Pollution and face masks?

[cvd]

Hi, I haven't posted before, but I think this is the right place!

I am starting cycling to work as of next week, its only a 20 minute cycle at the most, but I have asthma and it is affected by pollution and cold air...someone recommended trying the face masks to reduce the affects of cold and pollution...

..however, I don't want to be cycling long like darth vader, does anyone know of any even remotely feminine looking masks that do just as good of a job as the usual ones???

Thank you!

 

[ianrauk]

Unfortunately they all do make you look like Darth Vader.

I tried one many years back on my London commute. They do get awfully sweaty and clammy which made things worse imo.
So my solution was the humble Buff.

 

[cvd]

I tried using a buff last year but it didnt do much to help which is annoying as there are some really nice ones around! ...And they don't look as daft.... Might have to cover the mask with a buff lol

 

[classic33]

@cvd,
Why didn't the buff work for you?

 

[cvd]

Not sure. Which is why I figured a pollution mask might be worth trying. I have several different ones and have tried them all, the thin stretchy ones (that was useless) and the fleece ones, the fleece helped a little as was a barrier to the cold but wasn't enough and didn't help for very long.

 

[Kies]

I'm asthmatic and cycle into London. Doesnt affect it one way or the other, but my asthma clinic nurse is managing my conditions very well.
I find a buff helps with the cold air in winter.

 

[srw]

Have you tried without a mask? When I started riding in London I was mildly asthmatic, and found that riding without a mask was the best solution. I'm beginning to get a bit of asthma again, but it just doesn't affect me when riding.

 

[cvd]

Have done the ride lots if times without... I had to stop cycling to work because of it.