Commuting - Snowboard face masks to fight the wind?

Anybody try this? I was thinking it would be a sweet deal and I'd look pretty tough haha.

Or maybe a bandana. :thumb:

I use a neoprene ski mask in the winter for my commutes. They work very well.

My contacts get really dry from wind in face.

The actual Ski Mask brand ones (neoprene with the nose and holes over mouth) I think would get pretty hot.

I prefer a loose fitting neck-gaiter or balaclava made out of fleece. Either way, it'll work.

The actual Ski Mask brand ones (neoprene with the nose and holes over mouth) I think would get pretty hot.

I prefer a loose fitting neck-gaiter or balaclava made out of fleece. Either way, it'll work.

They don't get hot. I've been using one in winter for the past three or four years.

I wear one below 32f. On the rare occasions I feel hot from it, I pull it down around my neck. I use neck gaiters on the days I can't find my mask. Neck gaiters don't keep the wind out, unless you're using windstopper or similar. I've also found that neck gaiters cause my glasses to fog more than the neoprene ski mask.

They don't get hot. I've been using one in winter for the past three or four years.

I wear one below 32f. On the rare occasions I feel hot from it, I pull it down around my neck. I use neck gaiters on the days I can't find my mask. Neck gaiters don't keep the wind out, unless you're using windstopper or similar. I've also found that neck gaiters cause my glasses to fog more than the neoprene ski mask.

Mileage varies. I spend a lot of days on the hill (I'm an instructor), and where I ski (Vermont) 32F is considered a balmy spring day. The facemask comes out if I'm going to be out for a long time (more than the typical commute) or if it gets to the low single digits, upper single digits with a good amount of wind. They're pretty warm and become covered with breath condensation and worse stuff pretty quickly.

Also, a ski mask is intended to be worn with goggles, so unless you're wearing goggles, there's a pretty big gap.

Motorcycle neoprene
http://img77.imageshack.us/img77/1129/photo7or1.jpg

They don't get hot. I've been using one in winter for the past three or four years.

I wear one below 32f. On the rare occasions I feel hot from it, I pull it down around my neck. I use neck gaiters on the days I can't find my mask. Neck gaiters don't keep the wind out, unless you're using windstopper or similar. I've also found that neck gaiters cause my glasses to fog more than the neoprene ski mask.

I use a fleece neck gaitor down to -10degF pretty comfortably. Neoprene just doesn't breathe. I get super sticky and nasty underneath, whether it's sweat or condensation, and it feels pukey.

Found a nice one at Dick's actually, it's a fleece balaclava, but it has a shaped nose like a Ski Mask, so it doesn't get uncomfortable.

I've seen some that even have mesh where the mouth goes, which would probably be a good idea.

I usually use the gaitor more for my neck and cheecks anyways, because I hate the obstruction over my airways.

Guess I don't really need it with windstopper :rolleyes:

Oh yeah, and I don't wear glasses in the winter since I'm travelling in the dark.

I have a Helly Hansen balaclava that I wear for cycling when it's between 10 and 25 degrees. It's made from thin polypropylene and breathes very nicely. It's just thick enough to keep the wind off my face, and keep my cheeks, lips, and nose from feeling like they are freezing. I wear clear lensed sunglasses with big lenses to keep the wind out of my eyes though I'm considering some cycling goggles (I think they're meant for downhill MTB'ing). Below 10 degrees, I get my neoprene mask out.