Customer Reviews Outdoor Research Essential Face Mask Kit

I've had to be more cautious than some, as a full-time delivery driver and while living with someone who has multiple scleroses who also helps elderly with in-home care. These masks unfortunately don't cut it, though they're better than the strictly aesthetic options out there that are single-layered, or handkerchiefs. Also the filters are so hard to pull apart that I thought there was a manufacturing mistake and eventually had to find a video on it which was pretty overkill.

I was so excited to get these but them so disappointed, and surprised. Love the material and breathability But the interior is terrible. The filters are only loosely held in place at the ends, far sides of filter and mask so the entire middle part is directly touching your face and it's not soft. So the filter isn't securely held in place and it's kind of gross that it's touching your mouth and nose. There should be another layer of fabric inside with the pocket for filter accessible from the end or top. This layer would make it more comfortable and safer. Of all the masks I have purchased, I have never seen one constructed this way.

I love the mask exterior -- built very well & comfortable, however I absolutely hate the fact that the filter is touching my mouth. It's awful. This needs to be redesigned to have a pocket to put the filter in, so that it doesn't touch one's mouth directly & doesn't bunch up. If that could be redesigned this would be my go-to mask.

I rarely write reviews and only do so when I feel very strongly in one direction or the other about a product. Sadly, this is on the negative side. I wanted to love this mask, but unfortunately there are so many issues with it that it's going to go to waste. First, it's too big for my face (for reference, I'm F, 5'2, 120lbs, and nose bridge to chin measures about 5.5"). It comes way below my chin and goes too high up on my nose, so the top of the mask comes too close to my eyes. The fabrication is nice and seems somewhat breathable, although I haven't worn it for very long because of fit issues. The biggest complaint is the filer. I have no idea why there wouldn't be fabric between the filter and your mouth. This seems like such an obvious design flaw. It's not only uncomfortable, but the filter slides around as you talk (not helped by the large fit on me). Even when the mask is lying flat, the filter seems too small for the pocket. Finally, I found the elastics very uncomfortable around my ears. Hoping OR might revamp the filter design and offer different sizes/around the head elastics....if so, might try again, but until then, would recommend you look elsewhere.

The filters are very thin and do not stay in place. It's tragic how poorly they move around and fall out.

The filter doesn't stay put under the cloth tabs at all. It moves around and bunches up against your mouth and nose making it very uncomfortable. Every time you put on the mask, you will have to fiddle with the filter because it isn't secured well. I actually really dislike this mask.

Headline says it all. Don't waste your money

Don't care for it, the filter is a pain in the you know what. It won't stay in place constantly touching my face and my whiskers therefor driving me insane.

I threw this away almost immediately after trying it out.

Item description states >95% filtration of viruses and bacteria. Mask and filter are very thin/porous, nothing like a N95 mask. Filter also does not stay in place. Instantly regretted buying this mask.

Like many other reviewers, I found the mask material to be surprisingly thin and useless without the filter,. Although the mask fits well, the filters do not stay in place after even a few minutes. It's a design flaw that should be fixed, considering the high price. A second layer of material forming a pocket for filter in between is a better design used on much cheaper masks. Any anti-viral properties of this expensive mask seem useless because the fabric is so thin and porous - the design depends on a very thin, over-priced, ill-fitting filter for protection.

What a waste of money. The mask is primarily only 2 layers without a filter. The filter is not reusable, not a standard shape, does not stay in place and is expensive to buy additional filters as compared with other filters. I bought 3 masks and will throw out after I use the filters. There are better masks and filters on the market.

Mask is too loose and the filter does not stay in its place. Only two layers of fabric on mask instead of three. An expensive mistake.

Specifications on website is purposely misleading - we bought the masks thinking they are made in the USA, only to realize after the fact that it is manufactured in Vietnam. No where on the website does it indicate the masks are manufactured in Vietnam. The filters are made in the USA, but not the masks. Outdoor Research should be transparent about the Country of Origin for the Masks.

These lying JERKS! These masks are not made in the USA! Website says made in USA, package says made in USA, MASK SAYS MADE IN VIETNAM!!!!!!! I will NEVER buy another product from this import store.

Too expensive, especially for filters.

I'd love to review this, but my order apparently "bugged out" and OR told me 2 weeks later after I inquired about it. Now they're sold out of masks so I never got it.

Outdoor Research is one of my go-to brands for outdoor gear and I have not been disappointed until now. I had high hopes for this mask. But as others have said, if you hold the mask up to light without the filter you can see light through it. The fabric weave is not tight as it should be to block particles. The filter does not stay put in the mask and moves around. I am constantly adjusting it back into place. And yes, it was very expensive.

Well the mask fits decently, it has significant issues with the filter. It does not stay in place. Additionally, I found outdoor research to be almost predatory in the amount of emails that they sent.

Adjustable piece broke off on one side on first use. Now I can no longer wear. I feel like I got robbed for a piece of fabric that I can't use.

This mask is pretty useless. Filter constantly moves. Mask Fabric is see thru. Can't imagine it filters out any more than A cotton homemade mask. Fabric is not anti stink.

Although comfortable, the adjustable piece on the ear loop broke the first time it was used.

Great mask until you need new filters. $5.00 for 3, $8.95 to ship three filters that could be shipped out in an envelope Is criminal. Big money to be made during a pandemic. Sorry I purchased this mask.

I'm so disappointed, I ordered this thinking, since it's treated with HEIQ V-BLOCK NPJ03 virus blocking tech, it would be my go-to mask for times when I'm forced to be in risky situations. HOWEVER, the fabric of this mask is so porous! When held up to the light, you can see it has little holes in it--not a tight weave at all. How effective could the virus blocking tech be if the virus can sail on through the holes in the loose weave?! So, when wearing this mask, the removable filter must be relied upon for protection. What a bummer. I like the filters, though, and will use them in other masks with tighter fabric weaves!

I have an average sized face. The mask fits OK but is too loose under my chin. There is no give so it just gaps open. My husband cannot wear his because it is too small and does not cover his entire nose and mouth. When I wear it it is very hot and does not breathe well. The filter does not fit into a pocket, but into two separate flaps do it doesn't stay in the mask well and needs to be re-inserted with each use. It is ONLY ONE layer and not soft at all! I'm sorry I bought three of these to avoid shipping charges. They are not returnable.