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Buff options as a mask?

Original Post
Old lady H · · Boise, ID · Joined Aug 2015 · Points: 1,375

It's cold here, abruptly winter. Anyone have any buffs they like, that are good enough for masking also? 

I wear glasses, and have a hearing aid. Bad enough with a mask, but add in cold weather gear also, and a standard mask just gets cumbersome real fast, to try and get on/off without losing glasses or hearing aid.

Thanks! Helen

Hearing aid isn't old lady. Just one side, and congenital. Not that I didn't abuse my hearing....

curt86iroc · · Lakewood, CO · Joined Dec 2014 · Points: 274

https://buffusa.com/shop-buff/filter-products.html

i know at least 1 person who used one skiing this past weekend and said it wore just like a normal buff

Mike K · · Las Vegas NV · Joined May 2019 · Points: 0

It depends on your comfort/risk level.  Many buffs are made of a very thin porous material so they aren't as effective as surgical masks or KN95.  I also wear glasses so I understand the fogging issue.  I have been wearing KN95 last ~ month in the gym and find a little less fogging than with the surgical masks.  I also feel a little more protected.

You can also try some rainX or fogbegone type sprays.  They don't stop the fogging but they do seem to reduce it maybe 30%.

James C · · Seattle, WA · Joined Sep 2014 · Points: 147
Artem Vasilyev wrote:

Not just not as effective - but perhaps even worse than not wearing a mask at all, since the buff will aerosolize the particles from your breath into an even finer mist - while capturing close to none of it.

From the paper/study quoted in the article:

That being said - I'd imagine that a wool buff would work a bit better than a thinner polyester/spandex type - in addition to being warmer.  

This study was misrepresented in the press, and there have been a bunch of follow-ups saying that Buffs are probably better than no face covering at all: https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/neck-gaiters-covid-19/, https://www.nytimes.com/2020/08/17/well/live/coronavirus-gaiters-masks.html 

"Our intent was not to say this mask doesn’t work, or never use neck gaiters,” said Martin Fischer, an associate research professor in the department of chemistry at Duke and a co-author of the study. “This was not the main part of the paper.”

"The suggestion that any mask can create more droplets than it stops doesn’t sound plausible to aerosol scientists, who test mask materials using special instruments that can measure microscopic particles. A number of variables, such as the volume of the mask wearer’s voice and whether the mask has become moist, might explain why the Duke study showed unusual results during the single gaiter test. 

I've taken to wearing KF94s which have been tested to be N95-equivalent for indoors/high-risk, and a regular Buff for outdoors/recreation.

Franck Vee · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Apr 2017 · Points: 260

You double up a buff too. It's warmer, and it also doubles up the amount of textile.

C J · · Sac Valley, CA · Joined Jun 2017 · Points: 0

Follow-up research by Linsey Marr on 'Gaitergate'.  TL:DR, double up a synthetic one provides good filtration efficiency.  

https://www.nytimes.com/2020/08/17/well/live/coronavirus-gaiters-masks.html

Ethan Ayer · · Los Angeles, CA · Joined Mar 2018 · Points: 0

There's also this

https://www.outdoorresearch.com/us/protective-essential-midweight-ubertube-kit-283651?cat=121,24,6,402

Kevin Mokracek · · Burbank · Joined Apr 2012 · Points: 363
James C wrote:

This study was misrepresented in the press, and there have been a bunch of follow-ups saying that Buffs are probably better than no face covering at all: https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/neck-gaiters-covid-19/, https://www.nytimes.com/2020/08/17/well/live/coronavirus-gaiters-masks.html 

I've taken to wearing KF94s which have been tested to be N95-equivalent and a regular Buff during recreation.

You wear a buff and a mask outdoors?  Indoors I totally get it but even Dr Fauci says he doesn't wear a mask while running outside.   I keep a buff on my neck while hiking and just pull it up when I pass people.  

James C · · Seattle, WA · Joined Sep 2014 · Points: 147

Whoops, yeah I meant KF94 for indoors and Buff for outdoors, not both at the same time.

Old lady H · · Boise, ID · Joined Aug 2015 · Points: 1,375

Thanks for the replies. Two options, anyway.

Anyone know if the Buff version fits well across the nose? The OR one has a wire, which should help with glasses fogging up. 

The OR one has a glowing review. Singular. Kinda makes me wonder? Is it new? 

Once I order, that's it. No returns. If they suck I'm just out of luck, at least for what I want it for.

Thanks. Trying to stay optimistic, for getting out of the house and not losing it this winter. We skipped fall here. Sheesh.

Best, H.

Fabien M · · Cannes · Joined Dec 2019 · Points: 5

Went skiing today in Engelberg (CH) and 60% of skiers were using (regular, I guess the anti covid version is too recent) buff as mask. I guess coz taking off the helmet each time is annoying.

FosterK · · Edmonton, AB · Joined Nov 2012 · Points: 67

Or has the best options for an actual filtered mask within a buff. Such as this: outdoorresearch.com/ca/prot…

Old lady H · · Boise, ID · Joined Aug 2015 · Points: 1,375
curt86iroc wrote:

https://buffusa.com/shop-buff/filter-products.html

i know at least 1 person who used one skiing this past weekend and said it wore just like a normal buff

I ordered both this, and the OR one. The buff arrived today! Tried it out mid day today, it was about 30 degrees, but cloudy and felt colder. 

It is a simple, single layer tube buff, but with a sewn bit to make it fit on your nose, and a pocket where a filter would go. It is long, so you could easily double up the fabric. 

I was pleasantly surprised at how well it stayed in place, and best of all, no foggy glasses, even after I went in where it was warmer! I didn't try it doubled up, but as a single layer it breathed really well, didn't get soggy instantly, and I wasn't seeing my breathe, either. Win! It's very comfortable, too.

All those wrinkles and what looks like a giant nose zit are an attempt at a smile. Oh well.

A regular double wall tube buff lets my breathe through, easily, and fogs the glasses. The finger is because of the ridiculous amount of layers, just for a walk, in November. It really cheated us this year, skipping fall weather!

Best, H. 

Josh Rappoport · · Natick, MA · Joined Sep 2017 · Points: 31

CDC recommendation is two layer neck gaiter, or folding over a single layer one:

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/about-face-coverings.html

Mountain Dillo · · Longview, TX · Joined Sep 2020 · Points: 0

Similar to a neck gaiter, you can go to a fabric store and buy some good quality shirting material, like the softer cotton dress shirt stuff, cut a large 30" or so square, hem the edges, and wear it like a bandana. yes, those cheap bandanas you get at the corner store aren't going to do much good, but if you make a large one out of thicker material, the bottom will hang down low enough to prevent particles from escaping. And a bandana has more alternative uses in the backcountry.

Marc801 C · · Sandy, Utah · Joined Feb 2014 · Points: 65

Our ski areas are requiring masks on lift lines and lifts and if you're using a buff, it should be doubled up. Here's what Alta says: https://www.alta.com/winter-2020-21

Their next door neighbor explicitly says this regarding their tram:

Masks will be required in all indoor spaces, except when seated to eat or drink, and outdoors when 6 feet of physical distance cannot be maintained. Whether you are riding a bus, waiting in a lift line, loading and riding a chairlift or the Aerial Tram, or entering our facilities, you will be required to wear a face covering. Neck gaiters are not acceptable face coverings for the Aerial Tram; a mask must be worn. Masks are available for guests upon request.

BTW, the 100 person tram is now limited to 25.

FosterK · · Edmonton, AB · Joined Nov 2012 · Points: 67

Used this for a few days for ski patrol: https://www.outdoorresearch.com/us/protective-essential-midweight-balaclava-kit-283653?cat=419,224

Comfortable, if a bit sweaty (I would purchase a lightweight version for the warmer days). The nose wire is low enough to sit under goggles. It has ear loops and a drawcord to seal it up and keep it up. The ear loops are comfortable to wear all day.

Guideline #1: Don't be a jerk.

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