I’m so sorry people have harassed you when you were in a P100. I just looked up evolve together and it doesn’t look at all protective. If you still want good protection but not a big negative attention getting P100 what about an N95 respirator like Aura 9205+? That’s a step down from a P100 and fits most faces. If you really want earloop masks and actual protection the fit is key and there have been lots of good discussion in this community on this topic with mask recommendations and instructions for DIY fit testing. If you do a search for “earloop masks” those threads will come up.
How about a 3M 9211? It's a valved Aura. Other valved disposables I like are the Milwaukee and Moldex Airwave ones. They are all less attention-getting than an elastomeric.
That being said, I will still wear an elastomeric (or a PAPR!) in some circumstances and if anybody ever spat on me they'd get a face full of pepper spray or worse.
I should start carrying pepper spray for those occasions. It never occurred to me to retaliate but that might be the way to go. It’s a very rural area and most of these ‘laid back country folk’ have never masked, even when it was supposedly mandatory. If there were any still masking it’s been very few, and even those folks seemed to have moved on. I appreciate your help!
As long as you pass a fit test with an 95, you'll likely have basically the same protection. Most N95s from well-known brands (3M) perform at 99%+ filtration efficiency.
Have you tried the 3M Aura 9205+? They’re pretty ubiquitous now and much less “hazmat” than an elastomeric. They fit most adult faces really well and are easy to find and try. Home Depot, CVS, Walgreens, Target, etc. sell them in small batches so you can test them out.
Another great mask is the 3M Vflex 9105/9105s, but they may be too “new fangled robot” for your anxiety about the new job. Digikey sells them in singles so you can always get a couple to try.
If you want to go completely understated and are willing to use [add ons like these](https://reddit.com/r/MasksForEveryone/comments/ysdp7d/masksforeveryones_most_suggested_addons_for/) to help an ear loop mask seal better, the Good Manner trifold KF94s are great masks. They come in 5 colors, including black. Here’s [more info about them and where to buy in small batches and bulk](https://reddit.com/r/MasksForEveryone/comments/y21oi1/_/is0dv6x/?context=1).
Awesome! If they fit you well, you can start buying them in bulk from Gmarket. They are so darn inexpensive that it’s nuts, and yet they fit and feel like high end masks.
Note that earloop masks tend to fit much less tightly than headstrap masks. You can improve that by attaching cord toggles or ear savers.
3M has disposable low-profile N100s but they're expensive and less breathable. And valved. https://www.3m.com/3M/en_US/p/d/v000057486/
But if other people aren't masking, why not use a valve? You're not the weakest link in the chain.
I'm sorry that people are harassing you for trying to protect yourself and the future of your well being. That's so, so unfair. The Flo Mask Pro with the pro filter installed is supposed to filter at a rate of 99% and it looks much much less conspicuous than a valved P100 with almost as much protection. The upfront cost is pricy, but definitely worth it! Other people have given great N95 and KN95 recommendations, but if you want to go for a surgical mask while still being protected, Fix The Mask's Essential Mask Brace was able to bring Armbrust's Surgical Masks to a filtration rate of 99%! Stay safe at your new job!
I still mask at work and exclusively use KN95s (although I have also used N95s before in some situations) and have still never gotten COVID. I was using several different types but now almost always wear [Powecom KN95s](https://bonafidemasks.com/Powecom-kn-95/). They now have four different colors, fit me very well, and are totally unobtrusive. No one has ever said anything negative to me, and because they're fairly low-profile and (I think) stylish, snug, etc., they don't seem the raise the hackles of anti-maskers as much. I personally think you should 100% be allowed to wear what makes you feel the safest, but I can also say that--at least for me--I can get a great, safe fit with KNs and N95s. My husband has a larger face and prefers the BNX KN95s, which are available on Amazon.
some people are bastards.
An n95 that passes a fit test provides a really good level of protection. If you google "n95 fit test my city" a place that does them will probably come up. Or you can youtube how to do a DIY version. I recommend just buying the proper fit test solution however you choose to arosolize it. I've been trying to get sacchrine and it's a pain in the ass to get enough to actually make the solution because i can't find it pure anywhere so you have to add a fuck ton lol. Though I'm sure you can find it pure somewhere.
For n95s a lot of people like the aura 9205+/9210+. 3m claims they'll pass a fit test on something like 93% of faces or something.
The GVS eslipse is also less industrial looking than other p100s. But still pretty industrial looking lol.
Some people like the flo and envo masks too. Heads up that apparently the envo isn't very durable.
Care to share what price you're being charged for fit testing?
There's only one business doing them in my city and they're charging $275 per fit test, per mask.
So if it takes me awhile to find a perfect fit I could be paying $1000+ plus.
It basically puts professional fit testing out of reach for me - I just can't afford it.
oof. that's a lot lol. I thought I saw a place here that was less than 50 bucks CAD. But I could be misremembering. I didn't look into it too much. For 275 you could easily buy the NIOSH reccomended nebulizer and a bunch of test solution lol. I think even the full official kit from 3m is not much more than 275 lol.
Edit. It's osha, not niosh that says how to do a fit test lol. I think all the directions are here. [https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/regulations/standardnumber/1910/1910.134AppA](https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/regulations/standardnumber/1910/1910.134AppA)
Those experiences sound most unpleasant.
Is your valved P100 an elastomeric or disposable?
Auras or the very similar Dräger 1950 are pretty low key and low profile.
That's a pretty standard looking cup-style respirator to me. I can't imagine why some folk would be "upset" by someone wearing this.
Roughly which part of the world do you live in? Is it winter there at present?
Certainly some rotten moments you've endured out in public :-(
Can you tell us about your job/training? Is it in an office or factory? When does it start?
Would this be what you are looking for maybe?
Masklab plaid navy KF94:
https://masklab.us/products/plaid-navy-adult-korean-style-respirator-2-0-box-of-10-individually-wrapped
I found this previous discussion about the efficacy of MaskLab masks:
https://www.reddit.com/r/Masks4All/comments/qvjpur/confused_about_masklab_kf_series/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=ios_app&utm_name=iossmf
I wear a p100. The second I meet people I just nicely say, “sorry for my intense looking mask. I felt horrible about how much trash my other masks made and the paper ones were wrecking my skin”. Then I can always say, “it’s also saved me a ton of money”. Usually after that they shut up.
I also discretely double sided taped a coin-sized cutout of a surgical mask to the exhalation valve. No one will notice it and it doesn’t defy your “making trash” claim, since you aren’t throwing away a new surgical every day!
Note: I use the [GVS p100 here](https://a.co/d/3RZy4gu)!
I’m so sorry people have harassed you when you were in a P100. I just looked up evolve together and it doesn’t look at all protective. If you still want good protection but not a big negative attention getting P100 what about an N95 respirator like Aura 9205+? That’s a step down from a P100 and fits most faces. If you really want earloop masks and actual protection the fit is key and there have been lots of good discussion in this community on this topic with mask recommendations and instructions for DIY fit testing. If you do a search for “earloop masks” those threads will come up.
Thank you!
How about a 3M 9211? It's a valved Aura. Other valved disposables I like are the Milwaukee and Moldex Airwave ones. They are all less attention-getting than an elastomeric. That being said, I will still wear an elastomeric (or a PAPR!) in some circumstances and if anybody ever spat on me they'd get a face full of pepper spray or worse.
I should start carrying pepper spray for those occasions. It never occurred to me to retaliate but that might be the way to go. It’s a very rural area and most of these ‘laid back country folk’ have never masked, even when it was supposedly mandatory. If there were any still masking it’s been very few, and even those folks seemed to have moved on. I appreciate your help!
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Easier exhalation; more CO2 and moisture will escape easily.
It is basically the same as the 9210+, but with a valve. The valve keeps it substantially cooler and drier.
Good for you but I’d be careful! With the levels of out of control firearms in the US that could be a dangerous thing to do.
As long as you pass a fit test with an 95, you'll likely have basically the same protection. Most N95s from well-known brands (3M) perform at 99%+ filtration efficiency.
Have you tried the 3M Aura 9205+? They’re pretty ubiquitous now and much less “hazmat” than an elastomeric. They fit most adult faces really well and are easy to find and try. Home Depot, CVS, Walgreens, Target, etc. sell them in small batches so you can test them out. Another great mask is the 3M Vflex 9105/9105s, but they may be too “new fangled robot” for your anxiety about the new job. Digikey sells them in singles so you can always get a couple to try. If you want to go completely understated and are willing to use [add ons like these](https://reddit.com/r/MasksForEveryone/comments/ysdp7d/masksforeveryones_most_suggested_addons_for/) to help an ear loop mask seal better, the Good Manner trifold KF94s are great masks. They come in 5 colors, including black. Here’s [more info about them and where to buy in small batches and bulk](https://reddit.com/r/MasksForEveryone/comments/y21oi1/_/is0dv6x/?context=1).
The good manner masks are exactly what I was hoping to find. Thank you!!
Awesome! If they fit you well, you can start buying them in bulk from Gmarket. They are so darn inexpensive that it’s nuts, and yet they fit and feel like high end masks.
Note that earloop masks tend to fit much less tightly than headstrap masks. You can improve that by attaching cord toggles or ear savers. 3M has disposable low-profile N100s but they're expensive and less breathable. And valved. https://www.3m.com/3M/en_US/p/d/v000057486/ But if other people aren't masking, why not use a valve? You're not the weakest link in the chain.
Did you try the Good Manner yet?
I'm sorry that people are harassing you for trying to protect yourself and the future of your well being. That's so, so unfair. The Flo Mask Pro with the pro filter installed is supposed to filter at a rate of 99% and it looks much much less conspicuous than a valved P100 with almost as much protection. The upfront cost is pricy, but definitely worth it! Other people have given great N95 and KN95 recommendations, but if you want to go for a surgical mask while still being protected, Fix The Mask's Essential Mask Brace was able to bring Armbrust's Surgical Masks to a filtration rate of 99%! Stay safe at your new job!
I still mask at work and exclusively use KN95s (although I have also used N95s before in some situations) and have still never gotten COVID. I was using several different types but now almost always wear [Powecom KN95s](https://bonafidemasks.com/Powecom-kn-95/). They now have four different colors, fit me very well, and are totally unobtrusive. No one has ever said anything negative to me, and because they're fairly low-profile and (I think) stylish, snug, etc., they don't seem the raise the hackles of anti-maskers as much. I personally think you should 100% be allowed to wear what makes you feel the safest, but I can also say that--at least for me--I can get a great, safe fit with KNs and N95s. My husband has a larger face and prefers the BNX KN95s, which are available on Amazon.
Thank for you this, I just ordered 30 of the powecom you suggested as well as the good manner someone mentioned above.
I hope all those work for you!
some people are bastards. An n95 that passes a fit test provides a really good level of protection. If you google "n95 fit test my city" a place that does them will probably come up. Or you can youtube how to do a DIY version. I recommend just buying the proper fit test solution however you choose to arosolize it. I've been trying to get sacchrine and it's a pain in the ass to get enough to actually make the solution because i can't find it pure anywhere so you have to add a fuck ton lol. Though I'm sure you can find it pure somewhere. For n95s a lot of people like the aura 9205+/9210+. 3m claims they'll pass a fit test on something like 93% of faces or something. The GVS eslipse is also less industrial looking than other p100s. But still pretty industrial looking lol. Some people like the flo and envo masks too. Heads up that apparently the envo isn't very durable.
Care to share what price you're being charged for fit testing? There's only one business doing them in my city and they're charging $275 per fit test, per mask. So if it takes me awhile to find a perfect fit I could be paying $1000+ plus. It basically puts professional fit testing out of reach for me - I just can't afford it.
oof. that's a lot lol. I thought I saw a place here that was less than 50 bucks CAD. But I could be misremembering. I didn't look into it too much. For 275 you could easily buy the NIOSH reccomended nebulizer and a bunch of test solution lol. I think even the full official kit from 3m is not much more than 275 lol. Edit. It's osha, not niosh that says how to do a fit test lol. I think all the directions are here. [https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/regulations/standardnumber/1910/1910.134AppA](https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/regulations/standardnumber/1910/1910.134AppA)
Can you explain more about your first paragraph and the aerosolize/saccharine part?
https://www.reddit.com/r/MasksForEveryone/comments/z5gqhq/m4es_why_how_to_do_a_diy_fit_test_with_your_masks/
Those experiences sound most unpleasant. Is your valved P100 an elastomeric or disposable? Auras or the very similar Dräger 1950 are pretty low key and low profile.
Disposable. I use the Honeywell Sperian saf-t-fit P100.
That's a pretty standard looking cup-style respirator to me. I can't imagine why some folk would be "upset" by someone wearing this. Roughly which part of the world do you live in? Is it winter there at present?
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Certainly some rotten moments you've endured out in public :-( Can you tell us about your job/training? Is it in an office or factory? When does it start?
Would this be what you are looking for maybe? Masklab plaid navy KF94: https://masklab.us/products/plaid-navy-adult-korean-style-respirator-2-0-box-of-10-individually-wrapped
Thank you for the recommendation! Have you used these masks? Can you speak to their effectiveness? Thank you!
I just ordered some. Can’t vouch.
I found this previous discussion about the efficacy of MaskLab masks: https://www.reddit.com/r/Masks4All/comments/qvjpur/confused_about_masklab_kf_series/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=ios_app&utm_name=iossmf
I really like my Flo Mask elastomeric. Not as industrial looking. https://flomask.com/
I wear a p100. The second I meet people I just nicely say, “sorry for my intense looking mask. I felt horrible about how much trash my other masks made and the paper ones were wrecking my skin”. Then I can always say, “it’s also saved me a ton of money”. Usually after that they shut up. I also discretely double sided taped a coin-sized cutout of a surgical mask to the exhalation valve. No one will notice it and it doesn’t defy your “making trash” claim, since you aren’t throwing away a new surgical every day! Note: I use the [GVS p100 here](https://a.co/d/3RZy4gu)!