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I use Kimtech 53358, also US-made and N95. Its a "duck-mask" and seems to be available at $1 each. The Kimtech 53358 has far superior breathability compared to

I use Kimtech 53358, also US-made and N95. Its a "duck-mask" and seems to be available at $1 each. The Kimtech 53358 has far superior breathability compared to the Moldex 2200. Most importantly, the Kimtech "Duckmask" is foldable, and easily stores inside of an envelope, purse, handback, backpack (etc. etc.) ---------- Moldex 2200 is cheap, solid, and durable. Its straps are a bit tight but provide a superior seal. The Kimtech feels looser and probably isn't quite as good of a seal as the Moldex. Still, the greater comfort and cheaper price from the Kimtech 53358 has made it my N95 mask of choice. Being able to fold the mask and store it away is a huge advantage, it means I can carry 3, 4, 5 Kimtech 53448 with me at all times (in case I sneeze in the mask and want to throw it away). Sneezing inside of a Moldex 2200 is more high-risk, because its unlikely you're carrying a spare. The mask design is just too bulky to seriously carry spares. --------- I do own 3M stock, and 3M masks are also pretty good :-) Maybe I should plug them so that the stock price goes up? Unfortunately, 3M masks seem to be sold out and/or at much higher prices whenever I'm shopping for masks. EDIT: Got the number wrong initially, woops.

goodside 5y ago
I find the Moldex 2200 uncomfortable too, along with any of their masks that use the cheap elastic double-straps. The good Moldex masks are the ones that have an adjustable “Handi-Strap”, which is absolutely amazing. These straps are made of braided textile that doesn’t snag your hair, they can be tension-adjusted using a plastic toggle, and they allow the mask to comfortably hang around your neck when not in use without it applying tension to your chin (unlike, say, the Moldex 2200). Also, the corrugation in the AirWave line is absolutely essential once you’ve tried it. Even the AirWave masks that don’t have valves have lower exhale resistance than 3M masks that do have valves, like the 3M 8511. It’s a night-and-day difference to me in terms of comfort — having a conversation in an AirWave is so easy it’s almost like wearing a surgical mask, and with the added bonus of it not touching your mouth when you speak. I wear a Moldex 4600, which have both the Handi-Strap and AirWave features. They aren’t foldable, but they’re worth it.
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walrus01 5y ago
I don't know about their masks, but the kimtech wipes that are rated for ISO level 4 and 5 cleanrooms are a staple consumable supply for anyone that deals with raw singlemode fiber optic cable (fusion splicing it in outdoor and datacenter/commercial environments, mostly).

goodside 5y ago

I find the Moldex 2200 uncomfortable too, along with any of their masks that use the cheap elastic double-straps. The good Moldex masks are the ones that have an adjustable “Handi-Strap”, which is absolutely amazing. These straps are made of braided textile that doesn’t snag your hair, they can be tension-adjusted using a plastic toggle, and they allow the mask to comfortably hang around your neck when not in use without it applying tension to your chin (unlike, say, the Moldex 2200). Also, the corrugation in the AirWave line is absolutely essential once you’ve tried it. Even the AirWave masks that don’t have valves have lower exhale resistance than 3M masks that do have valves, like the 3M 8511. It’s a night-and-day difference to me in terms of comfort — having a conversation in an AirWave is so easy it’s almost like wearing a surgical mask, and with the added bonus of it not touching your mouth when you speak. I wear a Moldex 4600, which have both the Handi-Strap and AirWave features. They aren’t foldable, but they’re worth it.

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walrus01 5y ago

I don't know about their masks, but the kimtech wipes that are rated for ISO level 4 and 5 cleanrooms are a staple consumable supply for anyone that deals with raw singlemode fiber optic cable (fusion splicing it in outdoor and datacenter/commercial environments, mostly).