Ear coverings

I have trouble even in not-so-cold temps (60 degrees and below) with my ears. I have issues with the insides of my ears where if cool air gets in there and then I work out and my body temp goes up, I have pain. I'm wondering what I can wear under my helmet that will cover my ears but allow my helmet to still fit. All my hats and ear wraps (I don't know what they're really called - the bands that go around the head and cover the ears but leave the top open) are too bulky. Do winter cycling hats cover the ears or just the part of the head that goes under the helmet?

some of mine cover my ears.
i have a really nice one that is thin smart wool that comfortably covers my ears and makes a big difference

I just wear a thin knit cap. It does make my helmet a little snug, but you could loosen up the rear adjuster.

I don't know if Sliks (liner for full face helmets) would stay in place over your ears under a half shell bicycle helmet, but that's the first thing that came to my mind.

Buffs are the best, and if it gets really cold you can get Ear Bags.

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Originally Posted by Ninabike

Buffs are the best, and if it gets really cold you can get Ear Bags.

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What are buffs and ear bags?

Flur,

Buffs are made by an Australian company and are very versatile. Just Google on Buffs, and it will come up. (I am not good at posting links). You would be amazed at the ways in which buffs can be worn. Ear Bags are sold by a company called Alpine Accessories. Again, just Google it. Ear Bags are just like little "bags" that clip over your ears. The good thing about both Buffs and Ear Bags is that neither interfers with your helmet. I have lots of problems with my ears and I have tried every possible solution. I have found these two things to be the best. Buffs are also great for very hot weather - just soak the Buff in water and put on your head under your helmet.

You can get a headband that fits under your helmet and goes around your ears. Pearl Izumi makes one. It even has a hole in back for your ponytail.

http://www.rei.com/product/673768

I wear the headband with the pony tail cut-out and it's nice for this time of the year. I have a polar fleece version from Sahalie. Not only is it warm, it's windproof as well. :cool:

I too get cold ears easily and I wear a headband almost year-round.

I like wearing something under my helmet almost year-round. The Buff is quite long but otherwise perfect, so I wear half a Buff in summer or a whole one folded double when it gets colder. I pull it down around my neck first, then pull it up again over my hair until the front end meets my hairline, then I tuck the rear end at the nape of my neck under itself a couple of times so it snugs down. Easy and sleek.

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Originally Posted by ny biker

You can get a headband that fits under your helmet and goes around your ears. Pearl Izumi makes one. It even has a hole in back for your ponytail.

http://www.rei.com/product/673768

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I use this one also when it gets down below 45F. It really does work nicely. For 45 - 55, I pull my sweatband down over my ears and above 55 I keep the headband around my forehead the way it was intended to be worn. I have a bell helmet with the ratchet fitting so I can loosen it up when I want to wear something under my helmet...or tighten it up when I don't require anything but my noggin...

There are thingies designed specifically to go under helmets to cover your ears - they are the kewlest. They just go around the straps where your ears are. Now, if I could remember their names...
... oh, a Google Victory 'cause I remembered Mike Bentley linked to 'em :)
V-Muffs
http://www.mapleshademercantile.com/ordering/

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Originally Posted by lph

I like wearing something under my helmet almost year-round. The Buff is quite long but otherwise perfect, so I wear half a Buff in summer or a whole one folded double when it gets colder. I pull it down around my neck first, then pull it up again over my hair until the front end meets my hairline, then I tuck the rear end at the nape of my neck under itself a couple of times so it snugs down. Easy and sleek.

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Iph What I do with my Buff to make it smaller: turn it inside out, then put your arms inside each side to the opposite side (like a muff); grab the ends and then pull through with both arms. This turns it right-side out with a knot in the middle that you can adjust so it fits around the back of your neck. It ends up looking kind of like a do-rag with knot at the back.

I swear by the Headsweats skullcap. It is very thin but provides just the right amount of warmth. It is form fitting so it fits very well under a helmet.

I wear the Pearl Izumi headband. Nice and toasty but very, very thin so no problems fitting under the helmet.

I have the same problem with my ears at 60 and below. I use a folded buff for 50-60 degrees, and a wind resistant fleece headband with ear flaps for 40-50 degrees, and I start start layering the buff and various headbands and skull caps below that. I've tried ear bags as well, but they were extremely uncomfortable and too rigid for me. My ear canals are the main problem.. I find that a bit of fluffed up cotton ball or loose wool [the kind sold for shoe fit/foot problems] over the middle of my ear helps also. A layer that is truly wind proof in the ear area is key for me in cold weather.

I also have issues with my ears when it's cold. I wear a ski mask, which is thin and moisture wicking and covers my entire head and neck. It can cover my mouth if I want, but I usually pull it down below my chin. I don't always need something so extreme that covers so much, so I'm going to look into some of these other options. Great thread!!!

Yea, even if it's a reminder that things aren't going to get warmer for a while...

Oh, I forgot to mention that my ear canals are protected too, but in a way a lot of people don't like so I'll just whisper it real quietlike ;)

I wear earbuds, with music on

http://www.gobros.com/cat/180s-Mens-...n=froogle.180s

these dont interfere with helmet fit and fold flat if you want to take them off on the ride - great product - look pretty good on too--

batsheva

Like many that have already posted, my ears bother me in cooler weather too. I went a different route and bought a slightly larger size Bell helmet (21.75"-24" size) so I could wear my winter hats or earbands. It works! It also has less vents than my original helmet. My Giro helmet couldn't adjust big enough for the thinnest wool hats or ear bands without giving me a headache. Now I'm happy. Love the other suggestions too.:)

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Originally Posted by Jiffer

I also have issues with my ears when it's cold. I wear a ski mask, which is thin and moisture wicking and covers my entire head and neck. It can cover my mouth if I want, but I usually pull it down below my chin. I don't always need something so extreme that covers so much, so I'm going to look into some of these other options. Great thread!!!

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I do the same thing- a silky balaclava in very cold weather (in the 20's or 30's). But between 40 and 55 I like my SmartWool merino helmet liner, like Mimi uses as well. It's very thin and soft, covers the ears, keeps you warm, but lets your head breathe.

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Originally Posted by BleeckerSt_Girl

But between 40 and 55 I like my SmartWool merino helmet liner, like Mimi uses as well. It's very thin and soft, covers the ears, keeps you warm, but lets your head breathe.

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I'm glad you posted about this because I'm shopping for a wool something for the dead of winter. Is it a beanie of sorts?

I have a set of the Vshape muffs that velcro on your straps to your helmet. A friend made me a pair. You could easily make a pair with warm soft fabric and velcro. In cold winter months I wear a silk balaclava that can be worn in many different ways. It wicks and keeps you warm. In the summer, I just wear a nice soft cotton bandana. I hate wind in my ears and the bandana is not bulky and protects my ears. I have head bands and sweat bands and I still prefer lightweight breathable fabrics.

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Originally Posted by sundial

I'm glad you posted about this because I'm shopping for a wool something for the dead of winter. Is it a beanie of sorts?

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TE sells it, it's great:
http://www.teamestrogen.com/prodSW_12950.html

(P.S. I find the Smartwool headbands to be too narrow to be practical though)

Mmm Mmm a little smartwool under the helmet is nice if it is a little chilly, and a little more (headband AND balaclava) if it is a little more chilly.

I've had problems with my ears when it gets cool too - and have thought I was nuts all these years. I finally found headbands at Target that work great - they're about 1 1/2 inches wide or so and work fine under my helmet. I put my sunglasses on over the outside, but they work just fine that way. I'll have to see what I need when the weather gets cooler - I've not had to deal with hats yet.

I use the PI thermal fleece headband w/the ponytail cut out. I just wish that it came in a lighter weight also. TE used to have a Hind version of a ponytail headband. It looked lighter weight. BUT... snooze you lose... I went to buy it and gone:(.

I hope some of you Buffs fans check back in on this without starting a new thread...

WOW, I just did the google on buffs. That is a huge selection of patterns! We must have buffs at our house now. But, I'm torn on what size to order?

The children and I are all about the same... 21" to 22" heads. We fit both the junior and adult ranges. For anyone that has both, how do they feel on? I wonder if the adult would be too loose and slide around... or the youth would be too tight?

Thanks for any insight! :)

hmm - I don't know my head size, I'm afraid, but I use a Giro helmet size M, the Small fit but didn't leave me enough leeway for anything underneath i winter. So I guess I'm a S/M. I wear the regular Buffs, but after a lot of wear they get a bit sloppier. Tehy're too loose for me to wear them around my neck like a neck gaiter, though, they just slip down.

TE has a earband made by Sugoi I think, came in black or blue. I found these to be perfect and ordered 2 a year or so ago so not sure if they still sell them. They are thin but warm. All I have to do is adjust my helmet ever so slightly when I wear the earwarmers. I also purchased one at the sporting store made by Nike, a tad thicker but it has reflective dots over the whole thing, and that was in the running section. Still works the same. I wear them all winter long and don't have a problem. I don't sweat with them, they are perfect for me. good luck

+1 for a buff.
If it's warm outside and you just want to cover your ears, perfect. If it's a little cooler and you want a little warmth, just double it over - or triple it. If it get's colder than that, I put on a whole head cover thingy I got from REI that looks like I'm on my way to rob a bank.

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Originally Posted by lph

hmm - I don't know my head size, I'm afraid, but I use a Giro helmet size M, the Small fit but didn't leave me enough leeway for anything underneath i winter. So I guess I'm a S/M. I wear the regular Buffs, but after a lot of wear they get a bit sloppier. Tehy're too loose for me to wear them around my neck like a neck gaiter, though, they just slip down.

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Thx for answering lph:)...
I was right on the cusp between a small helmet and a medium too. I bought the small. It is a struggle to get stuff under it. I've never worn a full skull cap. Just my PI headband. The lip on the band can dig in with the tight fit. I like that the Buff is a seamless garment for that reason. I did wonder if it would stretch out as you have noted. I'm sure one of the reasons why my PI headband has the seamed edge (to help prevent stretch out). I might just order both a youth buff and an adult buff. DD liked them too, so good excuse to give both sizes a try. Sounds like it has so many purposes, tighter or stretched, it's a good garment to own.

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Originally Posted by Miranda

I hope some of you Buffs fans check back in on this without starting a new thread...

WOW, I just did the google on buffs. That is a huge selection of patterns! We must have buffs at our house now. But, I'm torn on what size to order?

The children and I are all about the same... 21" to 22" heads. We fit both the junior and adult ranges. For anyone that has both, how do they feel on? I wonder if the adult would be too loose and slide around... or the youth would be too tight?

Thanks for any insight! :)

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Love my Buff- just wore it for the first time commuting today!

My head size is right around yours, Miranda. I went with the Women's Slim-Fit Buff (http://www.buyabuff.com/Women%20Slim%20Fit/women.htm), which is really just a Junior Buff in more grown-up, feminine patterns. It fits perfectly! Buyabuff.com was the only site that had them- the Buff company site didn't even have them yet! Peter at Buyabuff/Green Extreme Outdoors Ltd. told me that they're a new product this year. He was very helpful and pleasant, and my stuff got here super fast from BC.

I tried DH's adult buff, and it was too loose, depending on how I wore it. My chick buff was a little snug at first, but has loosened up nicely.

I wear buff's all year long, but to cover my ears when its cold.... I wear this...

it rocks.. Louis Garneau

I wear my buff for cool temperatures, 50-60. It is pretty handy, when it starts cold I like it as a beanie over my ears, then I can make it a headband or just push it off my ears. Fits well under my medium Giro helmet but I do have to adjust the back.

When it gets blustery I wear my Cannondale Alpaca Wool beanie. It is so warm and wicks very well, I just love it. I even travel with this one because it is so comfortable for wearing out and about. It was a life saver when I visited California in February, fits in a pocket well, warm and doesn't get stinky. :)

I have the winter buff--half polar fleece, half microfiber. It has a snowflake print on it and it's great as a neck gaitor on those nippy days.

I also have a polar fleece beanie with ponytail cutout.

Louis Garneau skullcap

It's awesome. Wind panel in the front. Fleeced. It covers my ears, and to keep the serious chill out, I pull the back of the cap through my ponytail to keep it really tight over the ears. I wear it all winter, even in races. It rocks. My ears hurt so badly in the cold otherwise.

edit* hah Chicago beat me to it!

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Originally Posted by Becky

Love my Buff- just wore it for the first time commuting today!

My head size is right around yours, Miranda. I went with the Women's Slim-Fit Buff (http://www.buyabuff.com/Women%20Slim%20Fit/women.htm), which is really just a Junior Buff in more grown-up, feminine patterns. It fits perfectly! Buyabuff.com was the only site that had them- the Buff company site didn't even have them yet! Peter at Buyabuff/Green Extreme Outdoors Ltd. told me that they're a new product this year. He was very helpful and pleasant, and my stuff got here super fast from BC.

I tried DH's adult buff, and it was too loose, depending on how I wore it. My chick buff was a little snug at first, but has loosened up nicely.

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Thx, Becky, you rock:cool:...

I was just geeking out my upcoming Buff purchase and the slim fit women's Buff popped up on that website. I was just debating about sending them an email on how it fit. Like by "slim" did they mean tighter around the head?... or less fabric vertically?... or what? I loved my size small Giro helmet in comparison to when I tried on the medium (it just felt too bulky). BUT, by the time I get my long layered hair AND my current PI Ultrasensor seamed head band in it... ouch:(. The PI headband seam helps it hold it's shape, but omg... with the headband fabric, headband seam, and hair all fighting for that last 1cm difference in my helmet... something ends up a loser. The loss is my comfort:rolleyes:. I'm thinking a nice tight seamless Buff will fit the bill.