searching for good balacava...
05-01-14, 11:33 AM
#1
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2013
Posts: 12
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
searching for good balacava...
any recommendations for a good balacava, the main problem i have with them is heat and moisture building up around the mouth and nose, so it needs to be thoroughly vented in that area
05-01-14, 11:37 AM
#2
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Chicago, IL
Posts: 155
Bikes: Crossrip Elite, Bikesdirect tarck bike custom build
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I like the Buff. It's more or less a cloth tube that you pull over your head. You can wear it any way you want - as a simple neck gaiter, covering the mouth and lower part of the head, as a full balaclava, or whatever. You can even turn it into a skullcap if you want to. I'd recommend getting the merino wool one.
05-01-14, 04:05 PM
#6
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Kalamazoo
Posts: 70
Bikes: Giant Escape 2
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Astoria Pastry Shop, European Desserts - Cappuccino - Ice Cream
You're welcome!
God I miss living close enough to it to eat there semi regularly.
You're welcome!
God I miss living close enough to it to eat there semi regularly.
05-01-14, 04:51 PM
#7
Senior Member
I've always preferred the Turtle Fur brand, though this past winter was so mild I didn't wear it once. Never had a problem with heat and moisture build up, but that may be an individual thing.
__________________
Some people are like a Slinky ... not really good for anything, but you still can't help but smile when you shove them down the stairs.
Some people are like a Slinky ... not really good for anything, but you still can't help but smile when you shove them down the stairs.
05-02-14, 02:30 AM
#8
In Real Life
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Down under down under
Posts: 52,152
Bikes: Lots
Mentioned: 141 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3203 Post(s)
Liked 596 Times
in
329 Posts
I have a good balaclava, but I prefer a headband and neck gaiter unless it is really cold.
__________________
Rowan
My fave photo threads on BF
Century A Month Facebook Group
Machka's Website
Photo Gallery
Rowan
My fave photo threads on BF
Century A Month Facebook Group
Machka's Website
Photo Gallery
05-02-14, 09:53 AM
#9
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Colorado Springs, CO
Posts: 5,974
Bikes: 2015 Charge Plug, 2007 Dahon Boardwalk, 1997 Nishiki Blazer, 1984 Nishiki International, 2006 Felt F65, 1989 Dahon Getaway V
Mentioned: 54 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1364 Post(s)
Liked 1,677 Times
in
827 Posts
I don't ride below 23F anymore, but when I did I experimented with breathing through a toy snorkel from the dollar store. That seemed to help keep the moisture at bay, and helped keep my glasses from fogging. In the low 20's I find I can wear the balaclava just below my lower lip and it keeps my lips warm. Cheap ski-type goggles keep my nose warm.
05-02-14, 10:50 AM
#10
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Rochester, NY
Posts: 932
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I don't ride below 23F anymore, but when I did I experimented with breathing through a toy snorkel from the dollar store. That seemed to help keep the moisture at bay, and helped keep my glasses from fogging. In the low 20's I find I can wear the balaclava just below my lower lip and it keeps my lips warm. Cheap ski-type goggles keep my nose warm.
You ride while breathing through a snorkel?
05-02-14, 10:57 AM
#11
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Colorado Springs, CO
Posts: 5,974
Bikes: 2015 Charge Plug, 2007 Dahon Boardwalk, 1997 Nishiki Blazer, 1984 Nishiki International, 2006 Felt F65, 1989 Dahon Getaway V
Mentioned: 54 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1364 Post(s)
Liked 1,677 Times
in
827 Posts
Just the tube, letting it exit down to the right. It was just a flexible kid's toy, like a big bendy straw.
05-02-14, 11:21 AM
#12
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Nanaimo, BC
Posts: 2,014
Bikes: 1997 Kona Hahana Race Light, 2010 Surly LHT(deceased), 1999 Rocky Mountain Turbo
Mentioned: 34 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 86 Post(s)
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
mmm.... baklava.
I would get so warm wearing a baklava, and on tours the bears would love to lick me.
But really, I can not imagine wearing a balaclava, I get so warm biking and it just seems uncomfratable. I prefer a merino wool or fleecey turtle necks with zips. I almost always wear a head band to cover my ears, decades of ear infections from swimming made my ears sensitive to wind. Plus I get the sweat band benefit of keeping sweat out of my eyes.
Does anyone have suggestions for just ear covers to wear in the summer though?
I would get so warm wearing a baklava, and on tours the bears would love to lick me.
But really, I can not imagine wearing a balaclava, I get so warm biking and it just seems uncomfratable. I prefer a merino wool or fleecey turtle necks with zips. I almost always wear a head band to cover my ears, decades of ear infections from swimming made my ears sensitive to wind. Plus I get the sweat band benefit of keeping sweat out of my eyes.
Does anyone have suggestions for just ear covers to wear in the summer though?
05-02-14, 12:41 PM
#14
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Minnesota
Posts: 219
Bikes: Five active bikes: 1983 Diamondback RidgeRunner (early production mountain bike), 1951 Raleigh Sports 3spd, 2012 Novara Safari, 2013 Schwinn 411 IGH, 2016 Jamis Roughneck Fatbike; plus a Trek T900 tandem shared with the family
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 18 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
For cold (Minnesota, we know cold) weather riding I use the neoprene facemasks. The one I used last winter was the Seirus Neofleece Combo Scarf. It's a full lower face and neck mask, not a scarf, despite the name, that closes in the back with Velcro. Stretchy, vent grill over the mouth and holes for the nostrils. Keeps you warm even below zero with biking wind chill. Dries fast and the neoprene doesn't feel as yucky when moist as wool or other materials. Overkill for 40 degree days though. The face mask doesn't cover the top of head, but a less vented helmet and a Gore Windstopper or similar cap works to keep ears and head warm.
05-03-14, 01:09 PM
#15
Junior Member
Join Date: Sep 2013
Posts: 22
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
In the rare occasions I ride in the winter months, I use this one, along with ski googles, scarf, beanie, and jacket hood with fur. I think there are some version that include neck protection as well.
Amazon.com: ZANheadgear Neoprene Face Mask (Black): Automotive
Not sure if that's the exact model I bought, but it looks just like that. There are some cheaper prices on ebay and dealextreme.
Amazon.com: ZANheadgear Neoprene Face Mask (Black): Automotive
Not sure if that's the exact model I bought, but it looks just like that. There are some cheaper prices on ebay and dealextreme.
Last edited by pizza777; 05-03-14 at 01:12 PM.
05-03-14, 01:17 PM
#16
Formerly Known as Newbie
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: Helsinki, Finland
Posts: 6,249
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 4 Times
in
3 Posts
Buff here too.
I also have a thin (silk) balaclava, but it's too toasty for anything except the coldest rides. If you're really set on using a balaclava, get the thinnest most breathable you can find.
--J
I also have a thin (silk) balaclava, but it's too toasty for anything except the coldest rides. If you're really set on using a balaclava, get the thinnest most breathable you can find.
--J
__________________
To err is human. To moo is bovine.
Who is this General Failure anyway, and why is he reading my drive?
Become a Registered Member in Bike Forums
Community guidelines
To err is human. To moo is bovine.
Who is this General Failure anyway, and why is he reading my drive?
Become a Registered Member in Bike Forums
Community guidelines
05-05-14, 08:55 AM
#17
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Hollister, CA
Posts: 3,957
Bikes: Volagi, daVinci Joint Venture
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 3 Times
in
2 Posts
The Buff works great on the coldest mornings in our moderate climate - very versatile. I wore mine 1/2 dozen times this winter, but only for the first hour or so - gets too warm after that.
05-05-14, 01:58 PM
#18
Super Moderator
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Ffld Cnty Connecticut
Posts: 21,843
Bikes: Old Steelies I made, Old Cannondales
Mentioned: 12 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1173 Post(s)
Liked 927 Times
in
612 Posts
I use a neck gaitor on really cold days. Pull it up over my mouth when going down hill, then slide it back down when I get too hot.
__________________
Bikes: Old steel race bikes, old Cannondale race bikes, less old Cannondale race bike, crappy old mtn bike.
FYI: https://www.bikeforums.net/forum-sugg...ad-please.html
Bikes: Old steel race bikes, old Cannondale race bikes, less old Cannondale race bike, crappy old mtn bike.
FYI: https://www.bikeforums.net/forum-sugg...ad-please.html
05-05-14, 02:16 PM
#19
Senior Member
I like the pearl izumi. I usually pull it down below my lower lips for breathing. The a neoprene face mask for the really cold.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Seattle Forrest
Commuting
29
01-16-12 10:09 AM
