We received a comment tonight from Eric who asked if filtered-air helmets are available in the US yet. He was tired of choking on smoke during his daily commute. Since we hadn’t seen them ’round these parts we suggested that he check out Respro. We’ve heard good things about their filter masks. Later, a few minutes of digging around the Respro site revealed this new item, the Urban Commuting City Mask.
This is something I will HAVE to get. Mother nature and her band of sinister cedar trees are KILLING me this season. When I ride around town it’s like I did some pollen snooters and my sinuses are closed for business, rendering me a slack-jawed, mouth-breather until my overdose of allergy meds kick in.
Now, what’s so cool about THIS City Mask is that it’s coated in Scotchlite white! So, it gives you a sort of storm trooper look and it glows a bright white when hit by intense light (like headlights) adding to your “rider safety quotient”.
So multiple thumbs-up all around for the Respro City anti-pollution mask in Scotchlite. Interested yet? Here’s the benefits list from their website:
- Filters out exhaust emissions
- Fits without fuss and fully adjustable
- Durable and washable
- Ensures correct fit for adults
- Releases heat and water vapour
And the features:
- Activated charcoal filter
- Velcro fastening
- Made from Neoprene
- Two sizes
You can even customize it with other filter packs and valve packs to vary the filter level and air transfer speed. I’m not sure how it fits for full face helmets, but we’ll let you know. Oh, another thing. This mask looks better than some of the others, though I would definitely ride around with this option or this other option too. While yer at it, get one for the bike too. Hrm… why the fascination with gas masks now? Wait… Am I revealing some sort of fetish? I gotta go.
9. January 2009 at 3:51 pm
Great researching, I will have to try one of these out. Hopefully someday these will just be integrated into the helmets for us.
Thanks for the response to my post, very impressive.
9. January 2009 at 4:02 pm
http://www.respro.com/products/sports-leisure/road-racing-touring/bandit_mask/
This may be what I try first, since I use a scarf or bandanna in the winter for warmth and I think this will fit better under my full-face helmet.
9. January 2009 at 4:46 pm
Hey Eric! Thanks for asking.
I couldn’t find a the info on exactly what the bandanna will filter out, but I’d like to know what you think about it once you’ve had a chance to test it out.
Cheers!
9. January 2009 at 7:20 pm
Oldschool
I love them too.
12. January 2009 at 7:05 pm
I’ve been using the Respro Foggy for about 4 years and it’s the best product to keep the fog off the shield. I also picked up one of their filter masks about 3 years ago and they work nicely but I don’t use it as much as I probably should. It’s use as an anti-fog mask isn’t so good, but that’s not what it’s intended for.
12. January 2009 at 7:19 pm
Nice! I think I’m gonna try one of these with my half helmet (no fog issues) and see how it helps with my allergies.
14. January 2009 at 6:11 am
The best part of using one with a half helmet is that it looks bad ass. Buy some extra filters to save on shipping. There are some stateside sellers of the respro gear but I’ve found that they are not all that responsive. (oh, and my commission number for Respro is 32445, ;D )
14. January 2009 at 2:20 pm
I smell a brookspeed store a bakin’!
I’m surprised that not more shops have picked this up.
20. January 2009 at 8:46 pm
Hi there, Hoping someone will give a review of how this mask fits under a full face helmet. Mine is pretty snug – for example I blow air into my cheeks to puff them up before closing my mouth all the way. Seems like those little nubs would be pressing uncomfortably into my face. Also, I know these can be purchases at Aerostitch / Rider’s warehouse, if you are only comfortable buying stateside.