Mystery Ranch is known for its durable and highly functional backpacks developed with the user in mind. They’ve made products for the US military, wildland fire, hunters, and mountaineers since the year 2000. Now, they’re bringing the same high-quality production to create reusable cloth masks during the pandemic. In this article I review Mystery Ranch’s latest face covering, the Street Mask.
The Mystery Ranch Street Mask is a beautifully crafted, 3D contoured cloth mask that subtly emulates the shape of a duckbill-style N95 mask. It contains a bendable wire for the nose bridge, and a cord band with lock adjustment that allows the user to modify the mask to his or her face size and shape. According to the features listed in the product description, the inner part of the mask is made of “non-woven, tight-cell structured liner fabric [that] provides better filtration” (source).
Quick Review
Full Review
As stated above, the Street Mask is my new favorite cloth face covering that I use to protect myself during the pandemic. I have used homemade cloth masks, scarves, Target masks, and even Mystery Ranch’s Traditional Mask, and nothing has felt as secure as the Street Mask does. The wire nose bridge and adjustable cord make it really easy to fit the mask to my size, even as a petite woman.
Easy Breathing
The 3D contoured look is not the most flattering. However, it is this elevated shape that makes breathing in the Street Mask completely effortless, by creating a small air bubble away from the nose and lips. With other masks, I’ve often had to readjust it on my face to make breathing easier, thus increasing my chance of contamination. With the Mystery Ranch Street Mask, I typically only have to adjust it after applying, and I’m good for an outing.
Slipping
Although, if I am wearing my hair down while wearing the mask, the cord tends to slip on my long hair, causing a less secure seal on my face. This can be easily fixed by tying my hair up in a ponytail and tightening the cord to the top of the pony. Doing so also prevents irritation on my ears, since the cord is resting on my ponytail instead. My husband Emil, on the other hand, has had no problems with maintaining a good seal on his mask when adjusted properly over his short hair.
Perfect Fit
The first thing I noticed when I initially tried on the Street Mask was how perfectly it fit to my face. While my previous mask, Mystery Ranch’s Traditional Mask, laid flat on my face with obvious airflow through the sides, the Street Mask formed to every contour of my face. I could immediately tell airflow was restricted by the fact that my glasses did not fog up at all while wearing it. It is this seal that is especially important to me for preventing spread of the virus.
See sizing measurements on the product page.
Machine-Washable
The mask is machine-washable, and has held up well through the washer machine. However, I like to remove the cord before washing, because I feel like it prolongs the durability. I also prefer to let the mask air dry for the same reason.
Cons
The only real downfall I can see with the Mystery Ranch Street Mask is that it does not have a pocket that allows the user to insert a filter (like the Traditional Mask does). On the other hand, if you don’t prefer using a filter, then this isn’t a problem.
Colors May Vary
One thing to be aware of when purchasing the Mystery Ranch Street Mask, is that the logo patch and cord may vary from the colors in the picture based on availability. “Colors could vary from neutral earth tones, hot pink, bright yellow, and orange. Colors of the band are based on the availability of raw materials at the time of manufacturing” (source).
Although, it does appear that Mystery Ranch is trying to maintain a cohesive look with the colors. When Emil first purchased a pair for both of us, I received two small black masks with orange logos and gray cords. Emil received the same mask in large, and another tan mask with a matching logo and white cord. When he purchased additional masks (because we loved it so much), all four masks were the same black masks with orange logos and gray cords.
On the product page, one of the customers recommended using a shoestring if you don’t like the color of the cord you receive, which I think is a great alternative as well.
In Conclusion
I really like the Mystery Ranch Street Mask, and recommend it for everyone. The overall construction and functionality is excellent. I wish I didn’t have to wear my hair up to ensure it fits securely, but that is a small sacrifice for the great coverage and prevention of airflow it offers.
If you found this review helpful, please consider purchasing your mask via my affiliate link above. Doing so costs nothing to you, the reader, and provides me with a commission that allows me to continue producing valuable content. Regardless, my review is honest and unbiased, as my mission is to empower travelers and hikers with knowledge that will make them more confident to explore their surroundings.
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