Balaclava

[sloride]

what material recommended for cold weather ? I wear a full face helmet so I need something thin and without bulky seams that can handle temps in the 30's

[David13]

I can highly recommend the smart wool from REI.
They may have more than one, so be sure to get the thin one.
Mine works super. It is smart in that even if it gets hot, I don't sweat. Or the sweat is allowed to drift out, or something.
It also does quite good on keeping the neck warm.
dc

[kbroderick]

+1 on SmartWool.

Their Merino wool stuff beats the daylights out of every synthetic I've tried for a neck gaiter or balaclava application.

[Jogitu]

Google "Buff" there is an official US and UK website. They are great and have material for summer and winter. I wear the light material all spring and summer around my neck to protect from chaffing and sunburn. The wool Buffs do the job on cold days. I use when the temps drop up here in NW Indiana. They come in a lot of colors. The summer weight material will do the job on those upper 40's days.

http://www.buffusa.com/

[clowry]

Pop into a sporting goods/ski shop. There are balaclavas for skiers that are quite thin, and not expensive. We find a lot of our ski and bike gear can go back and forth - socks, helmet liners, glove liners etc.

[Lee]

My wife and I use the silk ones sold by BMW. Silk works for both cold and hot weather.

[175887]

My wife likes the BMW ones. I use a Biker Comfort in Action. The top is thin and the lower is more wind proof. It has a long chest piece to keep the wind out.

see here

[greenwald]

While I and my son use the one that is marketed by BMW, which also has a wool/fleece neck guard similar to a dickie, you can stop at sporting goods stores (Fleet Farm in my neck of the woods) and find several styles to choose from where protective clothing for ice fishing is sold.

Good luck!

[Omega Man]

My wife likes the BMW ones. I use a Biker Comfort in Action. The top is thin and the lower is more wind proof. It has a long chest piece to keep the wind out.

see here

Me too. Seemed kind of expensive. Seemed like more than was needed. Turns out that it works great. Launders well by hand- drip dry.

works well on 7-11 jobs as well

[Bobonli]

I bought a Mountain Hardware Polartec balaclava earlier today at REI. Nice and smooth and not too bulky. Should fit under the brain bucket nicely

[sloride]

While searching around for a Balaclava I realized they would be too bulky in the neck area while I'm wearing a heated liner . Now I'm looking at beanies .
Merino wool looks interesting . Wondering about the Itch factor

[kantuckid]

My wife and I use the silk ones sold by BMW. Silk works for both cold and hot weather.

Plus +100!

Mines silk, came from ebay on the cheap & works great. I also used it to snowmobile in CO last winter. Not bulky no matter what you have on and actually helps with helmet head some too. Short hair helps with the itch factor?

[tommcgee]

While searching around for a Balaclava I realized they would be too bulky in the neck area while I'm wearing a heated liner . Now I'm looking at beanies .
Merino wool looks interesting . Wondering about the Itch factor

I wear merino wool socks all year. There is no itch factor. Merino wool is very soft.

[sloride]

Decided to go with this. Merino wool

[IMG][/IMG]

[hlothery]

If you just want to cover your head and the back of the neck, I use a helmet liner by LDComfort. Works well in both hot and cold.