wind burn

[Cataboo]

Badger, I use the seirus ultra clava for skiing - it's basically like those, but has the hood that goes over your head.

Yes, I probably look stupid. No, I don't ski without it 'cause I'm a wimp and like a warm face. I can move down the mouth piece and put it under my chin when I want my mouth out.


The fleecy fabric on the inside around those little ventillation holes does eventually wear out (but it takes a couple years). And it does hold moisture a bit from your breathing, but it's not cold moisture.

http://www.rei.com/product/725708

I haven't really tried it biking, because well, I don't bike in the rain usually, and I have a tendancy to overheat when biking. So I start off wearing lots of layers and then once I get moving, all of them get stripped off and put in my pack. So I think I've got a softshell like outdoor research neck gaiter and a fleece cap from terry.

[rubywagon]

My wool Buff has been perfect for covering my face when it is cold out. Not to mention that there are a thousand different ways to wear it (balaclava, beanie, neck gaiter, etc.). It breathes, warms, and doesn't smell.

Axe murderer look is totally a trade UP, btw. Nobody will mess with a bike ninja.

[badger]

yeah, I don't wear much under my jacket, but having a naked face in icey rain/wind really does hurt. I'll try one of those masks because the few times I rode with the gaitor it makes breathing hard/hot/clustrophobic and end up pulling it down under my chin anyways. Having an air hole probably would help.

rubywagon, where did you get your wool buff? I'm very big on merino wool (my gaitor is merino), so it would actually be good to have a buff, too.

[rubywagon]

I got mine from REI. The wool Buffs are much longer than the regular buffs, but I find that the extra length makes it easier to convert into a balaclava and keep my entire neck covered.

ETA: There are videos on YouTube that show the many different ways you can wear a Buff. I spent a good hour watching them. Fascinating.

[Cataboo]

I think you should get one or more of these!

http://www.tanga.com/products/graphi...size-fits-most

I am totally getting the red flame one for myself:
http://d1np3q5ggw0og6.cloudfront.net...03ca9878e9.jpg

[Crankin]

Am I the only one who feels strangled and claustrophobic when wearing a balaclava? Even one that has serious openings for the mouth. I end up pulling it down from my mouth most of the time. It is so weird, it's like it is affecting my other senses. I start to feel like I can't see or hear, either. It all goes away instantly when I push it down.
I usually end up wearing just a good fleece beanie that covers my neck and if I have to, a neck gaitor.

[badger]

cataboo: ha ha, I'd probably end up with the skull and feel really stupid.

crankin: yes, I feel clustrophobic wearing my neck gaiter while cycling, or doing active snowboarding (as in huffing and puffing up an incline I didn't have enough speed to get over).

I bought the fleece mask thingy yesterday. I couldn't try them on because they were packaged up so when I got home and tried it on, it was big, even though it was a size small. I'm thinking "I didn't realize I had such a small face, I'll need an XXS at this rate". Well, upon closer inspection, the label on the inside tag said "L". I'm not sure I'll want to wear it, though. I'm not one to care too much about how I look,but I'll for sure feel very self conscious wearing this one. I'll look into the wool buff. I'm sure I can even wear it as a top in summer

[soprano]

Am I the only one who feels strangled and claustrophobic when wearing a balaclava?

I'm claustrophobic enough that I can just barely manage a neck gaiter. It drives me crazy, but I've had frostbite on my nose and chin and the pain caused by cold wind is worse than feeling trapped When I need more coverage (extremely rare here in Austin) I use a fleece scarf: I drape it over my head with one end lots longer than the other, put on my helmet, and experiment with wrapping until it's secure. Haven't had to do that in a while, however; I'm good with the neck gaiter down to about 25.