14 F gear

Nice that you can modify it. If I get a couple days of bristle growth going, anything on my chin is irritable. I pull my quilt up, then cover my face, leaving just a hole to breath. Nice work

Jerry, you are a legend on BPL with experience and skills way beyond mine.  Good for you on testing your gear. That is on my to-do list and I need to do it soon before things start warming up in 6 weeks or so….

Since I do little to no “MYOG”, I use an MLD Apex “Balaclava” (see link).   I sometimes wear a snug, actual balaclava underneath.  I have a “love” / “hate” relationship with the shoulder cords on the MLD “Balaclava”.   Mostly I love the cords because they keep the “balaclava” in place so that it does not twist over my face at night. (its really a hood with shoulder loops). https://mountainlaureldesigns.com/product/mld-apex-balaclava/

Great intel Jerry. I struggle with a cold head/face in low temps too. I want to find those old bank robber ski masks that only have openings for your mouth and eyes. Just have not found a quality one.

surgical mask with holes cut out of it? : )

I use a wool balaclava under a down hood in camp. Minus 33 has them in different fabric weights. Synthetic balaclavas next to skin get smelly fast. Wool or blends provide more comfort due to its natural elasticity and antimicrobial properties.

While active, I mix and match a neck gaiter and different hats.

For fingers, you did not mention a vapor barrier. My preferred one is a 9mil glove from Harbor Freight. Durable, reusable, touch screen compatible, and provides a high level of dexterity. I put it on when I come out of the car, and I do not take it off until I am in bed. Back on before I step out of the sleeping bag or quilt. Works for me.

Perhaps you did not mention the vbl for your hands in the same way that you did not mention base layers… I find supplex shirts to rob me of body heat even in the 50F range. Great in the summer heat, but they feel very cold to me when temps drop, particularly if static.

Or perhaps you are wearing the Apex jacket under the shirt, which should solve the issue…

Interesting idea there TT.  I may have to try putting eye holes in it

Good ideas iago.

I wear supplex next to skin and haven’t noticed it being cold or smelly.  Same with fleece hat.  I’ve heard of polypropylene being smelly.

I need better gloves.  I’ll have to check out those harbor freight ones

Maybe a nice wool blend version of this.

For head/neck coverage, I wear a cold-weather buff and a warm beanie and that’s always treated me well. The buff is crazy versatile, so your possibilities for face coverage vs opening is about endless. I just recently grabbed an alpha beanie that’s so thin and light that I wear it over my buff and under my beanie. It comes down over my ears, too, so it’s another later of versatility and warmth for almost no weight penalty at all.

(Note: I should have shared that I have a full beard and I rarely camp below 28°, so bear that in mind with my response above…)

Maybe a spider man mask?  https://www.ebay.com/itm/276627151684?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0&ssspo=dYE5uRUIRtG&sssrc=2047675&ssuid=AXgd3WHESka&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY

variation on several ideas above.  I’ll try this next time:

I like this because there’s nothing over my mouth which I find unpleasant.  It does cover my nose and ears which is good.  I think I can breath out through my nose and it won’t go through the fleece which would get wet

I need to shave : )

Now that’s great! I need to learn how to sew, fast.

From Steven’s tests, he recommended the Katabatic Crestone

https://backpackinglight.com/forums/topic/by-the-numbers-quickie-hoodwinked/

I find anything over the nostrils collects too much moisture sleeping below freezing.  I use a warm acrylic beanie, then a rolled up buff over my face, ears and bridge of nose keeping them warm (and its dual use), then a beanie cut in half lengthwise over my neck and chin.  Works for me

My wife and I have these, Obviously you can’t eat or drink with them on but, they are warm!

https://coldavenger.com/collections/headwear/products/classic-fleece-face-mask

We wore them this past weekend in Chicago, If was -5F with 16 mph winds. Coldest weather I have ever experienced. The masks worked great! Just don’t wear one in a bank, or a political rally. -:)

* They also make masks with full head coverage.

If you don’t lie the way it touches your mouth THIS is pretty cheap from Walmart and looks hot…

Covering your nostrils may fog up your glasses

I forgot that seeker article

Good ideas

I’m trying to figure out how those tassles could be useful.  I know that’s a novelty item but…

Some sort of moisture management, but I have my doubts that it work. I was thinking of some sort of veil.

Jerry those look like good ideas.  The last few times out I’ve been trying out a merino buff combined with a basic knit hat, the cheap double layer styles.  To sleep I pull the hat down to just about my eyes and then I pull the buff up over the hat.  I don’t like my eyes getting cold and the buff really helps with moisture on my quilt.  Without the buff my quilt is wet almost instantly from breathing.  The hat holds it off my face slightly.  The buff is wet in the morning but dries fast and my quilt is dry.  Can keep the buff on around camp for warmth and while hiking.

I have a down balaclava I can also wear in my hammock but it is almost too warm, even in the cold and makes me a little claustrophobic.  I’ve used this to about 25 degrees this year, have not tried colder yet.

“The hat holds it off my face slightly.”

that’s like mosquito head net : )

Not much reason for having the eyes exposed while sleeping. Perhaps a buff made from Alpha Direct.

:)  It just keeps it off enough I don’t feel the wet.  I was surprised how comfortable it is.