That "K" means that my ears hurt after 2 hours though.

Going for full N95 means that the strap goes all the way around my head and is way more comfortable for extended use (ex: airplane rides or whatnot)

There are also KN95 masks with headband straps instead of earloop straps. E.g., a web search for "Powecom KN95 Respirator Headband Style".

Also 3M 9502+ KN95 which was subsequently NIOSH N95 approved (but you had to pay more if you wanted the ones stamped for the US market).

There are "ear savers" you can get that'll turn the ear loops to headbands.

I'll admit I've tried the plastic & velcro ones and didn't like them - but I also don't wear them for hours at a time but just for quick trips so found them annoying to put on and off.

"Slightly", I'm not so sure about that :-D

Where I live, N95 masks are mandatory in public transport since February, and it's really uncomfortable to be in an non-airconditioned metro car which is full to the brim, with water running down the windows from condensation. That's totally acceptable with surgical masks, but there's a face melting heat under any N95 mask in this condition :-D

Of course I wear them as mandated, but I really hope we can switch back to the more practical surgical masks soon, with enough vaccinations :-)

(Or that there is an early onset of winter :-D)