- 3M Rugged Comfort Half Facepiece Reusable Respirator 6501, NIOSH, Cool Flow Valve Helps Reduce Heat and Moisture, Silicone Faceseal Provides a Firm Seal, Welding, Sanding, Cleaning, Grinding, Small

As a safety professional, this is my brand of choice. Keep in mind that you will need the appropriate cartridges for the hazard you will deal with. Also, this needs to fit tightly against your face, but the adjustment on the straps make that straightforward. My main reason for preferring this respirator is the exhalation valve, which directs my breath away from my glasses. Along with the face seal material, that makes for a comfortable respirator. For the price, it is hard to beat.

This one has the silicone rubber mask, so it conforms easily to your face without requiring a lot of tension on the straps. This makes it a lot more comfortable. The strap system is simple to use once you get the hang of it and there's no need for any adjustments once you set it up the first time. The large size probably makes sense for many guys and it fits me much better than the mediums. For everyday use, this mask works well with the 502, 603, and a pack of 5N11 filters.

I'm refinishing a bath tub and refinishing with epoxy paint, the vapors of which can be extremely hazardous. Purchased the mask to use with organic vapors filters. I never smelled anything at all until I took the mask off. It is very effective! The headband loop makes it easy to put on and the quick release latch at the back of the neck makes it easy to get off. With the 3M option of different types of filters for various materials like dust, drywall dust, and other irritants to the lungs and nose, this mask is reusable for a lifetime. Well worth the low cost for this product. I recommend with no reservations at all.

I have to say this mask has been great for mowing and occasional woodworking. I purchased this mask originally for multiple reasons, the biggest being for mowing grass as I am somewhat allergic and was tired of the sneezing fits and itch watery eyes and nose. There are many different levels of filters that you can buy for these masks and depending upon what you need, it can protect from some serious chemicals. I ordered the basic Organic vapor filters just to try them out, and although they are not HEPA rated, they still are more than enough for my needs. Wearing this mask, I cannot smell any hint of grass, gas, or oil while I am mowing and as long as I wear my mask the entire time when mowing and weedeating, I have no allergic reaction to the grass at all! The only thing I can find wrong with this mask is that if it is extremely hot, it can be difficult to breathe in, but that is expected with any respirator I guess. It is also very easy to put on and remove. However, some models of this mask have a clip in the front that allows you to drop the mask quickly and put it back on quickly and I was really looking for that but apparently I ordered the wrong model. I would get that one if I could do it over again but 3M does not make it extremely easy to find the features of the mask and you have to look through a huge safety data sheet to find the correct filter model for your mask.

I've been using this mask with the slim pink P100s that fit under a welding mask for welding and plasma cutting. It is great. I had the garage door open, fans going, took a break - went back in without the mask and the smell hit bad. I put the mask right back on. Sweaty, hot, but it COMPLETELY blocked all the fumes. It was great. I tried a medium from an in-person store but the valves vibrated obnoxiously - getting this in small was the solution! A good fit is key. Make sure to do the no-filter test with the filter spots covered to make sure you get a good seal. If you can smell anything through the mask and you did a seal check first, then you need new filters or better filters for the job. If you can smell anything this mask is not working 100%. This version is NOT the quick release. I would get the quickly release next time because I often work around other people and no one can hear you until the seal is broken - which on this mask is pulling it slightly away from your face with one hand. The value of this mask though is that the quick release gets tighter when sealed, so it is a lot more work to get the straps right; this mask without quick release is a lot easier to get on comfortably.

Compared to cheaper masks, this really fits my face well and I don't detect any leaking around the edges. The cool flow valve really cuts down on the effort to breath and seems to keep the moisture under control. Strap system seems weird at first, but works quite well. I am wearing this under a ESAB Sentinel welding hood and although is is snug inside, I can lower the hood all the way and breath just fine. Doesn't block my vision at all. The nose piece does pushup my glasses a bit, but workable. A very worthwhile investment in my health. Highly recommended.

It was important to buy a nice respirator as I work in a small shop and I don't trust an air purifier or shop dust collector to get the fine dust. I've spent long durations wearing this whole working and I can say that it is very comfortable. It's a little awkward to wear some safety goggles and you'll probably need some antifog lenses but the respirator does its job well. I bought some of the pink Bayonet style filters for average wood working and after a couple of hours there's still condensation inside the mask but not as noticeable as other mesh or cloth material ones.

I couldnt tell you the model of my old 3M half face mask but this one seems to cover more area leading up to the breathing zone on my face and it seems to seal a lot better. I know my comparison is to my old one that I have had for years but I'm just saying. The main thing I liked is that while I wear it and I have on safety glasses also, my safety glasses aren't getting all fogged up just from me breathing like my old mask would do to me. To me that spoke volumes to how this thing seals. I actually came back and bought a smaller size mask for my girlfriend for when she gets carried away with the spray paint on her crafty whatever stuff. Something about refinishing rustic furniture maybe, idk what she calls it. She goes through probably 7 to 10 spray paint cans a month. I feel a lot better about her respiratory system with this mask on her face.