Anti-pollution cycling masks are a fairly common sight in London.
It’s perfectly understandable – air pollution is a well-documented issue here, causing respiratory problems and preventable deaths.
A sizeable 9,500 people die in the capital every year because of long-term exposure to polluted air, according to Kings College London.
But as with any bit of kit, it can be confusing if you’re buying a cycling mask for the first time.
Here are the basic need-to-knows about anti-pollution masks as well as a look at some of the biggest names on the market right now.
How do anti-pollution cycling masks work?
The mask fits over the lower part of your face to catch pollutant particles.
It takes in oxygen and filters out the nasties in the air like formaldehyde, making your city cycle that bit cleaner.
What to consider when buying an anti-pollution mask
The most important factor is the seal – the mask has to snugly fit your face so that nothing passes through any gaps, cancelling out the benefits you get from the filters.
Those with facial hair may struggle as even a little stubble can affect the seal and effectiveness of the cycling mask.
If you have a pre-existing lung or respiratory condition you need to take extra care as masks can inhibit breathing, especially at high exertion.
Now, onto the filters. Go for a mask that has at least two breathing vents with sub-micron filters which pick up the most particles. Hepa-type filters catch the smallest particles, like pollen and dust caught in the air.
The size of particles ranges from 0.5 (sub-micron) to 10+ microns. Just for a bit of context, a micron is the equivalent to 1/1000 of a millimetre. Filters will generally be able to catch size 0.3 microns.
And of course, there’s your budget – not just for the mask, but the cost of replacing filters. For your mask, you’re looking at around £20-£30, while a pack of replacement filters will cost anywhere between £13 and £25, depending on the quantity and quality of filters.
The most popular anti-pollution cycling masks
Respro® City™ Mask (£29.99)
This mask is made from Neoprene to fit comfortably on your face and keep out unpleasant fumes and smells.
It has two Techno insulation valves with sub-micron filters, which come in packs of two.
Colour-wise, you can choose from blue, red and black.
What the reviewers say: On the plus side, it is easy to maintain.
However, the mask moves around on your face, which causes rubbing. Some say that the strap puts too much pressure on the nose too.
Totobobo Super Cool mask (£25)
See-through Totobobo masks can be shaped to fit different face, nose and chin contours.
The Super Cool is a bike specific model, but you can also get them in standard and children’s models.
It has sub-micron filters which come in three different strengths: 92%, 94% and 96%. The higher the protection level, the higher the cost.
This mask weighs 20 grams, and promises not to fog up your glasses. The fact that it’s transparent makes for a more reliable seal check as you can actually see what you’re doing.
The lifespan of the mask depends on how you care for it, but it can last over 100 uses.
What the reviewers say: On the more positive side, it’s conveniently pocket-sized and easy to clean.
But disgruntled customers say that it’s clammy, ill-fitting and uncomfortable around the nose.
Despite its transparency, the Totobobo mask doesn’t make a good seal against the face unless it’s completely clean-shaven.
Skysper Anti-Pollution Half Face Cycling Mask (£8.99)
Skysper is more about the swanky style. Its masks are also made of neoprene for comfort, and it comes in fun designs.
It weighs in at a relatively hefty 50g – two and a half times the Totobobo offering.
The mask is available in black, white, blue, red and orange with adjustable nose drag for extra comfort.
What the reviewers say: Skysper’s masks are not as versatile – they don’t fit an Asian face with a short nose, for example. Others said that it didn’t have great coverage and one person reported the filter falling out. Even with the mask intact, exhaled air takes a long time to escape.
Apparently the mask has a smell when you first get it, but if you put it in 20-degree water for 15 mins it’ll be fine.
Some say there are fog issues with cycling glasses when you’re static too.
Cambridge Mask Pro (£19-£24)
Dubbed the ‘British pollution solution’, the Cambridge Mask is made from carbon cloth originally used by the Ministry of Defence.
It protects against gas based pollution, such as smells, benzene and formaldehyde, particle pollution such as PM2.5, pollen or smoke and pathogens such as viruses and bacteria.
The masks come in five sizes, for both adults and children. It has some fun patterns too – one includes pandas!
And those with an allergy will be glad to know that it’s latex-free.
What the reviewers say: Some reviews saying the mask is too small and the non-adjustable ear hooks make it difficult to seal.
Vogmask (£34.50)
Vogmask is a global brand famed for its funky designs.
They come in different sizes with a metal band in the nose. The tightness is not adjustable, and you can only use the earloops to fit it on face.
What the reviewers say: It’s comfortable and easy to clean, but it’s not easy to breathe in – one reviewer had to loosen it around the nose, defeating the purpose of the mask seal.
The filter mask is said to be too restrictive as well. If you have a hilly commute you may want to look elsewhere as the valves are reportedly too small for exercise.
Do you wear cycling masks or do you think they’re not worth the hassle? Let us know in the comments section below.
I’ve used the Totobobo. It will seal with a shortish beard, but only when so much condensation has built up that it becomes a wet seal. The head straps perish and lose their stretch after a while, and when you try to tighten then up you can easily break off the plastic hinges and snap locks on the porthole doors that hold the filters in, which makes the mask a bit useless as it’s around these protrusions that the head straps are looped. The filters do get impressively filthy after a week though, so you’re likely to persevere with the mask thinking it’s doing some good.
Hi Tony, thanks for sharing your experience of using Totobobo mask.
Are you using the old model (strap go around the head) or the new version (earloop straps).
Please contact us via our email (totobobomask)(at)(gmail)(dot)(com) to discuss how we can help.
Living in the city I have always been concerned about what pollutants i’m ingesting on the commute, but to be perfectly honest once I Hop off the bike the thought goes out of my head. I knew these masks existed but i never looked into it. You never tend to see them displayed in cycle shops either perhaps its because they just look a little scary haha. I would have loved to have seen someone do a more in depth review of one of these masks perhaps a week trial or something like that, testing it in various locations such as hilly, heavily congested etc. Personally I will be giving the res pro a go. thanks for sharing!
I use a Respro Cinqro on a 25-mile commute into/through the City, including sections of Brixton/Streatham, which seem to have the most static traffic including buses, lorries, vans. I started using it when I could taste the fumes when I sat down in the office and also had a tingling sensation in the chest on the worst days. Breathing for a long time in the mask takes some getting used to but the state of the filters after a short while makes me glad I use it.
Wearing a mask is very necessary if you ride in bad weather. It can protect you from bad air. Your suggestion are great.
I am currently using Vogmask, I have also tried I Can Breathe and regular surgical masks. I love the way it looks fashionable and doesn’t draw stares. Unfortunately it’s very expensive and isn’t as well fitting as I would like!
Seems a bit strange to me that this post doesn’t summarise and then suggest a ‘best in show’. The ‘what reviewers said’ all seem to suggest none of them fit very well nor are they comfortable. I’d like to invest in one but don’t want to waste money…
I totally agree Anna, my boyfriends needs one desperately but now I feel even more unsure on which to buy! I think from the comments the Respro Cinqro seems the best?
Just got the Respro Cinqro, pretty expensive but I’ve used cheaper ones in the past and found problems. The fit on the nose is definitely an issue, I had a huge red mark after my first wear. I plan to mitigate against this with vaseline or something. Regardless, with toxicity levels in the air so high I think wearing any mask has got to help.
I leave my feedback as this may help other commuters.
I used to suffer from constant sneezing, nose bleeding and coughs and I suspected these were somehow related to my cycle commuting in heavy traffic.
I went to see an ENT specialist and I was told that my allergy to pollens was exacerbated by traffic pollution and invited me to wear a pollution mask when cycling.
I have been using Respro City mask for the last 4 years and my overall nose situation has greatly improved.
The other advantage of using a mask is that in the winter you don’t breathe in very cold air.
The disadvantages are:
– it steams my glasses when is very humid or very cold
– filters saturate in heavy rains and the maks needs to be removed because you cannot breathe.
Been using the respro ultralight mask with HEPA type filter. Not the most comfortable around the nose. haven’t been city riding long, but over maybe a month with or without the mask(better with the mask but not loads), I now feel minor aches in my chest and the bottom of my throat. And has affected my cardio fitness as breathing doesn’t seem to be flowing as it was before. The fumes are obviously still getting through, not too sure how they do, and when they do your then breathing in heavily with fumes inside the mask(not good!). Something needs to be done about this pollution problem, fast! Maybe a different mask will fit better, but for me this one is not good enough.
Jamie, I believe there is no single mask can fit everyone. It does take time to search for the one that fit your face.
If one brand is not fitting well you may try a different brand. Here is another review of several options:
https://lovelyoutliers.com/2018/11/28/breathing-air-anti-pollution-mask-review/
Hi, I have been looking into getting a mask. I was also wondering if people have looked into adjusting their route slightly? It turns out different roads around the city can have totally different pollution levels, even if they are just parallel streets.
i have the 2esp20 mask. i want to order the inside filter.let me know how.thank you
the Number of the filter is 0524.thank you
Thanks, man your post has been a great help in this COVID times, finding a mask that fit the needs of an avid cyclist. Seems like you plan ahead of time. Thank you!
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Thanks for sharing this article to us