Best Mask for Me — and I’ve Tried Dozens
I have purchased over a dozen different masks since March, 2020, trying to find the right combination of fit, comfort, ease of use, quality workmanship and (vanity alert) appearance. This mask is tops in all categories. I prefer around-the-head tie type masks, vs. behind the ear loops, both for comfort and functionality, as I wear behind-the ear hearing aids, which often conflicts with the ear loop style mask. Plus the pressure on my ears from the elastic loops, even when I’m not wearing my aids, can get annoying — especially on a 10 - 12 hour stint which is common when taking a trip by plane, when you include travel to/from the airport, airport time, Customs, and flight time. A four hour flight to Costa Rica, for example, ends up as 10 hours if mask time. And once adjusted, behind the head style (especially with ties) can be more easily dropped down when necessary, such as when taking a sip of a drink while on a plane.<br /><br />This tie-behind mask is especially good, in that the ties have a little stretch. They are not all-stretch, like some (which I don’t care for), but they are a good combination of a fabric tie with some built in stretch. It’s like the ties are made of gathered fabric with elastic inside, so they will stretch a bit, but there’s a limit, and they don’t get uncomfortably tight.<br /><br />The flat metal built-in nose clip is nicely encapsulated in the stitching of the top hem of the mask, so it won’t migrate, like others have for me. It’s going to stay right where it was originally stitched into the mask, top center.<br /><br />The mask is a perfect size for my face - that might not be the same for everyone, but it works great for me. I’m a 6’-0” male, with a fairly large head (7-5/8 hat size), and the mask fits perfectly under my chin, with a pleat in just the right place to tuck around my chin and be snug on both my face and chin. And the ties are long enough to tie around my big head.<br /><br />The sewing quality this mask is excellent — best I’ve seen so far. ‘Nuf said.<br /><br />My girls (spouse and other important ladies in my family I rely on for “style advice”) all say this mask is the best looking of any of my masks. And, as we know from Fernando, “It is better to look good than to feel good” - but in this mask, you get both.<br /><br />Lastly, this is a easy breathing mask — which probably means it doesn’t offer all that much protection. But my glasses don’t fog, I can wear it 10 hours comfortably, and I’m triple vaccinated, so I don’t really feel the need for N-95 filtration all the time. When I do, I’ll put on a KN-95. But most of the time (grocery store, restaurants, flying, concerts, etc.), this will be my “Go-To” mask.
Rating: 5 stars