Any Hints on Wearing a Helmet with Hat, Hood and Facemask?

[descendr]

I recently bought a new helmet, and I'm committed to wearing it every day on my commute to work. Now that it's getting colder, I'm adding the hat and hood from my jacket, and eventually will be adding my facemask.

My helmet is adjustable, so it's not a problem to accommodate the extra material over my head. However, I'm already running into problems trying to buckle the helmet with my hood up and jacket zipped all the way up to my chin. Adding the facemask will make it even tougher.

How do folks accommodate all of the extra winter head gear with their helmet?

Tim

[Cycliste]

I wear a fleece hat under the helmet and this works fine but then again I don't know how cold it gets in your area.. :eek:

[Portis]

1. LOse the hood. There are many better ways to cover the head.

[Stubacca]

1. LOse the hood. There are many better ways to cover the head.
Yup.

Get an under-helmet beanie and/or a balaclava. Low cost and far more comfortable/flexible than a hood.

[Urbanmonk]

I use a thin skull cap specifically made for winter; sometime I use two when it's down in the lower twenties. Then I use the face mask. The helmet will only need to be readjusted come spring. Winter can be tough and cold, but worth the trouble: it's the best time for riding.

Cheers,

[Zin]

Loose the hood is good advice.

I use a belaclava for the colder days. For anything down to around freezing I use a bandanna over my head, and an ear warmer band thingy above freezing.

[vrkelley]

My ride starts out cold but the next town over is warmer. It's helpful to have a belaclava that detaches from the back or front so you can remove it without stopping to take off the helmet.

I'm wondering if they make leg warmers that go under pants but can detach from the front and back so when I heat up, I don't have to take off shoes to remove the warmer???

[Dave719]

1. LOse the hood. There are many better ways to cover the head.

The hood restricts visibility and possibly hearing, I can't see wearing it while riding for that reason alone.

Dave

[descendr]

I use a thin skull cap specifically made for winter; sometime I use two when it's down in the lower twenties. Then I use the face mask. The helmet will only need to be readjusted come spring. Winter can be tough and cold, but worth the trouble: it's the best time for riding.

Cheers,

Thanks for the suggestions. To clarify and add some detail. I have been riding in the winter for years, just not with a helmet. And, I live in Minnesota and have ridden to work in temperatures down to the single-digits and wind-chills below zero F. So, a beanie or two just isn't going to cut it.

And, in the past, I have covered my head in layers, starting with a fleece hat that goes over my ears (if needed) and has a drawstring I can tighten under my chin. My next layer was always the hood, that not only adds a layer to my head, but also allows me to cover my neck (front and back) when zipped up and is easily vented when I warm up. Then, if it's really cold, I start with my fleece face mask, add the hat, then the hood. These three layers allow me to not only wear exactly what I need, depending on the temperature, but also adjust as I warm up.

Any other ideas?

[PaulH]

The hood on my coat is a thin, two-ply one. It fits comfortably under my helmet, and the helmet compresses it so I have full periphrial vision. It has a drawstring and covers a good portion of my face, so I have never found the need for a mask. My one suggestion would be to "dress cold" -- wear just enough that you don't really feel warm until at least the half-way part of the trip. That would mean just helmet and hood. You could carry the mask, hat, and fleece as emergency gear.

Paul

[dobber]

I'm using an UnderArmour Cold Gear Hood (http://www.underarmour.com/ua2/ua/detail.asp?dept_id=4&pf_id=0503&mscssid=). Has worked quite well down into the teens. It's made similar to UA's other items with that thin wicking material.

http://www2.underarmour.com/images/product_large/0503white.jpg

Since I've got a melon-head, I'm pushing the limits of my helmet. Universal fit ones just barely make it over the noggin when I'm sporting a brush cut. I picked up a Bell Kinghead which goes from 24"-28" just so I can sport a wool cap or baclava underneath.

[descendr]

That would mean just helmet and hood. You could carry the mask, hat, and fleece as emergency gear.

Thanks, but my face would get frostbit without something covering it!


I'm using an UnderArmour Cold Gear Hood (http://www.underarmour.com/ua2/ua/detail.asp?dept_id=4&pf_id=0503&mscssid=). Has worked quite well down into the teens. It's made similar to UA's other items with that thin wicking material.

Thanks; this looks great! -- similar to my fleece hat/mask combo, but more form fitting.

Tim

[dobber]

Thanks; this looks great! -- similar to my fleece hat/mask combo, but more form fitting.

Tim

EBay is a great place for picking up UA stuff, usually runs 25 to 50% less than retail.

[Diggy18]

I got an underarmour T-shirt and boy it keeps me warm. It's funky stuff.

vrkelly, I think there are a few makes of leg warmers that have zippers on the sides to let them go over shoes.

[MichaelW]

A long neck tube is useful for sealing the gap between your collar and neck. Mine is about 18" long and I usually double it up. You can combine this with other headgear like a balaclava.
Do you have a winter helmet? Most premium helmets make a big deal about how much air they let through. Lower end ones have better insulating properties. A helmet cover can also be useful.

[Dusk]

I also add a Rain cover over the top of the helmet that with the skull cap keeps me warm and dry down to 0. I have put a face mask over the straps of the helmet and had no problem.

Cheers

[descendr]

Great tips; thanks for all the ideas! I'll have to see if my face mask works over the helmet straps.

Tim

[dobber]

I got an underarmour T-shirt and boy it keeps me warm. It's funky stuff.

I picked up a pair of the Cold Gear legging the other day. Only had one day it was practical to really try them (<20°F), found them to be quite comfortable.

After paying retail, found a seller on EBay who has them for $29 plus shipping. Ordered up another set, figure if ones good, two great.

[jeff williams]

Take the stuff off before doing any banking.

[Steele-Bike]

Winter head wear (in order of putting on):

fleece skull cap
lycra balaclava
fleece neck gaiter
Helmet w/ cover

I like the layer technique as I can adjust for the warmer ride home.

[woof]

Light balaclava and a snowboarding helmet has kept my head warm enough at temps of -20C

[hickok45]

Great point, Jeff! One could find himself staring down the bore of a big Glock!

[ajkloss42]

I've been successful with a thin pearl izumi balaclava below 20 F or so. Below zero I add a thin hat over it. No problem. Perhaps you should grow some facial hair, especially if you're of the gender that typically has some? I've been known to carry a scarf on the -15 F days, but haven't needed to use one yet. Plugging up some of the vents on your helmet with cling wrap can help a little, especially on those nasty Northwesterly days.

It seems that everyone is a little different about subzero. I'm essentially fine except for my feet with what others would consider relatively little clothing (ie. two layers for the legs and torso, one for the head, and four for the feet). You can expect to have to experiment a bit.

The duration of your ride is also, IMHO, very important in the cold. How long are you usually out and what's your pace like?

[eurotrash666]

here: helmet, hat, hood and facemask.
at least, that's how we do it...
http://img99.exs.cx/img99/5624/mopp.jpg

[Lone_rider]

I use an old helmet for my winter riding with a balaclava or skull cap. I removed the padding and taped up the air holes and it works just fine for me. Just wondering what type of face mask do you people use

[KrisA]

Fleece balaclava and helmet has kept me frostbite free down to -35C. Your mileage will vary, but I see no reason to add more layers. In fact my first ever -35C ride 2 years ago I put a toque over my balaclava and has wayyy too hot.

[Michel Gagnon]

I use a bandana if it's not too cold, and polar skull cap and a scarf or two when it's very cold. I prefer the scarf to the balaclave because it's easier to move up and down according to wind and my need for warmth.

[iceratt]

Outdoor Research, or OR, has a balaclava that has two pieces, so that it can be adjusted to reduce exhaled air fogging glasses, and allow airflow if you get too hot. Their stuff is quite pricey, unfortunately.

[-=solewheelin]

im only noticing a few mentions of this , but taping (package), covering or showercapping your helmet ON THE OUTSIDE will create wonderful insulation ON THE INSIDE for freezing temps. I understand the discomfort of the beanie under the helmet,so with this method, you can be warm and comfortable with a thin skull warmer in your helmet again. i go this route and my favorite wool scarf that my late grandma made me. goggles of course.

and totes rubbers for my shoes!

-=steve

[RaginCajun]

After paying retail, found a seller on EBay who has them for $29 plus shipping. Ordered up another set, figure if ones good, two great.

If you don't mind sharing the good deals....what is the dealer's name or eBay ID????

Thanks!!!

[pinerider]

I use a Lous Garneau balaclava, they cost about $20 at the LBS and it's kept my melon warm down to -15C. It's really flexible, you can do without the facial coverage when it's warmer, just pull it down under your chin, still keeps your neck, ears and head warm. Fits well under the helmet too, it's very thin. I'm thinking of getting a helmet cover this year for those really cold days, but just the belaclava and lid were fine for me in previous winters.

[dobber]

If you don't mind sharing the good deals....what is the dealer's name or eBay ID????

Thanks!!!

Bargoon Sports (http://stores.ebay.ca/Bargoon-Sports) among others

[Daily Commute]

The Mountain Hardwear balaclava is fantastic, and would more than make up for the lack of your hood. It got me down to single digits last winter. You can add a Mountain Hardwear ear covers (like a headband that's bigger by the ears) for the coldest days. People are right that UnderArmor ColdGear is great stuff, but I haven't tried their balaclava. Pearl Izumi AmFib tights would be great on your legs.

[Leo C. Driscoll]

I've experienced your cold in Edina, MN. But Boston is a seaport and can have extreme winds at -30F.

I'll probably switch to a Boeri ski helmet in January. It's like a motorcyle helmet and really keeps the head, ears, neck warm. http://www.boeriusa.com/

In extreme conditions (such as last winter) I'll wear a Jytte hat from Sun Valley, Idaho under the Boeri. http://www.jytte.com/products.php. A Merino (non-itching) wool scarf wrapped around the neck almost completes the outfitting. http://www.appealingitems.com/merino-wool-irish-stitch-60-scarf.html

Last winter, I found commuting extreme because the air was too cold to breathe. I tried Polartec's Psolar EX cold weather mask. http://www.anymask.com/colweatmas.htmll It warmed the air enough so that I could breathe and spin into the the northwest wind.

A few more hints ;-) Protect lips and mouth area with Dr. Hauschka's lip care gift from Deutschland. http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B0002AASUA/103-2298043-6461448 Speaking of Deutschland, I look a lot like Sprockethead's great image above. But there is one more thing needed to safely bike in extreme cold. Last February I biked to work with a warm head etc. but with nearly frost-bitten hands. So I won the frost-bite battle by wearing telemark (back country) ski gloves from Marmot. http://www.alaskan.com/amh/Clothing/Gloves/Marmot%20Backcountry%20Gloves%204.htm

:roflmao: :roflmao:

[cyccommute]

Thanks, but my face would get frostbit without something covering it!




Thanks; this looks great! -- similar to my fleece hat/mask combo, but more form fitting.

Tim

Tim,

I have a question for you (and anybody else who might want to chime in). Here in Colorado it doesn't get as cold as often nor as long as it does for those of you in the frozen North. That said, I don't have to ride with face covering and I usually don't ride when the thermometer at my house says 18 F (gets way colder in the valley I have to go into to get to work). I have "tried" a face mask in the past, as well as other things but I can't use them because my glasses fog so badly. I've tried a lot of antifog agents but haven't found one that works yet. How do you deal with this problem? (Can't take off the glasses either since my eyeballs would freeze and I don't like to run into trees or little old ladies)

Stuart

[ajkloss42]

How do you deal with this problem? (Can't take off the glasses either since my eyeballs would freeze and I don't like to run into trees or little old ladies)

Do your glasses fog up while you're riding or just when you stop? If it's just when you stop, I've had some success keeping my sunglasses fogless by just putting my hand over my nose/mouth to force my exhaust air down away from the glasses. If it's while you're riding... I have no idea. I still haven't found a reliable way to keep my goggles fogless as it gets below zero.

[cyccommute]

Do your glasses fog up while you're riding or just when you stop? If it's just when you stop, I've had some success keeping my sunglasses fogless by just putting my hand over my nose/mouth to force my exhaust air down away from the glasses. If it's while you're riding... I have no idea. I still haven't found a reliable way to keep my goggles fogless as it gets below zero.

My glasses usually fog when I stop but I can deal with that. Once I get moving they clear and I don't have a problem. But if I wear a face mask, the air from my breath is directed upward under my glasses and they fog immediately. No amount of movement clears them either.

I suppose that another part of the problem is that I sweat more than a Mississippi sheriff, even when the temperature is well below freezing. If I'm exercising, I'm sweatin'! I can wring water out of my clothes when I get to work! (I never, ever, wear work clothes to ride to work and am very envious of people who can.)

I haven't ever worn googles since I have prescription lenses and googles don't fit will over them (wear googles on a regular basis in a laboratory so I know what I'm talking about. Those even fog.).

Stuart

[Jessica]

detach the hood from the jacket, and use a balaclava or neck gaiter or scarf to seal the neck. If the hood is on your head but not attached to your jacket, you can still tie it closed and see when you turn your head.

[Leo C. Driscoll]

Check out Smith Turbo Cam ski goggles. http://skiing.about.com/cs/accessories/gr/smith-goggles.htm

These googles are designed to be worn with glasses. They sport a micromotor plus fan that reduces fogging (even for a Mississippi sheriff :-). I used them telemark skiing in A-Basin and my glasses did not fog. But haven't tested them while commuting with the Polartec face mask.

:roflmao: :roflmao: