Mask fit for glasses AND an asymmetrical face?

January 2, 2021 9:52 AM

My partner is at his wit's end with poorly fitting facemasks. I've obtained different styles that work for me, but not so much for him and his slight facial asymmetry. Can you recommend a tapered/shaped mask that could work for someone with glasses AND one eye socket about 1/4" lower than the other?

Ideally he'd be able to try them on before purchasing something that may not work, but obviously that's not an option. Still would give preference to something sold in store near me (Portland OR) so I can save on shipping, but at this point I will order from across the world if it will fit this poor guy.

posted by luftmensch to Health & Fitness (8 answers total)

Hmmm... Would a "mask frame" made of soft flexible plastic that fit inside the mask help a little? You can get like 5 of those on Amazon for a few bucks.
posted by kschang at 10:00 AM on January 2, 2021

The Prime Layers masks are contoured and have a nose wire which is helpful for adjusting the fit over nose/cheeks. They also have around the head straps instead of behind the ear loops which saves some space back there for glasses. They're my preferred mask, having tried a bunch. Shipping is pretty quick and usually free.
posted by danielleh at 10:14 AM on January 2, 2021

I haven't bought any yet, but I have been considering these buttons that go on your glasses to hook masks on. If his glasses are properly fitted for his facial asymmetry, this might solve that issue AND let him otherwise choose masks in the shape/style he wants.
posted by Lyn Never at 12:04 PM on January 2, 2021

Tom Binh. I have multiple oversized glasses of weird shapes and I can mold the nose wire however I’d like, and I can have the frames resting on/off the mask and it’s comfortable. Hope it works out!
posted by inevitability at 12:30 PM on January 2, 2021

Can you elaborate a bit on what's going wrong for him?

I've more or less found masks and glasses a no-win situation. I have masks in several different styles that usually are fine and then one day, something will be a little off (nose wire got bumped, maybe I put it on at a slightly different angle, etc) and it's fog city. I do think something like this would probably work for me (afaik, my eyes are at the same level) because respirators like you might use for woodworking do work for me.
posted by hoyland at 1:50 PM on January 2, 2021

Maybe use Hollywood tape to secure.
posted by shocks connery at 4:42 PM on January 2, 2021

I can’t say about the symmetry issue but I do like Stark’s (Portland company) masks which are triple layer with a single layer that comes up under you glasses frames. I still fog if temperature swings a lot but not nearly as bad as others. You could call and see if they have them at one of their stores to try on.
posted by amanda at 6:42 PM on January 2, 2021

If he hasn’t done so already have him play with strap positions, eg, on the side with the lower eye socket the strap that normally goes over the top of the ear goes under it and the other over. That might be just enough bring down the top of the mask a tiny bit on that side - assuming the problem is that the top of the mask is just too high up on the side of the lower socket?
posted by koahiatamadl at 8:11 AM on January 3, 2021