Bert Leatherman wearing Totobobo mask in Sao Paulo
From time to time we receive feedback from our users. It is always a pleasure to read these feedback, whether they are positive or not. For example, on November 30, 2011, Bert sent the following to us:
“Looks like your mask works great! Here’s a photo of a filter (compared to a new one) after 3 days’ use for 1-2 hours per day on the streets of Sao Paulo. Feel free to publish this photo anywhere you’d like. Thanks! Bert
Bert's filter after about 5 hours of walking in Sao Paulo
Soon after, Bert send another mail concerning about the fit around the nose bridge. Since more people may be interested here is listed his question and our answer:
Bert: Any ideas for improving the seal around my nose? Air leaks in beside the bridge of my nose a bit when I inhale. Thanks!
Francis: Regarding the slight gap near to the nose brdige, you may try to use the nose-rest of your sun glasses to press on the mask to help to close it.
There may also other ways to trim the mask so that it fits better. But I’d need a few good quality, close up photos showing the problem situation now in order to give our advice.
To clarify, Bert uses the Totobobo mask just for walking, not cycling. The grey pollutant trapped on the filter could be worst if he was cycling and breathe more heavily. In any case, the filter shows a lot of pollutants would have entered his airways and lungs if not for the protection of the filter.
I’ve been using the Totobobo mask for cycling for quite a while now (years). I’m still very pleased with its performance and ease of use. I started with the regular full mask that Bert uses, but found that the exhale caused fogging of my glasses, and I was similarly concerned with achieving the best possible seal around my nose like Bert. So working with the Totobobo folks, I tried the Supercool mask (covers mouth area only). That completely solved the problem, in fact, I much prefer the Supercool cut; it’s slightly cooler, which is nice on hotter days, but in winter it still provides coverage of otherwise exposed mouth and chin area to provide extra warmth for chilly days, it forms less condensation inside because you are exhaling outside of the mask, and, as a result, I find I need to wash it much less, and it alleviates any over-the-nose-seal issues. I got used to the breath-in-through-the-mouth and out-through-the-nose routine that you should do with a mask that only covers your mouth very quickly. That was not an issue for me–even as a very actively breathing cyclist for the hour-long commute I do here in Los Angeles. I change the filters every 30 days and am repeatedly shocked with the discoloration to the exterior of the filter. If that’s any indication of what I am not inhaling due to the Totobobo, that clearly justifies my continued use of the mask. Just thought I’d offer my 2c– I would suggest that Bert try cutting his mask to cover only his mouth like the Supercool cut (and also try rotating it 180 degrees to see which way best fits his facial features).