The official TT Balaclava thread

“Hey I did a thread search for "Balaclava" and got nuthin'.

I am in the market for a Balaclava. Any suggestions? Best materials, brands?”

“I have several made out of silk, polypro and fleece. They work well. Check Campmor's catalog.”

“i had a winter hat/balaclava combo from REI that i really liked a lot, but i lost it.

not to be confused with baclava, which is a very delicious greek dessert”

“..I like mine with a hot steamy cup of coffee....

...I have a fleece one...I LOVE it....I can wear it on my head...or as a scarf....it is awesomely warm!!!!!!”

“I'm stuckin the ultralite mindset and I want to make sure it will work for FYAO. I hate overheating so I want a nice balance.

Should I go Fleece or Polypro?”

“I have a windstopper fleece balaclava and it's warmer than the regular fleece. Probably not as breathable, but for me it's too warm to hike in anyway. My polypro fleece balaclava is warm and I can hike with it if it's cold enough. It dries very fast too.”

“I have three - 2 polypro mil surplus types and one down for the seriously cold nights”

“I have a fleece balaclava, which I find to be too warm to where while I'm hiking, but is great to have when I stop to rest. I've found that the fleece is not good at stopping the wind, so I also carry a neoprene facemask for windy summits.”

“I like mine with extra nuts and pure honey.”

“I swear, I read this thread title as "Baclava". I honestly opened the thread expecting a recipe, or at least a baclava joke.

Dammit I think I need glasses.”

“hehe”

“I have one of the head sox things that like a hood and a gaiter together but I find at night I wake up thrashing because it makes me feel like I'm sufficating. I also have one of the regular balaclavas with the section of polypro with holes over the mouth. It's pretty good but my head still gets cold at night.”

“My head doesn't get cold; my nose does. It's very annoying.”

“I can't stand wearing a balaclava at night. I just wear a fleece hat and throw one of those super lightweight airplane blankets over my head to keep my face warm. Yeah, I ripped it off United. The really thin polyester ones don't weigh much.”

“Takes me back to the Crimea... Charge of the Light Brigade, Florence Nightingale...”

“REI does a radio ad where they imply you're an avid outdoorsperson if you know the difference between a balaclava and baclava.”

“here you go bloodpusher:

”

“BowlderMan in a balaclava:

http://community.webshots.com/photo/120658690/120660341BSHnju

Lycra, BTW....
last edited: 10/13/05 8:45:43 AM”

“That's what I need alright.

And you're a history buff if you know that "Balaclava" was also a famous battle.
last edited: 10/13/05 8:47:06 AM”

“Once I was skiing in Montana and it was so cold, my breath was forming so much ice on the mouth part of the balaclava I couldn't breathe! I'd ski down a ways, stop, breathe, ski down some more, stop, etc.”

“Whoa! Bowlderman is a ninja?”

“And don't forget your Balaclava accessories!!

http://community.webshots.com/photo/34027814/34030006snDqur”

“not to be confused with baclava, which is a very delicious greek dessert�
Crash Bang

NUMMY, NUMMY! but VERY rich!

Personally, I prefer the neck gators. I like to take my hat off frequently because I can get over heated. I've tried pulling the top of the balaclava back but that's way uncomfortable.”

“lyrca nylon by pearl izumi for cycling, high aerobics

outdoor research windproof fleece for colder temps

love both”

“Watch it, frankenigal - I know over 100 karate yells!”

“I like the fleece. I have the performance version of this type: http://shop.store.yahoo.com/snowshack/seirus.html#head The best thing about it is it's so versital. I can wear it as a neck gater, hood, or hat or full coverage balaclava. I can cinch the opening teeny or leave it wide open. There's a pannle to cover the nose and upper face that can be tucked down if you want. They also make the same version in windproof fleece.”

“I have a REI MTS (long john material) one that I love for high output activity. You can wear a hat over it. It's tiny and light.

I roll it up like a hat sometimes.
I have a fleece one that is too warm for anything other than sitting around, or the very coldest weather. Fleece is bulky.

I have a Gore Windstopper one, an expensive one, that I don't like. The windstopper membrane makes crinkling sounds when you move, and it interferes with hearing.”

“"My head doesn't get cold; my nose does. It's very annoying.�

This is my constant battle... I cannot sleep if my nose is cold. I've threatened to duct tape a handwarmer on it! LOL!

My problem with my balaclava is the moisture. When I breathe out my nose is warm. Oh but brrrr! to breathe in. I now, thanks to HoosierDaddy's wife use my neck gaiter. I pull it over my face to just the tip of my nose. I can still breathe, but it helps keep my nose warm.”

“Yep, I've had the pain of my cold nose wake me up. Worst part of cold-weather camping.”

“I have two balaclavas, a thin silken one, and a thick woolen one. I wear either or both depending on conditions.”

“Isn't cold-weather hiking like 60 degs for you though bit ;o)”

“lol, well now that is a bit cool for down here...but I don't get the cold nose until it gets below 40F usually.”

“Too Funny!
I have a lightweight Smartwool Balaclava that I use when it is really cold. But I am not your normal person. Last years FYAO I actually forgot my hat and just used me Balaclava rolled up on top of my head. I was fine.
I find them sort of anoying unless it is really cold and windy. Although I have slept in mine it keeps the ice crystals from rubbing your face in the middle of the night.”

“I have a yaks wool balaclava purchased in nepal, mostly use it folded up into a hat.

Also have a polypro and a fleece.

Prefer the fleece.”

“I used to have a TNF balaclava or something...but I may sell it on ebay.
well...if they let me!!!”

“What's the best material to look for if I need a lightweight one that I can breathe easily through, but that will warm my breath enough to keep me from coughing from the cold (asthma triggered by cold air), and that will keep my nose warm? For temps probably around 15 F at the lowest, usually more like 32-50. Would silk be enough?
last edited: 2/12/07 12:41:00 PM”

“I don't think silk would be heavy enough - it might keep you warm, but i don't think it'll do anything for warming your breath. Something just a tad heavier - I've got one that's like a really lite fleece, turtlefur i think is the brand.”

“I have had good luck withy Serius brand stuff. They make a material that wicks and breathes. Also REI is having a huge winter sale so be sure and check them out. Otherwise micro fleece is a good material.”

“Why do you want one that's light? I use a standard balaclava and it works just fine, though it does tend to fog up my glasses if I pull the lower portion up over my nose.”

“http://www.essentialapparel.com/index.cfm/a/catalog.prodshow/vid/32816/catid/26?CMP=AFC-GBase

Check out this and some of their other products.”

“i have found that a lightweight bala is pretty good for most of the weather i hike in. mine is sort of made of a coolmax-like material but in two layers. i use mine for running, however, so i am putting out a LOT of heat. i used to put petrolium jelly on my face but the bala worked as well and wasn't as gross. all i needed was something to prevent the windburn of running in the dry/cold air in wisconsin.”

“If your warming breathing air then a scarf might also be worth a try...a balaclava isnt always thick enough to really warm the incoming air.”

“Thanks!

I just prefer light material because I don't like feeling suffocated by my clothing, and some fleeces make me itchy. But I guess that wouldn't be an issue if it's cold enough, and the fleece material is soft enough. Keeping the breath (and head & neck) warm enough is the most important thing.

Thanks for the suggestions!”

““If your warming breathing air then a scarf might also be worth a try...a balaclava isnt always thick enough to really warm the incoming air.”
Lumberjack

The trouble I have with a scarf is that it keeps coming untied, and if my hands are in mittens it becomes a PITA. Perhaps there's a better way to wrap it? Or perhaps I should try a neck gaiter (is that what you call it)?
last edited: 2/12/07 1:01:33 PM”

“This isn't exactly lightweight (or cheap!) but it might be worth checking out.



Heat Xchanger Face Mask or Balaclava”

“The price burden can be somewhat alleviated if you also use it in a convenience store. If you catch my drift...”

“What do those guys have against comedians, anyway?

"The first one that does anything funny gets it!"


What kind of attitude is that?”

“Sadly, it's the only attitude I got.”

“I was out Sunday a week ago in 3F temps and my fleece balaclava prevented me from coughing (I have asthma too) on the trail and in my bag overnight. Its about the same weight as your standard fleece pants.”

“That heat xchanger looks good, too, but it is a bit pricey. I'll keep it in mind if I end up traveling or moving somewhere colder.

“I was out Sunday a week ago in 3F temps and my fleece balaclava prevented me from coughing (I have asthma too) on the trail and in my bag overnight. Its about the same weight as your standard fleece pants.”
techntrek

That's good to know, thank you!”