My wife got me one of these a few years ago. I often wear it over my thin balaclava when temps are under 20F. I supposed a tightly tied scarf would work just as well, but this one is to easy to put on of take off.

I normally wear a buff too, and just fold it over a few times and wrap it around my ears, with the rest of it laying on top of my head like a bandana. When it's below freezing though, the top of my head freezes too, so I wear this instead.



It has a waterproof neoprene layer on the outside, and fleece lining on the inside, so everything stays warm. Actually I can't wear it when it's above freezing or else I burn up.

I don't mean to sound harsh, but how could you possibly expect this to keep your head warm when the entire front part of your head is exposed?

No new solution to this is needed. Simply buy a balaclava in whatever weight you need - from paper thin to fairly thick. If you don't need a balaclava to keep your neck warm, just buy a simple beanie cap, again available from very thin to nice warm fleece. I usually wear a simple ear band over my nose and mouth if it's needed, but there are a bunch of readily available solutions for that too.

If you need more wind proofing for the helmet, buy a helmet cover.

I have swim caps I use for open water swimming. They're thicker and lined on the inside. I also have one that's neoprene. Works really well.

I usually wear a thin poly ear band down to around freezing:


Then a balaclava colder than that.
A loosely wrapped cotton scarf will not do much for ya.

Anyone use one of these?



Turtle Fur Shellaclava

I have a poly gaiter sorta thing that can be stretched up over my head.

I start wearing it just around the neck at about 50*F. At about 40*F I pull it up over my head, at 30 I fashion the front to cover my mouth.
At about 20, I switch to a balaclava. At 10 I wear both.
At about -10, I add a neoprene face mask over the gaiter thing and drape the balaclava over the whole thing. That's taken me down to -25*F.

I love my helmet cover (goes over the helmet). The flap keeps rain/snow out of my jacket. Under30F, I'll also wear a balaclava under the helmet. Check REI or MEC.

+1 to that, and add: https://www.louisgarneau.com/us-en/pr...sories/H-COVER

That's the main part of the problem right there. Gotta cover those vents.

Having arrived late in this thread life I'll go ahead and offer my perpsective anyway. Hope you don't mind. Any decent lbs will have waterproof helmet covers that will not only help w/t rain they will act as an extra layer during cold/dry conditions as well. So, what I do is use balaclavas in place of what you're using. Depending on the size of the opening for one's face they can leave your cheeks bare or cover right up next to the eyes and over the nose. I've got several of varying thickness and use them in accordance w/t temp. There're relatively cheap or can be made easily enough.

Also, all of my winter jerseys have full length sleeves and hoods. I rarely have to use more than one balaclava and I have an elastic headband for my ears that fits under my helmet across my forehead if needed. If it's really cold I'll use a set of ski googles I found at a thriftstore that don't fog up w/t smaller openings. Otherwise, a set of clear plastic goggles I got at a hardware store for 5.00US.

Why not just use a snowboard helmet? Wouldn't those be designed for cold weather use?

Thanks for all the posts. Normally the weather here in Ireland isn't so severe that it warrants a balaclava. The Buff does an adequate job when it does get to below freezing for protecting my cheeks and acting as a scarf. I was at the LBS yesterday and picked up a Polaris skullcap. It's breathable and thin enough to fit inside the helmet. Tried it this morning, albeit a balmy 3.5C (38F), and it does the job.

I think the skullcap and Buff as a mask and/or scarf will be a good combination for me.

I too applaud the buff, I wear it from about 40F all way up to "why the hell am I biking in weather this hot?"

Below 40F I switch to one of my favorite pieces of gear, a super-super-light-and thin polartec fleece beanie. It's Mountain Hardwear and I bought it for less than $5 at REI many years ago. It's so light I could probably conceal it completely in my fist and it's just long enough to cover the top halves of my ears. I also like that you can rinse it out with warm water at work or home, wring it out, and it'll be bone dry in just a couple hours. I wear it alone under my helmet from about 30-40F and over a thin polypro or thin smartwool balaclava below 30F calm or below 35F windy. I find the balaclava/super thin fleece beanie combo works great all the way down to about single digits and then I swap the beanie for a very snug fitting REI softshell beanie with ear flaps over the same balaclava.

Today it was a windy 1F when I left home in Boston for my 10 mile commute. Since my two balaclavas (polypro and wool) are very thin, I wore both of them with the softshell beanie and subbed ski goggles for my normal cycling glasses. Except for the top of my helmet forcing the goggles down on to my nose a little too much, it was great. I might search for some just slightly lower profile goggles and I think I'll be all set for anything. Also, I never tape or cover my helmet vents and have no regrets.

LOL wear enough hats and it is probably better than a foam "helmet."

Not sure if a ski helmet is safe, but it's hella warm.

I forgot to mention, I keep a rain cover on my helmet in the winter. Adds a lot to the warmth.