Originally Posted by
Standalone
I'm very much anti silk for cycling applications-- in my experience, they do not insulate when sweat or condensation soaked. I've never tried them for a 'clava.
IME, silk is best brought along backcountry camping as an extra insulating layer to wear in the tent/sleeping bag.
I understand that, and wouldn't disagree, but I will say that I don't look for a balaclava to insulate, but rather to block wind and cut the chill. To that end, I want the lightest, thinnest material that will do the job. For insulation, I wear a fleece skullcap over the 'clava.