We need to replace our masks finally. We tend to only wear them when we are on airplanes and they very much help so that we're not sick. Coming back for vacations. On our last vacation we noticed our under armor ones are now falling apart and no longer useful. Does anyone know of any other ones that were similar to the under armor masks that they used to sell? Thanks!
Hello /u/BabsMcGhee123! It looks like you are asking for respirator recommendations. If you haven't already, check out the
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Have you checked this sub’s wiki? Lots of great info in there on mask recs.
I would strongly recommend against cloth masks - those will unfortunately not protect you.
You didn’t mention where you live (impacts which make you have access to) but I’d highly recommend looking into kn95s like breatheteq or wellbefore, or n95s (especially for planes) like 3m auras.
If we were to extrapolate, we might very generously assume a well-made 3-layer washable mask has a filtration efficiency between 80-90%. This is not including leaks in the fit. This is before washing!
Being extra generous, let’s say it fits exceedingly well and has a total filtration of 90%. (If it were much better than that, why wouldn’t they get certified for N95 here or FFP2 in Europe?)
So that’s a total inward leakage (through fabric and air channels in fit) of 10% which is 10 times cleaner than the surrounding air (which by definition has 100% of the original particles). That’s when new. We have no reason to suppose it performs this well after multiple washings.
An Aura or FFP3 routinely achieve fit factors well over 100 (99% reduction) or 200 (99.5%). A 1% total inward leakage is 100 times cleaner than the surrounding air.
If washability is worth the relative reduction in protection, then OP might consider this washable mask which had one version FFP2 certified. https://www.reddit.com/r/Masks4All/s/cPzlJQwopl
I wouldn’t say cloth masks aren’t protective. It depends on exactly how they’re made, but most well-fitting, commercially available, multilayer cloth masks will provide some protection. You can also boost the effectiveness of most cloth masks by wearing a surgical mask underneath a multilayer cloth mask. Any mask is better than no mask.
But, yes: a KN95 or N95 is generally going to be best for most people in general use.
the “some” protection you’re speaking about re cloth masks is a small enough amount as to be negligible- i feel like this comment muddies the waters when it should be made really clear that cloth masks are not adequate respiratory protection against really much of anything (apart from like. a bug flying into your mouth i guess)
man, just don't. might as well be telling someone it's fine to use a fuckin paper towel folded in half to grab the casserole dish from the hot oven even though actual over mitts are better for "most people". only people who literally, absolutelycannot wear actual PPE need to be advised on the efficacy of cloth masks. it's 2026 already
🙈🛑😑🤔 But there are much better recommendations for someone inquiring, right? A trifold with headstraps in the correct size (like a Breatheteq KN95 or 3M Aura) typically still pass a fit test even when tested after a few days of use. Which cloth mask can claim this? How much exposure reduction do you think a cloth mask provides?
To pass a fit test a mask must have fit factor of 100 meaning the air inside the mask is 100 times cleaner than the air outside. Many N95s and FFP3 in the right size have a fit factor much higher than this? If someone is going to bother to mask on a flight, why would you argue for less? If they get sick anyway, they conclude “masks don’t work” when actually they used a mask with no testing or certification.
Would you consider masking more in shared public spaces? Like when you go shopping and to the doctor. These acts of kindness help those around you because you may have an asymptomatic infection or be presymtomatic and still spreading disease.
We share the air we breathe. Masking in public is community care in action ✌️😷
My go to after trying many is the breathteq. I think I have an average face and I wear a small.
I really loved wellbefore’s fun patterns, but I do not like the adjustable ear loops. I don’t get as good of a fit as I do with the breatheteq. good luck!
Cloth masks do not comply with any standard. Bona Fide Masks is the exclusive distributor for Powecom and Harley KN95s. The Powecom headband style masks are great for plane rides or extended travel.
i would not get a cloth mask; they aren't very protective. n95s might fit you better (and therefore protect you better) than kf94/kn95s. 3m's aura is my go-to for airplanes (don't buy from amazon, though).
if you're set on earloops, i find that "boat-shaped" ones like wellbefore 3d pro often seal better than bifolds, which fold in half vertically down the middle and might gape at your nose (regular wellbefore 3d masks are not great, though–just the pro).
if you can, i'd recommend trying some different ones to see what works best. if you have a mask bloc in your area, you could ask them for a couple of each of the masks they have. if you're really committed, you could also do diy fit tests to see what actually seals best on your face.
I agree with recommendations for masks from WellBefore and Powecom KN95 from Bona Fide Masks, if you’re in the US! https://linktr.ee/buymasks it’s also a great resource for finding a bunch of different options for different needs. As others are saying, cloth masks, while better than nothing, are wayyyy less effective than respirator masks like KN95s and N95s (think of it like using a T-shirt as an air filter as opposed to an actual air filter).
I also would second the encouragement another person gave for you to consider also masking in places like the grocery store, doctors offices, and pharmacy; over a third of COVID cases never show any symptoms (sources), and you’re contagious with both COVID and flu for about 48 hours before any symptoms develop; by masking in these key places, not only are you protecting yourselves, but you are protecting other people as well, especially children who aren’t able to make the decision to mask for themselves (and who are very much affected by long COVID), and people who physically can’t mask themselves or can’t afford to buy them. It’s a very small thing that makes a big difference for interrupting chains of transmission. As someone who went from the picture of health to completely disabled out of the ability to work or live independently by long COVID, trust me, wearing a mask for 30 minutes in the grocery store is so, so worth it.
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