Sahathatna Chanprung capture these during his bike-to-work rides in Bangkok
By: Sahathatna Chanprung, Bangkok
Dear Totobob Team,
I want to give you my personal experience and feedback after three and a half years of using the Totobobo mask for cycling. Before Totobobo, I had been cycling in Bangkok for more than four years without any protection because I didn’t realize what kind of damage PM2.5 can do to health. At first, I only used buff to filter out dust since Thailand’s pollution mask is not well known! Later after the air pollution situation in Bangkok escalated, and that raised my awareness about PM2.5. Although I began to wear a pollution mask, most of them were uncomfortable and did not fit my face. I ride 40 km each day and sweat a lot (most masks got all wet and became unbreathable).
After I tried the Totobobo mask, I was delighted with the fit and comfort (both the standard and the nose-clip versions). It is the answer for safe breathing in today’s urban space. It has protected me from PM2.5 as well as COVID-19. I’m able to maintain good riding performance. With the Totobobo mask on, I can keep cycling at 30+km/hr; this is not possible with other masks.
Let’s follow Sahathatna on his B2W video:
I saw your deal on Kickstarter and would like to say that you did an excellent job for the mask that supports people wearing glasses!
The thing that I would like Totobobo to take into consideration: – please improve the strap. I wear your mask and strap it to my head in the back. the material is soft already, but it would be better if it were a bit wider. – mask colour option. I know that Totobobo stands for clean and transparent, but it would be nice to have different colours. – finally, would be nice if the Thailand dealer would have more filter options in stock here.
Left: the daily cycling route (40 km each way) Top-right: Cycling in Bangkok Bottom right: ECO filter after two weeks of uses.
Here is a collection of feedbacks from our users. Please feel free to add your feedback in the comment session. Let us know if you want to share your photo so that we can post it for you.
Suzanna Tan, Climbing Coach, Singapore I’m a climbing coach and route setter. I’m able to climb and route set comfortably with a totobobo mask because it is so breathable! The mask keeps me safe not just from viruses but so the dust and chalk particles input sport 🙂
My husband and I really like the mask. It is very breathable, comfortable and easy to maintain.
I think many people still choose disposable surgical masks because it is more breathable. But the totobobo mask is more breathable than that! And it’s environmentally friendlier. I hope more people will use your mask! On top of these, the totobobo mask is most comfortable too because no part of the mask touches the mouth and nose.
Suzanna Tan, Climbing Coach, Singapore
Marianne Chua, Official Fujifilm X-Photographer Marianne Chua recently sent us a portrait of her wearing a Totobobo mask. “I chose the totobobo mask because I liked the eco-friendly reusable factor and the fact you can keep it clean. Also as a glasses wearer, it was crucial for me to have something that didn’t steam them up for my long working hours! “
Marianne Chua, award winning FujiFilm X-Photographer in UK
Alivia and Kalena The postal service has been seriously interrupted by the COVID-19. I have been communicating with Sheeka over the email about the serious delay in postage service. She purchased the masks on the 21st of February, 2020 and only got them on the 1st of May! It was a stressful time of waiting for both sides but I felt a big relief when receiving the confirmation of delivery eventually. Two weeks later, I got this photo – two adorable girls, Olivia and Kalena, they look so happy behind their Totobobo mask! This really makes my day 🙂
Olivia (left) is 7 and Kalena (right) is 6. They love how the Totobobo masks look fashionable but mostly love how comfortable it fits. – Sheeka A.
Travis B., Califonia “The new masks have arrived in California with my parents, thank you. I have a beard. Is it safe to assume that I need to shave when I wear the mask to go to our doctor’s appointment for the baby? (Ans: Yes, better shave)
In Shanghai, I did a bunch of research. I’m a triathlete, and I needed a mask that would help get maximum O2, and The Totobobo seemed best. Pros are how well they work for any situation you might be exposed to air risks. I use it for construction and cleaning around our house most often. I feel good after using the mask, it truly filters the air. I have huge sensitivities to toxic fumes, dust, and seasonal allergies. Because of the color change, it’s really easy to tell when the filter is done. The three only cons I see are one, the waste of the filters. I compost, so I am wondering if they can be composted. Two, the mask sweats a lot even just sitting and using it. Last, sometimes it takes a lot of work to get the seal around the nose. Overall, I feel it does so much more safe filtering than other masks I’ve used in the past.” – Travis B., Califonia
I’m a triathlete, and I needed a mask that would help get maximum O2, and The Totobobo seemed best.
Dr Sam Da Costa adaptation From time to time we receive some impressive adaptation of our mask. Here is one example from Dr Sam Da Costa. Here is what he said about the new mask he purchased recently:
Hi Francis, I felt straight away at home with the new mask. No need to do any moulding of the mask fitted perfectly from day one. All I did from personal preference was to fit more elasticated ear straps and add a kind of carrying lanyard to fit around my neck.
Dr Sam Da Costa add a carrying lanyard to his Totobobo mask
Greg’s Totobobo mask since 2014 Greg bought his Totobobo mask in 2014 for cycling trips to China and Jakarta. The mask becomes useful again since the COVID-19 started in 2020. He has to use the mask every day since. Not bad a small long term investment.
“Never knew when I ordered mine 7 years ago to ride in polluted China and Jakarta that I expect it to be worn daily from last year, even when I’m not riding.” – Greg Choong, Singapore
David from Seattle, USA
“I am thankful that I found the totobobo mask company. I am an operator of a public transportation bus which serves the public and my exposure to people is very high. I live in the United States, the Pacific Northwest in the Seattle area. There is a side benefit besides preventing COVID-19 and living in an area with some of the cleanest air on the planet. The used filters are telling me that even here there are many “things” in the air that we breathe.”
“I have had many interactions with the totobobo company due to circumstances surrounding my mask and I walked away knowing that the customer service is outstanding and it is such a pleasure to deal with.”
“I personally recommend this mask versus all the others that I have tried which are numerous. I could not be happier with my mask. Thank you to everyone at totobobo.” – David W. Seattle, USA
Thank you! Because of all of you, Totobobo reached 500% of its funding. Amazing! Keep watch for our updates on the delivery dates.
Totobobo Kickstarter is fully funded with 24 hours!
After 2020, we all know the significance of wearing a mask and the struggle.
It’s uncomfortable, hard to breathe in, fogs glasses and can even cause pain.
However, not with Totobobo Mask.
“The Totobobo mask is super light, easy to breathe, comfortable and can be custom fit the user’s face.”
Francis Chu, Designer and co-founder
We know there is a better solution. After two generations of product refinement, we are ready to expand our market reach. That is why we initiated the Kickstarter campaign.
Yesterday, we are excited that our campaign was fully funded within 5 hours!
We use British anti-virus technology (BioCote) to stop the spread of viruses and bacteria on the mask. The range of filters (F96, F94, F92) has been tested by Nelson Labs (USA) and shown remarkable performance in terms of filtration efficiency and low breathing resistance. That is the secret behind the ease-of-breathe mask.
At 20 grams, Totobobo is the lightest reusable respirator mask. It comes in one universal size and can be trimmed to fit anyone, whether adult or child.
While we are all focused on the COVID-19 today, it’s important to keep in mind that it may not be the only reason to wear a mask. According to the WHO (World Health Organization), 9 out of 10 people breathe air containing an unsafe level of pollutants.
Even before the COVID-19 pandemic struck us, you probably have seen many people wearing masks in polluted cities. As you can easily understand, children need to be protected as well. In fact, they need them more than adults because their lungs are still under development. Some children with asthma need protection as well.
So, what’s the issue here? It isn’t hard to find a pharmacy that sells masks, but the question is, will they fit and protect your children?
What makes a good mask for children?
When it comes to masks, good protection means a good filter with a good face seal. After all, you need to make sure that the air your child is breathing can only enter through the filters and not through any gaps under the mask. Effective protection only exists when the mask forms a good seal on the user’s face.
Surgical masks, common cloth masks, and the well-known N95 masks are commonly seen these days. However, most people do not know that these masks may not fully protect them or their children. Here’s why:
Surgical Masks
To begin with, surgical masks are not designed to protect users from air pollution. Instead, they were specifically designed to “Protects others from the wearer.” It works as a loose-fitting barrier. While these masks do a great job at preventing droplets from the wearer, they don’t protect you from air pollution or airborne viruses. The gaps between the mask and the user’s face let pollutants and viruses enter easily.
Cloth masks
A cloth mask, similar to a surgical mask, is designed to be loose-fitting and serve pretty much the same purpose of “Protecting others from me.” It does not protect the wearer from airborne viruses or particles. Cloth masks are made of soft fabric, they touch the mouth and gets uncomfortably wet and smelly pretty fast. While it can be washed and reused, it takes a long time to dry.
N95 Masks:
N95 masks are made with proper air filtering material. They are also called “Respiratory”. N95 masks do a great job of filtering out pollutants and particles, if, (and that is a big IF) they form a good seal on the user’s face.
It’s important to keep in mind that these masks are only available in adult size and certainly won’t fit children. Besides, there is another issue: there’s no way to check whether an N95 mask is providing a good face seal, unless with professional equipment which is costly and usually only owned by hospitals or big institutes.
Regarding hygiene, it is not an issue if the N95 mask is used one time only. However, consumers often reuse these disposable N95 masks. The germs and bacteria accumulated on the mask after each use can be a threat to health. A disposable mask can’t be washed and is tough to dry if wet.
Top 3 reasons why the Totobobo mask is better than the rest?
If you understand the issues explained above, you will appreciate the solutions provided by the Totobobo mask. Let’s go through them one by one:
#1: Flexible Size and Shape:
Some masks come in 3 sizes – S, M, and L. However, it is not easy to decide on which size to get without opening the package and letting your child try the mask on. Most shops do not accept returned products as it compromises hygiene.
What the Totobobo Mask offers is the flexibility to shape and/or trim the mask down according to the child’s face. There is even a template for you to print and construct a “dummy mask” for testing before getting the real mask.
#2: Hygienically Reusable:
The world is getting more polluted and we certainly don’t want to add to the problem by throwing away more disposable masks. The Totobobo mask body is embedded with BioCote®, a silver-based antimicrobial agent. BioCote® technology is known to work against bacteria, mold, fungi, and influenza H1N1 virus. Recently, it has been tested independently and proved effective against a virus from the coronavirus family as well. Plus, the plastic body is easy to clean and dry, reuse is effortless and safe for your children.
Thanks to @Evelyn Liu from Hong Kong for sharing this lovely photo of her kids.
Her family has been using the Totobobo mask for a couple of years. The boys prefer the Totobobo mask over a surgical mask because they said: “Totobobo is more comfortable”. Thanks to the 3D structure, it keeps the filters away from the mouth and they don’t have to “lick” the filters while talking or breathing hard. In addition, they feel the Totobobo mask is easier for breathing as well, thanks to the high-efficient filters.
“The disposable surgical mask gets in their mouths when they talk sometimes, or if they’re touching their lips they will poke them with their lips trying to get it away from their mouth…Or when they’re talking, most kids just….. Have a lot of spit hahaha!” — Evelyn Liu explains problems with a surgical mask.
The Biocote Silver-ion embedded in the mask provides lifetime anti-virus property. That means the mask is safe to reuse even without cleaning. However, the grease from our sweat can degrade the mask over time. Therefore it is important to give it a quick wipe-down after use. Wash the mask with soap and water when changing the filters. With good care and regular cleaning, the mask will provide faithful service for years. Just change the filters and refresh the performance from time to time.
We would like to clarify that Totobobo masks do not have one-way vents or valves (complying with the CDC’s recommendations). Rather, they are actually fitted with replaceable filters (F92, F94, F96, or PRO99) which provide two-way high efficiency filtration of viruses, bacteria, and particulate matter.
These filters are also engineered to accommodate a low airflow resistance to help users breathe easily in them. The remainder of the Totobobo mask contains a soft, transparent, and silver-embedded plastic designed to resist viral and bacterial growth.
Altogether, this combination of features built into the Totobobo mask and filters provides users with comfortable long-term use and optimal safety for themselves and those around them.
Today we just received a detailed review from Korea. More interestingly, the blog “Breathe Safe Air” was started by Ethan Brooke, a New Zealander living in Korea. Ethan started writing about air pollution in his travel blog (Seoulinspired.com) and gets many interested. Early this year, as COVID-19 hit the headlines, he started to write about respirators for the virus. His writing is consistently well researched and objective. Below are some of the highlight from his review:
The first thing that stands out about this mask is the very unique look – it’s transparent with the exception of the filters. Some people love this look as it is more natural, however, there are also those who prefer the more traditional mask look.
What makes Totobobo stand out though, are the other unique features that it has. It’s made to fix one of the most common issues that reusable respirators have. That is the fit.
No mask is effective if it doesn’t fit properly. Not only is mask that leaks only partially (or not at all) protecting you, but it can even be detrimental in the sense of security that it provides.
This is where Totobobo shines. It is a mask that is made for the common user, someone who can’t get professionally fitted masks and doesn’t have training. It’s a mask that lets you perform your own fit testing.
Disclaimer: Totobobo mask is not certified as a medical device. The choice by the dentists /Doctors is based on their personal decision.
We all have the feeling that we get more tired after work in the Totobobo masks compared with the surgical masks, so I think we have to do in between some breath-exercises. The Totobobo mask is still much better to wear than the normal FFPs, our skin is less irritated. Anyway, they say none of the FFPs we get here is real FFP3 🙁 And you never know which sizes you get. Therefore mostly they don’t even fit. We just wear the Totobobo because the size can fit and better comfort for the skin. Regarding the size, all the women are wearing M/S, for man the L size. After the measurement, I think some of us women can use the L size, but the small is still fine.
In the video below I demonstrate and describe the Singapore made Totobobo mask (also available in pink) with its replaceable filters (94 and Pro99) finding it extremely comfortable for daily use and suitable for running if masks are required. It is cleanable and is customizable for a good fit.
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