Ears
 

Good morning all.

I just finished a 22 mile ride with temp at 39 degrees. It was chilly out so I went with the baklava but as I got into the ride, it was too hot for the baklava but I needed something for my ears.

Any suggestions? I tried a hand band once but it was way to tight and ended up giving me a headache and hurting my ears.

Thanks

I use a Pearl Izumi headband that is quite comfortable, but also use a large (too big) fleece beanie cap that fits under my helmet but loose over my ears. Multiple options are usually carried with me to adjust as the ride goes on.

Balaclava's can be more than you need for sure they cover a lot, and sometimes all you need to protect your ears. Headbands or a thin windproof front beanie are my choice.

I use 2 headbands, lycra Pi one that is thin fits under the helmet and does the job if it's not super cold and an REI windproof that is thin and really warm, the windproof barrier is the key on that one.
And Craft wind stopper beanie. The wind stopper is on the front of the head only, That thing works great until it's balaclava cold.

Baklava is yummy.

Balaclavas - mine is thin and silk and still too toasty for anything but coldest rides. I use headbands (a Buff) and/or earflaps instead.

I use the Seirus Innovation Neofleece. I've never found it that tight and I have a large head.

seen some like a fuzzy set of headphones..

I just wear a hat. it has ear flaps..

Coolmax buff

I use a variety of headbands which have different thicknesses, thin ones on the warmer winter days and thicker ones when it is cold. I also sometimes use a buff because it's so damn easy to adjust it into a really big headband or full beanie. The buff is also a tight-but-comfortable fit, which holds the ears close to the skin keeping them warm and keeping the wind out. I've never gotten a headache from a buff, they stretch easily so that keeps them from getting too tight.

The only time I use a balaclava is on the really cold and/or windy days, or when it is snowing.

Ear bands are the way to go. You don't need anything cycling specific, just go to Walmart or Target and try some on until you find one that is comfortable. Look for one that doesn't have a border and or hem around the edge. I wear two ear bands over my balaclava when it gets to extreme cold. I wear one the normal way over the ears, and I also flip one around backwards and run it over my nose/mouth. This creates a nice space under the nose (mouth) that is open and allows for easy breathing.

180's (ear muffs). I can take a lot of cold on my head but my ears can't handle anything below 50F. I find the behind the neck ear muffs very vesitile. I wear with a balaclava on a day like today at 30F

Pearl Izumi beanie. Good for me down to freezing, and below freezing I don't ride anyway. If I rode studs I might need a balaclava, then again maybe not.