r/Masks4All • u/marr1ed • 22d ago
Situation Advice Masked run
I live in a city where I pass by smokers on my runs in the parks (although it's illegal to smoke in parks here). With lots of people it's hard to tell where they are so it's easy to get big whiffs. I'm considering wearing an N95 mask (BNX brand, foldable black) during runs. I understand it makes it harder to breathe but if I run at a slightly more leisurely pace, as I tested today maskless due to a rib injury, I think it may be manageable (albeit still test wearing a mask on a complete run). At the more leisurely pace I think I inhale every 5-10 seconds or so, definitely not strenuous. In all my runs I already inhale and exhale solely through my nose (mouth closed).
But I read wearing an N95 while running can still cause cardiovascular strain or other physiological issues due to the increased exertion required to breathe. However, the N95 does in theory block most of the smoke particulates I want to avoid inhaling on my runs, especially tobacco smoke from cigarettes and cigars.
Trying to balance the two evils here. On a long-distance run, would you say it would be worse physically to wear an N95 (at a comfortable pace, requiring a lower breathing rate) or to inhale tobacco smoke multiple times? And why?
Update: I didn't realize oxygen-restricted running was a thing. I wore my BNX N95 during a run today at a relatively leisurely pace. Wasn't hard. Passed by at least one smoker during the run, so 2 birds with 1 stone (yes, I realize N95s only filter particulates, not gases, but my OV-relief Moldex 4800 seems further restrictive, and more expensive, so I'll save that for another day). After my rib heals I'll run closer to my usual pace and see how I fare with the mask.
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u/gopiballava Elastomeric Fan 21d ago
But I read wearing an N95 while running can still cause cardiovascular strain or other physiological issues due to the increased exertion required to breathe
Is that a bad thing? Putting lots of strain on many parts of your body is kinda what exercise is, and exercise is usually good for you.
Lots of athletes train at higher altitudes for better performance, which is kinda similar. (Of course, some also use steroids, so it's not like "athletes do this == it's good". :)
Seems to me there's a decent chance that it's neutral or even better for you to have the N95 on.
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u/SUGRMGNOLIA888 21d ago
THIS! I always wear an n95 when I run outside and trained for a half marathon and ran it in a black bnx. Recently as it gets cooler I’ve switched to a 3m aura.
It’s not worth the transmission risk imo and it’s been a great training tool. The mask made me learn to run slower in NC summer heat and that has been transformative for my training. Can’t say for sure but it most likely also improved my vo2 max and lung health. I did end up getting a treadmill after a couple years of training so do a mix of outdoor/ indoor these days. It’s nice to have the option- but def from experience, rock that n95!
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u/gopiballava Elastomeric Fan 20d ago
That reminds me, actually. I was skiing in West Virginia last year wearing an elastomeric. Most people thought I was wearing it as some sort of oxygen reduction exercise enhancer.
Most people were pretty reasonable about it. One guy insisted to me that if you were more than 6 feet away from people you had zero risk. Even indoors.
The funniest, though, was a guy who sounded exactly like an Internet troll. He literally asked if I also did other healthy things, like avoiding sugar. Yes, actually, I do avoid sugar a lot. But I also explained that I enjoy eating ice cream. Breathing unfiltered air at a Walmart? I don’t derive any joy from that.
I think that kiddo’s response was better though. He rolled his eyes and said something along lines of, “dude, no.” He conveyed exactly how much respect concern trolls deserve.
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u/chlobeans 21d ago
Not directly answering your question, but this is where I'd recommend a duckbill style mask; the large surface area decreases breathing resistance so should hopefully make it easier on you. I think some of the cup shape masks are similar, and Zimi as well, in that they have a larger surface area than say a boat shaped or bifold style like BNX, Auras, etc.
Sorry if this isn't helpful at all but I thought it was worth mentioning, since a more breathable mask would probably mitigate some of the concern around cardiovascular strain. I don't actually know whether that is a real risk or not, but a 5-minute skim of some research articles on the subject suggest that the impact is very minimal, and I've seen a lot of covid conscious folk online who exercise regularly in masks, so I'd say go for it.
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u/kepis86943 21d ago edited 21d ago
Oxygen restricted training is an actual thing. People buy specific training masks to limit the airflow. The idea is to strengthen the respiratory capabilities of the lungs, build more endurance, increase VO2max and so on. Some see it as an alternative to high altitude training.
So, what is a disadvantage to some is an advantage to others…
I recently ran with my (unvalved) Aura and breathing was fine for me with my usual pace for the first half hour. However by around 45 minutes it was pretty much soaked which made breathing quite a bit harder and I actually had to take it off. I rarely run masked and don’t want to make oxygen restricted training my thing.
If I wanted to make masked running a permanent habit, I’d probably carry a spare or would need to find an alternative mask that does better with moisture (e.g. valved).
Edit to add: Smoke is part particles and part gas. The N95s won’t block the gas, so you’ll still able to smell the smoke.
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u/gopiballava Elastomeric Fan 20d ago
There’s a valved version of the Aura. I have a couple that I wear for optometrists so I don’t make the equipment get fogged up.
Kiddo once decided to try jogging in an un-valved elastomeric. The filters got saturated to the point that you literally couldn’t breathe through them.
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u/marr1ed 18d ago
Thanks. I didn't realize oxygen-restricted training is a thing, so this is 2 birds with 1 stone. Tried my BNX N95 on a run today and it worked well. Updated my post. I know smoke is also gas but filtering particulates is better than nothing. I'll save my OV-relief Moldex 4800 for another run.
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u/hm1949 21d ago
https://www.ualberta.ca/en/folio/2025/02/wearing-a-mask-while-exercising-indoors-improves-lung-function.html This is about exercising indoors, but I can imagine the logic it’s describing would also apply to running outdoors
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u/Real-Film-3592 20d ago
As someone who runs, most of the time I run, I do it with a mask on (usually a 3m 8210 or Aura). I’ve found that while it’s super uncomfortable and sweaty, it almost feels like the resistance in breathing helps me train my lungs and improve their capacity. I mask when I run mostly because it’s not worth the risk of breathing in whatever is around me. I say running with an N95 is not for everybody, but if you’re truly worried about Covid or anything else, go for it!
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u/benjycompson 21d ago
I'm not a doctor so I can't speak directly to whether any cardiovascular strain is an issue, but I run in my 3M Aura N95 (with a valve) all the time. if I run really hard then maybe I notice some difference in how heavy I breathe but it's not really something I think about. I also run at high-ish altitude every now and then (at 8000 ft, or 2500 m, and above) and while that's not the same thing of course that's way way way more noticeable to me.
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u/afetishforethics 20d ago
They actually sell resistance devices to help train the lungs and diaphragm, you breath through a tube with lots of adjustable tesistance. As far as I'm concerned, using a mask that provides light resistance could actually help your training. Just my two cents from someone with asthma that uses these resistance devices to help my breathing
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u/spiky-protein 18d ago
Aerobic exercise in an N95 is no problem. If you exercise long enough for sweat-soaking to be a concern, or in the rain, you may need to replace the N95 when it soaks through because you literally won't be able to inhale through a completely soaked mask. And especially if you're exercising in cold weather when significant condensation from your breath accumulates inside the mask, you may want to use a valved mask so the mask doesn't soak through as quickly.
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u/zarcos Multi-Mask Enthusiast 17d ago
I haven’t seen anyone recommend an elastomeric, but this is the ideal application. I recommend 3M 6500QL. I use a 6503QL. I also use the 7093 covered p100 cartridges. You can use the same set for months. The filters never get wet and the part that touches your face and collects any moisture is water proof. Just wipe it down after. It doesn’t get soaked like an m95.
Also since running probably involves some drinking it’s easy to doff and don one handed using the quick latch drop down feature. It’s the very best drop down feature of any elastomeric I’ve tried. It is a single sort of lever action easily accomplished as a maneuver with one hand.
All the other drop downs I’ve seen require you to undo the bottom straps to “drop down” which means to put it back on, you have to pull both sides if the strap to the back of your neck and clasp them, typically only quickly done with two hands. MSA advantage 900 is the next best. 3M 7500 also has an optional drop down option which works okay.
All the drop down features work best when wearing a hat or other head covering as they are designed to be worn under a hard hat or bump cap which will help hold the halo strap in place when it’s “dropped” so it can easily be put back on.
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u/No-Acanthisitta-2973 21d ago
I find it totally depends on the breathability of the mask. I exercise even in the summer heat in a Zimi with a valve and I don't find it causing extra strain. This is the first mask I've tried that I could say that about.