It is 2021 and we are still wearing masks, and I have gone through my fair share of masks. The reason why I keep trying new masks is to find a mask that will still allow me to breathe comfortably as well as not fog up my glasses.
I was recently sent a mask made by Airpop to test out. They have a range of masks and I was sent the Airpop Light SE, which is a non-medical mask, to review. Should you invest in one? Let’s find out!
Design:
The Airpop Light SE has an ergonomic wing design that ensures that your cheeks, jaw, and chin are all covered.
The mask is made of a 2-layer spun-bond poly nonwoven material with a filter made of melt-blown electrostatic non woven and has adjustable ear loops. There is a nose seal that is made of a cushioned TPU which lets you get the right fit by pushing the seal up or down.
This nose seal also ensures that the air that you breathe out doesn’t come up through the gap and fog up your glasses.
Fit:
Fitting the mask is actually pretty simple. Start by placing the nose seal on your nose and adjust it to get the right fit. Then ensure that the mask is sitting below your chin and place the ear loops around your ears and adjust to get the right fit. The mask has a 3D structure that keeps the mask off the face so that you don’t feel like you are wearing a mask.
Can you still breathe?
I found that on multiple occasions of wearing the Airpop Light SE, whether sitting indoors, walking and cycling, my glasses did not fog up at all. I did notice that the nose seal did get a bit wet after use, which is caused by condensation. I found the mask was really easy to breathe through and I could wear it for hours and have no issues breathing. The mask was also comfy to wear thanks to its soft materials. My only complaint would be that the cushioned TPU nose seal made my nose itch, but to be fair, every mask I wear makes my nose itch. So it is not only this mask that did so. The mask has a 99.3% particle filtration (PFE) and 99.9% bacterial filtration (BFE) plus fluid.
Washing:
The Airpop Light SE can be used for 40 hours in total, but you need to wash it after use before you wear it again. Once washed, the filtration is reduced from 99% to 70%. To wash your mask, it is recommended to use 70% alcohol/soap with water for 20 seconds and then let the mask dry for 24 hours. I wash the mask as I do with any reusable mask. Hot water with dishwashing liquid and I let it dry overnight.
Price:
1 Mask will cost you R179 or you can buy a pack of 4 for 579.
For sale in South Africa from the iStore, Takealot and Dischem.
Verdict:
Since I have received the Airpop Light SE to review, I have been wearing it as much as I can, when outside of course, and only using another type of mask when the Light SE was drying. I have found this mask to be a great mask that makes this whole mask-wearing lifestyle, a bit more comfortable! So if are you are looking for a comfy, breathable and no fogging of glasses mask, this is it, for me at least!
Check out the other masks from Airpop.
