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I got some swiss wool military surplus two winters ago. It was about six bucks, and has done a good job for me, although I'm a little further south than you.
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Originally Posted by Kuma
(Post 11945220)
Speak to Lou at Foxwear and have him make you one out of Polartec fleece of any thickness material you'd like. I've worn mine at 8 degrees (F) and been perfectly toasty. I think he charges $11 for them. He also makes really good, inexpensive other winter commuting clothes. Highly recommended. http://www.foxwear.net/
I also have a merino wool one that is good when it is not too cold. |
I hate balaclavas. They either constrict your jaw or you have to breathe through the fabric.
1. Poly pro beanie or hat (thicker one for colder 2. Neck gaiter Polypro 3. A strip of polypro fleece or even just some spandex cut from a pair of tights to drape down the sides of your nose and cheeks. You can adjust this well . Sometimes I'll pull it down then pull it back up if it gets windy. Advantages: better adjusting and breathing. Much more comfortable. The other day I draped a wool middle eastern style scarf over my head and under my helmet, and that worked well too. A bit more adjustment is availiable in the neck area with that as well. Try "bag Balm" on your face with the above system. I can ride in anything with that. |
I recently got a balaclava and I love/hate it all at once.
Mine is pure polyester so wind-blocking is out of the question. It's also tight fitting, something I never cared for on my face. It also messes up my hair but that's par for the course with any hat. I notice my nose running more, it can be a bit suffocating when breathing heavy, and my glasses fog up while using it. It does keep reasonably warm down into the 20's for me though. And it scares the young kids I pass on the way to work sometimes. That's amusing at least. However, even if you're just running into the gas station for one thing, take it off. Almost had a silent alarm hit because I needed AAA batteries in a rush. |
Originally Posted by Ember
(Post 11943349)
I have a Serius Ultra Clava
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...ef=oss_product This clava has worked for me from 40 to at least 9 degrees. You can move the face covering down when you get too warm. It's got a wind blocking, too. I highly recommend it, as my face has not been cold since I started wearing it. http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_no...bo+tnt&x=0&y=0 Fleece lower portion, neofleece(close to neoprene but more comfy on the face) facemask, and a thin Thermax top. If the temps dip below zero I can add a beanie without adding a lot of bulk. |
Originally Posted by flyingWeez
(Post 11942063)
I have an Under Armor balaclava and I am very pleased with it. I've never used it in 12 degree weather mind you, but for 30 or so here in Georgia it works nicely.
http://www.amazon.com/Under-Armour-M...2514728&sr=8-1 |
Originally Posted by IknowURider
(Post 11945481)
I hate balaclavas. They either constrict your jaw or you have to breathe through the fabric.
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Originally Posted by TGVZG
(Post 11943839)
I have used a few, but the one that fits best snugly around my face is the Pearl Izumi Barrier model. The only draw back with the tightness of the balaclava, is that if you wear thick templed cycling glasses (Specialized Helix in my case - has prescription insert), the elastic puses the glasses temples against your face. for a short, one hour ride, its not realy so bad, but I rode last Sunday from Prospect Park, Brooklyn, to Stricly's bike shop in NJ, and back... my temples still hurt when I chew... I would sugest making holes on the sides of the Balaclava, for tghe temples to slide through. However, this must be done using hot scissors, that quickly melt the openning, to prevent the elastic fabric from unraveling.
Another issue with wearing cycling glasses with a balaclava, is that wind enters aroun temples, making it quite noisy. This can be solved by suffing cotton balls around the temples. The Pearl Izumi Barrier balaklava is windproof, covers neck well, and is ergonamicaly constructed. I use it daily in Prospect Park, and its mighty chilly these days! |
I want to thank everyone for their replies, I haven't had the time to read through each one just yet but I definitely will.
So far the Underarmor and the Serius ones look pretty good. I think I will stop at Dick's sporting goods sometime this weekend. Thanks again everyone. |
I have this one:
http://www.mec.ca/Products/product_d...34374302883734 I like it. I would definitely look for one where you can adjust how you wear it depending on the conditions. If it's warmer out I can pull it under my chin, and if colder, I can wear it on the face for more protection. |
It's not a full face balaclava, which I don't need for riding, but I've used the OR Peruvian Hat for years.
Fits well under helmet, blocks wind with Windstopper fleece. http://www.campmor.com/outdoor/gear/Product___95301 |
Originally Posted by hubcap
(Post 11947155)
You don't have to breath through it if you don't want too. The same applies with a neck gaiter. Some balaclavas and gaiters have a small area with more porous material around your mouth/nose area to allow for easier breathing. I have only found this necessary for the gear made with windproof membranes. And I have already said that a windproof balaclava is way too hot for me regardless of the temp.
It's a major pain. |
I got a Gore Wind something... pretty nice. has a grid for the mouth...easier to breathe. NOt too heavy
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I'm still trying to solve the glasses fogging up business. I'll try putting the arms of the glasses outside the fabric. I've been using a balaclava. I also wear a ski goggle over my glasses. This weekend I bought a Serius face mask with a nose hole and little perforations over my mouth. Hmm. It was no better. The glasses still fogged up.
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I got one from the hunting dept at Dicks Sporting Goods last year that I was very happy with. it had a single large opening for both eyes just big enough for my safety glasses; a hole for my mouth and a special fabric to cover the bridge of my nose. I found it imperative to cover the bridge of my nose cuz it also covered the top part of my cheeks which is where the sinuses are located I think. I did trim the length of the neck though cuz it was too long
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Originally Posted by flyingWeez
(Post 11942063)
I have an Under Armor balaclava and I am very pleased with it. I've never used it in 12 degree weather mind you, but for 30 or so here in Georgia it works nicely.
http://www.amazon.com/Under-Armour-M...2514728&sr=8-1
Originally Posted by Ember
(Post 11943349)
I have a Serius Ultra Clava
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...ef=oss_product This clava has worked for me from 40 to at least 9 degrees. You can move the face covering down when you get too warm. It's got a wind blocking, too. I highly recommend it, as my face has not been cold since I started wearing it.
Originally Posted by JPprivate
(Post 11943553)
Yeah, don't laugh, I did that once, and the clerk was really happy when I took it off and looked quite "normal" ;)
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I have several silk balaclavas from Wintersilks.com I think and a couple of fleece ones from various places. I just use the silk ones anymore. They are very thin, easy to rinse out and hang dry while I'm at work before the ride home, and if I need a little more on the ears(under about 30f and windy) I wear clamp on earmuffs over them.
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Just to follow up here. I read through the posts the other day and ended up buying a Serius Balaclava, I like the idea that I can move part if I get too hot. It looks promising in the warmth department, I will be able to test it later today during my commute. It wasn't the cheapest at 29.00 but it was close by so I payed a bit for convenience.
Thanks again, the help is much appreciated! |
I picked up a Mountain Hardwear balaclava at REI a couple years back, and I love it (for skiing, anyway). It's some kind of spandex/fleece combo, so the inside is soft while the outside repels water. Thin enough to fit under the helmet, and it's got enough give that I can comfortably slide down the mouth covering under my chin if I want. You should be able to find one for under $30 -- I think it was closer to $20.
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Originally Posted by PaulRivers
(Post 11947847)
It sounds like you haven't had experience with trying to breath through a windproof balaclava because you don't use them.
It's a major pain. I normally like your posts, but this one needs a response since you obviously did not read my post with any care. I agree that windproof membranes make breathing difficult if you pull them up over your mouth and nose, that is why I mentioned windproof products that have an area for your nose and mouth that make it easier to breath. I have indeed tried using windproof materials (neck gaiters) without sections of breathing fabric and it just does not work for me. Paul, if you have found another way to comfortably use those products tight up against your mouth and nose, please let us all know. |
hubcap - you're right, I have no idea how I missed that one (important) sentence where you said "Some balaclavas and gaiters have a small area with more porous material around your mouth/nose area to allow for easier breathing" - I can only suggest that perhaps I had a total brain fart, lol.
You're right, I obviously missed an important part of your post, and my response was really kind of ridiculous now that I realize I missed that part. My apologies. I can only say that I think this cold weather, short days, and lack of sunlight must be affecting my brain... |
No problem Paul. I will continue to look forward to reading your posts as an experienced bicycle commuter.
You folks up in the MN area usually deal with more winter than us in Chicago anyway and I need your advice to stay comforatable through the cold months. |
Well, I used the Serius Balaclava tonight and had a problem with it. The material at either side of my eyes bunches up and and sits away from my face. The wind flows right in, and I can hear it moving past my ears much like a helmet does. I got a large, maybe I should have gotten a medium?
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Originally Posted by mkeller234
(Post 11962608)
Well, I used the Serius Balaclava tonight and had a problem with it. The material at either side of my eyes bunches up and and sits away from my face. The wind flows right in, and I can hear it moving past my ears much like a helmet does. I got a large, maybe I should have gotten a medium?
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I've been very satisfied with my Craft balacava, riding in temps as low as the mid-teens F.
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