10 Best Hunting Masks – 2021 Reviews And Top Picks

Comfort

First of all, the mask should be comfortable to wear because if it is not then, it would be difficult to wait about 10 hours wearing it. What does make the mask comfortable? Wearing a mask means you protect yourself from the cold and that’s why it has to be warm, but it doesn’t have to overheat you. For example, fleece or polyester is the materials which help to vent out the extra moisture. However, if both of them get wet, the function of the protection from cold won’t work anymore. The holes for the eyes and mouth should also be comfortable and not to be an obstacle for a real sight with hearing.

It is always easier to get the cheap one product which means that it is made of a synthetic material. The most wide-spread materials for the masks are fleece and polyester or a mix of it with other fabrics. Look for the mask which can stretch and has drawstrings that will make the time of usage longer for sure.

Easy Usage

The mask shouldn’t make any problems to put it on; it has to be easy to do. If there’s something that disturbs you while hunting, the mask is not a good choice for you.

What material is better to choose?

Mesh

This type of mask is lightweight and provides great visibility, letting the moist to vapor out. It will provide good protection from mosquitoes and other insects. It’s good for turkey or duck hunting; the best examples are in our review — North Mountain Gear Ambush HD Camouflage and North Mountain Gear Ultra Light Hunting Camouflage — breathable and good on sunny days. You might be a bit cold in late autumn and winter.

Fabric

It is a good choice for a windy and cool weather that keeps you warm. However, it can block a bit of the sound. Fabric masks are usually breathable and keep you comfortable in both cold and warm weather. Have a look at North Mountain Gear Ambush HD Camouflage in our review. One more example is Kings Mountain Shadow Camouflage Cap — but it’s camouflage, so it’s not perfect — there are white areas that can give you away.

Neoprene

This type of material perfectly protects from the water and the wind. However, it also doesn’t let hear well enough. Neoprene masks protect your face from sand or small leaves, and it can be versatile and used for warm- or cold-weather hunting. And we think you can easily get warm in it. It is pretty soft, which lets you be comfortable and stay in it for a long time. In our review, we advise hunters to pay attention to the Hunters Specialties Scent-A-Way Silver Spandex Balaclava. It is protected from the growth of bacteria. This mask blocks scent, so it’s perfect for a deer hunting.

What masks are suitable for a particular type of hunting?

Here we explain what the difference is between hunting masks for deer, bow, duck, and turkeys and what hunters should pay attention to.

Duck Hunting

The mask for duck hunting has to cover the face properly. It has to provide a high quality of waterproof as this hunting happens near the river or lake. Ducks usually see the faces of hunters from a very far distance, they look like shine for them, and they will fly away. In addition, you should be comfortable using a decoy without taking the mask off. And it’s better when your hands are invisible while decoying as well, so you can hide them somewhere. Kloak Camouflage Hunting Cup is waterproof and good for use during warm and cold weather — it is one of the best cold weather face masks on the market. Scentlok Savanna Lightweight Headcover is also easy to use with a decoy.

Bow Hunting

The facemask should cover the whole area of the skin. It also should provide the option of vision regulation if needed. For example, Gamehide Unisex Elimitick Two Hole Facemask is a great choice for this. It has only an eye and mouth slot. Plus, it is warm and will protect you from insects, if you are hunting near the water, for example. Bowhunting can probably take a lot of your time, so you should be sure that your mask is warm enough. We can suggest the Hunter’s Specialties Scent A Way Silver Spandex Balaclava as the warmest mask for this kind of hunting — check our review.

Deer Hunting

For the deer season, the mask has to be warm enough, as usual, this type of hunting happens at the end of the fall. It is not always necessary to wear the mask for deer hunting, but if you wear it to make sure it is noticeable for other hunters. But you should make sure that your mask is scent-blocking — deers are very sensitive in this way. ScentLok Savanna Lightweight Headcover and Scent-A-Way Silver Spandex Balaclava from our review would be a good choice. Balaclava is warm — and good for late fall. The mask should be laconic — there’s no need for leaf imitation or other camouflaging.

Turkey Hunting

Choosing turkey face masks, you should pay attention to the main point — it should make you invisible. Turkeys have very acute eyesight; they can even see buttons on your clothes. So, the mask should cover all of your face; it can imitate leaves. Plus, it should be comfortable to use a decoy — it’s easier to use it and be motionless than to try and steal up a turkey. We advise you have a look at the QuikCamo Depsoc Camouflage Camo Hunting Hat and Hunters Specialties Realtree Xtra Green Leafy Head Net in our review.

What camo pattern is suitable?

Mimicry. It means that the color of the patterns as its type should be spread not only over the mask but the whole hunting suit. These patterns include the colors of the surroundings where you hunt and hide. It is important to remember that the patterns may change as the season. For example, green patterns are suitable for the beginning of the season, however, if it’s deer hunting and there are any weather changes, the animal can notice the hunter’s silhouette.

Breakup. This term means that the hunter tries to break up the outline. If the pattern is chosen well-enough, then the hunter will merge with the part of the surroundings, like the log or a definite tree. Breakup outline is better to wear when you’re on big game hunting. It does not blend the hunter but him a part of the hunting area.

3D. It is a textured part of the clothes which perfectly suits for all types of hunting. It doesn’t underline the figure of the hunter. This kind of camo usually provides fake leaves which look real in combination with the right camo pattern.

What type of the mask to choose?

Even the styles of the hunting masks may differ, and the choice depends on personal preferring.

Balaclava. This mask covers the head, face, and neck at the same time. It protects from the cold and wind. Unfortunately, the eye holes and can’t be adjusted.

Mouth Mask. These masks do not cover the head and eyes and can be worn with the cap of the same patterns as the whole piece masks may not fit some hunters. Mouth mask doesn’t have a size that makes it a perfect for everyone. It is also easy to pull such a mask down to breathe enough air.

Open Top. This model reminds balaclava, but it has no top. The mask keeps the face warm, and the hunter additionally may wear a cap on the sunny weather.

Glass Mask. Those hunters who prefer or need to wear glasses should look for a mask that is compatible with the eyewear. The mask has to provide a proper venting function. The bridge nose should stay free from the mask. The eyeholes have to be wide enough.

Cold Weather Face Masks

Hunting during the cold season still takes a lot of time, so you should take care of any additional insulation you may need. The mask should protect you from the snow, rain (which means it’s better to be waterproof), and wind. Plus, it’s better to choose a mask with no slot for the mouth — first, because breathing heavily can quickly give you away. Secondly, it can make you ill. In our review, the best choice is the Dxnona Outdoor Warm Windproof Camouflage Fleece Head Hat Face Mask.

Conclusion

Choosing a hunting mask can be not so difficult if you remember the major conditions for the mask’s choice. The best mask should not block the vision and hearing. It is better if the mask protects from the insects and the influence of the UV rays. The skin of the face should feel comfortable and breathe. It is also important that the mask is not too loose or too tight because the hunter’s comfort is above all. Hopefully, this piece of information will make up your mind to choose the right facemask for the best hunting!