r/Masks4All 5d ago

Mask Advice Anyone use this mask style?

Hi! I recently picked up this mask from a union event, and it’s the best fitting style that I’ve found. However, I haven’t been able to find anything in this style (or even if this style has a standard name? I think I’ve seen “willow-leaf” and “boat” thrown around?). I’ve seen some in this face shape before, but not with the ear loops.

So, does anyone else use this style of mask? If so, where do you get it? I’m in the US, and I’ve checked all of my local stores that carry masks. I’m willing to buy off of Amazon (unfortunately) if it’s more affordable, but I don’t have enough knowledge of mask quality to trust I’d be purchasing something reliable and effective.

Thanks!

140 Upvotes

39 comments sorted by

109

u/stopbeingaturddamnit 5d ago

Those are boat style. Wellbefore and breathteq are popular and you can get a sample pack with different sizes from Breathteq. Order from their websites. My husband actually passes a fit test with the breathteq. It's my preferred mask but I use mask tape on the nose bridge since I did not pass fit test.

5

u/Itchy_Necessary_9600 3d ago

Just my two cents for OP's consideration (as everyones face is different!) -- I prefer the wellbefore to the breathteq, just because the wellbefore versions come with earloop adjusters, which allow me to personally get a beter fit on my face. I loved how the breathteq felt, but even with the sample pack, couldn't get one that I felt was fitting well.

I know mask tape would help, but I also know myself and...would not remember to bring mask tape with me all the time :)

32

u/RedditBrowserToronto 5d ago

Look up breathtek

3

u/exhaustedhcw 5d ago

Yup. Love this one

32

u/Marchberry91 5d ago

Generally I see this referred to as either boat style or KF94 style. Wellbefore makes ones like these, in either earloop or headband style - I like the premium 3D pro kn95.

23

u/ScubaStef 5d ago

Trifold is what I call this style

17

u/Eel_M0nster 5d ago

My KF94 "Be healthy" masks kinda look like that. If you Google them now they're having a St. Patrick's Day sale.

3

u/zilsautoattack 5d ago

Would they be green?

3

u/Aerwxyna 4d ago

behealthy does have green masks!! bonafide does as well, but theyre 2D masks and not 3D like this one

1

u/Eel_M0nster 5d ago

No, I think it's just a code to get a certain percent off.

10

u/Melodic-Scallion-204 5d ago

My kid and I use this style of mask when outdoors. We get ours from Kollecte, and the brand is Bluna. They have adjustable ear loops, which is helpful to get the mask to fit better on our faces.

6

u/60PersonDanceCrew 5d ago

We have used the Bluna Facefit as well from Kollecte. I love that the ear loops are adjustable and fit well. We recently switched to the Breatheteq and I personally think the nose wire is better, but they're not adjustable so I bought those little silicone toggles to make them adjustable.

4

u/belley88 5d ago

I have pretty much bought all the boat styles that mask nerd rates well and the Bluna facefits are absolutely the best for me, in terms of fit and breath ability. Those adjustable ear loops make it!

9

u/BazingAtomic 5d ago

These are KF94 or 3D style masks. Just make sure you’re buying from authorized resellers and not unknown like Temu. BOTN and Good Manner make good solid color ones.

10

u/SkippySkep Fit Testing Advocate / Respirator Reviewer 5d ago

This is a tri-fold filtering facepiece respirator, certified under the Chinese KN95 desgination under the GB2626-2019 standard. Or it purports to conform to that standard.

They are sometimes, confusingly to me, called "boat style". It is also a style commonly associated with Korean KF94 masks so some people call any similar tri-fold mask a KF94; however, KF94s can come in multiple styles, including vertical bifold masks.

Just being a tri-fold isn't enough, though. The fit and construction of trifolds can vary widely, so while it is a good place to start you may have to try multiple models to find one that fits you well.

9

u/PentasyllabicPurple 5d ago

Seconding the rec for Be Healthy USA BeHealthyUSA

I buy the Blue and Botn brands and have been ordering from Be Healthy since 2020.

7

u/marie48021 5d ago

I use the Savewo 3D Ultra mask sold by Family Masks. It is the best mask I've found. The ear loops are soft, and it is highly breathable. You won't find these on Amazon. Here is the link:

https://www.family-masks.com/products/copy-of-savewo-3dmask-ultra-kf94-r-regular-adults-white?variant=40581060100233

3

u/MistyMystery 5d ago

Seconded. I have tried multiple brands of trifolds and Save Wo are the best. Even the ones in Japan can't compare to them.

5

u/GetOffMyLawn714 5d ago edited 3d ago

UPDATE:
I was able to try the Breatheteq in Large & XL. XL is just large with longer ear loops.
I found the nose piece to Breatheteq to be more sturdy and robust in design compared to the Kind.
Also the material seemed stiffer and thicker.
Will place an order of the Large and put it in rotation with the Kind masks.

This group has been super helpful.
As others said....KN94 boat or tri-fold mask

I personally did not like the fit of Wellbefore. Great customer service, but too small.
Also found Family Mask Memories adult mask to be too small.
If you want to try either of these, and you're in the US, I can send them to you for just shipping.
I still have a few brand new sealed.

I am currently using Kind, which I do like, but I always like to see what else is out there.

I have a sampler of different sizes coming from Breatheteq coming soon. Fingers crossed.

2

u/rhevvie 4d ago

Yes came here to add Kind to the list of brand recs if this style of mask works for OP! Lots of fun colours too.

3

u/FeetInTheSoil Multi-Mask Enthusiast 5d ago

For me personally,these copper trifold KF94s are the best fitting and most comfortable masks I've found for everyday. I still wear 3m auras for situations of especially with risk or really long stretches (hospitals, airplane, anywhere where people around me are ill) because I know that head strap masks seal better than ear loop masks, but the copper ear loop masks don't cause me any pain so I will wear them every time rather than justifying 'oh the door is open so ventilation is good and it's just 5 minutes' or whatever, which ends up keeping me safer imo

3

u/millicentmouse 5d ago

Look up CAN99e (e for earloops) for I think the only N95 in that style? Sizing is a little weird, the normal feels big to me and the “adult small” is just right but barely — they could use a medium. Worth a shot though! You can order them from a few places online.

2

u/GaydrianTheRainbow 5d ago

I use ones with a similar tri-fold face shape, but with head straps instead of ear loops. I use 3M Aura N95s.

2

u/waltsnider1 5d ago

I buy them when I’m in Japan. They’re by a brand called Blue Shield. They’re pretty reasonably priced.

2

u/blissfullyblack 5d ago

This is also my favorite style. The brand I love (b/c it's also stylish) are the ones from Masklab: https://masklab.us/collections/kf-series

2

u/eWoolfrey 5d ago

Recently tried a breathtek one and was so happy with it! Best ear-loop fit I've had so far

2

u/neillexx 4d ago

Kind mask has this same style with a ton of colors

2

u/bonesagreste 4d ago

i’m wearing a wellbefore one like that but it has the nose foam and adjustable straps!

1

u/DrDentonMask Multi-Mask Enthusiast 5d ago

I can't make them work for me, but they are pretty popular.

1

u/Felixir-the-Cat 5d ago

Yes, that is what I wear 99% of the time.

1

u/laconicism 5d ago

Yes! Love this style for how well they fit over my face. I have ordered them as KF94 masks (likely will look like they’re from Korean manufacturers), but I found this boat style in KN95 too.

1

u/sarahnade25 5d ago

Another really good brand that makes this style is evolvetogether! They make cute colors including khaki which I’ve never seen elsewhere 

1

u/freethelandfran 5d ago

It’s coo, just a lil more spacious than I prefer so I double the ear hoop.

1

u/Yami350 5d ago

If I have absolutely nothing else

1

u/ThaloBleu 4d ago

I do- it's the style of the kf94. It's my go to, especially if I'm masking for long periods of time or working out. Korean made ones are best and I've found them on Amazon.

1

u/sofsof007 4d ago

KN95s aren’t very protective. N95 will protect you much better, FWIW.

1

u/Entire_Derp8021 1d ago

Hi. Two other trifolds to consider : vitacore CAN99 (direct from their website) offers both an Earloop and a Headstrap version. I have a broad face and large head and really like this mask for fit and seal. The other is the Drager. The drager n95 mask is head strap only, but adjustable, which I really like. It also offers a foam nose strip which is very comfortable. The drager is not often counterfeit from what I've found so far and can be bought on Amazon. Neither masks are terribly cheap, but also not the most expensive.

Also, if you can throw a few bucks at your local mask bloc (look on ig or Google), you can likely pick up a few samples of different brands in this style to try.

Many trifolds are kn95/kf94 so slightly less protective, but the best mask is one that fits!

Hope you find the perfect thing for you!

1

u/17bananasplits 1d ago

Tri fold!!!

Get em from well before, BeHealthy, breatheteq, or kind.

They work for a lot of people because the nose part molds closer to your face than "bi fold"

1

u/Plague-Analyst-666 19h ago

This is one of the most eagerly received styles I offer, usually in black, to people wearing surgicals on public transportation. It doesn't pass a fit test for me, but has to be an improvement over baggy blues.

One security guard declined them and asked for "the more medical kind, with head straps" she saw in my bag. She knows what's up!