OR Gorilla Winstop Balaclava

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http://www.orgear.com/home/style/home/headware/cold_hats/balaclavas/84000

Just tested this today. I bought a large because I wear a size 7 3/4 hat. It is large enough for me to get my MH Micro Dome beanie under it, which adds another layer of heat protection. So you might want to call them to check on size before you buy one.

It has a soft inner lining, which I don't know the name of. The outside is a solid fabric surface which blocks wind. OR says it is "single-face Moonlite Pile fleece". It worked well.

Weighs 3oz.

It is not like a synthetic or wool one piece balaclava and may bother some people because of the feel — it has a face mask part and the neck area velcros closed and can be adjusted.

The lower jaw part opens up for ventilation and closes back up by pulling one side over the other and connecting the velcro strips. This also allows it to be tightened up in colder, windier conditions.

The reason I bought it, besides the fact it was recommended by a member here who lives in the far north and dog sleds, is that it has a separate face mask piece, with mouth and nostril holes which seals off the face other than the eye area which can be protected with goggles.

We can go from 32 F lows to around zero, wind with the chill factor, and dense almost blinding snow in a matter of a few days or hours because of the proximity of the mountain. And we have to camp, drive, and live in it. So this is not just a piece of camping gear for me.

The mouth and nostril area has a mesh material built into the face piece, so breathing is easy. OR calls it a "breathing port."

The face cover is also adjustable because it is velcroed on and you can adjust how tight or loose you want it to fit.

All in all, for me, this is a piece of survival gear to keep in the car as well as camping gear.

So it gets a 5 because it is light enough for what it is, really sturdy feeling and looking. It gets high marks because it is a piece of gear my comfort and life will depend on, it tested well with the head out the car window at 60 test (didn't blow the face piece off, which is a good sign), and it has multiple functions because of the face mask and velcro adjusters.

My partner is getting really tired of driving with my body sticking out the car window for gear tests so may have to find another method — anyone got a used wind tunnel?

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