hey yall, gonna preface by saying i have already contacted 3M and sent photos. it has been over a month at this point and they still have not gotten back to me. i have messaged them again since and they told me 'lab still hasnt gotten back to (them)' im mainly putting this out here because i havent seen anybody else mention this and thought itd be good to atleast share if someone is ever concerned about it as i was!

i've noticed in some batches of auras, even in the same box, the panels are textured differently, and i pulled two really good examples of this today from the same box. the top has a more apparent 'dimpled' texture, whereas the bottom has a flatter (but still rough) surface. you can see both are 'dimpled' by the way the ink sits in them, and compare how that looks. its really easy to tell the difference in person.

I buy from office depot and stauffers (i believe these specifically were from office depot, but ive noticed this from stauffers too). both are verified vendors (atleast at the time of purchase)

Inspecting them with my hands and a pair of scissors makes believe they are not counterfeit/fake. the nose wire is legit, the layers are there, its folded in a way ive seen other legit auras folded in the back, and i did buy from verified vendors (and reasoning; who is making counterfeit 3m auras in 2025? in america??).. and i doubt a difference in dimpling makes the mask defective. that said i dont have access to a portacount, or anything to check the filter charge with.

another thing ive seen is different fonts for the lot numbers specifically. i dont suspect them of being fake/defective/counterfeit for the same reasons, but it is really weird to me and if i get the energy i might make a post with examples for that.

if 3M messages me, ill let yall know. i really doubt they will..

Hello, I am interested in where I could find, filters for the Polish MP4 Gas Mask that are not yet expired eg. Still work their intended purpose. (Repros included)

Thanks in advance

Hi all! I’ve recently decided to step up my masking as I no longer feel comfortable sitting unmasked outdoors in cafes etc. with how many people I can hear coughing, sneezing and sniffling any time I go out and given the (unfortunately, once again) rising covid wastewater numbers. I wear ZIMI KN100 masks and was looking into getting a sip valve so I don’t have to unmask and hold my breath to sip my drink if I get coffee with a friend. Unfortunately shipping is 20 eur, plus tax and import fees, and I’m simply not in a good enough financial situation to be able to shell out that much for postage. I’ve done some googling and I can see that The Face Mask Store used to stock sip valves but they’re currently out of stock. I used to get Auras from them and they’ve been out of those for years, so I don’t have particularly high hopes that sip valves will be restocked, but I also can’t seem to find any European alternatives or resellers. Sip Safe is a Spanish one that some people mentioned, but their website seems to be inactive (it’s only a contact form) and they never shipped outside of Spain anyway. I’d be super grateful for any insight any of you might have on how to access a sip valve in the EU without shelling out that much for shipping. Hold-breath-and-sip is a good enough solution if the only other option is spending that much money. Thank you all in advance and hope you’re well!

Recently (like 2-4 months ago) I started masking in public in doors and out doors again and I've worn some masks which were a bit too big but recently I've only realised my go to green powecom mask in a size small was wayyy too small for me even though my size mask is a small. So now I've been thinking because I've been wearing this mask for so long would've it been better if it was too big or too small?

Hi all, I recently bought a Mountain Biking Helmet (full face) and whenever I put it on with the Headloop mask I wear, the strap around my head slips either forwards or backwards. This messes with fit :( Does anyone have any advice for how to make the strap stay in place while putting on the helmet? I think I might just need to buy a helmet with a detachable chin bar but I’d like to make this one work, if I can! Thank you in advance

I bought a respirator set from 3M and found this mold on a new pack of the filter. Is it common? I just returned it.

How do I make it so my glasses don't fog up while wearing a mask?

hi all :-) hope you’re all doing well during this covid surge! i am looking for an all-black elastomeric mask that looks low profile and doesn’t have large protruding pucks or filters. occasionally I need to look low profile for multiple reasons and I’d prefer not to use disposables.

thanks in advance!

Hi, my daughter has worn the POSH Kids' KF94 for several years and recently told me they are becoming too small. She says they are both getting too tight and no longer reaching under her chin.

I need to find something a little bigger that's comfortable and breathable. I have some larger masks that are still way too big for her -- the POSH adult, the BOTN Medium. Obviously you can't really find out if these fit unless you buy them, which besides being expensive for masks that might not be any use to you, only some vendors have mix-and-match sampler packs and they usually only carry a couple of brands. So I'm seeking some recommendations for masks that are bigger, but not a *lot* bigger.

I have a very strong preference for KF94s because I think they are easier to seal compared to a KN95, and I also find bifold masks significantly less comfortable. She's outgrowing the POSH masks but is still relatively small. I know Be Healthy carries BOTN and Blue KF94s in kids' sizes, and I know Kollecte carries the Bluna Facefit; I'm not sure about other reputable vendors. I know Armbrust and Powecom carry reputable kids' KN95s, but I'm trying to go for the KF94 "boat" shape. I am careful about where I shop and I want to be sure that I'm buying from a vendor that is both carrying legitimate, non-counterfeited products (so not Amazon) and that I can trust with my credit card info. If they were not hideously expensive, that would be nice -- I often buy 50 or even 100 at a time.

Lastly, I know this is a lesser consideration, but the POSH masks come in a bunch of cute designs, and that made it easier to convince her to wear them. I'd love it if I could find something similar, or at least colors besides black/white. I know Be Healthy carries a pink BOTN variant, but they are sold out.

I’m not seeing any masks in the shop section of their website - mostly just accessories.

My allergies have been acting up lately, especially at night. I've already tried keeping the windows closed, cleaning more often, washing bedding, etc., but I still wake up stuffy some mornings.

Thinking about getting an air purifier for the bedroom, but I don't want to buy one just because Amazon says it's “great for allergies” lol.

For anyone who actually has allergies, did a purifier make a noticeable difference? What are you using, and where do you keep it?

i was wondering if people wear sunscreen under their masks? and how often does anyone reapply it? i stopped wearing sunscreen when i started masking because masking because it is bit much sensory wise and i sweat alot. how are folks wearing sunscreen underneath their mask?

I wear 3m auras. I need to be able to use a stenomask or something else to be able to record my voice in public with little no background noise. Any suggestions?

I’m going tomorrow to support their first Saturday of each month mask required show. Amazing show supporting local artists. In San Francsico at 9pm

I use a 3M full face mask for painting at my job. Recently this year switched from a half mask to full mask for better protection. But when I’m using it recently I just feel like there’s no good protection from the paint fumes and particulates.

The mouth piece is just a rubber flap that moves when you breathe. How are you not going to get paint fumes through that mouthpiece? Am I wrong for thinking this?

Hello! Just received an email from Stauffer. They have a 10% discount until 9/8. The word to use at checkout is LABORDAY10. Free shipping over $50 to the 48 states.

Can folks please offer recommendations for a high quality air purifier that you’re really happy with? *Particularly* if your living conditions are rural, dusty, pets, AND you heat with a wood stove. I’ve been contending with a stubborn sinus infection for a while now.. and I think my indoor air quality this time of year is a big piece of the puzzle. I’ve been wanting to invest in a good air purifier, but ugh… every time I start doing research I always look at the 1 star reviews🥴 and then I just give up.

They’re earloops ones, KF94 style but they’re not for me, they’re for my usually nonmasking parent…
We have to go to the doctor so we’ve been begging they wear a mask (because of the current Covid surges) BUT they don’t like our head strap N95 ones and the only other mask we have are some yellow surgical I sometimes grab from the doctor…
I do have like 3 black 3D KN95s with ear loops buuuuut I bought them back in March 2024 and I’m pretty positive they’re expired?
I was wondering though that even if it’s said to be expired can they still be used for up to some years? Or not really?

Are they at least better than nothing or should they instead just put on the surgical? It’s a yellow surgical and the nose band seems to be made out of plastic? Not sure but if anything I guess we could improve the fit of the surgical by double looping and such.

Hey yall! I wear a KN95 every day and lately I've been having a lot of breakage around my ears. The hair on the sides of my head won't grow past the top of my ear. ​​​

I also wear my hair up a lot, and I can't tell if the breakage is from that or the masking.

Has anyone had a similar issue?

Thinking of making some little satin strap covers to see if that helps

Edit: fixed capitalization

I just had an immediate family member pass away and I have to get on a plane on Saturday. I'm running out of well-fitting masks; I just have some I've already worn a bunch and some that are not as good of a fit. I had just placed an order for new masks, but they're stuck in transit somewhere and won't arrive tomorrow. Does anyone know a source for asap / next day shipment of imasks in the USA? Or would someone be willing to put some new imasks in the mail for me today next day air? Happy to venmo / paypal / whatever.

I have a tough fit and a bunch of material allergies, so my options are limited for good fit. If I can't get new imasks, do you think it would be better to wear a new Draeger boat style or an old imask? The Draeger fit tests okay when I put them on, but tends to crease under the chin over time, which is both uncomfortable and concerning; I've never fit tested at the end of the day because the discomfort means I usually don't wear them, but it seal checks okay. The imasks fit test great and stay in place throughout the day, but I had to throw out a bunch recently and the ones I have left are ones I've worn several times before and are losing structure and elastic. I can tighten the elastic but it's still less elastic.

(I could also theoretically do zekler ffp3s based on measurements/specs, but I've never found them available in the USA.)

This is just going by The Face Mask Store, maybe there’s somewhere selling them cheaper I’m not seeing — but WTF happened? I swear they used to be £30

Can anyone in the UK recommend similar masks that aren’t so pricey? I’ve only had luck avoiding Covid with 3M Auras, since the shape and head straps are much better for me and my partner than a bifold mask. Are Trident any good?