Please recommend a balaclava

[mariposa]

Hey there - With these cooler days, my face is starting to get prickly! The wool neckwarmer + wool helmet liner don't seem to do it for me; my ears and chin get exposed.

Who has a favorite balaclava?

I love wool, so partial to Smartwool, but I'll be open minded here.

It should be not too heavyweight; I live in the San Francisco Bay area (although I'm a wimp).

It should not make me feel like I'm suffocating.

thanks!

[divingbiker]

Well, if it's not too cold out, I like to use my buff as a balaclava. The video shows you how versatile it is.

When it's around 45 and below, I like this balaclava I got from REI last year. Lightweight under a helmet, nice and toasty but not too hot.

[Veronica]

I got mine at Patagonia.

V.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

I love my Louis Garneau one- it's not heavy but keeps me warm. Feels silky. It's stretchy, so you can pull it up over your mouth and nose or keep it under your chin leaving your face bare, etc.
http://www.teamestrogen.com/products.asp?pID=4208

Actually, I got the youth size one, which TE doesn't seem to carry right now- because I have a very small head. The regular one should fit most women though.

[salsabike]

http://www.wintersilks.com/viewprodu...silk+balaclava

We use silk ones. They also have a silk/wool balaclava.

[silver]

I love the under armour one. it has two pieces. so it's easier to pull the bottom down when you want to.

http://www.underarmour.com/shop/wome...od/8000022-400

I found it for $25 at D I C K' s. but last time I was there I found one that was made my Nike in the lightweight sphere fabric for $20. It's the same style but i like it better.

[Zen]

mmmm...balaclava baklava

[madscot13]

sorry to piggy back but I am going to steal these recommendations. when I go home for thanksgiving I will try and find the LG and Nike one and give them a glance. I like that you can pull them up or down without too much hassle. Hopefully it won't get too cold!

[SalsaMTB]

I second the Louis Garneau recommendation.

[mariposa]

So, I went to REI and to Performance Bicycles today, to try some different ones on.

Granted, they didn't have any wool ones.

But, for what it's worth, the LG ones were my fav! It's true, they are thin, soft, stretchy in all the right ways, and I didn't feel choked or like it was constricting my breathing or anything.

It looks like they are sold here on TE, too.

Thanks!

[surgtech1956]

What about the Gordini Lavawool Balaclava or the Performance brand ones? I would like something windproof. I've never worn one. Thanks

[TriMom217]

my husband just got one from Craft. Seemed to work well for him. I have an old Cannondale and I honestly can't tell the difference between the two. That being said, I prefer a fleece neck gaiter and fleece hat.

[surgtech1956]

mariposa - why do you prefer a neck gaitor?

[mariposa]

I just wanted to post a follow-up about the Louis Garneau balaclava. I took it on a 3-day bike tour. Temps between 32 and 60. It ROCKS! It is very thin (so no problem getting the helmet over it; and when I take it off I can tuck it away very small). Stretchy, so I could easily pull it down under my chin (if warmer) or back up over my mouth (if colder). It did not feel constricting or look funny.

Someone asked me about the neck gaitor. I LOVE wool neck gaitors and wear mine everywhere when I walk or run. However, now I definitely prefer the balaclava for biking. I used to wear the neck gaitor biking, and when my chin got especially cold (usually on a descent) I was trying to hold the dang thing up with my teeth. The balaclava requires no holding up. And it can't slip off your ears either.

For colder temps (under 35 or so) I'd probably wear both together for biking - the balaclava, with a neck gaitor over it.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

I just wanted to post a follow-up about the Louis Garneau balaclava. I took it on a 3-day bike tour. Temps between 32 and 60. It ROCKS! It is very thin (so no problem getting the helmet over it; and when I take it off I can tuck it away very small). Stretchy, so I could easily pull it down under my chin (if warmer) or back up over my mouth (if colder). It did not feel constricting or look funny.

Someone asked me about the neck gaitor. I LOVE wool neck gaitors and wear mine everywhere when I walk or run. However, now I definitely prefer the balaclava for biking. I used to wear the neck gaitor biking, and when my chin got especially cold (usually on a descent) I was trying to hold the dang thing up with my teeth. The balaclava requires no holding up. And it can't slip off your ears either.

For colder temps (under 35 or so) I'd probably wear both together for biking - the balaclava, with a neck gaitor over it.

I knew you would like the Luis Garneau balaclava!
I love how versatile it is- it obediently stretches into any degree of coverage you want.

You know what I do when it's colder than 35 degrees and I'm biking?....well, I wear TWO LG balaclavas! They are so silky they slip right over each other and then they are twice as warm- really warm enough for anything.

I too like to wear neck gaiters for fitness walking or just out in the cold. But they move around too much while biking- and a balaclava keeps the wind out better and is not bulky.