[Tyler]

Originally Posted by Dick

I only wear one when it’s -20 C or colder (-4 F) and I am covering a lot of ground on a snow machine. I have worn it while sleeping in sub-zero temperatures too, but found it too hot. Mine is fleece lined wool with 3M thinsulate insulation.

Otherwise...
• They are too hot once you start moving and your head will sweat profusely.
• If it’s cold enough frost will accumulate on your eye lashes, making it difficult to blink or see.
• Sunglasses or other eye protection will fog up quickly and need to be removed.

With wind you risk frost bite on your face and that is where the strength of the balaclava comes in, otherwise I focus on keeping my core warm and leave my face exposed.

This is something I've followed from time to time. As long as you keep your core body temperature warm, the area around your torso and heart, your body will take care of the rest even if they are exposed. Is this true? Or should you still be worried if it reaches a certain temperature.

Also in response to Ron's post, I have a very small head, are a lot of these balaclavas that are available going to end up swallowing my head? I weight about 110 and all of me is pretty much muscle mass so I have a very small face/head. UnderArmour's line is like a second layer of skin but other than that I'm guessing most of them are free form fitting, without anything to tighten it with it's a one size fits all system I'm assuming?

[Dick]

Originally Posted by Tyler

This is something I've followed from time to time. As long as you keep your core body temperature warm, the area around your torso and heart, your body will take care of the rest even if they are exposed. Is this true? Or should you still be worried if it reaches a certain temperature.

It is true to some degree, but it all comes down to the rate of heat loss. In a wind or in very cold temperature you will not be able to heat your extremities fast enough and you risk frostbite.

I have worked at -25 C with a ball cap and no gloves, but the air was still and the sun was shining. If you add some wind, or add some snow to the branches the situation changes quickly and you need to cover up.

In response to your other question, I believe it’s a two size fits all market out there, but it shouldn’t be too difficult (or costly) to trim and sew to get a good fit.

Originally Posted by Herbalpagan

I just got ski masks/hats from Dicks.

I wondered where those went!

[LaRemnant]

What I plan on doing as "my system", is buy one of these and wear a Spec Ops Recon Wrap under it...

There are even imitation recon wraps for paint ball, that are probably just as good.

With the mossy oak hood, it has a cinch strap you can tighten to keep your forehead and ears warm and the wrap will keep the frost off your face as it is highly breathable yet is made of nylon which is a form of plastic (like a thin polypro of sorts) so it retains heat well too, and if for some reason frost or what not forms on the inside, you can easily pull it down under your chin, which will be an additional thickness of layering to keep your jugular veins warm, aiding in your core temp comfort zone.

Hoped that helped.

[Tyler]

Originally Posted by LaRemnant

What I plan on doing as "my system", is buy one of these and wear a Spec Ops Recon Wrap under it...

There are even imitation recon wraps for paint ball, that are probably just as good.

With the mossy oak hood, it has a cinch strap you can tighten to keep your forehead and ears warm and the wrap will keep the frost off your face as it is highly breathable yet is made of nylon which is a form of plastic (like a thin polypro of sorts) so it retains heat well too, and if for some reason frost or what not forms on the inside, you can easily pull it down under your chin, which will be an additional thickness of layering to keep your jugular veins warm, aiding in your core temp comfort zone.

Hoped that helped.

That fleece won't be very water resistant/proof.

[snowshoe67]

I wear a very good Hand made WOOL wrap (just a round my neck and mouth< a wool watch cap is on my melon.

[LaRemnant]

Originally Posted by Tyler

That fleece won't be very water resistant/proof.

Good point, but hopefully, if it is raining sleet, I have enough sense to seek shelter.

[CrufflerJJ]

You can get a decent Thinsulate balaclava from your local Tractor Supply for $4-$5.

[Democracyman]

Here is a "system" buy two balaclavas one thin, one normal thickness.
The thin one for summer usage, the thick one for winter. For mountaineering
in the western states.

Bring both of them in winter and you have a good way to make
escimo slits for the eyes, put both of them on and adjust a overlap
so you have eye slits. Works great for high winds, in my opinon
much better than a ski mask as it won't freeze up. I have done
this with success on Mount Washington in NH so I have real life
experience in bad conditions in winter, climbed it solo in January ,
only person on the mountain that I could see of.

Campmor Lightweight Polypropylene Balaclava, 75172 | Neckwear | Accessories | OUTERWEAR | items from Campmor.
If you get one of these it will be one of the best buys
you have ever done.

Dan

[Foxfire]

I also wear a wool watch cap. I have a nomex fire hood I use in the winter to keep me warm also.

[Chris Kavanaugh]

The first terrorists to use Balaclavas was the british army in the Crimea, who invented the things and named them after the great battle.
A simple websearch will pop up a knitting website with original WW1 Red cross knitting patterns for 3 versions.