Happy Masks questions

[klmama]

After reading so many positive reviews here, I placed an order from Happy Masks (happymasks.com).  They came within a week, and they fit my face well, but... they are so thin!  Between the very thin filter and the mesh fabric, I'm nervous they may not be as effective as the company claims.  Has anyone seen outside testing (besides that posted on their website) to actually verify the level of protection claimed?   

 

[PeterPan]

Uh no? But surgical masks are thin too. 

I don't know. People are staying well even with stupid Hanes cotton ones. I think just wear it and move on. But it's true, you'll still smell bathroom odors and stuff.

[melmichigan]

29 minutes ago, PeterPan said:

Uh no? But surgical masks are thin too. 

I don't know. People are staying well even with stupid Hanes cotton ones. I think just wear it and move on. But it's true, you'll still smell bathroom odors and stuff.

They don't contain carbon to filter odors.  

[melmichigan]

1 hour ago, klmama said:

After reading so many positive reviews here, I placed an order from Happy Masks (happymasks.com).  They came within a week, and they fit my face well, but... they are so thin!  Between the very thin filter and the mesh fabric, I'm nervous they may not be as effective as the company claims.  Has anyone seen outside testing (besides that posted on their website) to actually verify the level of protection claimed?   

 

I think it's sometimes hard to look at the new nano fiber technology and compare it to the hand-made flannel and woven cotton masks and not think thicker equals more protection.  Having worn masks prior to covid I can tell you that anything coming out of Asia will be much thinner.  They are simply ahead in the research and manufacturing of masks to deal with their pollution problems, which carries over easily to bacteria and viruses.  The white papers for Happy Mask are from Nelson Lab, the same company that does the testing for all big names in masks.  My Cambridge Mask isn't much thicker than a Happy Mask, but there is a difference because it contains a charcoal filter layer for odors.  

[Terabith]

Yeah, I think my Happy Mask is a solid construction, but it does not fit my face super well, so I don't wear it in what I consider "higher risk" encounters.  I wear masks that may be of poorer construction but fit my face better for things like going to the doctor's.  If I was going to do something riskier, I might get some tape to fix the gaps and wear it, but that's more of a commitment than I feel a trip to the store merits.  I'll wear it if I'm outside or going through a fast food window or something like that.  

[Pen]

I decided to add a head strap to my HM ( which does improve fit) and thought I would sew direct to mask so that if earloops popped there would still be the strap.  I found that I could not get a needle through.  I was surprised. I guess it is very Thin, but remarkably tough material. 

[crazyforlatin]

20 minutes ago, Pen said:

I decided to add a head strap to my HM ( which does improve fit) and thought I would sew direct to mask so that if earloops popped there would still be the strap.  I found that I could not get a needle through.  I was surprised. I guess it is very Thin, but remarkably tough material. 

It fits me but for DH we did get him a head strap.

[crazyforlatin]

If I had to go indoors for a prolonged time which I haven't really needed yet, I do have a Castle Grade mask which went thru the Nelson Lab tests. The fit is tight and only covers enough of the face to create a seal. We're required to masks even when exercising so I've been wearing the Happy Masks.

[Garga]

26 minutes ago, crazyforlatin said:

It fits me but for DH we did get him a head strap.

What do you mean you got him a head strap? Did you sew one on? Are there head straps that clip to masks?  

I would like some sort of head strap, but don’t know anything about sewing or where to start.  Is this something you can buy? 

[Garga]

I have a happy mask and it’s fine, except that it does gap a bit in various areas.

I think I’m going to put something like a bandana or something over top of it—some sort of thin cloth that I can tie tightly to my face.  The extra cloth isn’t for filtering, but just to smush the mask directly to my face so that there aren’t gaps.  

I haven’t tried doing this yet, but just thought of it in the past day or two, especially as the weather gets colder and it won’t bother me as much to have more cloth around my face.

[melmichigan]

42 minutes ago, Garga said:

What do you mean you got him a head strap? Did you sew one on? Are there head straps that clip to masks?  

I would like some sort of head strap, but don’t know anything about sewing or where to start.  Is this something you can buy? 

Yes, something you can buy.  I have ones that velcro to the mask straps, one that snaps around the mask strap, and a plastic 3d printed one that does essentially the same thing.  The velcro one I use the most often is from my Cambridge Masks, you can see it here.  They all have an adjustable slider or bead that you then tighten as needed.  Adjusting where on the mask ear loops you put them adjusts the angle of the mask on your face.  For the Happy Mask I adjust mine to take up any gaps and give it a nice snug fit.

Edited September 21, 2020 by melmichigan

[Matryoshka]

48 minutes ago, Garga said:

What do you mean you got him a head strap? Did you sew one on? Are there head straps that clip to masks?  

I would like some sort of head strap, but don’t know anything about sewing or where to start.  Is this something you can buy? 

I actually use a paper clip through the ear loops to keep my Vog mask on tight, lol.  Works great, no work.

My Happy Mask actually fits pretty nice and tight everywhere.  Dh's gaps a bit, especially over the nose.  I'm going to suggest he wear a nylon gaiter over it to keep it tight when he has to go somewhere he has to be inside for long periods soon (not instead of the mask, over it to close the gaps).  I bought some a while back when I read that nylon pantyhose were good for that - the gaiter seems at least a step up from old pantyhose, lol.

Edited September 21, 2020 by Matryoshka

[Pen]

1 hour ago, Garga said:

I have a happy mask and it’s fine, except that it does gap a bit in various areas.

I think I’m going to put something like a bandana or something over top of it—some sort of thin cloth that I can tie tightly to my face.  The extra cloth isn’t for filtering, but just to smush the mask directly to my face so that there aren’t gaps.  

I haven’t tried doing this yet, but just thought of it in the past day or two, especially as the weather gets colder and it won’t bother me as much to have more cloth around my face.

 

I added my own headstrap and it now seems not to gap anywhere 

 

 

Edited September 22, 2020 by Pen

[crazyforlatin]

1 hour ago, Garga said:

What do you mean you got him a head strap? Did you sew one on? Are there head straps that clip to masks?  

I would like some sort of head strap, but don’t know anything about sewing or where to start.  Is this something you can buy? 

It's a plastic extender that I got from Staples. It has hooks at the back for looping the elastic straps of the mask.

[kokotg]

oh! I asked the same question a few weeks ago and e-mailed the company for their testing info: 

....my current Happy Mask worry is that I'm wondering if the filter material is really supposed to be washed as many times as they say it is. 

[klmama]

I talked with them on the phone. They said it was important to wash with a drop of dish detergent, as other products tend to clog the filter sooner.