Balaclava that allows me to breath while running?

That Windstopper fleece would be awful for high exertion winter activities. It has a PU laminate designed to block wind — the exact opposite of the breathability (literally) that you need in something covering your face while running.

I would recommend three options:

1) PowerDry balaclava — thin PolarTec Power Dry base layer fabric. Very thin, very breathable.

2) Power Dry HE balaclava — Patagonia makes a Capilene 4 blaclava with the gridded Polartec PowerDry HE fabric. Same as above but with grids of slightly thicker material alternating with very thin stretchy fabric. Awesome combination of warmth and breathability. I love mine!

3) Power Stretch balaclava. I honestly can't imagine you needing this much warmth running in NYC, but the ultimate warmth would be PowerStretch fleece. It's stretchy lightweight fleece with a fuzzy interior and smooth exterior. Not stiff and no "windstopper" laminate like the balaclava you tried. I only wear it hiking in the mountains in the teens. It's really too warm for 99% of the time. It is, however, breathable and comfortable.

The nice thing about all three of these options is that they are stretchy enough to pull them off your nose and mouth (or not) depending. I generally do not cover my mouth or nose except for brief periods. I wore the Patagonia Cap 4 balaclava for camping with lows in the 30s in October. I did put it over my nose and mouth part of the time. It was fine for that.

Check out Buffs too– they can perform as a balaclava, hat, neck gaiter, etc. They come in polyester and wool.

There are products aimed at your specific issue to warm and humidify the incoming iar. I haven't used them myself, but the ColdAvenger line is a good example: http://shop.coldavenger.com/ They make half-masks that look like a good option for runners.

Hwc's suggestions sound good.

I like the Outdoor Research Lumen Balaclava made of 64% polyester and 36% merino wool–fairly thin and very breathable, a bit stretchy–one side smooth and one side a bit fleecy. I actually reverse it so the smooth, more merino side is on my skin to cut down on odor–which surprisingly 36% Merino actually does help noticeably. The only problem is that the hole is a bit on the large side. I can put it over my nose and mouth, but it pulls it up from the lower part of the front neck. This is fine for me since i often wear a Cap 4 or MEC T3 hoody when it's colder out.

Someone suggested using a cheap painter's particle mask. The space it creates in front of the mouth and nose is a micro-climate that humidifies air. I looked at them a couple days ago and they're sold individually packaged at home depot for around $2.00

Not so sure how it'd work running–it might limit air flow.

For two bucks, it's worth a try.

That painter's mask is actually not a bad idea. I could cut a few holes in it to increase airflow. Since it's two bucks it's not a big deal to add the holes.

LLBEAN sells a simple Polartec Power Dry balaclava for $25:

https://www.llbean.com/llb/shop/65680

Here's the Patagonia version, Capilene 4 gridded Power Dry HE ($35):

http://www.patagonia.com/us/product/capilene-4-baselayer-fleece-balaclava?p=28690-0

A bunch of people make the Power Stretch balaclavas:

EMS has a simple one for $25:

http://www.ems.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3651753

Marmot makes a super fancy fitted version suitable for very cold weather ($60):

http://marmot.com/products/details/super-hero-balaclava

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My top recommendation is the Patagonia Cap 4. That fabric is awesome for a wide range of temperatures and for wicking/breathing sweat away during exercise. Ideal combination of warmth and breathability, plus it feels stretchier than the standard Power Dry. The beanie hats and the balaclava are awesome, plus you could rinse them out in the sink and they would be dry in a couple of hours.

Upon further review, looks like they've updated the LLBEAN balaclava. For $25, it now says that it features gridded Polartec PowerDry fabric, which means that it will be identical (or nearly identical) to the Patagonia Cap 4 balaclava. Makes sense as LLBean has started using this fabric for lightweight panels in their new R1 clone fleece tops. The one I have from a couple years ago is the non-gridded PolarTec fabric — same as the lightweight LLBEAN baselayer tops and bottoms. Still an ideal weight to cover the neck, face, and ears during high exertion.

That would make this a best buy compared to the Patagonia.

You're making a pretty good argument with that Cap 4! I'm just wondering how it handles odor…

I was also thinking this:

http://www.mountainhardwear.com/desna-balaclava-OM5090.html?dwvar_OM5090_variationColor=010#q=balaclava&start=3

It's powerstretch and has breathing holes. I also like the way the eyes are designed. Extra space under each socket for added comfort.

While on the subject:

LLBEAN is now selling their version of Cap 4 baselayers:

1/4 zip top:

http://www.llbean.com/llb/shop/83725?feat=83551-pprrright

Hoody (single layer hood, no pocket):

http://www.llbean.com/llb/shop/83726?feat=83725-pprrright

Pants:

http://www.llbean.com/llb/shop/83551

Icebreaker flexi chute… go for wool. You can breathe through it even when it's wet. It's just a stretchy wool buff, comfortably fits skin tight over your face.
If you face gets too warm just bring it down around your neck.
Seriously, a balaclava is a stupid option when you can just use a buff.

I looked at that one instead of the Marmot Super Hero, but it doesn't have PolarTec PowerStretch for the whole thing — just the back of the head. Uses no-name fleece for most of it. I can't think of any reason to go with a non-branded fleece fabric instead of Polartec. Unless price is an issue, then the Polartec fabrics are top-shelf. $40 for a balaclava is not cheap. It looks like it would be uncomfortable to pull down away from the nose and mouth. For physical activity, it's crucial to be able to cover and uncover.

Like the Marmot Super Hero, I think you'll find that balaclava way too hot for running in NYC. It's too hot for hiking in the White Mountains on all the but the coldest days (teens). Would probably be great for a chair lift, but too warm for high exertion.

Odor is a complete non-issue with the PowerDry stuff. Just rinse it out in the sink and air dry it between uses. Or throw it in the washing machine. It's got some kind of "anti-stink technology", but that doesn't really matter much if you wash it!

Great option for anyone who is hair challenged and needs something up top. The balaclava replaces a beanie and provides more reliable coverage for the ears.

I have the Densa balaclava and like it very much, but I can't tell you how it would be for running since I don't run.You can find them on sale about every other week for half price at Sunnysports.com

I use a Buff.

Justin, i have a thin, all wool balaclava that i use to use. Besides durability issues, it would get and stay too soggy. This is why i went with the Lumen which while it does have some wool is predominantly polyester.

At the time, i actually wanted something made out of Polartec Power Dry High Efficiency material with polygiene treatment, but seemed everywhere was out of stock. If they made a buff or tube out of the above material, i would try it as well.

Agree on the Buff, perhaps as a big neck gaiter in conjunction with a balaclava that doesn't cover the mouth and nose. Then you can pull the Buff(or any neck gaiter, I suppose) up when needed.

Everybody needs a Buff or three! :)

Buff also makes a "Balaclava X Tech" you might check out, along with other cold weather gear. Not all of their stuff is just a tube that you configure yourself.
http://buffusa.com/sports/collections/filter/cold-weather

I checked out the LL Bean one you linked, HWC. It's not Power Dry High Efficiency fabric like Patagonia's bala. It's regular gridded fleece. If you zoom in on the picture you can see this. It would still be good, just not quite as breathable and light as the Patagonia one. For an extra 10 bucks, i would probably go with the latter though. But the former is likely to be more durable long term.

It's too bad that Power Dry High Efficiency fabric with polygiene treatment is not readily available for MYOG. Discover Trekking has it, but partly because they are in Canada, they charge an arm and leg for shipping, and it's already on the expensive side just for the fabric alone.

Justin, you are probably right. The LLBean Balaclava looks like it's the mid-weight Polartec PowerDry fabric. Same as the Marmot mid-weight baselayer and probably similar to the Patagonia Cap 3. Still would make a pretty good cold weather balaclava.

Unless it's crazy cold, I would still prefer that over the heavier PowerStretch fleece for high aerobic activity.

I don't know if this will help, but:

http://www.hammacher.com/product/78958

I'm a fan of a really thin polyester balaclava. I believe that the one I got from the military surplus store cost me something like $7 and weighs in the range of 1 oz. I'll check on the weight, if you want. It's 25 percent spandex and 75 percent polyester. It's super thin, which makes it quick drying and relatively warm for its weight. My breath is considerably warmer when I wear it.

Check out the Original Buff or Turtle Fur Totally Tubular headwear.
Both are very versatile clothing accessories – lightweight, very comfortable, and long enough to wear in multiple ways.

I like the cap 4 bala for running; breathes well and dries fast- you can roll it up like a beanie when you don't need the full protection

hmm, cap 4 balaclava sounds good.

Is powerdry HE the fastest drying fabric you can get?

I have not tried it but saw this recently: http://www.coldavenger.com/