3M Full Facepiece Reusable Respirator

**UPDATE: It has been 4 years since this purchase. I still own the same respirator, although by now, it's REALLY scratched and just a couple days ago, my left bottom strap broke. I can still insert it into the clip, it just doesn't have the stop. I have used this HEAVILY since ownership and as I mentioned, I'm rough with mine. I sorta did a lot of "tossing" and yanking and pulling. The fact that it's really scratched and a strap is broken is completely justified. I swear to God I do NOT know what I would have done without this thing. It has been THE difference between giving up this hobby entirely, and advancing so much farther than I ever imagined I could. I never would have guessed how therapeutic it would become. When I put on my respirator, pop in my ear buds and dive into cutting wood, hours of sanding, or using highly chemical substances for this or that, I'm in my zone. I should add, people can't hear you very well when you're wearing this. You have to yell. It's a little funny, actually. For me, I just wanna be left alone anyway when I'm working so I avoid eye contact with neighbors because I don't want anyone to strike up a conversation with me cuz I don't like the hassle of removing my respirator and putting it back on over and over. Also, I scare small children when I'm wearing it. But I'm telling you, this thing is a forcefield around your face. I restored a 1942 mail sorter, complete with lead paint. My finishing touch was oil-based sealer on the beautiful wood surface. I holed up in my bedroom for a good week because the mail sorter was in my livong room (small apt). I put my respirator on every time I left my bedroom for any reason. When it was all done with, I was, and still am, so proud of my work. Not having my lungs hurt through all that has made it a really happy memory. I will likely purchase another pretty soon. My carelessness with my shield has made it so seeing details is getting more difficult, and the other straps aren't going to last much longer. Next time around, I treat it more like a vital organ :D **I'm really, really pleased with this respirator. I dipped a toe in the woodworking/carpentry world about 5 yrs ago, as a way to obtain small things I wanted but couldn't afford.I have asthma, but this hobby didn't pick up until summer 2019, when I stupidly decided to "restore" a wardrobe trunk my mom had had rotting in her basement for eons. SO. MUCH. SANDING! At the same time, I took on remodeling my mom's bedroom, where I volunteered to scrape the ceiling. In nothing but a regular mask.....yeah....My lungs hurt SO. Bad. For weeks. So, I started looking at respirators, and doing research made me realize:My lungs were also sore and my allergies flared anytime I used stain, sealer, paint - and I also remembered I occasionally want to use spray paint.AndI can't believe what sensitive babies my lungs are! I've had a lot of really, really sucky lung ailments throughout my life but this tenderness was constant, and it hurt to take deep breaths.I nixed partial respirators because by then, I was BEYOND aggravated with my protective eye-gear fogging up with a mask.I didn't realize this didn't come with filters until I got it. I suspected, but I guess I didn't read the fine print. I also didn't consider size, because I had no idea I had even ordered an XL until I got it! I will say, however, I'm glad I got the XL because I have long hair, and if I wear a bun, or tuck my braid, it's bulky. I also wear fabric over my hair, with everything tucked in, to keep saw dust out. I've tightened the straps over my bun before and the pain becomes pulsating and excruciating after a bit. I've learned how to place the straps and my hairstyle to avoid that, but idk if a smaller size would have the same amount of space in the back as the XL does.Also, a lot rides on which filters you get. I got the ones that were recommended, because I really had no clue what I needed. My first time wearing it involved spray painting. I observed how my lungs felt over the next couple days and everything was normal. When it came to cutting wood and sanding, this was where it really sank in how worth it this purchase had been. I don't give a damn what I look like to my neighbors (and I have super snoopy ones, too) -I can sit outside and sand for hours and hours, cut wood and get my face super close to watch my cut without debris flying into my eye or inhaling dust. Also, since getting this, I've noticed when I do a quick cut, like with my jigsaw or cordless saw, the tenderness in my lungs is almost instant. Wearing this has made me aware that I HAVE to wear it EVERY TIME, even if it's a quick, small cut. Also, I keep it on throughout cleanup, putting things away, brushing myself off, etc. I wear clothes under my overalls so I can take them off outside and shake them out. I don't take the respirator off until I'm ALL done disturbing sawdust. Too many times I've thought it wouldn't be a big deal, but it IS. Every time. Even when I drill pocket holes, I wear my respirator! Yesterday, it was 95 degrees, and I live in the Midwest so weather here is literally ALL variations. I was sweating SO bad but I put that damn respirator on each and every time I made a cut.I will add a tip about winter. You have to put it on before you go outside, because it fogs up from the cold and doesn't go away even after you put it on.Cleaning it is suuuuper easy. I take the filters off and the central part for your nose and mouth, and just rinse everything (not the filters, obviously). I've dropped it a million times or it's fallen out of my work bag, and there are no cracks whatsoever. There might be a couple minor scratches on the outside, but I'm pretty rough with mine. It works fantastically and it's still goin strong 8 months later. Definitely worth the buy, which you won't truly appreciate until you use it.

Very excellent product, except the straps should be fabric instead of silicone. I worry they're going to tear when I'm tightening. Also, a buckle-pin popped out of its slot and was extremely difficult to pop back in. The buckle-pin was malformed during production, causing the buckle to not stay in its slot very well. The mask performed better than I thought it would. Very comfortable while wearing, but difficult to get on. I wished there were detachable buckles so I could undo it, put the mask on, then clip the buckle back into place.

I was reluctant to get this but I had a mold remediation projects. I saw good reviews and purchased it. I wished I would have done this a long time ago. I use this almost daily for mold, painting and attic insulation projects. It accommodates different filters and they are easily changed. I added the dust filters to the main filters. I also added disposable covers to the shield. Both additions are a must if you are in dirty and dusty environments.

This mask worked great. Used it the first day for 7 hours while doing woodworking and metal working and I had no issues with it. It had good airflow, , was comfortable, was easy to adjust while still wearing it, and was easy to clean. I definitely could feel the weight at the end of the day on my neck and back, but it's lighter than alternatives that I've used. This one even kept a good seal with short facial hair.

I was looking for a good quality Respirator... yes this is on the expensive side; however it is a safety device. Very high-quality material easy to adjust and the fit is great.. when you read "it's just like the 3M Respirator".... well then just buy the 3M!

Pros:Comfort: It's a mask but it is vastly more comfortable than the half-face respirators I have used. Also it does not trigger my claustrophobia like the others do. No idea why, but I'll take it.Seal: I have a big bushy beard and glasses. Of the two only the glasses created face seal issues. This was tested with an a hand/breathing pressure test so ymmv.Price: Solid price to performance in my book! I ordered the large at $134 and I am very happy with it.Cons:Glasses: With 93% of US Adults regularly wearing glasses the fact that the spectacles adapter is not only sold separately but costs $96-134 is insane. Do better 3M (as if my review will change their policies). A tip for my bespectacled compatriots. Printing files for adapters are out there, just keep your most recently replaced glasses, remove the arms, and hey presto you've saved $100.Speaking: There is no speaking diaphragm and I did not think it would matter but it absolutely does. If I had to do it over I would spring for one of the models with the diaphragm.