Face Mask

Masonavickof

Hi

Can anyone recommend a good face mask for a long commute through London. Been looking but there's not much of a choice on wiggle, Evans etc...

Many thanks

Brian

moscowflyer

I used to use a Respro one, which was very good but boy did it make my mouth and whin all sweaty.

t0pc4t

I'm currently waiting on delivery of a respro sportstar will let you know what it's like when it arrives.

damocles10

I wouldn't bother. Take in the fumes and don't cut your nasal hair as this will filter most out.....When I first stated cycling I used a facemask and the lack of oxygen was a problem.

Seriously though it can be concern when, after a long ride, I take off my glasses and my lower face is noticeably more pollution covered.....it can be like I have ridden Paris-Roubaix. Pollution is a worry but I think a mask makes the whole experience difficult.

Masonavickof

Thanks for replies...

I'm getting quiet worried about recent reports on Diesel ommissions in London.

Brian

t0pc4t

I've been riding with this for a couple of days now. It's definitely a weird experience. I think it's going to end up being a trade off between the air (and for me it's about the pollen more than pollution) and the ballache of having a mask on. Downsides there are:

Uncomfortable on the back of the neck
Hot and minging when you sweat
Psychologically a bit odd as you have to draw air in, that was spinning me out a bit on the first day but I felt more comfortable with it today
Scary looking, which could be good or bad dependent on the impression you're trying to create

bigmat

I once read that the harmful particles are too small to filter out, so those masks are basically a waste of time. Never researched it in detail, but wearing one would make cycling so unpleasant that 'd be inclined not to bother, so I'm happy to justify my decision not to bother on that unproven snippet of trivia.

Seriously though, would you wear one on the underground? Air pollution is worse down there than overground by all accounts.