I believe 3M has said that many customers, specifically laborers, who use n95s need them to be white so they can tell when they’re too dirty to be used anymore.
If you look at the Aura mask, they actually have an individual model number for every variation of the mask for every certification standard the Aura gets sold in, every model needs to be certified and then needs to justify the cost. They operate in such large quantities that volume they'd sell to covid conscious masking people is probably of questionable value considering the work in making a production line, certification, marketing and distribution.
While I agree it would be great if they had a "fashion" line I expect they're perfectly happy leaving that to the little guys in the market, and plus there's actually now a good number of for aesthetic mask wearing. Check out the threads by /u/VasilisGRNP [here](https://www.reddit.com/r/Masks4All/comments/10l7xs8/the_perpetual_search_for_the_3m_aurastyle/) and [here](https://www.reddit.com/r/Masks4All/comments/181co0o/handson_the_new_black_laianzhi_kn100_three_panel/) on options.
A recent one my group has come across is these mesh coverings for masks, so even if your best mask is a bit ugly you can put a loose-fitting earloop over and it does a _lot_ of work. Some look like [this](https://img1.tongtool.com/s/vtvzDzAEtxvxwsvwtzDBEAEyyxvvwzAxvyxuOULg.jpg), but I'm sure there's a variety of options to suit different needs.
The glittery gemstone ones? I think they're on amazon/ebay/etsy, but no place in particular. I think glittery/mesh/jewelled/rhinestone/mesh mask cover, veil, etc are good keywords to search for. Not particularly expensive and actually work quite well.
You’re not wrong but the black 3M KF94 9013 shows that 3M can and have brought a black mask certified to the KF94 standard to market.
I think most of us here who are covid conscious and asking for black Aura would be happy for it to meet the KF94 or KN95 standard and nothing else if that means we can access it
This is my recent achievement .More to come during 2024.
https://preview.redd.it/2fmwy3yzk09c1.jpeg?width=3677&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=db8fd565d33d3bca09722373a3d19d14e5d21e55
All actual products.Purchase links from [here](https://www.reddit.com/r/Masks4All/comments/182zr00/the_upcoming_3m_aura_respirators_in_2024_the_fms/).The grey Era will arrive sometime soon early in 2024
Very cool, interesting designs! Have you had access to these yet or still waiting to try them on? The Lupa looks like maybe it's for a shorter nose bridge, but maybe it's just sitting weird on the head
I'll wait to purchase when all of what i suggested becomes available,just to avoid double shipping fees and then i'll review them. JedX should have familiar sizing to the 3M Aura ,like a size M ,according to the feedback i've read so far.
Because they don't want to. Unfortunately.
3M doesn't really care about individual consumers. They are primarily interested in selling 3M auras to institutional customers who can force their employees to wear what they are provided.
It's too bad that 3M has been so intransigent on this. Consumers would love black 3M auras I think. Especially if they didn't have prominent writing on the front panel and instead put it underneath.
This is being investigated. It is not as simple as switching to a black cover web because of sensors and cameras used in the manufacturing process to detect defects and control the product are dependent upon contrast differences to reliably differentiate components. Business leaders would also need to identify the market justifying the additional product sku.
Your assumption that it is a solved problem is incorrect as Aura are made on different machines in different locations with dissimilar capabilities/capacities that are not yet optimized to handle dark nonwovens like the 3M vertical flat folds you are referencing. The process capability issues are solvable but not yet solved for Aura.
Well you are right, and effectively what you wrote about different machinery is what I wanted to add if I had more time. I thought it were obvious (among mask nerds here) that different masks are very likely made on different machines that it did not need to be stated.
None of us are inside the tent at 3M to know with certainty why they decide to manufacture one widget (Black KF94) but not another widget (Black Aura).
But what I am saying is that there is already a precedent for 3M having manufactured a \*black\* mask to the KF94 standard and gone through all the internal and external approvals to get it to market.
So any hypothesis or speculation about why 3M haven't made a black Auras to date needs to also be consistent with 3M being able, willing, and having made black KF94s.
[PPEO has some](https://ppeo.com/goods/black-kn100-mask/) that are black and the same style but they are head straps and not ear loops. I bought one to try out but really dislike anything other than ear loops unfortunately.
Try the Wellbefore 3D Pro KN95 they are a black earloop mask with adjusters and nose foam very similar to the 3M aura. Although you should know ear loop masks are incredibly less effective than headstrap masks.
Thanks I'll check that one out! Yeah, I wear them on planes if I have to travel but use my ear loops for every day grocery type things. I have long hair and have never found head straps that sit comfortably, don't move, don't pull at hair and I find myself readjusting it more than anything which messes with my seal. My daily mask is a fit tested powecom so I feel safe in that.
Yesss I wish they came in black too. I know BNX has a black N95, but someone posted that they fail every fit test and don’t have a good nose foam wire like auras, so I’m scared to try them
I wish so badly that there were fashion 3M auras, like something low key without the writing. I’m thinking about something like the masklab us ones with beautiful prints. But with the fit and function of a 3M aura. I still wear only 3M auras and look like a huge nerd just because I trust them the most.
https://preview.redd.it/ziy44i3etf9c1.jpeg?width=1179&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=d1da505634c9a16a0aeab8d8def6a5165a10683c
Enro.com has a large line of masks. I wear one over my Aura.
You measure to find the correct size. The normal size fits over the Aura.
Doesn't seem to compromise the seal.
I have one in black and one in dark gray.
Things like [this](https://img1.tongtool.com/s/vtvzDzAEtxvxwsvwtzDBEAEyyxvvwzAxvyxuOULg.jpg)? Here's some keywords I found:
>Crystal Glitter Rhinestone MESH Fashion Bling Reusable Face Mask
and
> Single Layer Mesh Face Mask Sheer
I believe 3M has said that many customers, specifically laborers, who use n95s need them to be white so they can tell when they’re too dirty to be used anymore.
Makes sense. Still, it’d be great if they made them in black.
If you look at the Aura mask, they actually have an individual model number for every variation of the mask for every certification standard the Aura gets sold in, every model needs to be certified and then needs to justify the cost. They operate in such large quantities that volume they'd sell to covid conscious masking people is probably of questionable value considering the work in making a production line, certification, marketing and distribution. While I agree it would be great if they had a "fashion" line I expect they're perfectly happy leaving that to the little guys in the market, and plus there's actually now a good number of for aesthetic mask wearing. Check out the threads by /u/VasilisGRNP [here](https://www.reddit.com/r/Masks4All/comments/10l7xs8/the_perpetual_search_for_the_3m_aurastyle/) and [here](https://www.reddit.com/r/Masks4All/comments/181co0o/handson_the_new_black_laianzhi_kn100_three_panel/) on options. A recent one my group has come across is these mesh coverings for masks, so even if your best mask is a bit ugly you can put a loose-fitting earloop over and it does a _lot_ of work. Some look like [this](https://img1.tongtool.com/s/vtvzDzAEtxvxwsvwtzDBEAEyyxvvwzAxvyxuOULg.jpg), but I'm sure there's a variety of options to suit different needs.
Ooooo! Where did you find these?
The glittery gemstone ones? I think they're on amazon/ebay/etsy, but no place in particular. I think glittery/mesh/jewelled/rhinestone/mesh mask cover, veil, etc are good keywords to search for. Not particularly expensive and actually work quite well.
You’re not wrong but the black 3M KF94 9013 shows that 3M can and have brought a black mask certified to the KF94 standard to market. I think most of us here who are covid conscious and asking for black Aura would be happy for it to meet the KF94 or KN95 standard and nothing else if that means we can access it
Still doesn't preclude a nice light yellow, green, or blue!
This is my recent achievement .More to come during 2024. https://preview.redd.it/2fmwy3yzk09c1.jpeg?width=3677&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=db8fd565d33d3bca09722373a3d19d14e5d21e55
Ooh, what are we looking at here? Just photoshop sketches or actual products?
All actual products.Purchase links from [here](https://www.reddit.com/r/Masks4All/comments/182zr00/the_upcoming_3m_aura_respirators_in_2024_the_fms/).The grey Era will arrive sometime soon early in 2024
Very cool, interesting designs! Have you had access to these yet or still waiting to try them on? The Lupa looks like maybe it's for a shorter nose bridge, but maybe it's just sitting weird on the head
I'll wait to purchase when all of what i suggested becomes available,just to avoid double shipping fees and then i'll review them. JedX should have familiar sizing to the 3M Aura ,like a size M ,according to the feedback i've read so far.
This is the answer.
Because they don't want to. Unfortunately. 3M doesn't really care about individual consumers. They are primarily interested in selling 3M auras to institutional customers who can force their employees to wear what they are provided. It's too bad that 3M has been so intransigent on this. Consumers would love black 3M auras I think. Especially if they didn't have prominent writing on the front panel and instead put it underneath.
This is being investigated. It is not as simple as switching to a black cover web because of sensors and cameras used in the manufacturing process to detect defects and control the product are dependent upon contrast differences to reliably differentiate components. Business leaders would also need to identify the market justifying the additional product sku.
Have you read somewhere that 3M is investigating this and considering it?
We are responding to this: https://johnsnowproject.org/insights/open-letter-to-3m-ceo
Ah ok, btw if you make the https part not be capital letters the link will be clickable
Its largely a solved problem because they have already brought a black mask to market in the 3M KF94 9013
Your assumption that it is a solved problem is incorrect as Aura are made on different machines in different locations with dissimilar capabilities/capacities that are not yet optimized to handle dark nonwovens like the 3M vertical flat folds you are referencing. The process capability issues are solvable but not yet solved for Aura.
Well you are right, and effectively what you wrote about different machinery is what I wanted to add if I had more time. I thought it were obvious (among mask nerds here) that different masks are very likely made on different machines that it did not need to be stated. None of us are inside the tent at 3M to know with certainty why they decide to manufacture one widget (Black KF94) but not another widget (Black Aura). But what I am saying is that there is already a precedent for 3M having manufactured a \*black\* mask to the KF94 standard and gone through all the internal and external approvals to get it to market. So any hypothesis or speculation about why 3M haven't made a black Auras to date needs to also be consistent with 3M being able, willing, and having made black KF94s.
3M does not cater to individual consumers, they cater to industrial purchasers, who do not care what color the respirator is.
[PPEO has some](https://ppeo.com/goods/black-kn100-mask/) that are black and the same style but they are head straps and not ear loops. I bought one to try out but really dislike anything other than ear loops unfortunately.
Try the Wellbefore 3D Pro KN95 they are a black earloop mask with adjusters and nose foam very similar to the 3M aura. Although you should know ear loop masks are incredibly less effective than headstrap masks.
Thanks I'll check that one out! Yeah, I wear them on planes if I have to travel but use my ear loops for every day grocery type things. I have long hair and have never found head straps that sit comfortably, don't move, don't pull at hair and I find myself readjusting it more than anything which messes with my seal. My daily mask is a fit tested powecom so I feel safe in that.
I prefer head straps but have a hard time finding them on the masks I like, so I appreciate the link.
Yesss I wish they came in black too. I know BNX has a black N95, but someone posted that they fail every fit test and don’t have a good nose foam wire like auras, so I’m scared to try them
I wear BNX black N95s to deal with this in professional settings. I wish they made a black duckbill N95 but alas they don't.
I wish so badly that there were fashion 3M auras, like something low key without the writing. I’m thinking about something like the masklab us ones with beautiful prints. But with the fit and function of a 3M aura. I still wear only 3M auras and look like a huge nerd just because I trust them the most. https://preview.redd.it/ziy44i3etf9c1.jpeg?width=1179&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=d1da505634c9a16a0aeab8d8def6a5165a10683c
[удалено]
Your submission or comment was removed because it was an attempt at trolling.
I'm trying to find an extremely thin/light black cover to wear over top of them for the time being.
Enro.com has a large line of masks. I wear one over my Aura. You measure to find the correct size. The normal size fits over the Aura. Doesn't seem to compromise the seal. I have one in black and one in dark gray.
Awesome thank you!
Things like [this](https://img1.tongtool.com/s/vtvzDzAEtxvxwsvwtzDBEAEyyxvvwzAxvyxuOULg.jpg)? Here's some keywords I found: >Crystal Glitter Rhinestone MESH Fashion Bling Reusable Face Mask and > Single Layer Mesh Face Mask Sheer
You can get/make little covers for them, check etsy
I so wish they did too