Balaclava?

[xrguy]

I'm going to buy one but not sure what to get. What material works well? Thinsulate, merino wool? I have frozen my ass off for the last couple years on my winter commutes and will be ordering one this week.
Thanks

[DoWorkSon]

I've used both normal cotton and under armour brand.... Both work well in deflecting cold air off the exposed areas of your neck, the back of your neck and insulating your head. They also help prevent air slipping down the jacket collar...

In colder places(sub 40's) I would go with something thicker than cotton.

They do help me stay much warmer

[ZGirl]

Originally Posted by xrguy

I'm going to buy one but not sure what to get. What material works well? Thinsulate, merino wool? I have frozen my ass off for the last couple years on my winter commutes and will be ordering one this week.
Thanks

Hey, how's it going since you left TN? Hope all is going well for you!

Bill and I both have Turtle Fur neck warmers that work great. Soft and warm. They also have the balaclava. Works great.

http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com/14/67/911/1/0/677/DEPARTMENT/Turtle-Fur-Street-Motorcycle-Random-Apparel-Mens-Riding-Gear.aspx

Don't be a stranger if you get over this way anytime.

[Patch]

I usually just use a smartwool neck gaiter ... but switch to a balaclava once it gets really cold.

Try them on with your helmet - depending on how tight your helmet fits a nice cushy turtle-fur or thinsulate might be too much to squeeze in.

[Urbandrag]

I have a Klim Covert balaclava.
Made of windstopper fabric.
Pretty soft, and very confortable to wear under the helmet, even under warmer temps.
Will upgrade to artic balaclava next winter just because of the integrated breath deflector.

[Unstable Rider]

I could not find one big enough for my large noggin and mafia-like neck, so I had the GF make me one couple years ago out of Polar Fleece. About $2 bucks worth will make one, and I had her make a big flap on the front that I can tuck into my jacket like a bib. I also wear it snowmobiling, it's great. Also keeps the collars of jackets from grinding away at your neck when turning your head.

[sierraoffroad]

i have a handful of the thin seirus brand balaclava's. they're thin and work well in a helmet and or hardhat. i have a schampa warmskin also for colder skiing days thats a little thicker and more windproof. schampa, klim, seruis make great balaclava's

[V-rock]

Originally Posted by sierraoffroad

i have a handful of the thin seirus brand balaclava's. they're thin and work well in a helmet and or hardhat.

Same here, they work pretty well

[betar15]

I have one that was given to me as a gift. It is made for snow-mobile riders.

The top is a lycra/spandex type material so that it isn't bulky under your helmet, the lower part is fleece with plenty of material to tuck into the top of your jacket to get a good seal.

The brand is "EDCO" and it shows made in Canada on the label. It works well for me.

Hope that helps.

[RogerWilco]

Down here in sunny central Oklahoma, we use the Turtle Fur neck gaiter, as mentioned above. I like to pull the top up to cover my chin. Go look at Academy, if you can get through all the construction.....

[MrBob]

REI makes a balaclava that works perfectly for me. The material is on the thinner side so it doesn't bunch up behind the helmet and stress my neck, yet it seals nicely around my neck and face.
An essential piece of cold weather gear.

[MrPulldown]

I often ride with a neck gaiter. As the neck tends to be the only peice of exposed skin with out. In the summer I MIGHT ride with a bandana tied around my neck.

When it gets colder I would use a balaclava. Most do not work too well. Thick flece ones don't fit under the helmet well. Thinner more wind resistant ones tend to fog the windsheild or goggles. The best one is this type. The one wiht a very thin head covering material.

[atgatt]

I have 2...

Schampa warmskin... very light but amazingly warm for such thin fabric.

Revit Amazon GTX... use it mainly in the rain. Fits over the collar so the rain does not go down my neck.

[KingOfFleece]

Buff winter style. perfect.

[SloMo228]

I use a thin fleece balaclava when it's cold out. It's surprising how much of a difference such a thin piece of fabric makes but it really does add a lot of warmth. Fogging becomes an issue with a lot of balaclavas, though. I like the style shown above with the nose cutout, and I also have no problems with the one I use that stretches enough so I can just pull it down past my nose and mouth but still covering my chin.