Best Gas Masks
by cdrnsf on 1/29/2026, 6:01:54 PM
https://www.theverge.com/policy/868571/best-gas-masks
Comments
by: exmadscientist
> 3M does not provide product information on which filters are best for government repression<p>Just get the one that everyone else does: NIOSH TC-84A-0510 with protection against "Solid Particles, Organic Vapors, Acid Gases, Ammonia, Formaldehyde, Methylamine". Every lab buys this filter, or its manufacturer equivalent, for dealing with god-knows-what, because this one will handle just about anything.
1/30/2026, 9:03:18 PM
by: Aboutplants
The Verge has truly become one of the most respected sites on the web. Some of the best reporting, tech or otherwise, is being done there. Kudos
1/30/2026, 8:51:24 PM
by: dmazin
While NYT etc mostly stand back as the U.S. crosses the rubicon, what started as a freaking gadget review site seems to employ nearly all the journalists with actual gusto left in America.
1/29/2026, 6:50:14 PM
by: fanatic2pope
Note that if you have a beard you should be aware that these types of masks don't work well.<p><a href="https://pekesafety.com/blogs/news/a-respirator-that-works-with-beards" rel="nofollow">https://pekesafety.com/blogs/news/a-respirator-that-works-wi...</a>
2/2/2026, 3:41:38 PM
by: aftbit
3M 6800 have all but sold out on Amazon, probably because of this review. I had almost forgotten about Portland in 2020. This author has some great writing about the double standard of non-violence as well. 10/10
1/30/2026, 9:53:04 PM
by: numpad0
Put aside politics and anti-tear gas use cases: everyone should just have a full face gas mask for all hacker-ish activities, like painting. Skip half-face, go for full face. Half face models don't just leave eyes exposed but hurts the back of the neck. Maybe I'm wearing it wrong, but the headstrap for full face is much more comfortable. They also seal a lot better.<p>More random tidbits: You'd semi-obviously want a sacrificial wrap over the mask if you're painting, as well as few spare cartridges. There are particulate filters that are just regular paper masks, organic vapor cans for painting, and couple of acid cans for toxic gases. DYOR and use the right one for the task. Particulate filters go on top of gas cans on the iconic 3M 6000 series masks; it's not integrated to the can. The cans also technically only last few hours after opening the package, so technically you should be replacing twice daily. They also can't protect against large amounts of toxic substances like videogame thick green vapors of alien weapons, only what's somewhat casually filtered. In e.g. inside an active volcano, go for full scuba or something that don't rely on filtering. The reason why some masks use pair of cans as opposed to one can, is just for easier breathing. The performance on paper is the same; you can seal off one port with something if you want. The improvement is maybe not negligible, but you get used to breathing through masks quickly anyway. The mini mask that covers mouth and nose inside a full face mask exists to help clear condensation by forcing you to breathe in fresh air around its front surface and force exhalation through the exhaust valve. Removing it will steam up the shield. The air drawn in is filtered, but exhaust is not; if the wearer is infected with something, the mask won't help stop the spread.<p>TL;DR: gas masks is its own mini rabbit hole.
2/2/2026, 3:09:36 PM
by: fxtentacle
"I had forgotten that there could ever be domestic conflicts where law enforcement were not themselves belligerents."<p>ouch. Must be weird living where you live.
2/2/2026, 2:08:43 PM
by: closewith
Interesting read as a former CBRN instructor NCO (for a non-US military). A 3M 40mm is definitely the way to go with CP3N filters. They were once cheap but seem to be no longer
1/30/2026, 9:14:22 PM
by: nerdsniper
> 3M does not provide product information on which filters are best for government repression<p>That would be the 3M™ Organic Vapor/Acid Gas Cartridge/Filter 60923 [0]. Replace after each exposure or 30 days after opening the sealed packaging for best results. A clean shave is important for a good air seal.<p>The absolute best protection would be a PAPR (powered air-purifying respirator) with a TR-6530N filter [1] installed. Something like the 3M Versaflo M-407SG[2] would fit the filter and provide impact resistance. It can be fitted with a Speedglas 9100XXi [3] (or 9100X/V) auto-darkening filter for protection against flashbangs.<p>This is an equivalent PAPR [3] with a better form factor which also includes ANSI Z87.1 rated impact-protection (helpful against projectiles) and auto-darkening lenses (helpful against flashbangs/pyrotechnics). It also still works fine even if you keep a beard. I believe this is part of the Optrel Helix product line, which advertises 14-hour battery life. However, the listing I linked does not come with organic vapor / acid-gas filtration. That requires a different form factor for the filter, the Optrel ABE1P Combination Filter [4] offers A1B1E1P certification (Protects against organic gases/vapors, inorganic gases, acid gases, and particulates)<p>As 'closewith added, "CBRN" or "NBC" masks are also a good option - they are rated for chemical/biological/radiation/nuclear contamination and are available as riot gear with good impact-resistance. Look for A2B2E2K2-P3 ratings / certification.<p>You could also look into something like the Joseph Leslie Dynamiks A3B3E3K3-rated Jumbo canister for 10000 ppm extended exposure. [5]<p>0: <a href="https://www.3m.com/3M/en_US/p/dc/v000075263/" rel="nofollow">https://www.3m.com/3M/en_US/p/dc/v000075263/</a><p>1: <a href="https://www.mcmaster.com/products/cartridges/manufacturer-model-number~tr-6530n/" rel="nofollow">https://www.mcmaster.com/products/cartridges/manufacturer-mo...</a><p>2: <a href="https://multimedia.3m.com/mws/media/1892506O/3m-versaflo-m-407sg-m-409sg-care-and-maintenance-poster-en-2020.pdf" rel="nofollow">https://multimedia.3m.com/mws/media/1892506O/3m-versaflo-m-4...</a><p>3: <a href="https://www.3m.com/3M/en_US/speedglas-welding-helmets-us/speedglas-9100xxi/" rel="nofollow">https://www.3m.com/3M/en_US/speedglas-welding-helmets-us/spe...</a><p>3: <a href="https://www.mcmaster.com/9258n17/" rel="nofollow">https://www.mcmaster.com/9258n17/</a><p>4: <a href="https://optrel.us/product/upgradekit-combifilter-swiss-air-50/?srsltid=AfmBOooTOU5ARrDb5RWRkUD_msdtOhmV0U_tn0ne_tEbGvXgYd2UhUxc" rel="nofollow">https://optrel.us/product/upgradekit-combifilter-swiss-air-5...</a><p>5: <a href="https://www.josephlesliedynamiks.com/brochures/Gas_Filters.pdf" rel="nofollow">https://www.josephlesliedynamiks.com/brochures/Gas_Filters.p...</a>
1/30/2026, 9:03:12 PM
by: fragmede
The problem I found was that some of them are designed to keep particulates out but aren't as worried about also keeping particulates in as well. This was relevant-circa 2020. No idea how these rank on that metric.
1/30/2026, 9:07:15 PM
by: klipklop
An amazon affiliate link wrapped in the mantle of edgy resistance. Ignoring that, why would anybody take this site serious for gasmask recommendations? Shallow and fast-food level information.
1/30/2026, 9:20:33 PM
by: donohoe
None of which are practical if you need to wear glasses.
1/30/2026, 9:03:50 PM
by: Joel_Mckay
All gas masks simply buy the wearer time, and not much time at that...<p>Automotive Painter shops use an actual filtered external fresh-air feed medical-grade pump, as it avoids whatever mystery compounds are in various paints and cleaners.<p>Don't cheap out on PPE, as 3M does make good quality filters. Working in a cheap meshed-off painters tent outside is also good if you have that option. =3
2/2/2026, 3:20:23 PM
by: emilfihlman
Why is this low effort article on top here? It's absolutely not a "Best" list and lacks professionalism.
2/2/2026, 3:46:50 PM
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2/2/2026, 2:27:12 PM
by: teach
Yet another interesting article flagged because it touches on American politics.<p>What's the procedure for flagged articles become unflagged? Maybe do I need more karma or something before I can vouch for them?
1/30/2026, 9:49:39 PM
by: nmeofthestate
Next up: tips and tricks on setting up your fortified anti-US-federal-government militia compound.
2/2/2026, 2:17:47 PM
by: wtfwhateven
[flagged]
1/30/2026, 10:17:33 PM
by: human
[flagged]
1/31/2026, 2:22:11 AM
by: tims33
[flagged]
1/30/2026, 9:06:54 PM
by: philwelch
The reality is that tear gas is not an effective riot control tool. It works fine against spontaneous mobs of sports fans after their team loses, but it's not especially effective against prepared insurrectionists.<p>The last time the US faced this level of organized political resistance against lawful federal authority, the Army and National Guard routinely used fixed bayonets to control segregationist protesters. The same technique would work today, but with modern rifles being significantly shorter and hence being less effective bayonet platforms, a dedicated spear might be the better option.<p>Such weapons, employed in a close-order formation, would be much less lethal than they might seem at first blush. Historical data from 18th and 19th century conflicts shows that, even in battles where bayonet charges happened, there was still an extremely low rate of actual bayonet casualties. Even trained and disciplined soldiers will break and rout rather than let themselves be stabbed with bayonets (or, presumably, spears).
2/2/2026, 2:58:33 PM
by: hahahacorn
Posting this article in this format reminds me of truly good story writing. Would've been a top 3 pieces of writing all time for me without all of the anecdotes in between. All of the information you need to know is already written without all of the in-your-faceness of the bridge paragraphs between reviews.<p>Still an amazing story, props to the Verge. But could've been an all time great.
1/30/2026, 9:00:16 PM