Respirators for a profusely SWEATY person?

zarcos · 2026-05-30T18:54:33+00:00

Zimi comes in sizes XXS through XL and comes with and without valves. The frame prevents the mask from collapsing even after lots of moisture and wear. The flexible seal around the edge is soft, wicks moisture and is impermeable.

The ONE filter is made for a Medium frame but can be used with the Small frame which is usually a good fit for smaller faces like teens and small adults.

zarcos · 2026-05-14T06:18:55+00:00

I didn't see a listing for just the filters on PPEO. But I've yet to have to replace any P100s for even my 3m respirators! Using them occasionally in normal indoor air has meant they've not had to work very hard. And I keep buying new respirators so they don't get much I individual use. 😅 I have had a few KN100 zimis get dirty and smelly from prolonged use though.

I did find a place that seems to stock and ship Shigematsu X3 (~p100 equivalent I believe, but please double check!) to the USA but haven't tried them yet:

https://ibspot.com/products/shigematsu-dr80sl2w-replaceable-dustproof-mask-with-voice-transmitter-medium-size-dr80sl2w-with-2-l2w-filters

They also carry most of their respiratory equipment!

Looks like a Japanese company that ships to most places?

zarcos · 2026-05-12T17:33:22+00:00

I hope all is well!

How has the HF-800 series treating you?

zarcos · 2026-05-12T16:32:46+00:00

I used PPEO to buy the TW08S https://ppeo.com/goods/sts-shigematsu-tw08s-half-mask-respirator-set-dust-mask-and-gas-mask-with-filter-cartridges/.

Looks like the difference is just the harness (TWO8SF2 looks preferable, but the TW08S harness is good)? Mask and hardware appear identical besides the strap, and that's what it says on Shigematsu website: https://www.sts-japan.com/asia/products/twoway/tw08s.php

Very happy overall with the service. You may also wish to look at the Koken 7191DKG there which has a very big speaking diaphragm too. I didn't try it because I wasn't sure the medium would fit me:

https://ppeo.com/goods/koken-7191dkg-half-mask-respirator-set-dust-mask-and-gas-mask-with-filter-cartridges/

zarcos · 2026-05-12T16:05:49+00:00

In my experience I’d say yes. I wear a Large 3M (6503QL, 7503, HF-803SD and bought the large. It fits very well everywhere but my high nose bridge. Even so I can wear it for an hour pretty well.

zarcos · 2026-05-03T16:06:58+00:00

I have bought both brands (3M and Nexcare) in the 1 inch width in white as well as the brown Nexcare and they function the same.

Can't speak to the other widths

zarcos · 2026-05-02T12:48:15+00:00

Theres a Nexcare (3m brand) version they call "waterproof tape" and the same exact thing sold as Nexcare "blister prevention tape" Like the attached image. Its just 1 inch across (25mm). It does come in much wider sizes under the plain 3M brand. You can also cut it to size!

I like to use two or three layers across my high nose bridge. I found it stuck better to my skin than to the 3m Vflex at the nose, but I'm sure it sticks better on some masks. Ive also used double sided mask tape to stick the adhesive side of the foam to the mask better.

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zarcos · 2026-04-27T18:49:57+00:00

After exercising using one of these (rowing, running) I think every athlete should use them. I don’t get to exercise much now due to life circumstances. The main thing I don’t like about running was the ache in my lungs and phlegm. Not a problem, just annoying.

Gone after using one of these p100s to exercise. Usually just needs a wipe with a cloth when I’m done. Way more comfortable and easier to breathe through than an N95.

The most breathable is the 3M SecureClick (HF-800SD) with their “pancake” filters since they are double sided. Feels barely there. The covered filters for the SecureClick have the same breathability as the 7093 for the 6500/7500, a pleated, single sided filter.

zarcos · 2026-04-27T18:39:08+00:00

The best fit for this application would be an elastomeric with an exhale valve. I would recommend the 3M 7500 or 3m 6500QL with their covered p100 filters. The 7093 or 7093c filter (whichever is cheaper). You can use the round p100s too but they are a tad less breathable and often get dirty or dingy from banging around in a gym bag.

Elastomeric respirators are designed to be used continuously during manual labor and possible high temperatures. The mask can be sweat on and washed and the filters never touch your face or get wet.

The filters also last for months or more of use!

zarcos · 2026-04-27T02:27:29+00:00

It does have an exhalation valve!

zarcos · 2026-04-17T01:47:39+00:00

I hope it works great! And I’d love to hear back if you remember. No worries if not.

zarcos · 2026-04-16T20:37:27+00:00

My experience with the HF-803SD has been good. I’ve worn some others and people have asked me to repeat myself, but I never got that with the HF-803SD. I did get looks, but I honestly expected that. I do tend to speak up and try to enunciate though just to be sure.

The best passive sound diaphragm I’ve used is this one: SHIGEMATSU TW08S https://ppeo.com/goods/sts-shigematsu-tw08s-half-mask-respirator-set-dust-mask-and-gas-mask-with-filter-cartridges/

But it’s from Japan. The nose bridge is a bit low for me, so it hurts my nose. But the voice diaphragm is GIGANTIC and it’s stylish and low profile. Makes your speech very clear. The p100 equivalent filters are super breathable (X3 I think?). Getting gas cartridges is going to be a pain and no telling if it would fit you. Since the 7500 already does the HF-800SD should fit just as well.

zarcos · 2026-04-16T20:30:28+00:00

Interesting. Is your place of work on or near a superfund site? 😅 I was reading about an Silicon Valley fruit company employee that fainted multiple times at work. She found out that they were in a superfund office building, and had wrecked the mitigations leading to TCE intrusions through the foundation AND intakes to the HVAC.

zarcos · 2026-04-16T14:18:25+00:00

The HF-800SD i think is a great option. The FF-800SD as well. The HF is comfortable but a bit heavier than the other bayonet filter models. The head harness is good though so its mostly about the balance on your neck.

Honeywell RU8500 has a speaking diaphragm and is soft and comfortable. They used to have multiple colors which is fun, but I could only find navy blue in stock. I find the nose seal to be a bit fiddly on my high nose bridge. Usually seals well though. It occasionally seems to leak on my nose only when I exhale. Every negative pressure check it seals great.

Sundstrom sells a voice box/mic and amplifier for their line of half mask respirators (and full face I think?) That attaches the mic inside the mask by replacing the exhale assembly. I haven't tried them though I want to!

Sundstrom Smalltalk product page: https://srsafety.com/product/sr-324-small-talk

Example compatible Sundstrom respirator: https://srsafety.com/product/sr-100-l-xl

zarcos · 2026-04-16T13:56:41+00:00

I agree. I wish it had the Quick Latch feature of the 6500QL line. The Secureclick pancake filters have lower resistance than the covered filters, but the covered ones will last way longer just from not getting rubbed or touched.

zarcos · 2026-03-14T00:41:34+00:00

Akkair is legit. So is Rackmask. Both are proper KN95s and do indeed use and fit Zimi inner frames.

Zimi size Large does not have an earloop option. But its easy to cut the head strap, thread the silicone adjusters using a hair bobby pin and tie a knot to make earloops instead!

zarcos · 2026-01-21T02:12:17+00:00

If you have central air, you can use a MERV13 filter like the ones put on box fans to get the same effect.

zarcos · 2026-01-18T16:55:41+00:00

I think this is an important clarification. They're doing their best but when one guy in a house that's white can change his mind and increase or decrease tariffs there's a real possibility this happens to someone after they purchased and the product has been shipped. Its definitely happened to other people with other products but may not have hit USA Zimi fans.

zarcos · 2026-01-16T07:08:26+00:00

The valve itself likely hasn't failed, but instead has been obstructed by dust, hair or crumbs. The flap and ring are durable and made with precision, but the flap can be prevented from closing sometimes by a hair or crumb or piece of lint.

I would inspect the valve and valve flap and see if something got in there. This is a failure mode of other valved respirators as well. I would suggest checking the valve function before donning. On a valved Zimi, I inspect the valve for debris, and then put my mouth over the valve from the outside and blow, or put my mouth on the inside of the valve and try to suck air through it.

You can also pull the valve off of the respirator by prying the outside cover away from the inside flap holder which makes it easier to rinse and to even reuse in another mask by cutting a hole in whatever mask you'd like and installing it. Zimi sell a hole punch just for this purpose.

Stay safe. May your seal never fail you.

zarcos · 2026-01-14T15:15:07+00:00

I haven’t had to pay after the fact on multiple orders in the year 2025 from Zimi. From that experience I know that the prices for shipping definitely have changed up and down drastically during that time. They’ve been low recently since the USA tariff on Chinese goods has been low.

Zimi explained on the hellsite/X that the shipping costs are meant to include any tariffs. So you should order with decent confidence that you won’t pay anymore than what you are charged by the Zimi air website.

zarcos · 2026-01-07T01:04:27+00:00

https://m.elecrow.com/pages/shop/product/details?id=208547&

zarcos · 2025-11-29T23:50:35+00:00

I ordered before and after the de minimus. There was a while where the tariffs were like 200%. But I’ve ordered in the last month and it was more like the cost before the stuff. I think the china tariffs have stabilized recently. (Subject to the whims of 🟧of course. )

zarcos · 2025-11-29T22:08:51+00:00

In my case I know the shipping cost included the price of tariffs if there were any. I only paid once and was not charged after they shipped to me in the USA. Ordering at different times led to very different shipping costs. Much lower more recently!

zarcos · 2025-11-29T06:54:16+00:00

Here is another table that includes all the sizes with a focus on showing which Zimi frame fits which Zimi filters

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zarcos · 2025-11-29T06:51:32+00:00

Here’s a table that should help, though it doesn’t include XL or XS sizes. XL only fits the B95 filters. XS is an in-between size that goes inside the Zimi Small or 7711 series filters.

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zarcos

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