Top positive review
5.0 out of 5 starsComfortable and affordable respirator!
Reviewed in the United States on September 11, 2016
I'm a 5'2" 150lb female and the size small fits great! I tried the medium size first and it pressed hard against my cheekbones and became leaky around my nose when I smiled, so I just got the size small in today and it fits perfectly! The clips are hard to work with to adjust the straps, but with a good fit I won't need to adjust them often (if ever, after the initial adjustment). It's also notable that the medium mask smelled fine when I got it, but the small mask has a funky smell (like a rubbery smell?) but hopefully it'll dissipate soon once it airs out a bit. This is especially important for me because I have chemical hypersensitivities. Otherwise, it's very comfortable to wear this mask for hours (I've worn it for 8 hours straight no problem). The valves work great so that it doesn't get too hot/humid and my face doesn't get oily. I did purchase some silicone pads and attached them to the plastic of the head strap when I used the size medium for better comfort with long hours of use, but I might not even need them for the size small since it doesn't need to be as tight to seal well on my face. For other people with chemical sensitivities and/or lung issues who need an effective and easy-to-breath-through filter, I suggest pairing this respirator with the 3M Advanced Particulate Filter 2297 P100's. Of course it depends on what exposures you'll be around, but they have very low resistance and are supposed to help filter out organic fumes. Again, just a suggestion - do your research first.
Medium vs Small don't look much different outwardly, but definitely fit differently. The medium is perfect for my 5'11" heavyset husband. The small is perfect for little 5'2" me.
Pictures:
Inside of the small respirator, medium respirator on (more grey, with my hair pulled back - you can see it pressing on my cheekbones), and small respirator on (more beige, with my hair down - much better fit! I can smile with it keeping a good seal! =D).
Pros:
Super affordable and good quality
Fits great if you get the right size
The valves work fantastically!!
Very comfortable for hours
Cons:
Clips for adjusting the straps are a bit annoying
Whistles when exhaling for some filters (like 3M 2297's)
Might smell weird at first, but not necessarily