We’ve come a long way since having homemade cloth masks as one of our only options for filtered breathing in the US. While masks have become easier to buy from most retailers, it’s nice to see some options that offer comfort, reliability, and some longer lasting protection against airborne illness.
The AIRPOP Active serves to provide a more comfortable experience for the wearer, while offering even better protection from the air around you. In the box you’ll find the outer portion of the mask which houses the filter, four sealed filters which include a soft rubber like seal around your nose and mouth, a storage bag, and a manual. The outer mask has a mesh like look and feel, with a soft rubber portion nearest the elastic band. The band itself has two small adjustable bead like pieces that serve to adjust the fit around your ear. I should note, that it does come with some additional pieces, should one fall out during regular use.
The filters are each sealed, showing a manufacturer and use by date. Once opened, you’ll find they each have a nose/mouth gasket seal, which is attached to the filter, and can’t be removed. Each filter is designed to last up to 40 hours or so of use. So you can depend on the filter to last a standard work week, but will likely go through a couple a week if you’re more active in the general public. The outer shell has two notches where the filter is pushed into and held in place. Once installed, you can place the mask on your face for the best fit. The soft rubber like gasket does a great job of sealing your airflow within the filter, which has an almost flannel like feel. While you’ll notice some perforations along the mask lines, they also have micro mesh within them, appearing to block external droplets.
The downside to this mask is the overall fit to your face. The soft rubber gasket like seal also makes the external shell pop up away from your face a bit. This was a constant annoyance as I would put on my sunglasses and the top of the mask would obscure part of the lens. While they didn’t fog up from air being pushed up, I found myself constantly pushing the shell downward out of the way. The mask doesn’t have any type of shape support, like a small tin seen in the single use masks and takes time to really stay in place. I will say, you can breathe easily with the mask on, with the outer shell and filter molding out space in front of your mouth.
You’d also need to consider the cost of the replaceable filters based on how active you are and your use of the mask. Over time, the cost of ownership would surpass that of a traditional reusable mask, or even the bulk packs of disposable masks. You can’t use the outer shell alone for any type of protection, as it has much larger perforations throughout, allowing maximum airflow. It is intended to be used solely with the filter installed. The included storage bag does help with extending the life of the filter, and I’d strongly suggest storing it inside the bad during extended periods of non-use. If you’re going to be in an office, or other environment, most of your day that requiring the use of this mask, make sure to pick up some extra filters.
As the name suggests, this mask really does fit the style and fit of something you’d wear in an active lifestyle. It offers both style and function, performing the function effectively with a longer lasting filter. You’ll need to consider the on-going cost of ownership with replaceable filters required. Overall, this mask (with the filter) provides some much needed peace of mind, and just requires some time to shape into place. If you plan on wearing glasses with these, you'll be safe from fogging if worn correctly, but may have to adjust it often.