So, fit varies a lot by person based on face shape and size, and fit is the most important thing. Fluid flow (air is a fluid) takes the path of least resistance, so if there’s a leak, air will be coming in through the leak. 3M Auras don’t fit me well at all, they’re too big for my face. But I have liked the Laianzhi KN100 from PPEO.com ( I really should see if / how much the tariffs have impacted cost since I’m running low but I’m almost afraid to look) for disposable masks. I reuse them on a rotating basis unless they get filthy so I can make one stretch for a good long time. I think there’s also a KN95 version of this that is good and I might even switch to trying that style out with my next order because KN100 is technically overkill, and the cost of going with that overkill is that the higher breathing resistance seems to lead to sinus congestion, so with extended wear I have to periodically pop outside to take the mask down and blow my nose.
I’ve also liked the reusable washable elastomeric GVS Ellipse with P100 filters because it’s so much cheaper than disposables, and I get a very good seal with it based on qualitative testing. There’s a version with an exhalation valve which I don’t have, but I might get if I end up having to do long shifts where I can’t go outside to take the mask off and drain the water that builds up. This one also has a high breathing resistance.
I had wanted to like the 3M VFlex as it has a lower breathing resistance, but it was so big I couldn’t get it to fit well unless I applied mask tape to it. I decided to try it out as an outside mask in crowded spaces since it was light enough to not get so hot. But then when I’d walk away to take it down and drink some water, between the tension from the mask tape and the design of the mask, it would rip along a seam. After 2 or 3 instances of this I gave up and donated mine to a local mask bloc because they weren’t working for my use case.
So, fit varies a lot by person based on face shape and size, and fit is the most important thing. Fluid flow (air is a fluid) takes the path of least resistance, so if there’s a leak, air will be coming in through the leak. 3M Auras don’t fit me well at all, they’re too big for my face. But I have liked the Laianzhi KN100 from PPEO.com ( I really should see if / how much the tariffs have impacted cost since I’m running low but I’m almost afraid to look) for disposable masks. I reuse them on a rotating basis unless they get filthy so I can make one stretch for a good long time. I think there’s also a KN95 version of this that is good and I might even switch to trying that style out with my next order because KN100 is technically overkill, and the cost of going with that overkill is that the higher breathing resistance seems to lead to sinus congestion, so with extended wear I have to periodically pop outside to take the mask down and blow my nose.
I’ve also liked the reusable washable elastomeric GVS Ellipse with P100 filters because it’s so much cheaper than disposables, and I get a very good seal with it based on qualitative testing. There’s a version with an exhalation valve which I don’t have, but I might get if I end up having to do long shifts where I can’t go outside to take the mask off and drain the water that builds up. This one also has a high breathing resistance.
I had wanted to like the 3M VFlex as it has a lower breathing resistance, but it was so big I couldn’t get it to fit well unless I applied mask tape to it. I decided to try it out as an outside mask in crowded spaces since it was light enough to not get so hot. But then when I’d walk away to take it down and drink some water, between the tension from the mask tape and the design of the mask, it would rip along a seam. After 2 or 3 instances of this I gave up and donated mine to a local mask bloc because they weren’t working for my use case.