KN95 face masks - Need to find a new brand

[amalthia]

For the past few years I've been using WWDOLL KN95 Face Mask 50 PCs, Multiple Colour 5 Layers KN95 Masks (amazon link).

The 25 set boxes are no longer sold, so I purchased the 50 piece set and I think the quality may have gone down. The masks don't feel as thick as the ones I purchased last year, I did cut a few open and counted that they do have the 5 layers. I'll still use these for going around town grocery shopping, but I'm not sure I'd trust these to keep me well on long haul flights and hours in airports.

I believe it may be time to find a new face mask. I like the KN95 masks because they are easy to wear with the loops behind my ears.

Is anyone else on my friends list still wearing face masks in public and if yes, what type are you using? Are they comfortable for wearing at least 5 to 6 hours without taking it off?

I'd appreciate any and all advice on finding a new face mask.

Comments

[garryowen]

I wear Auras. But I don't tend to wear them for the long time periods you mention.

[amalthia]

Thanks! I'll have to check these out.

[princessofgeeks]

The ones I wear on airplanes and in airports are not ones with ear loops; they have the two straps behind the head. I prefer the elastic head straps, personally. You may not want that. But they are labeled Makrite Sekura N95, TC-84A-7638, NIOSH N95.

Good luck!

[amalthia]

Thanks! Will check them out. :)

[calystarose]

These are the ones I wear when I go out and when I go to pottery class: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09QGSYBX1

If I was going on an airplane, however, I'd get masks that hooked over the head and neck not just around the ears. Honestly, I'd probably get this: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09TYT4B9K/ which was recommended to me by someone who has to wear this level of protection any time she goes out because she cannot receive the vaccine.

[amalthia]

Okay that "Pro (Medium/High Nose Bridge) - Reusable Adult Mask" looks like it means business! If I couldn't take the vaccine that's what I would wear when I left the house.

But the one you wear to pottery looks like it's easier to carry with you and put on as needed. They look very similar to the ones I use. I'll check those out in more detail! The best masks is the one you'll wear after all...

[yourlibrarian]

Both my partner and I wear face masks whenever we're in an indoors setting outside our home. My partner uses BNX N95 because he has to do lectures and needs a more breathable mask. They also come in black.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B097G7LD9T/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

As I use mine for at most a few hours a day, I use Harley N95 which is better rated for protection.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B09189GGGC/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

We reuse the masks many times until they break or become noticeably dirty (we store them in paper bags when not in use, as it's recommended to do so to kill off anything that has become attached to the mask). I've found they both hold up well.

In terms of protection all I can say is that neither of us has become ill with anything since before the pandemic so apparently they're doing their job.

[amalthia]

I never could figure out how to get the straps to stay behind my head with the N95 masks, I may have to suck it up and learn though if the KN95 masks are all produced in the same factory and all have similar issues.

Thanks for sharing links, I'm checking them out. :)

[lilacsigil]

Mine are an Australian brand so I don't think that's going to help you, but they look pretty similar to yours! I have a really big head so I was alarmed when they changed the ear loops, but they were still fine. I wear mine all day at work.

[amalthia]

I'm sadly mostly shopping through amazon and the reviews are all over the place. I think it's a result of counterfeits.

[rivkat]

I like Demetech https://shop.demetech.us/collections/n95-respirator-masks

[amalthia]

Checking this out! Thanks for sharing the link. :)

[kuwdora]

I order Powecom KN95 from BonaFide Masks and I know elipie has traveled numerous times with them for long flights. There are ear loops and headstrap options as well as multiple colors. I found the earloops to be pretty comfortable to wear for several hours. They often have sales as well as coupons. Editing to add: Eli has a better fit with the nose part and I have to adjust the metal part for my nose sometimes for a better fit.

https://bonafidemasks.com/powecom-kn95/

[amalthia]

I ran across some good reviews for Powecom KN95 masks, I'm bookmarking the link you shared. I think I'm going to end up buying a small quantity of masks from different vendors until I find one I like. I'm also going to shop at non Amazon stores. I'm definitely going to need to see if I can find some coupons. :)

[kuwdora]

♥ let me know what masks you end up liking/fitting well. Always appreciating more anecdata. And fortunately Bonafide Masks highlight their coupons on their home page and other site pages usually in red text. The coupon right now is FM25 for a 25% discount. \o/

You're coming down for Escapade, right? That should be fun. I don't quite have the spoons for cons anymore (doubly so now with how exhausted I am from this past week of fire stress). But I will be waving happy slash pompoms from my exhausted nest.

[amalthia]

Yes, I'm registered for Escapade this year! I'm looking forward to attending. :) Well here's hoping next year is less stressful/exhausting and you'll have enough spoons to attend fandom conventions again. I'd love to see you again. :)

In my humble opinion, attending an event when you're too tired to appreciate it, is a waste of time and money!

[sweetestdrain]

I don't know if you like or have tried KF94-style masks -- after a lot of trial and error, I've found they work best with my face shape and are comfortable enough for several hours of wear. The brand I use is KN Flax and they have a few different colors here: https://knflax.com/collections/merged-adults -- they're lightweight but seem pretty protective and I've used this brand for a couple years now with no issue (aka no covid -- or anything else!), knock wood. I work retail, so nobody's breathing or coughing directly on my face or anything, but I do interact with a lot of humans.

When I was using KN95s, though, I often bought some from VIDA (https://shopvida.com/collections/adult-masks) -- they use several different manufacturers, I believe, so the feel and style would change from time to time, which was kind of annoying, but I know they vet their manufacturers pretty well so I still felt okay about them protection-wise. Later, I found a few of those same masks for a bit cheaper than VIDA on Planet Halo Health (https://www.planethalohealth.com/), which also seems like a pretty reputable mask source to me, with several different brands and styles available.

[amalthia]

I haven't tried the KF94 masks, but I'm giving it some serious consideration, if I can't find a comfortable KN95 to wear.

I'm probably also going to stop buying through Amazon and go straight to the vendor website instead. Thanks for sharing links! I'm wondering if maybe half the bad reviews are from people receiving counterfeits.

Thanks so much for sharing what worked for you. :) I'll probably end up buying 10 masks from a few of these vendors and try them out to see what fits my face and is comfortable to wear.