The 3M Aura N95s are pretty comfortable and cost a couple dollars each at Home Depot. They're also pretty good about directing your breath away from the top so your glasses won't fog up when wearing them.
The Aura is, as other people have said in previous threads, the gold standard of N95 masks. I've been wearing them solely for the last 6 months or so, and they are great! They rarely fog my glasses, they are very comfortable, I'm not in any hurry to take them off when I'm done, especially if it's cold out.
The only downside is the straps: they both go behind your head, one high and one low. They take a bit to get used to, but you can't put them on with a hat on. But the plus is that they are very comfortable for the long term. Sometimes, with glasses, I have to take the glasses off to get the mask off.
The ones with the blue straps, the straps seem to deteriorate quickly if left in the sun, but I've only had a couple where the straps broke.
You can get them small quantity on ebay, and ebay seems to police the sellers, for around $2 each. You can also buy them direct from 3M for $1 in quantity 440, or at least you were able to 6 months ago when we last looked.
One issue I’ve seen with the Aura N95 is that the straps are flimsy and snap after several days of occasional use. I wish they’d make the straps stronger.
For N-95s yes. For other types of masks that are easier to counterfeit, no. Same goes for electronics. I’m leery of USB-C cables, but I’m fine buying a high-end DSLR lens for the same reason.
(As a bonus, they have the 9210, which has better straps, retail you generally only see the 9205, which is ok too, but the straps are just rubber bands and they don't fit as securely.
The Auras are great to wear but the straps on the 9205s really are flimsy and often fail after only a couple uses. 9210 is worthwhile if you can get them.
Yeah, I dunno why 3M even makes the 9205 TBH, the 9210 is just so much better, and while the 9210 are harder to find, when you can there doesn't seem to be a meaningful price difference.
I don't wear glasses, but an issue I've noticed while wearing N95 masks is that my eyes start crying. I've thought it could be caused by the warm breath being directed upward toward my eyes.
I didn’t realize this happened to me until reading this comment. I think for me it was a combination of air flow redirection and just pinching from the metal bits high enough on my nose that maybe there’s some squeezing the tear ducts going on?
