In addition to their ongoing contract work for military and fire service packs, Mystery Ranch has also delivered over 10,000 masks. Their distribution centers, production team, and warranty services at MR remain fully operational and shipping while adhering to safety measures because of their time-critical commitment to customers on the Mission side of its organization. Sales, Customer Service and Marketing are continuing to work fulltime from home. Deliveries haven’t stopped.
You can argue the efficacy of the wear of cloth masks to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 virus. Even the medical profession has different opinions. But this really isn’t the place for that. Regardless of how you feel about it, the reality is that the wear of masks has been mandated by both government and industry for those in certain jobs and locations. So if you’ve got to wear one, you might as well make the most of it.
Over the past two months I’ve tried probably 10 different mask styles. They’ve featured different strap systems, different fits and different fabrics. It’s great to have so many options, because there isn’t a one-size face and head. I wear glasses so I need something that will prevent my exhale from fogging them up. Different brands have attacked this issue with varying degrees of success.
I like several of the mask designs I’ve tried, but Mystery Ranch really got it right with their Traditional and Street Masks. There’s obviously a lot of design in these masks.
To be clear, these are not PPE. Also, they do not provide filtration. Several brands are offering either built-in or removable filters included. However, the design is based off of consultation with health care providers and the masks feature a sleeve for removable filters. You just have to supply your own.
According to Mystery Ranch, the Traditional Mask was originally designed to support Bozeman-area healthcare professionals fighting COVID-19 and refined with their feedback. If you look at it, it kind of reminds you of a surgical mask. They’ve donate about 8,500 so far if these masks to Montana Hospitals for use by those who don’t need full N95 masks. However, they’ve also made them available for public purchase.
The Traditional Mask is made to be laundered and boasts a filter sleeve, adjustable 3D bendable nose piece that shapes to the contour of the nose for a comfortable, all-day fit as well as a stretch TPU headband that won’t pull hair and a cord lock adjustment that allows the mask to hang from the neck when not in use.
The Street mask shares many attributes of the Traditional style but was tailored to minimize contact with the lips and mouth to avoid chaffing. It also has non-woven, tight-cell structured liner for better filtration. It has that same adjustable 3D bendable nose piece that shapes to the contour of the nose, and stretch TPU headband and cord lock adjustment that allows the mask to hang from the neck when not in use. It comes in two sizes and multiple colors.
I like both versions because of the one-handed adjustability of their strap system and the ability to seal it off at the nose. The Street Mask has a larger volume which will be nice now that the humidity is starting to kick in here in Virginia.
