PHONY MASKS

THE GROWTH OF THE FACE MASK BUSINESS IS ENCOURAGING THE PLANNED OBSOLESCENCE COMPANIES TO JOIN IN.

The Outdoor Research Essential Face Mask program will launch with masks available to retailers and consumers by early to mid- June.

The Essential Face Mask Kit is designed around a proprietary and replaceable filter integrated in a form-fitting, fully customizable fabric face mask. Designed with both outdoor activities and everyday use in mind, components of the Essential Face Mask system include:

A high-quality made-in the USA filter provides basic bacterial filtration and sub-micron particulate protection, paired with superb breathability. A 3-pack of filters come with the Essential Face Mask Kit. Refills can be purchased separately in packs of 3 or bulk of 25.

The mask is treated with HeiQ NPJ03 to provide resistance to microbes and germs, it can be laundered up to 30 times while maintaining 100% effectiveness.

The mask is washable, durable, water and stain repellent, and microbe resistant.

The kit includes a fully adjustable fabric face mask and three replacement filters in a reusable zippered pouch. Masks will be available through Outdoor Research retailers and available at OutdoorResearch.com.

Mask Details

Adjustable, washable face mask with 3-pack mask filters with high filtration efficiency

• One Size Fits All
• Treated with HeiQ NPJ03+ (Learn more here)
• Resistant to microbes and germs
• Minimal Seam Design
• Fully Adjustable for Versatile Fit
• Outperforms cotton in a 10,000+ cycle abrasion test
• Can be laundered up to 30 times with 100% effectiveness

Filter Details

Made in the USA, the Essential Face Mask Filter offers high filtration efficiency

• High filtration efficiency
• Made in the USA
• Breathable & Non-Irritating
• Replace filter on your own judgment
• Outdoor Research recommends following guidelines outlined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

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Now that you have read the wonders of this new face mask, I would like to clarify some things.

When I went to the OR web site, I noted that these face masks were priced at $25.00 each with three filters. They do not publish the price for replacement filters or maybe I missed it. The filter material is most probably a polyester non-woven material. In the late 60’s I was selling a hospital supply company who is still in business CR BARD who wanted to compete with 3-M Corp. a polyester fiberfill product that they could use for face masks.

The upshot of this activity was that the doctors who they gave the masks too found they had a tough time breathing through them.

OR says the mask can be laundered “up to 30 times” and still “maintain 100% effectiveness.” The fact that it can be laundered up to 30 times and still maintain its effectiveness is a contradiction. It either losses its effectiveness prior to the 30^th laundering or it continues to have its effectiveness after 30 launderings.

They further say, “the mask is washable, durable, water and stain repellent, and microbe-resistant”. Well isn’t the purpose of the mask to protect one from microbes. Why is it necessary to further state what is supposedly obvious or are they not sure so they repeat themselves? They also repeat themselves with respect to launderability only they say “washable”, is it necessary or are they “insecure” when talking about their product,

Now for the worst attribute of their product, they incorporate a chemical, HeiQ NPJ03. The heiq company is notorious for out of the blue developing chemicals for all purposes to be applied to fabrics. Simply put you are breathing in what ever this chemical gives off. I keep thinking that the heiq company has one chemical and they give it a new name as the market needs one more chemical.

OR is owned mostly by a Korean company and they probably said the coronavirus is going to be here for a long enough time to justify converting production from ground pads to face masks.

You can buy from Wiggy’s a face mask that is made from pure finish fabrics, they have not been “treated” with any chemicals just like ALL of the other fabric we buy to produce our products. So, when you wear one of our face masks you are not subject to breathing in any chemical fumes.

Launderability of a Wiggy’s mask is not limited to 30 launderings, in the case of my partner Kok who wears his daily when he gets home each day, he puts it in the sink and washes it. He told me he does not count how many days he has washed his, it might be at least 30 days now and it shows no signs of wearing out at the moment. I expect he will get 300 washings if not more of this face mask.

Once you buy a Wiggy’s face mask there are no future expenditures for filters that may very well be treated with heiqnpj03 chemical. So, you have an ongoing expense. Or you may very well just throw it way. That is what I call “planned obsolescence”. OR in 6 months will come out with a new and “improved” face mask. WILL WONDERS NEVER CEASE!!!!

The philosophy at Wiggy’s is simple; when I started the company, I made products based upon my knowledge of those materials and how they would work in the product I was interested in making; SLEEPING BAGS. I have applied this philosophy to all of the products I make and have made, and that includes the face mask.

I believe that this unfortunate situation is going to be with us for a while and therefore the need of a face mask will be with us for a while, so I believe Wiggy’s now make the best mask on the market at a cost of $17.50 it will probably last as long as the Wiggy’s bag. If the product works it is because the materials do what is required of them and in time they have just shown that so why change.   

as for the face mask, the Taiwan company I previously wrote about testing their microfiber material versus the N95 mask showing it was just as good means that our mask which is made with a microfiber material and then covered would most likely perform better, I think so.