Respro Techno Contour Face Mask
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List Price: Our Price: $34.82 You Save: $25.13 (42%) Availability: Usually ships in 2-3 business days Category: Sports See more product details |
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Sports reviews of Respro Techno Contour Face Mask
Customer Review: Effective and reasonably comfortable
Sport shop rating: 4 Stars
I purchased the Respro Techno mask about 6 months ago and have been using it routinely for commuting by bicycle in Beijing, China. My commute is 16 km (10 mi) each way during the Beijing rush hour. Beijing has one of the worst air pollution problems of any major city in the world. The streets are clogged with many motorcycles and motorized bicycles with smoke-belching 2 stroke engines. In addition to the smoke and exhaust Beijing is incredibly dusty. In the spring sandstorms can make it look like it is snowing dirt.
I was reluctant to use a mask because of restricted airflow and discomfort. Yes, mask restricts airflow. The effect during my first week of wearing it was a 20% drop in my average speed. After 6 months, it still cuts 5-10% of my aerobic capacity. It also whacks my top speed and increases my recovery time after a sprint. The other downside is that the mask is hot and you will sweat. Both the moisture from your breath and the sweat will accumulate in the mask. Also it does take some effort to get a tight fit and it also takes a little time before you get a good seal.
However, before wearing the mask I had a constant runny nose, cough, and burning lungs. I have noticed a dramatic improvement. I don't cough like a chronic smoker on the lung transplant list anymore. For me it is absolutely worth it. I do not ride here without it. I have forgotten it a few times, and I am immediately aware of the effects.
You will need to change the filters about once per month if you use it 4-5 times / week. The only issue I have is that the neoprene stretches and loses some elasticity after a few months of use.
Some tips on using it.
- if you change the filter make sure you get the valve oriented so that that the airflow is directed away from your eyes. After replacing the valves the first time it I managed to get the airflow directed up towards my eyes, which fogged my glasses.
- A new filter will be stiff. It takes some time to soften up and get a good seal.
- Sweat accumulates in the filter. I blot it with a paper towel and hang it where air can circulate, so that it dries. About every 10 uses I disassemble it and pour boiling water on the filter. This rinses the salt out of the filter and kills any accumulation of microbes.
- In winter it is quite comfortable and the neoprene is a good insulator.
Customer Review: AMAZING FACEMASK/RESPIRATOR !!!
Sport shop rating: 4 Stars
AMAZING FACEMASK/RESPIRATOR !!!
I bought this (sort of a point of purchase) in a pinch,
because I needed it to filter out grass pollen & allergens
from the activity of -extreme lawn mowing.
THE DOWNSIDE-
Nearly $50.00 for a face mask/air filter???--- Sure. Why not?
It's made of neoprene type material. Neoprene is tolerable most
any season except -SUMMER!
It's hot, chafing & irritating. The neoprene also absorbs a
massive amount of facial perspiration & you guessed it-ODORS!!
Neoprene will wash out with cool water and a shot of vinegar, then air dry.
Could the manufacturer make this thing any larger??
The large size of this mask covers more of your face than need be.
Doesn't work well with any type of eyeglasses, prescription or non-prescription sunglasses. The glasses nose pads rest upon the metal bridge piece which in turn, causes the eyeglasses to be out of focus.
The only adjustment for "proper" fitment is the angle of the Velcro
attachment in the rear (behind the head).
THE UPSIDE-
The filter medium DOES a satisfactory job of filtering out the
particulate matter that kicks up your asthma, allergies, and sinus irritations.
The exhale valves located on the cheek areas does an O.K. job
of releasing your exhale, but only upon a normal, relaxed exhale.
The unit as a whole IS restrictive on intake/ exhale in aerobic mode. That is to say, vigorous jogging or cycling-breathing IS restricted.
The alternate "cool" feature is the mask is black, and black helps!
It gives the illusion you are wearing a $50.00, high-tech sports mask instead of a white $150.00 auto body paint mask!
SUMMERY-
I am giving the Respro-Techno facemask 4 stars in spite of the limitations, for this type of product. I am grateful for the fact; this manufacturer is addressing the need for a sports-type facemask.
Customer Review: Decent for Running
Sport shop rating: 4 Stars
I am currently deployed in Afghanistan, and the pollution here is pretty horrible. We have fumes coming from all sorts of vehicles including jets, it's so bad that we're surrounded by mountains and I've only seen them once. On top of all that they want us to run outside in the thick of it. I'm not a big fan of developing a respiratory disease in years to come so I started looking for a solution and this is what I found. I didn't see any reviews for runners who used this product, it was all bikers, so lemme shed some light on this product for runners. If you are in an area where there are decent emission regulations, I would not bother with this mask. The airflow restriction isn't worth it. But if you're in an area similar to mine, then I say go for it. I'm not a strong runner, but wearing this mask made it so that I was able to actually breath and I was running at the front of the pack when I normally would be in the middle. This mask does force you to regulate your breathing more and take longer slower breaths, but it is definitely worth it. The first time I wore this mask I was actually able to eat breakfast after running, normally my stomach is so upset that even the idea of food would make me sick. I know my lungs are thanking me, so I thought I'd share with you their gratitude.Customer Review: Kept Me Riding Despite Nearby Forest Fires
Sport shop rating: 4 Stars
I rode with this mask on days when the air quality for particulates (PM 2.5) was officially in the "Hazardous" category (over 300 on the Air Quality Index scale). My daily commute is 7 miles each way, and this mask allowed me to keep riding in spite of really crappy air. While wearing the mask, I could not smell the smoke, nor could I feel it in my throat or lungs. Trying to ride without it was awful.
Note: you can't ride fast, because it does restrict breathing somewhat, and breathing hard can cause the mask to lose effectiveness. But as long as you keep a reasonable speed, it seems to work very well.
Unlike the similar "Techno" model, this mask only filters particulates. The Techno model includes activated charcoal, to help filter out urban pollutants. But that mask looks less comfortable in the heat because it is mostly neoprene. You can purchase Techno filters and valves for this mask, to give it the same filtering capabilities as the Techno model.
Overall - this mask helped to protect my lungs, and allowed me to keep riding throughout an otherwise hellish summer.
Customer Review: Excellent mask if you are in a polluted area
Sport shop rating: 4 Stars
Like the first commenter here I am using this mask for my bike commute, but instead of Beijing I am in Chengdu, China. I ride about 10-15 km per day, and before using the mask I would get bi-weekly throat infections from the incredible amount of pollutants in the air. I have been using for just over 6 months now, and have not had another throat infection - I cannot ride without it. In addition to the health factor is the intimidation factor - cars, pedestrians and other bikes seem to move a bit quicker when you are bearing down on them in this mask.
The only issues I really have with the mask is the fact that the elasticity is starting to go a bit after 6 months, but I plan to sew on some additional velcro to the receiving side. Only other issue is that if you do not match up the velcro just right the small velcro hooks irritate your neck - but again, a small price to pay for protecting my lungs.
Excellent product that I could ride in the city without.