A big thanks to Ross for providing his first hand experience with the SuperCool mask. You can follow Ross at twitter
SuperCool mask helps Ross to cut down air pollution while cycling in traffic, Photo by Ross, L.A. USA
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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 first started with the original one that covered the nose and mouth. I liked the simplicity and that I could easily wash the mask but as a glasses-wearing cyclist, my glasses seemed to fog up when stopped at red lights or slowed down (at higher speeds the breath exhaust seemed to present less of a glasses-fogging problem). This was a problem.
But when I wrote to the company informing of my problem they were willing to offer a few suggestions. One was to try cutting the mask to better fit my head, but the other was about this new version that only covers your mouth. I gave it a try.
That I am no longer exhaling into the mask, the fogging glasses issue has completely disappeared. (I breathe in through my mouth, which is in the mask/filter, and out through my nose.) 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. This may also have a positive impact on the filters (keeping them drier), but I’m not a scientist, so I can’t credibly comment on that.
Pulling down the mask to talk to other cyclists is also very easy with this mask. You can talk through the mask, but you might sound a little like Darth Vader, so I simply pull the mask down around my chin if I want to talk, then pull it back up when I ride on. The side straps are very stretchy.
I also have a mask by another company it’s neoprene and velcros in the back. I haven’t really tried this mask extensively due to a few reasons: 1. it looks like it would tend to get hot in the summer days here in Los Angeles as it covers a lot of skin on your face and neck essentially with a wetsuit, 2. the metal nose bracket, which I thought would be beneficial to get a good seal, seemed to irritate my nose, and 3. the Totobobo is just so light and easy to use I just haven’t had a compelling urge to try another mask.
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.
Ross, the dudeonabike
Los Angeles, California, USA
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I use the Totobobo SuperCool mask every time I am riding my bicycle which is the way I get around Chiang Mai. Now that I have a convenient folding bike to travel with, I would take the mask with me as well. At 1st, I wasn’t absolutely sure which was the top of the mask until I checked the photos. You may want to include instructions. Putting the mask on felt a bit strange at 1st, but I got quickly used to it and now feel quite comfortable with it.
Although changing my breathing pattern to mouth-in, nose-out was a bit awkward, it didn’t take much time to get used to it. Although, I have no way to compare, I suspect this model is a better design if nose doesn’t need protection. I do occasional catch myself taking in some air through my nose when I accelerate to over 30KPH because I am needing more air. I avoid this by opening my mouth more widely to take in more air.
Sometime because of the sweat, the mask slips down a bit and I have to position it back up. I could tighten the band more but I am trying to avoid overstretching it.
This looks like a really good product. Where can I get it in China?