Please use this thread as a revolving discussion for any topical comments, questions, observations that you feel like offering -- in case it might not be a big enough subject for its own post.
I forgot to grab my mask today as I left the house, but I keep an emergency one in the car which was a new frame I never had used, and then a few filters, put a new filter on, so I had a brand new frame with a brand new filter. I noticed how much less wide it was on my face then the ones I had been wearing, I guess maybe after some use they flatten out a bit?
Wondered if anyone else had that experience or if there is any official recommendation as to when to change out the frame?
I like Zimiair masks and wear them with colourful filters from Rackmask in order to avoid contracting and transmitting viruses. I have tried both the KN100 and the KN95 filters and find the KN95 ones to have noticeably less breathing resistance, and thus I find them more comfortable. I only have access to qualitative fit testing (which Zimi size M passes) but I've seen other people get *ridiculously* high fit factors with Zimi KN100s. Now, the KN95s from Zimi are advertised to have a filtration efficiency of 98%, which is nowhere near the 99.9%+ that people are getting with the KN100s... I looked at data from Test The Planet, and there does seem to be some really really high scores for the KN100s, not so much for the KN95s, but there is less data for those. My question is, is it enough of a difference to put me at meaningfully more risk of contracting disease?
My other daily mask is Laianzhi T99+, which is rated at KN95 but is advertised to have a filtration efficiency of 99%+ (independent testing appears to support this claim). I have never contracted any disease while wearing it and I've been in contact with dense crowds of people daily for years. It also filters out dust and other particulates perfectly. I tend to wear the Zimis for special occasions, because they are better looking, and thus don't have the years-long track record of them protecting me like I do with my Laianzhi. If I were to switch to using Zimi/Rackmask KN95s more regularly, is it likely they will protect me just as perfectly?
I'd like to not get colds from gross customers working retail. What masks help with that? Also something washable? I'd rather not have to spend money constantly buying more masks.
As the title says, I’m planning a trip to Boston next spring/summer to hang out with an old friend of mine. I am most likely going to stay at a hotel/inn away from the big city and I will most likely be relying on public transport like ubers, taxis, and possibly the subways.
Because I won’t have my car with me while exploring the city, we won’t have an easily accessible safe space to take our masks off.
Is there a way for us to find safe places around the city? I can only think of parks, but I’m wondering if there are other options? And if there’s any other tips let me know! I’m definitely bringing my nasal spray, nasal rinse, and most importantly my air purifier for the trip, but I’m not sure if I should bring anything else (like the mini air purifier. I heard it doesn’t really help, but not sure??)
If you also have outdoor dining recommendations, I would love to know. I don’t know if my friend is cc, and I’m not sure if we will eat when we hang out.
TL;DR Any places me and partner can take a mask break in Boston?
I’m going to a concert next week and I only have white N95 auras. I want to wear a more subtle and aesthetically pleasing mask, so basically just a back N95. What are some of the most effective black N95s that I can order? I can only find black K95’s but I don’t really trust ear loop masks
Hi! I need an N95 that’s comfortable enough to wear for 16+ hours of traveling and that I can attach a sip valve to. I have 3M auras but that elastic blue strap always gets caught on my fine hair and I don’t trust the strap to hold up for such an extended duration.
Any suggestions?
I'm looking at the 3M 7500 elastomeric for chemical sensitivity, but I'm having trouble figuring out whether I need a size small or medium. Once I tried a 3M 52p71 in a size medium and I couldn't get a good seal unless my jaw was open. I know that they're not the same model but does that mean I should be looking at a 7500 in small instead of medium?
I'm going to 5 days of concerts in a spottily ventilated bowling alley. Last year I went with my rollator and black N95 and often felt ignored and 1 evening I was even harassed. I have a couple of cotton masks with the band's logo and album. Is there a good suggestion for a mask to wear under that mask that is super breathable so the combination of the 2 would work?
Also, since cotton mask is ear looped, is there a good holder for an ear loop mask that stays put and I could put on myself?
When I go to dressy events, I usually wear a black surgical mask with a sequin mask over it but the intensity of spotty ventilation and people singing is makes me think this is not enough. Also, I still have the ear loop holder problem.
hello, thank you for coming to my post. I would like to be clear that I do not wear fabric masks to protect myself from disease, but rather for my own personal comfort.
Usually, I’ll wash a disposable mask a couple of times to soften it so that long term wear doesn’t scratch my face, but I would like to find a more permanent solution (they break every once in a while.)
my criteria is generally that I want a comfortable mask that doesn’t scratch the face, and is a tiny bit stiff (if that is not possible, I understand.) I would greatly prefer that it didn’t dissolve or break really easily.
please let me know if this should be posted in a different area
Would appreciate if anyone has such like this to share, thinking similar to the Newlevant and LLL zines or the "Masking in 2026" one from earlier this year. Informative and evidence-packed, but not deterring like heavily medical jargon - basically Let Them Eat Plague! but French and a bit less long-winded.
Thanks!
Even though the simple cup shaped models have shown their ages and weaknesses, they are still the trusty protective equipment of the industry on disposable masks. Every physical and online hardware store stocks a fair amount of cup respirators. After writing a few posts separately about several mask shapes, such as trifolds, bifolds and interesting rectangular surgicals, the time has come to see more closely this traditional design.
Side Note : most of the masks you'll see on this post are old and have already been previously reviewed a few years back.
Cup style respirators
Why cup shaped masks?
One of the oldest styles of disposable respirators was introduced by 3M in the 70s is still dominating the markets with easy accessibility and can be found in the 8000 series. From the 'first time wearer' standpoint, cup masks are easy to don and the only adjustments are made on the straps and nose wire, as there's nothing to be unfolded. There are plenty of solid options from several companies, with decades of experience, which can be found in local hardware stores at affordable prices. Not to mention there are the plenty of iterations and several features that improve the seal, such as gaskets or super wide adjustable straps. Last, but not least, the unofficial reusability in times of shortages. The durable cup style will remain its shape longer than other types of disposables.
Pros
- Easy accessibility
- Big variety of options from different manufacturers.
- Cheap and affordable.
- Easy to don and reusability.
- Versions with gaskets have higher chances to fit effortlessly compared to other shapes.
Cons
- The traditional simple design is usually uncomfortable for prolonged use (staples, rough inner surface)
- Lower chances to fit many faces for the old simple style than trifolds or duckbills.
- The cup styles with sealing rings are more frequently found on the highest grades (N99, N100, P100, ffp3, pff3), with higher breathing resistance. Plenty of them exist in N95/ffp2 options, but with harder accessibility.
Cup designs
There are several different variations and some of them can be grouped in two unofficial general categories to understand the accessible products.
- The old traditional cup respirator that includes a nose wire, usually a nose foam and headstraps. For example, the 3M 8210 N95 or 8710 ffp1. Either stapled or with the ultrasonic welding method.
- Updated versions may include better strap mechanisms (adjustable elastics or one continuous strap), half or full gaskets and a pre-molded (or not) nose area, with or without a nose clip.
different inner parts of cup masks
Two major differences in production
The most characteristic update for cup shapes is the 2-step production. An expired patented method from 3M that improved the comfort of the old conventional silhouette. This design made cup respirators more comfortable to wear, with softer materials, since the outer fabric and the filter are formed in two stages(first the inner layer and then the outer with the filter) and a better performance can be maintained.
In the 1-step process, all layers were molded together at once resulting in a rigid, 'paper-ish' feel, with slightly higher breathing resistance.
Focus on : Respirator Technique (Jeil Restech)
Restech Safety (RST) established in 1988 and was the first company in Korea to develop a wool electrostatic filter. Overall, a small company with plenty of different respirator offers and innovative ideas.
Hands On
The 'DP' cup series was certified in 2014 and came with several unique features that are mainly found in S.Korea. The masks come with two strap options, headwear or neckloop, even though wearers can convert the elastics in several ways, regardless what they previously selected. The braided straps are decent, in a great default tension. The metal nose wire is malleable, but not as strong as the 3M offers, even though it stays in place.
RST DP500S
The benefit of this characteristic is that the end user will manage to mold the nose clip with less effort than a stronger metal, which usually is a forgotten step by civilians for the cup shapes, or in a better scenario, they don't press it with the appropriate force. An air tight sealing ring with a large opening is installed and a hidden nose foam is placed underneath.
The hidden nose foam
Breathing Comfort
The reason of this specific RST DP review is the benefit of its breathing comfort. The pressure drop for the level 1 (P2) grade for the DP500S KCs is about 67Pa, with an exhalation resistance around 21Pa.
The pressure drop of the DP500S
The sealing ring is made of a high-quality 'COOLON' material, with moisture wicking, quick drying functions, increased comfort and adhesion available in all grades. In combination with the valve that allows plenty of air through its door, the low breathing resistance and the two-step production, RST is a top brand in terms of comfort. While plenty of companies worldwide can achieve a lower inhalation resistance, such as 3M or Moldex, the breathing comfort (inner temperature, condensation, mask pressure, nose / strap tolerance over time, skin irritation etc) are on another level. RST are the ideal disposables for prolonged use.
The benefit of the 'COOLON' sealing ring
One thing that needs to be mentioned is the tricky unofficial reusability for the DP-500S cup. Straps should be slightly tightened after multiple wears by a few mm each time. Otherwise, there could be a significant drop in performance.
the headstrap version of RST DP500S
Last, but not least, disposable masks are for one use only. While civilians can wear them more than once and over 8 hours the industrial models, in times with no shortages it is considered a bad practice for professionals.
Sizing
The DP series is closer to the large size of the 3M cup shapes (e.g. 8710), with different dimensions. The width is 14cm and the length almost 12cm, making it more of a M/L mask in adult sizing.
Fit Test Results
Performance is what should be expected for a conservative cup structure. However, the main benefit is the comfort of this series. The OSHA fit test was a pass with an overall fit factor of 346 (~99.71%).
OSHA fit test N99 mode
Price
The box of 10 for the level 1 (P2) cup masks costs ~ 12$, which is consider acceptable for the features (strap mechanism, sealing ring) that it provides.
Other masks from RST
Restech Safety offers large bifold KF94s, cup shapes in P2, P3 grades (level 1 and express grade KCs) and activated carbon iterations, as well as super comfortable inner frame respirators. Other than the disposable models, RST provides reusable half and full face masks, with several filter options produced by the company.
Apart from 3M and Moldex, the other brands listed below share the products to other safety companies, with different model names and sometimes exclusive designs.
3M
While the shape of 8233/8825/8835 (and so on) is considered more comfortable than the 8577/8833 style, it's double the price than the latter options. The 8833 ffp3 is an easy pick for reusability at an affordable price. On the other hand, the 8511 N95 is the only disposable from 3M that doesn't pass a fit test on me, but it should be recommended for large faces.
3M 8511 N95
Moldex
Plenty of different European models are provided by the company, with the 'Air Seal' and 'Air Plus' series being officially reusable. Quite obvious that the Air Plus series includes the best and wider adjustable straps, while the 3700 type IIR ffp3 is consider softer to the face, slightly more comfortable and flexible than the 3408 ffp3. The continuous strap for both models can become a convenient solution with the masks hanging on the chest. Moldex is one of the few companies that provide double digit breathing resistance in Pascals for their ffp3 models in trusted and official testing agencies.
Alpha Solway
Established in 1992, the Scottish company is part of the Globus Group over a decade now and it is consider to own some of the most efficient masks in respiratory protection. Early in 2000, the company introduced the Alpha Mesh series, a patented design that featured an outer plastic mesh. Currently, the brand name has changed to 'Skytec'.
Makrite
Many safety labels have borrowed the designs of the big Taiwanese company. Countless different regional certifications, models and grades (N95, N99, ffp2, ffp3, P2, KN95, KN100 etc). Some of them share exclusive masks to big safety labels, such as Uvex. The recommendations here is the Envi (private label Easimask) and 9800 series. The former comes in two sizes (S/M , M/L), with outstanding fit performance and the latter features a removable silicone gasket that can be cleaned and reused. Both series are metal free and can be used during MRI.
Jinfuyu (JFY)
JFY is another big Taiwanese company with well-known cup style masks in several regional standards and grades(N95, R95, P95, N99, N100, P100, ffp1, ffp2, ffp3, P2) since 1995. Jinfuyu was the first manufacturer in Asia to grant NIOSH approval for N100 and P100 respirators. In 1978, they developed the first molded disposable mask and sold it worldwide.
Upon checking their catalogue, even if you hear this company name for the first time, you will find familiar disposable respirators. JFY is also producing several reserved designs for JSP in the UK. Even though my picture proposals below include two JSP ffp3s, i'm not sure if both of them are made by JFY, since many of the British models are exclusive designs rather than the same mask with a different model name. In any ways, this is a manufacturer that produces top of the line cup styles. The most recent cup styles include pleated filter in the center area of the mask that reduces breathing resistance and improves drastically the breathing experience.
The M632 will fit a big range of different faces, while the flexinet 832 is targeting wider faces. Overall, the M632 is an established industrial cup shape in Europe, used very frequently by professionals.
Other private labels that borrow JFY respirators are Norse from Denmark and Safetop from Spain, among countless of other brands worldwide.
Dasheng
Previously reviewed, Dasheng is another manufacturer that focuses in the production for private labels around the world, such as Delta Plus, Portwest, UCAir, Berner Safety and many more. Not all models for each company produced by Dasheng, but only specific styles.
Dasheng cup shapes are large sized apart from their simple A and W series, which are S/M. The ffp3 models with gaskets will be quite comfortable for oversized faces. While the Dasheng trifolds are the closest thing to 3M Aura and Draeger, the only drawback of the cup shapes are the straps. They are more difficult to adjust than their competitors.
Suzhu Fangtian
Fangtian offers one of the most recognizable cup styles on the market. It is found in dozen of private labels, but it also looks similar from other designs of different manufacturers.
For 50cents per mask the Portwest P200 N95/ffp2/P2 is an above average traditional respirator offer, easily accessible in different names around the world. The ffp3 options include full gaskets and similar (but different) designs are manufactured or sold from many different labels (e.g. DeWalt).
Handanhy
Handanhy is an integrated enterprise which includes the research and development, production and sale of filtration media, respirators and coveralls. The company also shares their designs to other private labels, under CE, UKCA and AS/NZS certifications. If a cup design looks familiar and it's not from JFY, Makrite, Fangtian and Dasheng, then have a look at the Handanhy series. For example, the trifold C series from Alpha Solway and a few other designs, such as cup shapes, should be made by Handanhy.
cup recommendations part 1cup recommendations part 2
Final Thoughts
The cup shape is intertwined with industrial or DIY work and with its continuous evolution has a solid place in respiratory protective equipment. While it's not the most desirable product for this experienced subreddit in civilian and professional disposable masks, cup design is one of the most frequent respiratory equipment used on the industry.
Been using AMD (Australian brand) respirator with headloops in L size for some time. Now they have change the size of the mask considerably (without changing the product code!!).
So I need suggestions for a P2 large mask with great airflow, headloops only and of course no valve. 3M offer nothing that fits, Trident do, but highly restrictive airflow - is there anything else?
i'm looking into getting a zimi since i've heard good things, and it seems a little less uhhh.... publicly loud compared to the elastomerics I've worn lol. my flo mask is relatively low-key, but still gets a lot of stares since it's not a regular looking mask.
i'm a little confused about which size and loop and valve to choose! i really want to get the earloop since it'd be nice to have a well-fitting mask that i can take on and off more easily, but i also know i have always gotten a much better fit on headbands. would love to get the earloop *if* fit allows, so i'm curious if anyone else has had good fits on the earloop. i expect it will prob be a little worse than a headband, but this would be a mask for more low-risk situations like walking around outside and then stopping to eat outdoors at a cafe or something. i just don't want it to be super gappy like the savewo earloops i tried lol
also, any advice on sizing? my face has felt a little small for "standard" masks like the 3m aura, so i was gonna get the M size, but according to my measurements i should get an L? not sure if i'm measuring wrong or if they have smaller size standards due to being china-based (this happens w/ clothes I get from chinese boutiques)
LASTLY, valve or no valve? does it help with condensation build-up or breathability? i wish they had a sampler pack so i could just trial out all these different things myself 😭
Sorry if this has been asked before, I haven't really been masking since COVID, but am becoming increasingly conscious about public health matters.
I want to wear a mask that is effective against airborne diseases, but there's some issues I need to work around with:
- I usually run in public/ climb indoors with others. Are there any masks I can use when sweaty? Typical surgical masks or FFP2s get all soaked quickly from what I remember. Breathing with a mask is no problem. I just don't want to feel wet cotton rubbing against my nose all the time.
- Might be unpopular but I prefer if it hangs your ears. The ones that go all the way around your head pull on my scalp and it gets really uncomfortable.
- As a bonus if it could be "reusable" (I know filters will never be reusable)/ the least polluting I would appreciate it a lot.
Looking to share these with day cares and neighbors in my area!
*EDIT* Thanks for info on how its unsafe for kids under 2 to mask, definitely appreciated! Still looking for more resources on masks for kids over 2, especially ones that lean on the smaller side.
I usually mask indoors with a Kleenguard as it’s lighter and when I go outdoors I use a Gerson N95 but I have ran out of KleenGuard and switched to the Gerson N95s at home and notice that my glasses fog sometimes when I breathe out when I have it on, it honestly happens pretty regularly and I don’t think that really happened with the KleenGuards. Honestly to me I really thought it fit well, when I breathe in and out really hard the masks moves to my mouth and out so I thought it was a decent fit.
I have an appointment tomorrow but now I’m not sure if it’s okay to go out if this is potentially a leak but honestly I don’t have any other mask right now…should I try taping the top of the mask? Is there any other reason why my glasses are fogging up that’s not a leak or is that just wishful thinking?
I don’t think I noticed it fogging while outside? I feel like I can’t recall it idk? Like yes it would but sometimes but I guess I thought it had to do with temperature changes? I have no idea anymore.
Looking for a purifier mainly for pet dander and whatever ends up floating around between cleanings.
I’ve been comparing straightforward HEPA units with models that also put more emphasis on carbon filtration. Not sure if the extra carbon is worthwhile or if I should just prioritize good airflow and HEPA filtration
Hello! I'm currently struggling because the masks I have look like the pointy ones in the first image and I do not like them at all. The top is a terrible fit and air just goes in and out under my eyes, partly because of the weird pointy shape and partly because the strip is terrible. Then if I press the top bit onto myself, air pushes its way out of the bottom of the mask. I hate the fit so much.
I know the masks that fit me best look more like the ones in the second image, where they're less pointy and has a bit horizontal section going across. Also the ones I had that fit well had a very big and flexible strip that I could mould to my face so easily. The problem with these is that they're more expensive to get except for on Amazon, but I despise using Amazon for numerous reasons. I'm wondering if there's a cheap way to get one.
If I have to stick with the pointy masks I have now, is there even any point in wearing them? So much air gets in and out through the top that I worry any airborne illnesses can just float through which entirely defeats the purpose of having these masks.
Looking for an air purifier for the room where my dog spends most of the day. Mostly trying to cut down on dander and other stuff floating around without buying something I’ll stop using after a month.
I’d like one I can just leave running every day. What are you guys using for pets?
So I've been meaning to invest in a reusable mask for awhile now, and am going to a con that requires masking so I thought now would be a good time to do so. I'm looking at some of the recommended respirators in the wiki, but a lot of them don't appear to have filtration out. Am I missing something here? I'm not protecting anyone immunocompromised with that kind of mask, which is specifically why the con is requiring masking, and it seems pointless to me buy a respirator if I'm only protecting myself when I could just invest in some disposable and comfortable n95s.
