As of 2025 I sometimes wear an N95 mask while running outdoors. I may be a superhero but I’m not Batman. So why masked runs, like a minority of runners do? Am I just strange? I may be weird but there are also other reasons.
The main reason I do this, personally, is I dislike inhaling smoke, vehicle emissions and other air pollution, which tend to be rampant where I currently run, including in parks (where, for instance, people aren’t allowed to smoke, but they do it anyway as there’s basically no enforcement), and which can be inhaled at greater amounts when respiring while running (this is also why it’s a good idea to keep the mouth closed while running outside, as I virtually always do, as the nasal passageways can naturally filter some particles).
I don’t have a respiratory condition, allergies or sensitivities, nor was my choice related to avoiding pathogens. I simply like keeping my lungs in pristine condition, and I detest the odor of smoke in general.
Wearing an N95 while running has added benefits: (1) breathing resistance, hence mild respiratory muscle training (diaphragm, intercostals), although it may not count as true oxygen-resistance training since O2 levels may be normal (~21% oxygen); and (2) in cold weather (e.g. harsh NYC winters), potentially shielding the face and nasal passageways from cold dry air.
Also, I find running with an N95 at my usual paces easy enough (times seem relatively close to what I achieve without a mask), so with the added benefits above, why not?
I wear a BNX H95B, which is disposable and foldable.
On Strava, n95 (lowercase) means I wore an N95 for a significant part of (but not the entire) run.