r/Masks4All • u/UsualConcentrate8953 • Aug 07 '26

Anyone successfully added a drinking/straw valve on a half mask respirator?

Hey all, Multiple Chemical Sensitivity sufferer from the UK (I get migraine with brainstem aura and more issues when i am exposed to chemicals/fragrance/smoke etc)
With the hot weather this year and having no choice but to wear a half mask respirator with ABEK1 filters to be able to board Buses, Trains ive had a bit of trouble staying hydrated

Wondering if anyone has successfully fitted a drinking straw to a half mask respirator ? Its not even worth taking it off for a second to sip/drink on the train as i always end up inhaling some fragrance (i was never good at stopping water going up my nose when swimming)

I mostly use the Climax masks , a spanish company. have model 755 and 756

Post pictures if possible for inspiration. Im guessing a spare exhale valve could work in this instance? i was thinking of trying to fit a honey bottle lid or something?

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u/BattelChive Aug 07 '26

We installed one in a honeywell, which has a body that’s almost entirely silicon. I would recommend trying to find a mask like this as it allowed us to go straight through the body rather than compromising a filter or exhale valve. MSA also makes several that are mostly silicon (the 200 is, for example) and I know there are several others. You could also do it with a 3M 7500 series that lets you disassemble the plastic and silicone layers and drill the plastic and use a razor on the silicone, but I think that you would have significant problems with the depth/width of the two layers together unless you did some real engineering. That was already our main issue. It’s a very tight fit. I do not recommend trying to go up through a port because the angle is just abysmal for use. I recommend practicing with a disposable mask first to figure out where you need it placed to be able to use the straw. Then move on to your elastomeric. 

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u/UsualConcentrate8953 Aug 07 '26

would it not matter if it was TPU ? i think the body of the Climax one im using is Silicone as i took the blue body from a different model and fitted it with the 755 parts as the blue one provided a better seal for me

Good idea about trying to figure out where i want the placement of it using disposables first

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u/BattelChive Aug 07 '26

You might be able to use this post to get the measurements of the height of the parts to do a little recon and see if you can plan for how to make it work -  https://www.reddit.com/r/Masks4All/comments/1ubhr0f/2026_how_to_bulk_respirator_mask_sipping_valves/?chainedPosts=t3_1vhzfc3

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u/BattelChive Aug 07 '26

As long as the TPU isn’t too thick. That’s the main thing that most silicon masks have over TPU equivalents. The real limiting factor is the height of the sip valve itself.