So, we're all accumulating masks; which do you dislike the least? IME, the surgical one is the cheapest but also the loosest, so least protection (?) and feels like wet paper on my face. My Uniqlo is the softest and absorbs perspiration, the neoprene one smells bad despite being washed, and my KN95 probably has the best seal, but feels like I'm wearing some kind of weird muzzle. Anyone else have one that's "the best of the worst"?
cloth mask offers much less protection than surgical mask, let alone N95.
The surgical is supposed to be a next best thing to N95 and I think they're also the comfiest and look cool (give off a hip yet responsible non-chalant vibe). That said, buying them over and over is impractical. I like my Caraa masks- https://caraasport.com/products/mask-pack?variant=32902477971536
I googled it the adjustable ear things are a nice touch.
Surgical are my favorite- they let me breathe.
I love the Joah Love masks and my kids do too - comfy, soft, light, adjustable. I also like a random one I got on Etsy - and after that one I like surgical masks - light and comfortable.
+1 - they are the only masks I let my kids wear as they complain after wearing any other mask. The adjustable ear straps really help make the mask more comfy and better fittng.
$22! For a cloth mask? Holy moly.
@Anonymous I thought the same thing at first, but I have spent a lot more on items of clothing that I have worn a lot less (this is how I justify the cost in my head at least). You can also get 20% off if you buy 5. And they donate a mask for every mask sold.
Surgical masks are actually pretty effective at protecting at least against some viruses. Before the pandemic, I read a study in JAMA last fall that demonstrated surgical masks were effective as N95 respirators at preventing transmission of the flu virus. Don’t knock ‘em!
https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2749214
I once asked my grandmother why she never ate Spam. She said that she ate it during rationing, and promised herself she would never eat it again. When things return to "normal" I think I'll try never to wear a surgical mask again.
Will literally throw them into my firepit
Haha, a friend at nursing school told me they would ceremoniously burn their student uniforms after graduating!
I just wear the cloth ones.
Which ones?
@Anon Oh, different places online. We are buying them based on what the design is. LOL! For example, all of my son's masks have his favorite football team on them.
I found a couple of quilted cloth ones on Etsy: I wear them with my quilted sweatshirts from Patagonia, LOL
Don't like the cloth ones - I feel like I have a wet towel on my face after 15 minutes. Surgical masks are most breathable and actually are the most effective relative to cloth masks. Especially if you buy true surgical masks with an ATSM rating - level 2is like 98% filtering.
True, so I have to ask myself whether a wet towel across my face is less unpleasant than wet paper across my face. That's an advantage of the NK95: you may look and feel like you're wearing a muzzle but it stays off your nose and mouth.
I have cloth ones by Cotopaxi and Skida. Also just plain black t shirt material masks.
While I have a N95 I wont wear it b/c Im saving it for some kind of emergency high risk situation (like if i had to go to the hospital). The Old Navy cloth ones fit well and wash nicely.
If I lived in Florida or similar, I’d be wearing that full time.
I just wear cloth ones from a variety of places--Etsy and Old navy mostly, plus a couple of home-made attempts. I have an N95 but would only wear it if I had to go someplace super high risk.
I know surgical masks are more effective at protecting the wearer, but since the main purpose for me wearing them is to prevent me spreading it if I'm asymptomatically infectious (ie. I'm low risk and not super fearful of catching it myself), cloth ones seem fine for that purpose and more sustainable than disposable surgical masks.
Ugh, I have so many masks and have spent SO MUCH MONEY on them.
DH and teenage DC love the expensive ones from UnderArmor - they look very "guy" I think and are one of the few that fit DH's wide face. DC says it's the only one that's breathable enough for sports.
I like the neoprene masks from 32 degree but also like plain surgical ones. I admit I often reuse them a few times...I know you aren't supposed to.
I can't find any that my elementary aged DC likes. May have to splurge for one from Joah Love.
Are the 32 degree masks comparable to the UnderArmour masks? I agree they are too expensive and I'm looking for an alternative, sporty mask.
@Anonymous Not really. The UA ones are structured so they sit off the mouth and nose, but still semi-seal at the top. The 32 degree ones are tighter, which doesn't bother me, but DC and DH find them suffocating.
That's the trouble with the "athletic" masks: they're still too tight for exercise. When I run I wear.a neck gaiter, which is snug but I can pull it up or down quickly if nobody is near me.
Surgical but I wear it pretty loose. I have some cloth ones that stick to my nostrils when I breathe in. Hate them.
Balance of wearability and effectiveness is most important to me, so I wear Level 2 the surgical ones.
Work in a hospital, I wear N95s at work. For home, the Bee.Active 4 layer masks are the best. Very comfortable and breathable, seal tight but stay off of your nose and mouth. As others have said, surgical masks are actually way better than most cloth masks. I also like KN95s for grocery shopping, etc, but you never really know the quality.
I like the Target masks in kid sizes, but only the ones with black ear loops. The white loop masks are too small for me. I have a stretchy mask that I use for running and I am looking for a mask built into an infinity scarf for this winter.