Recs for masks with N95-level of protection with ear loops?

April 2, 2022 11:28 AM

I know that if a mask has ear loops it's not going to be as good a fit as a real N95, but I would like to buy some with ear loops anyway for certain less risky situations. Additional question:

why hasn't anyone made a mask that's the equivalent of cutting a rectangle the size of a mouth or a little larger out of a good mask and replacing what they cut out with a hard clear plastic rectangle so that you can see more of the person's face?

I know that there are "transparent" masks but they don't seem to be the most protective type of mask. I'm tired of not being "seen" but I still want the best quality mask (even though we are being told that the pandemic is "over" hahaha)

posted by DMelanogaster to Health & Fitness (14 answers total)

why hasn't anyone made a mask that's the equivalent of cutting a rectangle the size of a mouth or a little larger out of a good mask and replacing what they cut out with a hard clear plastic rectangle so that you can see more of the person's face?

They have-- check Etsy and Amazon. I have one and it fogs up immediately if I am speaking, defeating the purpose of the window. I tried an anti-fog spray, but it was useless-- the clear plastic fogs up no matter what you do because it doesn't breathe like the fabric or melt-blown styles. This might be why it never made it to the big time.

Also, the look of the mouth that is "cut out" from the rest of the face is surreal and uncomfortable for viewers, from my coworker's reports.

These ear loop KF94s are my go-to. The FDA listed masks from Vida are OK, but I have to use them with an ear-saver because the loops are too tight.
posted by blnkfrnk at 11:46 AM on April 2, 2022 [9 favorites]

KN95’s come in earloop variants, like this.

Regarding clear masks, I’m guessing the main issue is condensation. I sure wouldn’t want to have a piece of warm wet plastic centimeters from my mouth for any length of time.
posted by a box and a stick and a string and a bear at 11:49 AM on April 2, 2022 [1 favorite]

I had a prolonged interaction with someone who had a mask just as you describe and it was... unsettling, to say the least. I don't know why, it just was. The person later told me they threw the mask away because no one liked him using it.
posted by cooker girl at 12:28 PM on April 2, 2022 [2 favorites]

I have never worn one of the window-masks but I've seen health professionals wear them (especially people who work with populations likely to be hard of hearing, e.g. nurses in elder care) and yeah, the look is off-putting. They kind of have the effect of a Joker grin. I'm sure people get used to it and it's worth it if you are, in fact, hard of hearing, but it's a really weird look. Also, because you have less surface area to the actual breathable part of the mask (the filter material that most masks are made up of), they don't breathe very well (which means they're uncomfortable AND more air will leak around the edges). Worth a try if you're interested but, like, keep your expectations low.

There are lots of earloop KN95s; the standard for an N95 mask includes head straps so, by definition, even if it filters exactly the same as an N95 it is not an N95 if it has earloops.
posted by mskyle at 12:30 PM on April 2, 2022 [5 favorites]

Best answer: You want some good KN95 masks. I like the ones from Wellbefore (which is also a good source for legit N95s, in case you still want those, too, or know anyone else who needs them)--they're reassuringly thick, and some of them have adjustable earloops to ensure a good fit. I specifically prefer the "3D style" but they have other styles as well.

I also like the ones from Maskc because they fit my specific face in a way that forms a good seal but is still very comfortable. And they come in colors that appeal to me. But they're not adjustable, so your face may vary.
posted by rhiannonstone at 1:11 PM on April 2, 2022 [2 favorites]

The german equivalent (roughly) of n95 is called ffp2 and they almost all have earloops. see if you can order from german amazon or something. they are inexpensive.
posted by melamakarona at 2:10 PM on April 2, 2022 [2 favorites]

A third recommendation for Wellbefore’s KN94s with ear loops, I’ve been wearing them for months.
posted by skycrashesdown at 5:20 PM on April 2, 2022

I know that there are "transparent" masks but they don't seem to be the most protective type of mask.

There is an FDA-approved mask called ClearMask. The whole mask is clear, not just a little window. Except for the straps, of course. I haven't tried (or even seen) it myself, partly because these masks are more expensive than the regular ones. Also the long wait time.
posted by squelch at 9:45 PM on April 2, 2022

I've gotten the powecom (sp?) ear loop KN95s from bonafide masks. Pretty sure I got them on the recommendation of ask mefi. I like them. They did take a very long time to ship.
posted by litera scripta manet at 6:33 AM on April 3, 2022 [3 favorites]

I tested the Clear Mask. Literally nobody likes them for the reasons stated above. Not great for protection (they slip off your jaw), comfort or visuals (fog). And apparently my voice sounded funny.

I second that Powecoms from Bona Fide are what you want, but the last time I ordered they took months to ship compared to previous times. Not sure if that was omicron overdemand or what or if it is better now.
posted by jenfullmoon at 7:27 AM on April 3, 2022

I recently purchased Powercom KN95s from Bona Fide (also recommend) and they were at my house within a few days, so I think they must have sorted out their supply.
posted by General Malaise at 12:05 PM on April 3, 2022 [1 favorite]

Ford did this.
posted by oceano at 2:13 AM on April 4, 2022

You can purchase earloop elastics on Amazon.

I buy these N95 masks which come with straps that are easily replaced with earloops. (You can probably just remove the straps and cut them in half and reattach without having to buy loops from Amazon).
posted by RonButNotStupid at 12:28 PM on April 4, 2022

Real 3M Aura 9210+ N95 masks are cheap and widely available again – they're $1.75 each at my local paint store. I just un-staple the straps and re-staple them as loops.
posted by nicwolff at 1:24 PM on April 4, 2022