Scott Promask FM3 Gas Mask

Bought this one along with a filter in case the powers that be in my country (Netherlands) go decide that people can't go outside without face masks or better so as a zookeeper I want to be prepared because I can't exactly work from home since my landlord probably won't approve of me taking a crocodile home with me. Mask (probably) works, atleast better than those Soviet rubber socks with asbestos filters (bought before they were banned) that I own, and as icing on the cake I can wear it comfortably with my size 63 head.

I have a civilian version of this mask for the American market, the Scott Promask 40. My version was made in Finland. The main differences I can tell between this and what I have is the straps - this one uses rubberized straps while mine are a stretchy nylon or cloth-like material. Obviously, rubberized straps are great for the extra durability, but may not be as comfortable. Also, mine doesn't have a size stamp on it. Anyway, about the mask. This mask is ridiculously comfortable to wear - I could wear this for hours with the right filter attached. The field of view is massive with only a minor loss directly in front of your mouth and nose, as expected. Fitting is easy since you can set the top, upper right, and upper left straps, then just use the quick-release straps (lower right, lower left) to quickly take the mask off, or put it back on and tighten the same ones to instantly come back to a good seal. The oral-nasal cap makes fogging up literally impossible. All the materials are very comfortable, and hypoallergic, so if you're allergic to latex this is a great mask to buy. I take half a star off because while this mask is mad comfy and useful, it's not great for tactical use. Your best bet is to get high-mounted optics, or just use a sidearm. You can barely get away with using a standard height red dot or ironsights, but you don't have any cheek weld whatsoever - the visor gets in the way. And it's pretty much impossible to sight up with longarms with receiver-level ironsights on, say, an AK or a military surplus bolt action rifle. There's also a bit of an accessory market for this mask, including drinking canteens, tubes, and even a little attachment you can put on the nasal cup for prescription glasses! Do make sure you also get a recent production filter for this too. Even if a surplus filter you have doesn't have asbestos or chromium, the airflow on older filters are usually really low and can make prolonged use very uncomfortable. I want to close by saying that getting one of these masks for under $175 is an absolute steal, so go and buy this already. As long as you're aware of the limitations inherent with this design of gas mask, you won't regret buying this!