Adidas Face Cover Large-Not For Medical Use, Unisex Adult, Multicoloured/Black/White/Power Red, NS'

Product Information

Interestingly, filtration efficiency improved after five washes for half of the face coverings we tested, likely to be caused by fibres compressing during the wash. Adidas has released its own branded face mask, at a time when it’s struggling desperately to sell its usual sportswear.

This can lead to your face covering becoming damp, which reduces the filtration efficiency. This is why we only gave top scores to face coverings which got the balance right.

Tough And Tougher Times

In our tests, we found huge discrepancies in how well face coverings were able to filter bacterial particles.

They did well when filtering particles - managing 72% of particles on the first test, 73% after five washes - while also being some of the most breathable masks we looked at. Some materials offer very high filtration, but do not allow for the flow of air. This makes it harder to breathe, but can also cause more moisture build-up as your exhalations condense (due to the temperature difference between the ambient air and the air trapped by the face covering). Filtration efficiency is measured based on the percentage of colony-forming units of bacteria that were able to pass through the face covering.

Seven masks (results listed in the table above) failed our tests. We shared our results with the manufacturers or retailers, and these were their responses. The Vita Group said its face covering had been tested at external accredited testing facilities which showed filtration levels of more than 90%. It said that the discrepancies in results demonstrate the need for mandatory overarching standards to be put in place. We have been in discussion with the Vita Group and we are working together to understand each other's findings.

One of our testers rated each mask for how comfortable it was to wear with glasses and whether their glasses steamed up while wearing it. See our face covering usage guide for advice on wearing and washing your mask properly. Glasses compatibility We repeated the filtration tests after the masks had been through the wash five times, and gave equal weighting to the pre and post-wash filtration score. The largest improvement was an increase from 7% filtration to 27%, but most only improved marginally. However, bear in mind that over a longer period of time it's possible the fabric will wear and become slightly less effective. So if your mask is starting to look worn out it's time to replace it.It should be noted that coronavirus particles can be much smaller (as little as 0.1 micrometre in diameter), so what we are measuring is not the face covering’s ability to protect against coronavirus, per se. If you don't mind the close fit, it's a soft and comfortable workout mask that provides two layers of material to stop droplets and takes up minimal space when not being worn. This helps to create community protection by minimising exhalation of virus particles, which would be contained in these larger droplets and aerosols. Breathability The best face coverings were able to filter 99.9% of particles, while the worst only managed a paltry 7%' The company is clearly struggling. So how does it respond? Well, it releases its own branded Adidas face mask. Yes, this move seems completely desperate, and actual sales of the mask will hardly make a dent in its 95% drop in profits.

The Adidas Face Cover isn't adjustable, but comes in two sizes designed to fit most adults. The largest of these is M/L, so if you think you'd prefer a large mask to avoid pulling on your ears, you'd be better off with one of the other options. Maskari said its mask has been tested by Swiss labs, revealing good filtration results, and has been approved as a community mask in Switzerland, so were surprised by our results. It noted that its masks are treated with antimicrobial substance, that Which? tests do not take into account. We washed each face covering five times at 60°C, or using the temperature / method specified by the manufacturer, looking for damage each time. Masks are marked down for poor breathability, as this can create a build-up of moisture which then affects filtration (see How We Test, below the table). Adidas told us its mask was designed early on in the pandemic, before there was an industry standard for non-medical face coverings, and that its mask was tested for comfort and breathability.We looked to include a range of face coverings made of different materials, numbers of layers and designs (eg pleated, molded, with filter, kids sizes available), to see which were most effective and comfortable. Reusable masks aren’t required to conform to specific standards like disposable masks are, although there is a voluntary standard in place, which is why we tested them during 2020/2021, when they were being recommended as a community health measure.