My ears are cold
10-30-11 | 09:07 PM
#1
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 523
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From: Raleigh, NC
Bikes: 2012 Motobecane (BikesDirect) Immortal Force; 2011 (?) Civia Bryant Gates Carbon Belt Drive (upgraded to Alfine 11 and Gates CenterTrack)
My ears are cold
What do folks wear to keep their ears warm when they wear a helmet?
I tried some old balaclavas I had around, but they were too thick. Ear muffs don'f quite work.
I vaguely remember seeing people wearing what looks like a very thin balaclava that will fit under a helmet - some kind of synthetic.
Is that what folks use? What are they called?
Thanks,
Mike
I tried some old balaclavas I had around, but they were too thick. Ear muffs don'f quite work.
I vaguely remember seeing people wearing what looks like a very thin balaclava that will fit under a helmet - some kind of synthetic.
Is that what folks use? What are they called?
Thanks,
Mike
10-30-11 | 09:23 PM
#3
Council of the Elders
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 3,759
Likes: 3
From: Omaha, NE
Bikes: 1990 Schwinn Crosscut, 5 Lemonds
https://www.rei.com/product/801119/sm...:referralID=NA
OR
https://www.hincapie.com/products/men...es/RAC-ZWUC09/
Edit: I always liked the Smartwool cap pretty well but, man, the Hincapie is really excellent. At first you think it will surely be too hot... but it isn't so. Also has a little bill and sheds water.
OR
https://www.hincapie.com/products/men...es/RAC-ZWUC09/
Edit: I always liked the Smartwool cap pretty well but, man, the Hincapie is really excellent. At first you think it will surely be too hot... but it isn't so. Also has a little bill and sheds water.
Last edited by billydonn; 10-30-11 at 09:50 PM.
10-30-11 | 09:24 PM
#4
cyclepath
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 3,550
Likes: 1
From: "The Last Best Place"
Bikes: 2005 Trek Pilot 5.0, 2001 Specialized Sirrus Pro, Kona Lava Dome, Raleigh hardtail converted to commuter, 87 Takara steel road bike, 2008 Trek Soho
I've got a couple pretty thin balaclavas but don't know the exact name...I think they're pretty easy to come by and they're very effective in temps well below freezing. One of them covers the full face and one leaves the face open.
fwiw, I have that Smartwool headliner and do not like it.
fwiw, I have that Smartwool headliner and do not like it.
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Last edited by daredevil; 10-30-11 at 09:30 PM.
10-30-11 | 09:25 PM
#5
Senior Cyclist
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 199
Likes: 14
From: Mount Albert, Ontario
Bikes: 1990 Norco Bushpilot shopping bike, 1988 Fiori Italia, 1990 Fiori Firenze)
This is what I wear. I'm sure there are other manufacturers and styles out there as well.
https://www.mec.ca/AST/ShopMEC/Cyclin...cap-unisex.jsp
Doug
https://www.mec.ca/AST/ShopMEC/Cyclin...cap-unisex.jsp
Doug
10-30-11 | 09:28 PM
#6
Council of the Elders
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 3,759
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From: Omaha, NE
Bikes: 1990 Schwinn Crosscut, 5 Lemonds
10-30-11 | 09:32 PM
#7
cyclepath
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 3,550
Likes: 1
From: "The Last Best Place"
Bikes: 2005 Trek Pilot 5.0, 2001 Specialized Sirrus Pro, Kona Lava Dome, Raleigh hardtail converted to commuter, 87 Takara steel road bike, 2008 Trek Soho
found this after a quick search, looks a lot like the one I have...
https://www.pedalpushersonline.com/?CID=583
https://www.pedalpushersonline.com/?CID=583
__________________
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Without music, life would be a mistake."
-- Friedrich Nietzsche
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Without music, life would be a mistake."
-- Friedrich Nietzsche
10-30-11 | 09:33 PM
#8
cyclepath
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 3,550
Likes: 1
From: "The Last Best Place"
Bikes: 2005 Trek Pilot 5.0, 2001 Specialized Sirrus Pro, Kona Lava Dome, Raleigh hardtail converted to commuter, 87 Takara steel road bike, 2008 Trek Soho
fits too loose to provide much warmth and I don't think they make more than one size.
__________________
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Without music, life would be a mistake."
-- Friedrich Nietzsche
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Without music, life would be a mistake."
-- Friedrich Nietzsche
10-30-11 | 09:34 PM
#9
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 523
Likes: 0
From: Raleigh, NC
Bikes: 2012 Motobecane (BikesDirect) Immortal Force; 2011 (?) Civia Bryant Gates Carbon Belt Drive (upgraded to Alfine 11 and Gates CenterTrack)
Thanks, "skull cap" was the term I was looking for.
10-30-11 | 10:00 PM
#10
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 158
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From: Charlottesville Va.
Bikes: 2011 Trek Madone 5.2
I purchased this one and love it...You can cover your nose and mouth as well...
Cycle ninja?....maybe.
https://bontrager.com/model/09253
Cycle ninja?....maybe.
https://bontrager.com/model/09253
Last edited by vuduchyld5; 10-30-11 at 10:14 PM.
10-31-11 | 02:08 AM
#11
Time for a change.
Joined: Jan 2004
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From: 6 miles inland from the coast of Sussex, in the South East of England
Bikes: Dale MT2000. Bianchi FS920 Kona Explosif. Giant TCR C. Boreas Ignis. Pinarello Fp Uno.
Ski Mask. Thin- synthetic- warm and waterproof.
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How long was I in the army? Five foot seven.
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10-31-11 | 07:24 AM
#12
Northern Rider
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 435
Likes: 814
From: Toronto, Ontario
Bikes: 1999 Litespeed Tuscany 105, 2007 Marin Palisades Trail, 2006 Burley Duet tandem
Something like this works well for me:
https://www.mec.ca/AST/ShopMEC/Cyclin...t-headband.jsp
I don't resort to balaclavas unless it gets really cold.
https://www.mec.ca/AST/ShopMEC/Cyclin...t-headband.jsp
I don't resort to balaclavas unless it gets really cold.
10-31-11 | 07:44 AM
#13
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2004
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From: Middle of da Mitten
Bikes: Trek 7500, RANS V-Rex, Optima Baron, Velokraft NoCom, M-5 Carbon Highracer, Catrike Speed
I have a lightweight polypropylene balaclava. It's good down to about 10F, but way too hot at 25-30F. For 'cool but not cold' weather, I use some home-made ear covers, similar to Dog Earz(tm), or I use a polarfleece headband. For sub-zero I have a polarfleece balaclava.
10-31-11 | 08:57 AM
#14
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 2,688
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From: Sioux Falls, SD
Bikes: '81 Panasonic Sport, '02 Giant Boulder SE, '08 Felt S32, '10 Diamondback Insight RS, '10 Windsor Clockwork, '15 Kestrel Evoke 3.0, '19 Salsa Mukluk
I too have found my balaclava too warm unless the temps are colder than about 20F. From 20 to 45F I wear a headband that covers my ears. It makes my helmet sit a tad higher on my head, so I have to loosen my chin straps a bit, but it works pretty well. Above 45 I usually don't worry about ear protection.
10-31-11 | 09:24 AM
#15
Formerly Known as Newbie
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 6,249
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From: Helsinki, Finland
Thin ear flaps. I've noticed I don't need much insulation, but just something to block the wind. I have a silk balaclava too, but it's way too warm, I haven't worn it in years. Occasionally I'll wear a merino wool buff as a band around my head and over the ears - usually if I forgot to bring the ear flaps.
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10-31-11 | 09:28 AM
#16
khosch
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 94
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From: Greater New Orleans
Bikes: Specialized Roubaix
10-31-11 | 10:17 AM
#17
Motorcycle RoadRacer
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 3,826
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What do folks wear to keep their ears warm when they wear a helmet?
I tried some old balaclavas I had around, but they were too thick. Ear muffs don'f quite work.
I vaguely remember seeing people wearing what looks like a very thin balaclava that will fit under a helmet - some kind of synthetic.
Is that what folks use? What are they called?
Thanks,
Mike
I tried some old balaclavas I had around, but they were too thick. Ear muffs don'f quite work.
I vaguely remember seeing people wearing what looks like a very thin balaclava that will fit under a helmet - some kind of synthetic.
Is that what folks use? What are they called?
Thanks,
Mike
10-31-11 | 11:14 AM
#18
Sore saddle cyclist
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 3,878
Likes: 13
From: Eugene, OR
Bikes: Road, touring and mountain
I've used thyis type of helmet ear covers for a few years, they work great. They mount to the straps of the helmet, so they are there until you take them off. The pair I bought were great for wind and cool temps, so I made a pair of heavy fleece material for colder weather, plus I made them larger to fit my ears better.
https://www.amazon.com/Rox-Black-Earz...0080754&sr=8-1
https://www.amazon.com/Rox-Black-Earz...0080754&sr=8-1
10-31-11 | 02:59 PM
#20
A Mountaineering thing
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 848
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From: Under Mt Baldy in Glendora,California
Bikes: 4 Road 2 Mtn
10-31-11 | 06:12 PM
#22
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2004
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From: Watching all of you on O.B.I.T.
Bikes: Bridgestone RB-1. Nicely restored
I have two headbands for cold ears, and a balaclava for when it gets really nasty. Both items work well under my helmet. The Balaclava can be pulled up, hiding most of my face if the wind
gets that steel feel to it. This generally starts to happen in November.
gets that steel feel to it. This generally starts to happen in November.
10-31-11 | 07:40 PM
#24
rebmeM roineS
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 16,230
Likes: 363
From: Metro Indy, IN
Bikes: Bacchetta Giro A20, RANS V-Rex, RANS Screamer
I have a very thin light Pearl Izumi skullcap that covers my ears which does the job down to around freezing. Below that, thin balaclavas work for me. Baklavas are very good, too!
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Bacchetta Giro A20, RANS V-Rex, RANS Screamer
Bacchetta Giro A20, RANS V-Rex, RANS Screamer
11-01-11 | 06:10 AM
#25
SE Wis
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 11,549
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From: Milwaukee, WI
Bikes: '68 Raleigh Sprite, '02 Raleigh C500, '84 Raleigh Gran Prix, '91 Trek 400, 2013 Novara Randonee, 1990 Trek 970
I just use a cheap ear band and wear it outside the helmet straps. I usually end up pulling it down half way to work.
https://www.rei.com/product/820885/pu...-2010-closeout
When it starts getting colder I add a neck gaiter and will tape over a few of the helmet vents.
https://www.rei.com/product/820885/pu...-2010-closeout
When it starts getting colder I add a neck gaiter and will tape over a few of the helmet vents.