Without getting into a debate on whether masks are effective, (or any of the other political issues surrounding masks), I wanted to see if anyone recommends a mask now that so many people are selling them (Adidas, UA, most stores, etc.) and most stores require you to wear one.

Anyone found a particular mask they like, especially in the heat? I've tried disposable, homemade and one I ordered off the internet, and they all have drawbacks. Ideally, I could find a multi-wear mask that is not so thick that you feel like you're suffocating in the Texas heat.

Has anyone found a type that is comfortable (or the least uncomfortable)?

This looks interesting to me.

https://buffusa.com/shop-buff/filter-mask.html

Some kind of neck gator has been the most comfortable for me. When going on several oilfield sites that is what you see most guys wearing, plus you can pull down to your neck when in the car and pull it up when you have to go into the store instead of having to walk back to get it which has happened to me a few times.

Downside, it is "breathable" which means it does not do much. I have one that has a pouch for a N95 mask but don't use it since being onsite means I am not around people

These are by far the best we have used. Super lightweight and comfortable. I like the gaters, but they can make my neck too warm. These are the best alternative. And lots of A&M ones.

https://www.fanatics.com/college/texas-a-and-m-aggies/texas-a-and-m-aggies-wincraft-adult-face-covering-3-pack-made-in-usa/o-27+t-02805237+p-140924792470+z-9-2877469309?_ref=p-DLP:m-GRID:i-r0c0:po-0

Washable mask- Theramask. Made in NC. Has copper and silver coating in material that is good for 30 washes. They have had a big contract with National Guard and US Department of Health and Human Services to produce masks.

One use disposable level 2 surgical mask- Armbrust USA. Made in Austin.

Washable mask- Remasque. Made in USA. They also make the filters that go inside the masks. The filters are sold separately. These masks would be the ones I'd use if going to work out at gym or if you would be somewhere hot and humid.

I've been seeing ads for these masks - they look really interesting.
https://spidertech.com/us/ready-face-mask

It looks to be the same material as KT/kinesiology tape. Because it forms a full seal, it seems to prevent glasses from fogging up.

buffs suck by far the least of all options

picked one up in Jackson Hole in May (was the default mask there being that its ski gear)..esp good for the plane ride / other long-term mask requirement

If I'm going to have to wear a mask, it will be one that is at least close to working.

I got a certified KN95 mask at a local grocery store. I put in out in the sun to disinfect.

Are you needing one to run into stores or one to wear to work?

For running into stores and what not, I'd hunt down a KN95 (Chinese) or a KF94 (SOUTH KOREA). I feel better about my odds of getting a legitimate KF94 vs a legitimate KF95. So tend to wear those.

I have no clue for work. Cloth masks are going to be hot but the least irritating. The function masks would get pretty old pretty quick. Luckily I haven't had to figure this issue out.

zachsccr said:

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normaleagle05 said:

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bigtruckguy3500 said:

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The_Fox said:

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This is placebo mask I got for the family for our flight back from Charlestown today!

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How responsible of you.

To answer the OP's question. I use a neck gaiter. Very convenient to just pull down in my vehicle and then pull up at checkpoint and when I'm in buildings.

There are some that are microfiber (not sure of brand) that some people seem to like. Hanes makes some that I've seen folks wearing. It is stitched like underwear, but they're cotton so should be cool and soft. So as long as you're ok with looking like you've got under wear on your face that might be a good option.

Personally, if you don't mind tying, I think the ones that tie around your head are better than the ones that go behidn your ears. Your ears will thank you if you wear it for any long period of time.

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Somebody should tell him.

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Pretty sure he's in the medical profession and I've seen numerous physicians using them, so I'll let you go right ahead.

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Casupo mask

Durable, washable and comfy. Have mine for several months

500,000ags said:

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Nomad Goods, the company that makes after-market iPhone stuff, started selling KN95 masks. I've been using those.

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Get some of this:

https://filti.com

It is purported to be comparable to N95 material in filter efficiency, and can be either used as insert material, or to construct the mask itself.

Bandana is my go to. Not sure how much protection it provides. I suspect a very little.

Xotix maroon neck gaiter. Works great. Breath easy and talk easy.

Buff user here, if I am going to be at several functions in a given day.

My FIL has hearing aids, and the buff works well for him. He pulled off his traditional mask in the Lowes parking lot and lost one of his hearing aids.

I put it on so I can go into a store, or attend a funeral, or go to church. Otherwise, I am mask free. Saw a kid in church that had gone Lawrence of Arabia style with a true Bedouin print. Not the worst idea that I have ever seen!

normaleagle05 said:

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bigtruckguy3500 said:

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The_Fox said:

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This is placebo mask I got for the family for our flight back from Charlestown today!

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How responsible of you.

To answer the OP's question. I use a neck gaiter. Very convenient to just pull down in my vehicle and then pull up at checkpoint and when I'm in buildings.

There are some that are microfiber (not sure of brand) that some people seem to like. Hanes makes some that I've seen folks wearing. It is stitched like underwear, but they're cotton so should be cool and soft. So as long as you're ok with looking like you've got under wear on your face that might be a good option.

Personally, if you don't mind tying, I think the ones that tie around your head are better than the ones that go behidn your ears. Your ears will thank you if you wear it for any long period of time.

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Somebody should tell him.

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I actually use different masks for different risk profiles. Gaiter is for general wear all the time, sitting at my desk, can maintain 6 ft distances for the most part, or transient close contacts. And my gaiter actually works pretty well, it's not see through, and I've got to be blowing pretty hard through it to feel anything on my hand right in front of my face.

My Japanese foam mask is for working out.

Surgical mask is for moderate risk with sustained medium range contact with others, and sometimes put on under the gaiter to help prolong the life.

N95 is if I'm going into a high risk encounter with someone, or have recently been exposed to a known positive but can't quarantine.

And my M50 gas mask I have yet to need to use, and don't anticipate needing.

Neck gaiter from various makers. I leave it in the truck and wear it off and on for about 3-4 days. Maybe less if I actually use it outdoors for work and it stinks.

I have a couple of these Aggie masks to use when I need one.

https://texags.com/forums/50/topics/3122684

Fits great, and the lady who sews them is redass.

mayglan said:

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I've been seeing ads for these masks - they look really interesting.
https://spidertech.com/us/ready-face-mask

It looks to be the same material as KT/kinesiology tape. Because it forms a full seal, it seems to prevent glasses from fogging up.

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Interesting. I wonder if it pulls the gunk out of pores like those nose strips.

Gizzards said:

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I know a lot of people will disagree but buffs, bandanas, and many homemade coverings are highly ineffective. If you are actually interested in the covering accomplishing it's intended purpose, then get medical masks or kn95 masks. If you don't care and just want to appease others, go on about your way. Lastly, all of the masks with the valves you see on them, including the N95s with valves, are the exact opposite of what is needed. Those allow unfiltered exhalation out of the mask. They were originally designed to protect the wearer from noxious chemicals and fumes from getting in. Bandanas, gaiters, and valved masks have all been banned by Disney World, and they have a lot to lose if they get this wrong. .

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That all depends largely on the purpose of the masks. I get that the mask mandate is intended to prevent sick people from spreading the virus to others. Largely based on the idea that a barrier to droplet dispersion would reduce spread.

If all you need is a barrier to spreading droplets, than a lot of the cloth things would be effective. At the very least, they are effective for velocity dissipation and thereby reduce the distance the droplets will spread before falling to the ground. However, they are probably minimally effective at protecting the wearer from catching it.

A vented N95 would actually do a better job of protecting the wearer than just about everything else the same as a non vented N95.

I'd also point out that surgical and cloth masks that don't seal effectively vent unfiltered air in all directions. This is why those of us with glasses have to deal with fogging issues. Why is that OK but an N95 with a vent is not?

Now, if it is truly airborne and can be infectious with particles of less than 5 microns, the entire prevent sick people from spreading it with a cloth mask that doesn't seal isn't going to be effective and a tight fitting n95 is about the only thing that will protect you. Side note: the apparent effectiveness of loose fitting cloth and surgical masks is strong evidence that it is in fact droplet spread and not aerosol spread.

I posted a couple of times regarding masks and such. But a little background. I do risk and safety and do both quantitative and qualitative fit testing for just about every mask out there.

On masks, facecoverings or gaiters Brownian motion, plays a huge role in terms of protection. Additionally, so does the Brownian diffusion coefficient of virus in terms of material and moisture and actual exposure time to the virus also play a large role.

Knowing the size, and shape of the virus also allows one to determine adequate protection levels.

I often compare a single layer gaiter to the following:

Would you stand behind a chicken wire fence and let Tiger Woods tee up a golf ball and hit driver at you? Of course not!

Well Mr. Safety Dork, I double my gaiter, I feel safe all day wearing it!

What if we applied moisture and doubled and trippled the chicken wire and even overlapped the wires, and let 50 people hit drivers into first, and then let Tiger hit a few? Again, probably not!

What about a double layer face covering and a chicken wire fence?

Roger Federer hit a tennis ball? Yeah probably not, but our protection is increasing slightly!

As our mask protection increases, so does the strength and quality of our fencing!

But in the end, 10% of something is better than a 100% of nothing!

Are we wearing masks to protect ourselves or protect others? Vastly different needs depending on what the answer is.

I'm going back to bandanas. I purchased the Adidas ones and they are too small. They pull my ears forward and I look like a dumbass with it on.

Even more so than regular mask wearers.

BiochemAg97 said:

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Are we wearing masks to protect ourselves or protect others? Vastly different needs depending on what the answer is.

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I hear this question all the time from our workers. Depends on your job function, proximity and exposure time.