Headwear
 

Now that it's getting colder, what type of headwear are you using under your helmet?

Lucky enough here to have friends that knit me a skullcap..

Best advice? Check E Bay if you don't know someone that knits.

Got a pair of those wrap around earmuffs that the helmet straps keep in place. Wear a dickie for the neck and a rain helmet cover for when it really gets cold. Don't like having anything on my head as it sweats to much.

I own few different hoodies. I love wearing hoodies on cool days, no need to carry extra headwear... I also use balaclavas and wool hats for very winter cold days.

I wear one of these.
Thermal Reversible Beanie - Headsweats

Thin belaclava, down to 23F. Used to add a thin tuc on top of that when I used to do 15F.

I am happy with these:
For Cool
Mid-Range
Cold

I got them in a "20% off, free ship over $49" sale that Nashbar frequently runs.

My helmet sucks in air that gets quite cool on the forehead, even on a 60 degree/humid day. The headband works perfectly to completely eliminate any cool feelings. They are all thin enough that my helmet easily adjusts enough to accommodate any two of them in combination.

YMMV.......I live in Georgia. The coldest temps that I have used them in was the low twenties.

I recently got a fleece lined stretchy cap at Target that fits under my helmet and covers my ears. So far it's been good on 50°F and cooler days, as it eliminates the cold spot where the helmet vent is. We'll see if it works as it gets colder, as I plan on the occasional winter ride.

Summer - cotton cycling cap under helmet
Winter - wool cycling cap under . . .
Winter, especially cold days - thin balaclava under . . . Pulled up over my mouth/nose if needed

Balaclava

Unless it is really cold and windy (like 0F and calm or 10F and really windy), I just wear a fleece earband. I tend to sweat too much (which in winter is your enemy) if I wear anything more. The band keeps my forehead and ears warm which are the areas that get cold on my head before anything else. FWIW, I have long hair, which acts as a windbreak under the helmet (just a standard "summer" helmet, btw).

When it starts heading into single digits and below, I may throw on my ski helmet (less venting), add a silkweight balaclava, or a neck gaiter. It is all a balance of temperature, wind, and heat production. I tend towards high in the last department, so my system may not work for you. But, if you think of the balance between wind blocking and insulation (they are different), then you should be able to arrive at a good solution.

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Thin balaclava starting from a few days ago until we get near freezing weather when I'll add a second balaclava some days. Forgot it today and missed it, we're definitely now down to the temps here where I want it (below 50). Sometimes I'll wear the headband I usually wear the rest of the year to keep sweat out of my eyes as an additional wind shield if I find my forehead getting cold and I'm already wearing a thin balaclava.

I wear a lightweight lycra balaclava starting at around 40 F
Below ~25 F I wear a ski helmet and goggles
Below ~15 F I switch to the PI Barrier balaclava

Beanies and face masks do the trick for me.. I've still yet to completely solve the pesky fogging glasses problem yet.

Have been wearing a Pearl Izumi skullcap that covers the ears for several years. Good for pretty cool to moderately cold temps.
Pedal Pushers Online | Pearl Izumi Microsensor Skullcap

PI skullcap plus fleece gator for neck and lower face for moderately cold and lower temps. Balaclava and gator for quite cold.

Earbags
My head gets too sweaty with a headband or knit cap. I use a different helmet when the temp is close to freezing or lower, an old school Bell helmet with less ventilation than current helmets. I have a thin balaclava for use with motorsports helmets, e.g., in reserve if needed to block wind, but so far I've never had occasion to use it.

For wet but not super cold, I use a helmet cover since it keeps out the water and allows more air circulation. When it gets colder I have a runner's skullcap made out out arm warmer type fabric and worst case I have a hood for my Showers Pass jacket. If it's cold enough to need a balaclava, I'll wimp out and telecommute :).

I want to get a skullcap that seems like a winning solution. I just like to keep my ears warm.


i mostly wear a balaclava in colder temps. 50s and down. When it is the 40s I usually switch to my 661 dirt lid. it has less vents and works really well for cooler weather commuting. if it is warm in afternoon i will wear my halo and dirt lid and the vents do pretty cool up to low 70s.

Ear warmers down to about 35F (thicker, warmer below 40 or when windy or wet).

Skull cap down to 25F.

Balaclava below that.

Add a neck gaiter if required.

I've been wearing a Halo skullcap since late Spring for sweat control, and let me tell you it works AWESOME!! I wear it down to the low 50's. Below that I use either a lined headband that covers the ears, or a lined skull cap that covers the ears. Once it gets down to the 30's and below I'll go to the balaclava. The one I got from a local outdoor Sportman's store is thin up top, with a thicker fleece area starting at the upper neck and going on down.

I have a cold weather cycling cap that goes under my helmet and covers my ears. I am seriously considering buying a Buff (Buff®Sports | Cold Weather | Cycling) for the different ways one can wear it and it looks easy to pull off your face if you get too warm

Nike running headband for forehead and ear warmth.

I have a Bern helmet, so I use the winter insert with the built-in earmuffs.

Don't have your mouth covered. My face mask tends to direct steam upward. Try a headband over your nose and use a neck gator to cover neck/chin. Nose is covered and warm breath can escape.

The local sportsman's store has balaclavas that have an opening underneath the nose nostrils and vent holes in front of the mouth. I may give that one a try this year.

Depending on how cold it gets, I use a fleece beanie with a fleece neck gator or a fleece baklava. On less harsh days, I picked up a Buff to replace the torn-off t-shirt sleeve I was using to keep the wind off my ears. I've been toying with the idea of getting a Buff for a while. Friday night, I found one in hi-viz yellow with reflectivity. I couldn't resist.

How does the Buff work for you? I have been thinking about getting one. It isn't exactly a big investment or anything, I just haven't been ass*d to do it yet

I bought a motorcycle helmet for those really cold, snowy days, when my eyes feel like they're going to implode and there's a sharp pain on the ridge of my nose. I used to wear snowboarding goggles, but this way I can still wear my glasses.

I also wear this cool thing called a beard. It keeps my face warm all the time.

Helmet cover to block the wind and a face mask to save my nose and cheeks.

If it gets really cold, I'll put on a thin snow hat/tuque under my helmet.