cold weather and ears question

[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.

[hebe]

Interesting to see the Buff suggestions, I've asked for one for Christmas

[Roadtrip]

I didn't know about the Buff, but it does look really cool, so it may have to go on my xmas list too. This is what I'm wearing right now...

https://www.smartwool.com/default.cf...s/-/Hats/2501/

Light enough go under the helmet and comes down far enough to cover my ears.

Shannon

[TsPoet]

I love my buffs - but for the answer to this question, I'd specifically recommend the wool buff.
The wool buff is 2x as long as their summer buffs and is even more versatile while being even warmer.

[Crankin]

I have 2 buffs, one regular sized and one junior. Even the junior one has a bit too much material for me, but I wear it in the early spring and fall. However, I am not so coordinated with the tying and folding and I basically wear it one way. I have a couple of unisex skull caps that are OK for the 50's, but my favorite cold weather head gear is a very old, thin fleece skull cap that was my son's, when he was junior racer. I guess my head is the size as a 14 year old? It comes down over my ears nicely. I have 2 balaclavas. A Terry one that is fleece and is so warm, I can only wear it when it's below 35 or so, and a Craft one that is made of thinner material. I can actually wear the fleece skull cap over that. But, I have a problem with balaclavas in general, in that I start to feel like I am suffocating. And I don't even put the thing over my mouth unless it is really cold.
I cannot hear well in any of these things, especially since I have a slight hearing loss in my left ear. It bugs me. I can hear traffic, but if I am riding with someone, I am constantly saying "what?" when they talk to me. It drives me crazy.

[zoom-zoom]

I love my buffs - but for the answer to this question, I'd specifically recommend the wool buff.
The wool buff is 2x as long as their summer buffs and is even more versatile while being even warmer.

+1. I love my merino Buff!

[GLC1968]

I love my buffs - but for the answer to this question, I'd specifically recommend the wool buff.
The wool buff is 2x as long as their summer buffs and is even more versatile while being even warmer.

2x as long as the summer buff?!!? Can it be worn as a dress? Wow...I cut all my buffs in half because they are too long for me, I can't imagine a wool one that is even longer.

If you have an REI near you, they carry buffs.

[marni]

Check out REI (recreational Equipment Inc.) They almost always have buffs- these are my favorite cool and cold weather under helment, stick down my neck, cut the wind go to's.

[jdubble]

I love my wool cap with ear flaps from Little Package - it keeps me warm and dry and looks great off the bike too

Mine is #38/130

if it's cold enough that i need my neck warm, i have an ibex gaiter. but it's sort of thick. might have to investigate the wool buffs!