Wanting some recommendations on N95 masks that you have found breathable/comfortable, especially if you have a condition like COPD?
I have been looking at nano type masks from AMD and Soomlab. Has anybody bought from both, and can comment on their breathability and quality?
Yes, I will be seeking medical advice, but in the meantime doing research on what is available etc
I will look into FFP2s again - I thought they were the same as N95s, but the european equivalent
If you have COPD then you have a valid medical reason and don't NEED to wear the mask.
Covid doesn't care if you have an exemption. Maybe they want to stay as safe as possible while out and about?
Exactly right… trying to stay safe
if anything it's more reason to wear them as you are more at risk of covid complications. the exemption is more for people who can't tolerate the mask due to underlying medical issues, you CAN, but doesn't mean you SHOULD. there are studies showing wearing P2/N95 does not actually drop your oxygen sats so it's more of a comfort factor
Have a chronic inflammatory lung disease, and SlavOz recommends that you shouldn't bother wearing a mask in an attempt to personally try and reduce your chances of catching a disease which causes lung inflammation..
GENIUS!
Sorry, quoted wrong anti-masker
"and EightImmortals recommends"…..
showing my own genius :)
I recently purchased authentic Korean NF94 masks. IMO, they are lighter, more comfortable & better for breathing than N95 masks. It appears the protective function is similar in both masks.
Which korean ones? From soomlab?
Where did you get these? Seeking medium-small size and comfort for my teenage kids.
I purchased from Amazon Au. On the pack, it says for 'Age 12 & Older'. My face/head is not large & they fit very comfortably. My mother's aged care is currently locked down. Last week, I received an exemption to go inside and noticed the carers & nurses were wearing either Korean or N95 masks.
https://www.amazon.com.au/gp/product/B08P6NRFSS/ref=ppx_yo_d…
I hope they are genuine KF94 s. Is there a way to tell?
@BigMac2000: I think it is hard to tell.
But I looked at the seller feedback and it was 50% negative.
Some intriguing reviews though, one of the negatives said
"It stated an 8 inch penis sleeve , it is only 6 inches "
@GordonR: I didn't notice the seller rating when I purchased, but the product rating is 4.3 (out of 5). The product arrived in two days.
@BigMac2000: On the packaging, there should be approval from the Korean government, the Korea red-white-blue logo & the correct sequence of manufacturing & expiry dates. Manufacturer's website on the packaging: https://maskro.co.kr/
More Info
"The KF94 won’t be stamped with text, but the package should say “Made in Korea” and include the product name, manufacturer and distributor name. Each mask should be packaged individually in a flat, glossy rectangular wrapper with a textured border. The package will also have an expiration date and a lot number printed on it. (Masks that carry an electrostatic charge all have expiration dates.) If your mask comes from a Korean importer, the information on the package will be in Korean, but many companies have begun to create English-language packaging." https://www.nytimes.com/article/covid-masks.html
Look at the seller - sunsmile. Only 12 ratings and 58% positive. I give it 5% chance they will ship genuine KF94.
@brendan0: Sunsmile has 77% lifetime positive rating & 80% positive rating for the last 90 days.
I was pleased to receive masks that were 100% genuine.
I presume you didn't read the info above about how to check for genuine masks?
@kusala: I read Aaron Collins, who advises against buying KF94s from these third party sellers (who aren't the manufaturer) on Amazon and Ebay. If you got genuine ones from a no name seller with that level of % ratings, you probably got lucky.
https://twitter.com/masknerd/status/1485661966614028288
https://twitter.com/masknerd/status/1433611686196432902
https://twitter.com/masknerd/status/1418270267755966469
A search for KF94 on Amazon AU reveals lots of bait and switch and listing hijacking where they advertise one thing, but then ship you another.
@brendan0: Here is the manufacturer's website for the masks I purchased - you can determine yourself whether you think they are bonafide - click on the Globe button for English
They have their own US distributor, but can also be bought directly from Korea
https://shopinsidekorea.com/products/kf94-disposable-face-ma…
@kusala: No, I'm not questioning whether Maskro is a legit manufacturer. I'm questioning the Amazon seller "sunsmile" and what exactly makes that amazon seller legit?
3M respirators are comfortable and designed so that they can be used all day.
https://shopee.com.my/3M-6200-2091-(HALF-FACEPIECE-REUSABLE-RESPIRATOR-PARTICULAR-FILTER)-i.228378002.3618417005
Sorry to jack the thread but question to OP or anyone else know why, in a mask, I feel like suffocating + high HR, sweating, genuine unpleasant/weak feeling (dyspnea). If I'm wearing one walking around the shops I immediately want to return to the comfort of my home. Mask wearing + talking is the worst for me.
I don't have any diagnosed lung conditions.
OP - how are you wearing a mask with COPD?
Sounds exactly like symptoms of increased CO2 - maybe you are more sensitive to it than others.
I find it is a fine line, so that I feel ok when sitting or walking, but anything more strenuous, such as climbing stairs, starts to bring on similar symptoms.
Most Breathable N95 Mask
The paradox is the more breathable, the less protective. Choose 1.
Not true - there are masks that are both more breathable and more PFE. Look at armbrustusa.com database of testing
AMD is good, comfortable to wear but the earloop model is loose and not the best seal, P2 by nature means it's tight and uncomfortable. what you want is more space in the mask so it doesn't rub up against your nose/mouth to make it feel claustrophic. try the ppetech ones as well, it's a case of what fits your face shape the best
I forgot their username but someone on this forum put me onto the 3M Vflex 9105, they've been fantastic. They come in two sizes the 9105 which is regular and 9105S which is small. At least one of them is likely to fit your face. The most breathable N95 I've ever used. BUT they're basically all sold out now so you basically have to get them from others who overstocked.
Thanks for letting me know. I will see if i can find any stock online.
Interested to know if anyone has purchased from Soomlab. They keep popping up on SM.
Aaron Collins tested some of them https://www.youtube.com/user/coll0412 also check out the https://www.reddit.com/r/Masks4All/ subreddit where some post reviews of the masks they bought
A friend gave me an AMD earloop mask and it is so easy to breathe in. I am impressed. I want to order some more. They got them months ago from an online store. It took 4 weeks to post out! Which website is the quickest for shipping at the moment?
I was impressed enough with the breathability of the AMD earloop masks that I bought some for my elderly mother who has a whole bunch of lung and heart issues and chronically low O2 sats.
She prefers them to the surgical masks and even though (as others have said), the earloop model isn't 100% perfect seal, it's better than most.
And I supporting Australian made and the fact they're good enough for the most important Aussies (Olympians), is a plus too lol
N95 masks by default are not comfortable due their intended purpose of minimising molecule size exchange through the filter mesh.
If you have difficulty breathing, you'll want something like the Uniqlo Airism masks but of course they're just cloth and don't provide N95 levels of protection.
Maybe best compromise if you do want better protection is the protruding half-masks like the image below which gives you some air space between nostrils and the mask rather than being straight up close to it.
https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/61ozFLhkbzL.AC_UX679.jpg
Most places suggest N95 and FFP2 are very similar. 3M's own spec sheet below, page 2, shows FFP2 to be >94% filter performance vs N95's >95% but a whole extra 10 litres of air per min difference which will obviously help you breathe better, as well as the much reduced inhalation/exhalation resistance too.
https://multimedia.3m.com/mws/media/1791500O/comparison-ffp2…
Basically, I think you should consider FFP2 masks instead of N95 for easier breathing.
I am not a Doctor nor providing medical advice. May be worth seeking appropriate professional advice if you have life-threatening conditions.