MYOG balaclava: Down vs. Apex 2.5

What is the down side of down!

It depends on how you use your balaclava.

Some people sleep in it, and the weight of your head pressing down will compact the down insulation of a balaclava (so, less warm). If you stand around wearing it on a cold day, it is fine.

For such a small item, there isn't much weight difference between synthetic and down.

You might consider a multipurpose approach. Make yourself a balaclava shell, and then fill it up with other insulation, like your backpacker towel. Or, simply make your balaclava out of a synthetic backpacker towel with snaps or velcro. It looks ugly as sin, but it saves some weight.

–B.G.–

such a small area down doesn't save significant weight

balaclava more likely to get wet

balaclave a little complicated so easier to make from apex

I concur, go the apex. The complication of down in such an intricate shape is not worth it I reckon. Yep needle holes, under-thought-about. I laugh at some of the uberlight down jackets out there with complex baffle patterns. Id rather wear two windshirts…be just as warm.

The weight and bulk won't be much different. Our 2.1oz APEX HOODLUM weighs in at 1.45oz. I've slept comfy in that to 20* and it's too hot for me above 35*. I think I could take it into the teens easy before needing more warmth. Packs down to nothing. Synthetics fill small areas more consistently than down with no shifting and no complicated designs needed. Apart from that and the worry free water resistance they are also easier to wash. A balaclava will need washing often due to oils from you head. These oils damage down over time but most down items aren't exposed to as much oil as a balaclava or hat. For me it was a no brainer.

-Tim

Awesome, you guys just confirmed what I was thinking. I'll order some Apex.

Thanks

You should consider putting in a fleece (like grid fleece or something, as it's really easy to breath through) if you plan to have the balaclava cover your mouth.

I made a pull over down hood for somebody here on the forums with grid fleece at the mouth so it would keep his lips/nose warm without getting all the insulation wet with condensation.

Any pics of that Andy? I like the concept. Though I'll probably get one of Tim's hoods at some point in the next few months.

Here's Victor's review on it on hammock Forums:

https://www.hammockforums.net/forum/showthread.php?88219-Down-Hood-for-Mouth-Breathers&highlight=hood

Not sure if you need an account to see the pictures. Let me know if it works and if not I'll download the picture and post it up.

Edit: just found a picture of me wearing it on my phone: