Breathing in the Modern City
For many urban cyclists, the daily ride is both liberation and endurance — freedom alongside fumes. Despite the joy of weaving through traffic, there’s an unmistakable truth in the air: every breath carries invisible pollutants from buses, taxis, and heavy trucks. As concern about air quality rises across London, Los Angeles, and Singapore, cyclists are experimenting with tools like the Totobobo mask — not as a fashion statement, but as protection.
Claire’s Story: From Sore Throat to Clear Air
Claire, a London commuter cycling twelve miles twice daily, began her journey on the London Cyclist blog seeking relief from a pollution-induced throat irritation. Her experience with a Respro mask left her frustrated — “like wearing a muzzle,” she wrote, where condensation fogged her glasses and each breath felt like “heaving for air”.
Totobobo, by comparison, changed her ride. The lightweight transparent mask molded neatly to her face and allowed comfortable breathing on fast urban segments. “Thirty minutes in, I was horrified how dark the white filters turned. In a few days, they were nearly black,” Claire shared. Her recurring sore throat disappeared after weeks of use. She added, “I’d much rather look odd for a few minutes than inhale that much grime every day.”
Even sceptics in the comment section acknowledged her results illustrated what’s at stake: visible proof of what London cyclists breathe daily.
Marcus K: Seeing the Pollution Problem Up Close
Marcus K, another contributor on the same thread, pointed out how driver exposure often exceeds that of cyclists, citing studies from London’s Department for Transport showing car occupants can face two to three times more pollutants in congested streets. His verdict was simple: “The muck on the mask shows particulate matter, yes, but not gases. Still, it’s clear — what’s caught there isn’t in your lungs.”
For Marcus and other riders, the Totobobo mask became not just a gadget but a reminder to consider routes and policies that make city cycling cleaner for everyone.
Dr. Anil Simhadri: A Decade of Use and Medical Perspective
Dr. Anil Simhadri, a London-based medical practitioner, has been a Totobobo user since 2010. In his open letter on the brand’s blog, he explains, “I’ve used this mask for over 10 years in London traffic and find it genuinely helpful in reducing sore throats and runny noses caused by diesel exhaust.” His medical background brings additional weight: “I appreciate that its filters work electrostatically to trap ultrafine particles including PM2.5 and even smaller sizes down to 0.1 microns.”
He adds that the mask’s design encourages sustainable long-term use because “if it doesn’t fit well, people won’t wear it. Totobobo reduces this barrier with its moldable fit and light weight.”
Other Cyclists Speak
Reviews from riders like Ross in Los Angeles and OilcanRacer, quoted on Totobobo’s user site, echo similar experiences. Ross noted, “When I change the filters, they’re visibly discolored — I’m just glad that stuff’s in the filter, not in my lungs.” OilcanRacer added, “It’s like breathing at 5,000 feet higher altitude, but totally worth it — no wheezing and no smog lungs”.
From Bangalore to Bangkok, riders describe a pattern: less throat irritation, clearer breathing, and a sober awe at how polluted urban air truly is once they see it trapped in the filters.
Where Science Meets Reality
Totobobo’s results aren’t just anecdotal. Laboratory testing by Nelson Labs (USA) verified that its filters block 99.85% of 0.1-micron particles, a scale smaller than most PM2.5 pollutants. Independent comparisons from the Prince of Wales Hospital (Hong Kong) found it reduced inhaled particulates by a factor of over 100 in city environments, comparable to fitted N95 masks.
Still, cyclists recognize its limits: the Totobobo filter does not neutralize gases like benzene or nitrogen dioxide, and it requires consistent cleaning and replacement. That honesty has reinforced user trust rather than undermined it — because transparency, both literally and figuratively, is the brand’s strength.
Balanced Choices for Urban Riders
Cycling unmasked in the city may feel convenient, but as commenters in the London Cyclist discussion noted, “Breathing in London is toxic — roll on the day when I move out.” Until cities improve their air, cyclists like Claire, Marcus, and Dr. Simhadri demonstrate that small actions — choosing routes with less traffic or using proven masks — preserve both wellbeing and performance.
As Dr. Simhadri put it: “It’s not just about protecting lungs today, but ensuring we can keep cycling safely for decades to come.”
Goska Romanowicz and Hervé Bonnaveira, eco cyclists, from France to China
“The TOTOBOBO masks came in very useful in India! We’ve tested the masks in Delhi, the Indian countryside and Calcutta. The masks were comfortable for an hour or two, when we used them longer periods of cycling they were ok but started to get wet inside (especially that it was very hot here) and became less comfortable. But that’s still preferable to breathing the air of Calcutta or most other Indian cities.”
“Attached a photo of the filters after 6 hours’ use in Delhi, Calcutta, the Indian countryside and Bangkok. The countryside one was especially shocking – even far from cities and factories the air is very polluted.”
Goska and Hervé cycled across Asia from France on a year long eco-cycling trip in 2008
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Kenneth Koh, Advanturenomad, Singapore
Photo courtesy of Advanturenomad
“I had a chance to use the Totobobo mask during my recent bicycle tour of Vietnam. Weighing just 20g, the mask is both lightweight and compact, making it easy to pack. It is made of soft plastic and doesn’t absorb sweat or moisture and is easy to keep clean. The soft plastic conformed well to the shape of my face, creating a good seal that is needed for the mask to be effective. Once in place, it is also very comfortable, and breathing resistance is very low. The replaceable filters are electro-static charged and filters out very fine particles (0.3 micron or even smaller).”
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OilcanRacer said in his blog: OilcanRacer cyclist
Totobobo Mask Review and Ride Test
Someone told me recently that I look like a gnome. Not quite accurate—I’m shorter, have less hair, and my red hat isn’t nearly as tall.
Today’s ride was a short, easy loop: up Emigration, down the backside, and back home. The fog and pollution made for a gloomy atmosphere, but I had my Totobobo mask, and that made all the difference.
I’ve been using the Totobobo regularly, and it’s fantastic. I use the densest filters, which can make breathing a little tough on steep climbs—almost like being 5,000 feet higher than you actually are. Still, it’s worth it. Knowing that I’m breathing clean air instead of smog and exhaust feels amazing. No wheezing, no heaviness in the chest—just clear lungs.
Fit is important: the straps need to be adjusted just right—one high, one low—to keep the mask secure as your breathing intensifies.
It was a cold day too, so I snapped a picture of the temperature gauge in my car before heading out.
After two hours of moderate effort, keeping my heart rate below 170 bpm, I finished the ride feeling fresh. My fenders did their job again, keeping me dry through all the puddles and melting snow.
link (dated): http://oilcanracer.blogspot.com/2010/12/totobobo-mask-review-test.html
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Ross, Lawyer and Cyclist advocate. Los Angeles, California, USA
The SuperCool mask is great–hands down. I don’t work for Totobobo–nor am I paid to say this, and I’ve been using this mask for a few months now. I breathe in through my mouth, which is in the mask/filter, and out through my nose.
When I need to talk to other cyclists, I simply pull the mask down around my chin, then pull it back up when I ride on. The straps are very stretchy.
Since I am no longer exhaling into the mask, the fogging glasses issue has completely disappeared. Actually, I think I get a better seal with this smaller mask than I did the full one. And I find there is much less condensation collecting in the mask (no humid exhale within the mask), which means I do not need to wash the mask as often.
Big props to the company–who has seemed to design a great, simple product–and whose customer service has been very responsive and helpful. When I change out the filters they are visibly discolored–and I’m glad that at least some of that stuff that I otherwise would be breathing (dirt, pollution, particulate matter, brake shoe dust, etc.) is in the filter instead of in my lungs.
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Oshri Feldman, Bangkok, Thailand using the SuperCool mask
I appreciate having more of my face and my nose out of the mask when I ride around Bangkok in the heat.
My wife tried to create her own earloop on her original mask and she likes the new model. The only suggestion she would make for the earloop mask is to have a mechanism to adjust the length of the string and hold it better in place. The only suggestion she would make for the earloop mask is to have a mechanism to adjust the length of the string and hold it better in place. We also like the little blue bags to carry our masks when we’re not wearing them.
FAQ: Questions Cyclists Often Ask
1. Does the Totobobo mask make breathing harder?
Slightly, especially at high speeds, but most riders adjust quickly. Models like the SuperCool, which cover only the mouth, improve airflow while maintaining protection.
2. Can the filters remove chemical gases?
No. They target fine and ultrafine particulate matter (PM2.5, PM0.1). Activated filters or route changes are best for gas-heavy roads.
3. How often should filters be changed?
Every few days of city riding. When filters turn grey, they’ve trapped enough harmful particles to justify replacement.
4. Is it comfortable for long rides?
Users like Claire and Dr. Simhadri report extended comfort once trimmed and fitted properly. The silicone body and stretchy ear straps reduce pressure points.
5. Why do cyclists prefer Totobobo over others?
Because it’s moldable, visually shows trapped pollution, and lasts for years with minimal upkeep — proving small design details can make a big daily difference.
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