MEC has a few skull caps with ear covers. If you haven't already done so, remove the little stinky foams in your helmet for extra room.

Ski helmet, thin balaclava, and neck tube. Good to minus a lot! Finish off with ski goggles when needed/

I use a thin silk balaclava from www.wintersilks.com. They are so thin, I thought I lost them several times by leaving them in a pocket, and ordered more before I found the others. They just rinse out and dry quickly, and are extremely warm. I might carry earmuffs also in case its much below freezing, but it's usually unnecessary.

I tried the PI headband and was not satisfied. Too much air got through to my ears and it did not keep them warm enough. Took them back and got an Endura head band for a couple of dollars more. That was exactly what I was looking for. Keeps the forehead head and ears warm and keeps the wind out of the ears. The top of the head so far has not been getting too cold. For the face, I am using a thin knock off multi tube. As it is getting colder in the mornings and on the ride home, think I will need a bit of a thicker multi tube.

I am very happy with the Endura head band. Thinking of maybe also some of the flaps added to the helmet as some have pointed to before, for when the temps drop more.

A stretchy helmet cover and a Columbia Powder Summit Headring with a microfleece neck gaiter is pretty warm.

The Bell Metro helmet with winter kit and a microfleece neck gaiter real well, but the Metro's been discontinued. The earmuffs from the winter kit would probably work with other helmets, if you're lucky enough to have bought one.

Hi

I like wool Walz caps with pull down ear flaps. They work well and fit snugly under my helmet
@ walzcaps.com

sindlero

Shame about the Metro being discontinued, too. There's really nothing else like it unless you're willing to go to the "universal fit" of the Citi -- but there's no rain cover or winter kit for it, either.

I have to be honest, I haven't worn my Metro in probably two years (although if I had scored a winter kit, that might be a different story), and I'm thinking of giving it away. But that'll be hard to do since it's so unique.

I've been very happy with my cycling specific headband. it's thin and fits well under my helmet and has ear flaps that come down lower than the rest of the headband. it's just enough for when the ears need it. if things warm up them I can just whip it off and it's small enough to stuff in a pocket or my rack trunk

I go the bandana route, folded in half and tied low so it doesn't interfere with the rear of the helmet. Has been fine down to 20F [and lower wind chill].

How do you all wear balaclavas and still ride 'enthusiastically'? I felt like I was going to choke during my first moderate incline!

I'm sporting a bern right now with the winter kit, and cyccommute is correct, they are great from 20F on down and too hot for anything over 2-3 miles at 30F. However, they do come with a summer band that is just for sweat, and the visor is also an option but you have to order it direct from bern by calling them (at least I had to a month ago). No where to mount a light unles you velcro, not adjustable, but does have the indents and a goggle keeper clip on the back.

If I had to do it all over again I would have bought a regular bicycle helmet and a good buff. Much easier to adapt to the variable conditions that way. We get some mornings in the 20s and afternoons are in the 40s. The different kits just snap in but for real cold you need a neck gator anyway.

It's commuting, not racing. The only reason to rush to work is if you woke up too late.

The last time I wore anything like a balaclava, I tucked it under my chin if I needed to breathe more. Not really a problem for me, and it kept my glasses from fogging up, too.

Cycocommute can always add a caver's or climber's light on elastic
to the out side of their helmet, if there is a need ..
also fit it over a rain helmet cover,
no one seems to think of rain, dark and helmet lights at the same time.
so it's a pick 2.

i use the under armour cold gear balaclava- works well for me down to 15 ish the i use a carhartt hard hat liner that has a mask that tucks up into the top when not in use, have to adjust the helmet all the way out for that one though

+ one

I wear a bandanna sometimes too, the trick to the balaclava is to go with a very thin one. The one I use I got when I went Go-Karting, but the silk ones linked above look really nice.

Much like another poster, I take the pads out of my helmet for the winter, makes for a perfect fit with toque. When it's not quite this cold, I'll rip the sleeves off an old T-shirt, et voila - two headbands to help with ear warmth.

Oh yeah, that's how I wear it too. I actually always have it under my chin. Luckily here it doesn't usually get too cold on my nose, but like you said this makes it so you can wear glasses!

so far i just wear a buff... https://www.buffusa.com/a/biking its amazing how effective it is.