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Buff’s vs Balaclava for cold temp hiking, which do you prefer?


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Home Forums Gear Forums Gear (General) Buff’s vs Balaclava for cold temp hiking, which do you prefer?

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  • #1312631
    Anonymous
    Inactive

    I've not used a buff before, but i came back today from an overnighter, and used a thin Terramar Merino wool balaclava as i was hiking in temps that started out around 10*F and warmed up to about 15* this morning. (though i don't think my cheap, crappy thermometer is fully accurate).

    For the most part, i like the merino balaclava, but wished it dried a bit faster, and being mostly wool and being quite thin, i know it's just a matter of time before it starts to come apart.

    So was thinking of alternatives. Rab MeCo balaclava looks very promising, but a bit expensive. Patagonia's Cap 4 balaclava with polygiene treatment looks really nice, but everyone seems to be out of stock and anyways it's also a bit pricey.

    I have some cheap synthetic balaclavas, but being untreated, they stink fairly fast (soaking them with a bit of Borax seems to help this temporarily a bit).

    Doing some browsing, i found some micropolyester buffs on ebay that have polygiene treatment, which should deal with the stink issue just fine. The awesome thing, is that a lot of them are only like 14 dollars with free shipping too boot. Problem with a buff, is i can't have it over both my mouth/nose and on my head at the same time like a balaclava–in that sense i like the latter more.

    I suppose i could combine a light, thin hat or hoody with the buff and have the more full protection. Anyways, for those who have used buffs, how do you like them and what do you prefer, buff or balaclava?

    #2067745
    Anonymous
    Inactive

    Now that i'm thinking about it, might there be a way to pull part of the buff over the top of the head, while having the other part lower and below your eyes?

    #2067748
    Ian
    BPL Member

    @10-7

    At 10* I prefer my balaclava because it provides more insulation (I believe it's made of polartec). I've never had problems with it moisture wise. I'd probably could get by with my buff at that temperature but it wouldn't be my first preference. I've had a couple synthetic shirts which start to smell like roadkill fairly quickly but I haven't encountered that with the balaclavas I've owned over the years.

    I also like combining a synthetic neck gaiter and watch cap sometimes.

    #2067750
    Anonymous
    Inactive

    Tanks for the feedback. I must have Komodo dragon breath or something, because after constantly breathing in and out of same, the untreated synthetic ones do start to get a bit funky even on the short trips for me. Plus when it's more severely cold my nose tends to run a lot more than average and while that doesn't necessarily smell, for my psychological piece of mind at least, i like the idea of silver ions zapping whatever grossness is in same… lol.

    Btw, hope you had a great time at the GGG. Bit jealous to tell the truth.

    #2067753
    Ian
    BPL Member

    @10-7

    Often times I wear it with goggles. When I breathe through the balaclava, it seems to make the google fogging worse so I've learned to avoid it.

    GGG was splendid and well worth the trip. Hope your east coast one is a success. The gear was cool but the people are what make it awesome.

    #2067758
    Anonymous
    Inactive

    Good to hear! Not to say the folks that are going to the East coast GGG aren't awesome and all, but being so new, and not having the numbers of the west coast, i joke with myself that our motto could be, "it won't be as cool, but at least it's a hellava lot closer to you!" Quite catchy no? ;)

    #2067767
    Justin Baker
    BPL Member

    @justin_baker

    Locale: Santa Rosa, CA

    I use my buff as a balaclava, it's just really thin. Maybe you should consider the buff for hiking and a balaclava over the buff for extra cold or stationary… a 2 piece system… if it's actually cold enough for that.

    #2067768
    Justin Baker
    BPL Member

    @justin_baker

    Locale: Santa Rosa, CA

    "Problem with a buff, is i can't have it over both my mouth/nose and on my head at the same time like a balaclava–in that sense i like the latter more."

    You can pull it up partway over your head and cover the rest with a beanie.
    a
    a

    #2067769
    David Chenault
    BPL Member

    @davec

    Locale: Queen City, MT

    I like to cut a UV buff in half. One part is a headband, one is a neck gaiter and face mask. Add another thin hat and windshirt hood as necessary. Every balaclava I've owned has been too warm unless it's below 0 and blowing like mad.

    #2067772
    Anonymous
    Inactive

    Peruvian Ninja Justin B.!

    Nice tips Justin and Dave, thanks. Dave, i've had that issue with all of them except the Terramar one. It's quite thin. I also just shaved my head, which certainly helps to keep one cool.

    #2067776
    Ito Jakuchu
    BPL Member

    @jakuchu

    Locale: Japan

    I think buffs are very nice multipurpose items. I sometimes fold a buff as a balaclava but find a dedicated one a bit more comfortable. In cold weather especially though I vastly prefer a thin but good breathing balaclava – just because the fit is better for me and therefore provides more warmth/seals wind better in the places I want it to.
    Mine is made of polartec power dry, thickness like the cap 4 is. I combine it with my wind shirt hood, wearing them both, or only the hood or the balaclava. This takes me to really cold, and up to quite warm temps again. When I go fast I still often wet it, but it feels fine because no cold wind enters. Worth the money for me.

    #2067790
    Anonymous
    Inactive

    Ito Jakuchu, thank you for the feedback. I would love a Cap 4/P.P.D.H.E. type balaclava provided it's got polygiene treatment. Patagonia makes one, but everyone seems to be sold out.

    Know of any other brands that make similar?

    #2067819
    William F
    Member

    @wkf

    Locale: PNW

    I got the OR Lumen balaclava a few weeks ago and have been liking it for bike commuting. http://www.outdoorresearch.com/en/lumen-balaclava.html

    It's a merino 36%/polyester 64% blend, but honestly I haven't had the chance to stink it up to see whether the blend is adequate for odor control. It dries fast.

    #2067821
    Jeremy and Angela
    BPL Member

    @requiem

    Locale: Northern California

    I picked up a Seirus Combo-Clava some time back. My nose also runs in the cold, and between that and the condensation from breathing I wanted something that wasn't directly on my mouth. It is, unfortunately, a bit warm for anything but the coldest temps.

    Here is how you use a buff for both head and face:
    Buff in full-coverage mode

    #2067823
    Eric Blumensaadt
    BPL Member

    @danepacker

    Locale: Mojave Desert

    What the he!! is a "buff"??

    I have both balaclavas and NECK GAITERS. (Is THAT whet you are calling a buff?)

    I like 'em both but prefer neck gaiters with my ski helmet and balaclavas for sleeping in winter conditions.

    #2067828
    Ito Jakuchu
    BPL Member

    @jakuchu

    Locale: Japan

    I thought I'd seen a couple of them but mine is from Mountain Equipment (the UK brand, not the ccop) and it is the same thickness. Not sure it has polygiene treatment, or if it is a JP market item that is not available abroad. I can check bit later.

    edit-
    Mine is called Mountain Equipment Dry Perform Balaclava but I only get western links to ones made out of power stretch, so perhaps this is an item for the JP market. No mention of polygiene treatment either though.
    http://tinyurl.com/mfpa6q4

    You'd probably be better/cheaper off trying to look for that Cap 4 one, but If you would want to I could totally send you one (but they are not really cheap, and there is postage).

    Good luck with the search.

    #2067830
    Buck Nelson
    BPL Member

    @colter

    Locale: Alaska

    They might be the warmest item per ounce that I carry.

    #2067844
    Jerry Adams
    BPL Member

    @retiredjerry

    Locale: Oregon and Washington

    "What the he!! is a "buff"??"

    World is rapidly changing for us old people, hard to keep up : )

    From wikipedia:

    "Buff (English /ˈbʌf/, Catalan: [ˈbuf], Spanish: [ˈbuf]) is the registered trade mark for the multifunctional headwear produced by Original Buff S.A., a company based in Igualada, near Barcelona in Catalonia, Spain, since they were established in 1992.

    Developed by Joan Rojas in 1991 for wind protection while motorcycling, the Buff headwear is a tube of microfibrous fabric that, with different arrangements, can be worn as a scarf, bandanna, headband, beanie, face mask, tube top, helmet liner, wristband, cap, pirate, Sahara style and other variations. The manufacturing process takes place on a specially developed tubular loom to make the finished garment seamless."

    But you could just make one with fabric and put in a seam. Basically just a neck gaitor, except imaginitive people find different ways to wear them that can be more fashion than funtion.

    #2067850
    Benjamin Meadors
    Spectator

    @thebentern

    Locale: Central Arkansas

    Well, the shell material of the Baklava is made with phyllo dough which is very light. Whereas my buff is made with merino wool which is more insulative and less messy, but it is heavier… ;-)
    All jokes aside. I have a cool-max UV buff that is great for keeping the sun off of my neck, and I recently purchased the merino buff for winter usage. The merino buff is definitely more suited to the cold than the cool-max (obviously).
    While, my polypro balaclava is super warm, it's not very versatile. I can overheat in that thing so easily in those in-between cold temps. I much prefer the versatility of a fleece/wool watch cap + the wool buff. I can regulate a lot easier in that setup, and I can stay almost as warm as I would have been with the 'clav (Can we call it that from now on? It's easier to say).

    #2068105
    Randy Cain
    BPL Member

    @bagboy

    Locale: Fresno, CA

    YouTube video

    #2068106
    Owen McMurrey
    Spectator

    @owenm

    Locale: SE US

    A little polyester tube. Overpriced for what it is, priceless for what it does.

    #2068153
    Steve K
    BPL Member

    @skomae

    Locale: northeastern US

    The Buff is my go-to piece for 3-season hiking. I rarely ever wear balaclavas since my fleece layer has a balaclava-style hood.

    In the winter I use my Talus Cold Avenger, which is a warm/humid air rebreather mask. For the rest of my head, a light hat under my fleece hood suffices.

    I find that in the winter a Buff gets soggy and frozen and no fun at all to breathe through. However, one usually makes its way into my pack because it has endless uses and makes a fine back-up.

    #2068166
    Randy Cain
    BPL Member

    @bagboy

    Locale: Fresno, CA

    LOVE buffs!!!!!!!!!!! I have a shaved head, so I think of a buff as hair ;) I can wear it in a single layer or double it up as it gets chillier. I love the versatility of using a couple of them.

    #2068205
    John S.
    BPL Member

    @jshann

    I have one of the early buff's and do like Chenault. I cut mine in two parts, one 12" long (use as neck gaiter for backpacking) and the other is 6" (use as ear cover for biking).

    #2068357
    Anonymous
    Inactive

    Thank you everyone for the further suggestions and ideas.

    Ito Jakuchu thank you for the very kind offer. I'm going to look around for awhile more locally and see what i can find.

    "I find that in the winter a Buff gets soggy and frozen and no fun at all to breathe through."

    Stephen, i really was hoping that wasn't the case. I wonder if having it stretched and thin over the mouth/nose area would help a bit with that? Do you think it's something about the fabric itself, the bunched up nature of it, or something else that makes it poor for that use?

    Those Buffs i saw on ebay are a great deal at 14 dollars and supposedly with Polygiene treatment. However, i got to thinking that maybe it's not the more permanent treatment, but maybe they soaked them in the water based, diy temporary treatment.. Hope not.

    Rab MeCo balaclava or some kind of polartec power dry high efficiency and polygiene treated "clavs" (nod to Ben) are my top contenders.

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