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Two weeks ago, Eva from Delaware requested recommendations for N95 masks or something equivalent that are “comfortable for thin elderly skin,” which I then posed to Checkup readers. The response was overwhelming, and I wanted to share what I learned.
The masks with the highest number of endorsements were the Powecom KN95s made by Bona Fide Masks. Amy from New Jersey says she wears them daily to work in nursing homes and finds them to be as “comfortable as high-quality masks can be.” Bridget from New Mexico, who is immunocompromised, has been “diligent about wearing a KN95 mask anytime I’m indoors with other people” and has worn “nothing but” this mask.
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These masks provide a “good fit a with a conical shape that allows me to project my voice without muffling,” said Susan from California. Another reader, who works as a professor in D.C., finds that this mask “does not impact my lecturing; I still wear the mask to class.”
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Readers also liked the manufacturer’s large selection. “We (four of us in the family) have been using Powecom KN95 masks for over two years,” wrote Pat from California. “They offer many colors and sizes, which is great for younger adults and children.” Elaine from Virginia, who identified herself as a “small adult,” said that the “youth size fits me perfectly, as well as my tweens.”
The color selection earned mentions from many people. Charlotte from Florida, for instance, said that she is almost 79 years old and gets the “all turquoise and all purple packs.” She wears “tie dye daily, as I ride a recumbent trike on the trail, and these masks look good with my clothes when I go inside anywhere.”
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Another mask with a lot of reader enthusiasm was Kimberly-Clark’s KimTech N95 Pouch Respirator. “Both the mask and straps are soft,” wrote Karin from California. Pamela from Massachusetts said she has “worn them 12 hours straight at times” without issue.
This mask has a duckbill shape, which Katherine from South Carolina likened to “Napoleon’s hat,” and straps around the head rather than the ears. “It may look odd to some, but we swear by them,” said Ann from Maryland. Tricia from California explained that the duckbill provides “a reservoir for air so our choir can sing without sucking the fabric into our mouths when we take a deep breath for a high note.” Jane from Ohio similarly wrote that it’s “roomier and more comfortable” and, because of the location of the band, it “doesn’t hurt my ears.”
The 3M Aura N95s received excellent recommendations, too. Sarah from Minnesota wrote that “my son and I wear 3M aura masks with the blue head straps all day at school and work.” For Ann from Rhode Island, this is the only type “my husband finds bearable since he has a huge head and big nose. It works just as well for me with my small head and tiny nose.”
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A number of readers seemed to settle on these after trying many other masks. These are the “best I’ve found, comfortable and fits me perfect,” wrote Larry from Texas. Vivian from Massachusetts said they are the “most comfortable and secure fitting” of all the types she has used. Judith from New York wrote that she is 76 years old and has been wearing N95s “daily since 2020 and tried — and discarded — too many kinds to count.” She prefers these “by far.”
Other N95 and equivalent masks with multiple rave reviews from readers include those made by Well Before (“they are comfortable, breathable even when exercising, and fit very well,” according to Jo from Washington); evolvetogether (“my face is relatively small and these fit well,” Debbie in Maryland wrote); and Vida (“they are the only place I am able to find KN95 masks that fit my 7-year-old well and with all the fun colors they offer she doesn’t mind wearing them as much,” says Darnelle from North Carolina).
I also received endorsements for KN94s, which follow South Korea’s filter standard that provides similar levels of protection to N95s and KN95s. Jolianne from California wrote that “as a violinist, the KN95s are a bit uncomfortable and pull off my ears sometimes, especially when I put my chin on the violin. I find the KF94s to be a great compromise for comfort.”
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I want to thank the hundreds of readers who shared their suggestions. The enormous response was really moving; it was heartening to see all those who shared their experiences and collective wisdom to help one another.
For those who have not yet found a mask that works for you, consider trying some of these options. Remember that a well-fitting, high-quality mask is highly protective against the coronavirus and other respiratory diseases and remains a useful tool for those at high risk from viral illnesses.
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Two weeks ago, Eva from Delaware requested recommendations for N95 masks or something equivalent that are “comfortable for thin elderly skin,” which I then posed to Checkup readers. The response was overwhelming, and I wanted to share what I learned.
The masks with the highest number of endorsements were the Powecom KN95s made by Bona Fide Masks. Amy from New Jersey says she wears them daily to work in nursing homes and finds them to be as “comfortable as high-quality masks can be.” Bridget from New Mexico, who is immunocompromised, has been “diligent about wearing a KN95 mask anytime I’m indoors with other people” and has worn “nothing but” this mask.
These masks provide a “good fit a with a conical shape that allows me to project my voice without muffling,” said Susan from California. Another reader, who works as a professor in D.C., finds that this mask “does not impact my lecturing; I still wear the mask to class.”
Readers also liked the manufacturer’s large selection. “We (four of us in the family) have been using Powecom KN95 masks for over two years,” wrote Pat from California. “They offer many colors and sizes, which is great for younger adults and children.” Elaine from Virginia, who identified herself as a “small adult,” said that the “youth size fits me perfectly, as well as my tweens.”
The color selection earned mentions from many people. Charlotte from Florida, for instance, said that she is almost 79 years old and gets the “all turquoise and all purple packs.” She wears “tie dye daily, as I ride a recumbent trike on the trail, and these masks look good with my clothes when I go inside anywhere.”
Another mask with a lot of reader enthusiasm was Kimberly-Clark’s KimTech N95 Pouch Respirator. “Both the mask and straps are soft,” wrote Karin from California. Pamela from Massachusetts said she has “worn them 12 hours straight at times” without issue.
This mask has a duckbill shape, which Katherine from South Carolina likened to “Napoleon’s hat,” and straps around the head rather than the ears. “It may look odd to some, but we swear by them,” said Ann from Maryland. Tricia from California explained that the duckbill provides “a reservoir for air so our choir can sing without sucking the fabric into our mouths when we take a deep breath for a high note.” Jane from Ohio similarly wrote that it’s “roomier and more comfortable” and, because of the location of the band, it “doesn’t hurt my ears.”
The 3M Aura N95s received excellent recommendations, too. Sarah from Minnesota wrote that “my son and I wear 3M aura masks with the blue head straps all day at school and work.” For Ann from Rhode Island, this is the only type “my husband finds bearable since he has a huge head and big nose. It works just as well for me with my small head and tiny nose.”
A number of readers seemed to settle on these after trying many other masks. These are the “best I’ve found, comfortable and fits me perfect,” wrote Larry from Texas. Vivian from Massachusetts said they are the “most comfortable and secure fitting” of all the types she has used. Judith from New York wrote that she is 76 years old and has been wearing N95s “daily since 2020 and tried — and discarded — too many kinds to count.” She prefers these “by far.”
Other N95 and equivalent masks with multiple rave reviews from readers include those made by Well Before (“they are comfortable, breathable even when exercising, and fit very well,” according to Jo from Washington); evolvetogether (“my face is relatively small and these fit well,” Debbie in Maryland wrote); and Vida (“they are the only place I am able to find KN95 masks that fit my 7-year-old well and with all the fun colors they offer she doesn’t mind wearing them as much,” says Darnelle from North Carolina).
I also received endorsements for KN94s, which follow South Korea’s filter standard that provides similar levels of protection to N95s and KN95s. Jolianne from California wrote that “as a violinist, the KN95s are a bit uncomfortable and pull off my ears sometimes, especially when I put my chin on the violin. I find the KF94s to be a great compromise for comfort.”
I want to thank the hundreds of readers who shared their suggestions. The enormous response was really moving; it was heartening to see all those who shared their experiences and collective wisdom to help one another.
For those who have not yet found a mask that works for you, consider trying some of these options. Remember that a well-fitting, high-quality mask is highly protective against the coronavirus and other respiratory diseases and remains a useful tool for those at high risk from viral illnesses.
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