. You can download the company’s pattern and instructions to make your own if you’re feeling DIY.
This Sentry face mask with ear ties is made from chambray, denim’s softer, shirt-happy cousin—though it’s also available in a cotton-linen blend. Beyond the ties, the filter pocket (BYO) is a nice touch.
These simple face, made with upcycled fabric in Los Angeles, masks ship the day you order them. Bomme Studio’s masks are also available in a few wilder patterns beyond black, if that’s more your vibe.
Ijji’s low-key, genderless gear is cool in the least showy way, and so are its new masks. Made from the same deadstock Japanese Twill as the company’s pants and overshirts, the masks fit snugly thanks to the top and bottom ear ties.
Made in Atlanta, these tie-died masks feature a stretchy, breathable fabric and a long metal nose bridge. True, the elastic ear loops are less adjustable than ties, but these are still comfortable to wear over long periods of time.
New York governor Andrew Cuomo might not be a style icon, but this namesake face mask has pretty excellent stripes. The extra-long adjustable ties should make it easy to keep against your face, and untie when you’re back home.
Face Mask Aid is a collective of fashion-industry volunteers making face masks in Brooklyn for essential workers. Each order includes five cotton face masks (with ear ties) and two laundry bags, so that you can separate your dirty masks from your clean ones, and funds a one-to-one donation.
The makers of the celebrated Trash Tee used scrap fabric to create some simple, raw, un-dyed, cotton face masks. The mask doesn’t have ear ties, but it does have adjustable straps and a sturdy nose bridge. The company also sells a heavier version, if you’re staring down winter and looking for a thicker fabric.
The denimheads at Citizens of Humanity have turned their jeans expertise to mask-making. These masks are on the thicker side, which you’ll welcome as the weather cools, and have ear ties. The five pack comes in an assortment of washes, just right if you want to match to your favorite jeans.
The Best Disposable Face Masks for Glasses Wearers
These blacked out disposable face masks have the geographic coordinates for Milan in the top left corner. Thanks to the adjustable nose bridge, you’ll actually be able to notice when a passerby squints to try to read them.
KN95 masks are essentially N95 masks, but certified to meet Chinese health codes rather than those set by U.S. agencies. The long nose bridge on these basically makes mask fog an impossibility.
Nomad Goods primarily sells leather Apple accessories, including some excellent AirPods cases, but the company is now selling PPE. These have the nose bridge you need, for 30 cents a mask.
.jpg)
These disposable masks are just a tad more expensive than Nomad Goods’ masks, at about 56 cents per mask, but will ship in two days if you have an Amazon Prime subscription.
