My Favorite Masks

I have been wearing masks for several years, now. People ask me what my favorite masks are to combat PM2.5 fine dust. Keep in mind, everyone has a different face, and different physical issues to consider, such as age or even pregnancy. I'm a 6'2" tall (187cm) male, but here is what I like, and use every day. You will note that all of these masks are disposable. I have yet to find a non-disposable mask that I like. My whole family tried Vogmask, and we found them expensive, hard to breathe through, hot, and the valve to be near-useless. I have not tried Respro, but I would guess they must get hot in summer. I have tried Xiaomi's non-disposable, but it does not fit a single member of my family (I have an unused one for sale, if you like it). I still prefer disposables. Manufacturers say you should throw away a mask with each use (of course they would), but they are also covering their rear-end because people may use these for industrial purposes. For typical Korea fine dust wear, I have found after 8 to 10 hours of use is a good barometer for when to change. If the air is not so bad, you might go longer. If the air is particularly awful, you might go less. I have found the 3M 9322K+ Aura, listed at the bottom, can go a bit longer. Masks eventually become dirty/ugly or start to smell bad, even though they may still work. Please click the links for some online purchase options, or search the model numbers on your favorite sites (you might find a better deal). Here are my favorite masks: 

Lynnea Elsasser introduced me to the DobuMask, purchased
at 7-11, CU, GS25, and online.  Available in black or white.

1. The Dobu Mask DM2-203V If you are looking for a solid first-time purchase, and want to try a decent mask before you order something in bulk online, you can buy the Dobu Mask at any Korean 7/11, CU, or GS25 convenience store. The masks are re-branded and sold as "Anti Dust Mask" with a white package at GS25, and in a dark package with yellow highlights, named "Pharma Bio Mask" at CU stores. The Dobu logo is still imprinted on the sides of the mask.

It's twice the price (about 2,900 won) individually at these stores, but if you like this mask, you can purchase it for about half that online (15,000 to 17,000 won for 10) -- and even cheaper in large quantities. There is also a non-valve version sold for a bit less. The Dobu Mask is very comfortable, and once you press and form the nose and edges to your face, it seals very well. The ear straps are probably the most comfortable I've felt. The Dobu Mask 203V is a KF94 mask, so it's plenty of protection for the worst bad air days we typically experience. US Military members will be happy to know that this mask is available in black or white. Some also find the black color is more appealing or fashionable. It's a better fit to Western faces than many of the masks sold in Korea, and slides into a pocket easily. I have a large Germanic nose, and it pinches the end a smidge, but should be find for most users. If there are any negatives to this mask, it's not really the greatest for my glasses, as ear straps tend to cause my glasses to slide off my ears, so i'm often pushing them back up. Typical of most masks, it may also fog glasses in colder months.

2. The 3M 9310K+ Aura I have a 1-hour commute to work, every day. For this purpose, I prefer the 3M 9310K+ respirator mask. This is a long-term comfortable mask that is easy to breathe through, seals great with foam nose-piece, and is not so darned hot. The straps are around-the-head type, so it does not pull on my ears, or cause my glasses to slide off. This type of strap is not good for short-term runs down the street for a bottle of milk, but for my long commutes, it's great. You can snip the straps in the center, and re-tie to the side, for ears. Sadly, this mask is only sold online at sites like Gmarket or Coupang, but prices are cheap at 20 masks for about 23,000 won. A respirator mask like the 9310K+ has a wider 3-piece front, which allows more surface area for air to pass through the filter. This makes for easier breathing for the elderly or pregnant ladies. The 9310K+ is an N80/KF80 mask, which is not the highest level of protection, but don't let that turn you off. A lower N/KF number means it's easier to breathe through, and usually cooler on those hot days. Also, it's enough protection for most days you'll encounter. I wear it any day where the AQI is below about 170 to 175, or 98 to 102 ug/m3. After that, I either stay inside, or switch to a KF94/N95 mask, such as the 3M 9210, which is the same low-cost version of this mask in N95 (and identical to the 9322, minus the exit valve).

I should note that, during allergy season, I usually go with one of my KF94/N95 masks, if I am experiencing allergy issues. For most long-commute days, however, the 9310K+ is hard to beat. I also exercise wearing this mask. Great for those days when the gym is full of bad air, as it offers room to breathe!

Me wearing the 9322K+ Aura while enjoying

Ham radio on a mountain.

3. The 3M 9322K+ Aura 3M 9322K is a KF94/N95 mask that offers the highest level of value protection and comfort for those who want to stop as much dust as possible, or go out on really bad days, yet still be able to breathe easily. It has a very functional exit valve, and seals perfectly, like other 3M Aura masks do. It also has behind-the-head straps (you can cut and re-tie for ears), so it's better for longer commutes, unless you make that modification. There is also an N99 version of this mask sold for a higher price, the 9332K+ (almost same number). The differences in the two are not worth the price, for our uses, IMHO. I saw an independent lab test which had the 9322K+ filtering 97%, so paying more for the 99% filtering of the 9332K+ over the 9322K+ isn't worth it, except maybe for those with terrible allergies, or if you are wanting to wear a mask to keep from catching sickness. The valve on this mask is very functional -- better than other masks. It is a decent choice for people who want to avoid fogging glasses in winter, but as with about any mask, it's not perfect. Prices for the 9322K+ are around 23,000 won for 10 masks. Here is a detailed video I made about this mask:

Additional notes: Men with beards might want to consider the 3M 9105 V-Flex mask. They kind of make one look like a duck, but have a large area to pull over the face. Pregnant women and the eldery might also try the 3M 9102S V-Flex, or what I refer to as the "duck mask." It looks the same, but is a bit smaller, and is an easier to breathe through KF80/N80. The 9102 is the same, but a little larger.

4.  For kids, I've become a fan of this Happy Home Kleenex Dust Mask 유한양행 해피홈 크리넥스 황사마스크 .  I purchased a set of 3 of these at a local pharmacy for 4,000 won.  Unfortunately, they aren't any cheaper online, and I have not found large boxes yet.  The reason why this mask is recommended is because it seals, and actually fits my daughter's high nose bridge (common among non-Korean kids, and kids with dual-race parents).  This mask comes with a gasket on the inside made of the same paper material as the outside.  Although the edges may pop out, this mask is actually sealing, because the gasket inside is quite deep, and holds against the face.  I was very happy to find this mask, and find it is relatively inexpensive locally. They fit on ears, and are KF80, which I consider good enough up to 100 ug/m3 (or 175 AQI).  By that point, your kids should be inside, anyway.  I prefer KF80/N80 masks for children, because they are easier to breathe through, and doctors feel they provide enough protection.  I should also note that this mask comes in 3 sizes (child, regular, and large).  The lower-right circle shows 소형, which is for children.  중형 is regular size.  Please note that I would not get the N94 Kleenex mask, which has a more futuristic look.  That mask was extremely difficult to breathe through, and I was not a fan.  Sometimes they are sold along-side these masks. They are also sold on Gmarket.  Always check for best price, and sometimes sets can be combined, or sold combined, for cheaper shipping.