Balaclava ?

[peter vacco]

Q – does anybody anywhere make/sell a balaclava that covers the nose correctly, does not ice/fog slather glasses, and is not like wearing a slab of carpet on your face ?
is this too much to ask ? and can it be done ?

cheers,
v.

[Bob Gross]

Can it be done? Yes.

I haven't seen them in years, but there used to be a silk balaclava on the market. I used one for X-C skiing, mostly to keep sun off. The only face opening was around the eyes. The material was so thin that I could breathe through it. There was a little natural stretch, but no stretchy fibers in the material.

–B.G.–

[Jack Hoster]

[John S.]

An alternative is a lightweight fleece beanie plus 2/3 buff for bottom (as in cut 1/3 of buff off).

[Mark Dijkstra]

I have an OR Ninjaclava on the way. I'll post a comment somewhere about breathability once I have it.

[Mark Dijkstra]

My OR ninjaclava has just arrived. The material and fit are very nice. I can easily breathe with the mask covering my mouth and nose, but when I try wearing glasses they do fog.

[Paul McLaughlin]

I've had pretty good luck with these:
http://www.sierratradingpost.com/wickers-balaclava-moisture-wicking-midweight-for-men-and-women~p~56028/?filterString=mens-earbands-balaclavas-and-neck-gaiters~d~280%2F&colorFamily=27

And similar lightwieght balaclavas – they are all basically lightweight long underwear fabric. I always have one in the pack. Not perfect, but very versatile.

[Author]

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