Buying FFP2 masks when I arrive in Berlin

To be optimally effective, a mask needs to fit well. Even if you don't wear glasses, it can be a challenge to find a mask that fits well and is comfortable. That's not how I choose to spend my vacation time, even aside from the increased risk of catching COVID while I'm wearing masks that aren't ideal.

I originally planned to rely partly on bought-in-Europe masks, then I though about the two types of KN95s and one kind of N95 I have that don't fit well, versus the one type of N95 that does, and decided it would be foolish not to pack my good masks.

When I was in Germany a few months ago, FFP2 masks could be found at Pharmacies (Apotheke). I did run into fit issues and ended up giving most I tried to fellow tour members (the unused ones of course!) . The fit was tight enough, however, the ear strings were too short and made me ears fold forward, not comfortable. Just before I left I finally found some that fit well.

Amazon has FFP2 masks in a pack of 20 and KN95 masks at less cost. As masks are still required on the U-bahn, buses and trams, you’ll need a mask right when you arrive in Germany if you plan on taking any form of public transit to get to your accommodation.

I have found some that are comfortable and fit will so I tend to bring those. I do sometimes pick some up while traveling. Amazon US has a history of counterfeit goods. Im not comfortable getting masks from Amazon.

Continental:

FFP2 / KN95 masks are available at these drugstore chains in Berlin and throughout Germany:

• dm (drogerie markt) : Gesundheit, Mundschutz
• Müller : Gesundheit, Mundschutzmasken
• Rossmann : Gesundheit, Mundschutz

Masks are also available for purchase at discount shops and grocery stores. if you're going through Berlin Hauptbahnhof (main train station) or any of the other big/hub stations, you should find inside the station one of the drugstores listed above and any number of shops that'll have masks for purchase.

Thank you everyone. Acraven, you make a great point about knowing which masks are comfortable in advance of a trip so I don’t waste time looking for the perfect mask. It’s been a while since I’ve been mask shopping since I finally know which work for me. I remember it took a while because so many of the straps were too short and pinched my ears as well as the masks caused fogging.

I will bring my own from home. I’m still happy to learn where to buy masks if I need any. Thank you.

Even now, I would happily pay a premium price for a sampler pack of masks containing one of each type--maybe 8 or 10 different masks I could try out. I'd like to end up with a list of several workable masks.

Saw a person using a device like this ( not exact match,) but there are many variations available

https://www.ebay.com/itm/184816661904?_trkparms=amclksrc%3DITM%26aid%3D1110006%26algo%3DHOMESPLICE.SIM%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D240679%26meid%3De1b580a5690c4b62bb5315471cc1e35c%26pid%3D101195%26rk%3D1%26rkt%3D12%26sd%3D393655028963%26itm%3D184816661904%26pmt%3D1%26noa%3D0%26pg%3D2047675%26algv%3DSimplAMLv9PairwiseWebMskuAspectsV202110NoVariantSeedKnnRecallV1WithImageBatchRecallCoreAI%26brand%3DUnbranded&_trksid=p2047675.c101195.m1851&amdata=cksum%3A184816661904e1b580a5690c4b62bb5315471cc1e35c%7Cenc%3AAQAHAAABUAcMXr%252F091BrP%252B67T259TK1Jntx9aeN3CMQqTIyzwSCBiJ8X%252FQ%252BZk5rcfVGRnBLrU%252B1Id%252FEaflQMElTC1yw3BlVQYpiioi1qszGfWsrgbQAzVtMn57tkgqcQJn%252BUAgaAtzPn%252FcljyvdApg5K%252B1PeGSr3v%252F3ibSQsYfKId32gzxkLffEEruvngP6TaygtNlPx0ZJE5wjZDS1or%252FMmho5fE64S6Iu6RWiBDOIrG0ov%252FQSCotX5qibaLBtKxgiTw9A6rTy5JqSn7B6uhZurv3xeFYVE9wNoKKBSFDKHPQ5Ae1rEZIAPzEuXcwBxuLy%252B%252BlNEfQdqjb18MCLWXLuOysguHxP3Gevmn8LrC2XsSBHNE%252Fl62AEJIHdoS7mZxTxqp16bRn%252FKheFIj7LwXTGq0StHW2iYt6tX3fNzj0Cjc96XFILWmndDb48APWEMMecveCkf6Q%253D%253D%7Campid%3APL_CLK%7Cclp%3A2047675

Seems to hold the mask snugly without putting a strain on the ears and allowing one to use a more comfortable style mask