cold weather and ears question

[Koronin]

Thanks for the suggestion. Now to find out if they'll ship to the US.

[crazycanuck]

Whoops...I remembered that site from memory but Buffs are sold round the world .

http://www.buff.es/

[Koronin]

It's alright. Thank you for the 2nd link, that definitely helps. I may get a couple, so I can have one just for riding and have a 2nd for wearing other times.

[OakLeaf]

I've never worn a Buff.

If you can't find one at your LBS, they (or your local/chain outdoor outfitter) will definitely have balaclavas. That's my choice under a helmet - one that's stretchy enough that I can pull the eye hole under my chin when it warms up a little.

I think Buffs may be more versatile - they're so popular here - but balaclavas are easier to find.

[redrhodie]

I wear this cap under my helmet, and over a buff (which covers my ears neck, and chin).

https://www.ibexwear.com/shop/produc...ns-bo-peep-cap

[soprano]

If you know anyone who knits and owes you a favor, there are a couple of bike helmet earmuff patterns floating around.

[lph]

I have a vast array of headgear

I wear half a Buff all summer as a hairband, to keep my hair in place and absorb sweat. Once it starts getting a little nippy I'll switch to a regular Buff folded in two, pulled down over my ears. A bit colder than that and I'll add another Buff around my neck. Next step is an under-helmet cap. My favourite is thin wool, from Endura, but I also have a windproof and waterresistant one from gore which is better when it rains BUT I CAN'T HEAR ANYTHING AND END UP TALKING REALLY LOUD.

Colder than that and I'm on to a thin wool balaclava, plus underhelmet cap. I don't use a balaclava before it gets quite cold because I overheat easily uphill and get a bit desperate if I can't pull it away from my face.

Let me know if you can't find a Buff, I can probably find a spare I can ship to you.

[Becky]

I have a Buff and a really nice wool balaclava, and I find myself using the Buff more. I like the flexibility that it provides, and how snugly it fits. The balaclava never wants to stay where I put it.

FWIW, if you're like me, and have a tiny head/face, there are women's Buffs out there that are junior-sized, but more grown-up looking. Not many places carry them, and I always end up getting them here.

[OakLeaf]

I also have a windproof and waterresistant one from gore which is better when it rains BUT I CAN'T HEAR ANYTHING AND END UP TALKING REALLY LOUD.

That's funny... even my lightest weight cap and balaclava each generate a LOT of wind noise. I can hardly hear anything over the wind when I wear them, and I was thinking that heavier/waterproofed headgear might slide through the wind and/or isolate my ears a little better than the lightweight ones. I guess not.

[Eden]

I just got a Walz "ear flap" cycling cap - absolutely love it. It keeps my ears toasty, with the added bonus that I seem to be able to hear better than when I was wearing a thin fleece beanie cap. One of my teammates (I did a team order) who also got an earflap cap noticed the same thing - so I don't think its my imagination.

[SadieKate]

I think Buffs may be more versatile - they're so popular here - but balaclavas are easier to find.

Speak for your area . . .

And +1 on the wool buffs.

And I hate balaclavas unless is *^&% cold. Having stuff over my face is claustrophobic.

[zoom-zoom]

And I hate balaclavas unless is *^&% cold. Having stuff over my face is claustrophobic.

Yeah, the few times I've tried to run with those on drove me nuts. If it's that cold I stay indoors and ride the nowhere bike. But it has to be windchill in the negatives before I will cancel a run.