Can the Essential Mask Brace be paired with Cloth Masks?

We know that the Essential Mask Brace better secures any filtration material to the wearer’s face. But what materials are recommended?

We tested different cloth masks stack-ups through the NIOSH test method to truly get an ‘apples to apples’ performance comparison.

Results: cloth masks, even multi-layer ones, don’t filter well, and they are way less breathable than their melt blown fabric counterparts.

For this reason, Fix The Mask DOES NOT recommend pairing the essential mask brace with any of the cloth mask stack-ups below. Why is cloth a worse material than melt blown fabric for masks? Learn more here.

Links where we purchased our masks for testing:

DISCLAIMER: FIX THE MASK DOES NOT GUARANTEE THE EFFICIENCY OF ANY MASK. FIX THE MASK IS NOT RECOMMENDING THE USE OF ANY PARTICULAR MASK. WE ARE SIMPLY SHARING THE DATA THAT WE COLLECTED.

Consumer-available Masks

Zubrex: https://www.amazon.com/ZUBREX-Disposable-Safety-Face-Protection/dp/B088BY7YPX

Safe Warrior: https://www.walgreens.com/store/c/safe-warrior-disposable-face-mask/ID=300401401-product

KiBreez: https://www.acehardware.com/departments/tools/workwear-and-safety-gear/respirators-and-face-masks/2007158

Costco (BYD): https://www.costcobusinessdelivery.com/byd-general-purpose-face-mask%2C-single-use%2C-one-size%2C-50-ct.product.100378349.html

Healthcare-available Masks

DuPont: https://www.fishersci.com/shop/products/sierra-proced-mask-w-earloop/19088879

Crosstex: https://www.henryschein.com/us-en/dental/p/infection-control-products/face-masks/secure-fit-ultra-mask-l3/7740093

Essentials: https://www.henryschein.com/us-en/dental/p/infection-control-products/face-masks/essentials-procedure-mask-l1/1126761