Keeping yer nose warm all night

[Eric Blumensaadt]

I dunno about others but I need to keep my nose warm all night or I end up unconsciously putting my face inside my sleeping bag. Of course that gets a lot of moisture accumulated in the bag.

So I have taken to using a polyester fleece balaclava that covers my entire face except my eyes. Problem solved for the night. I the morning I “wash” off my balaclava’s nose/mouth area with snow and shake as much moisture off as possible,

In sub zero (F.) weather I use a Solar face mask that has layers of copper screen between fleece outer layers. This covers my mouth and nose and warms inhaled air B/C the screen are warmed by exhaled air. Works pretty well.

I absolutely wash the mask out with soap when I return home. Once I even dipped it into boiling water in camp after the 3rd day B/C I couldn’t stand the smell! That worked OK.

[Eric Blumensaadt]

That sub zero mask is spelled PSOLAR (d@mn spell check) and is no longer sold. Make yer own, I guess.

[DAN-Y]

made my own outa fleece based on an Idea of Shug’s on hammockforums,net

[Ryan “Rudy” Oury]

On some cooler nights (15-25F), I’ve pulled my Buff completely over my face. It’s thin enough that it doesn’t impede breathing at all, but gives just enough of a layer to keep my face warm. First time I thought to try it, I figured it would be really annoying on my eyes, but once I tried it, found it wasn’t bad st all.

[DAN-Y]

 

In the beginning of the video Shug shows how he keeps his nose/face warm.

[Chris Bell]

Here is an idea I still use and posted a few years back.  Does the job.

I tried other coverings over my face but too restrictive. I had a great deal of pain in my sinuses for a couple of months following a -16°F night and had to come up with something. I just wanted to keep the warm air around my nose and came up with not a snorkel but what I refer to is my sockel.

Took an old comfy wool sock that was worn out and cut it heal to just before the toe area. You wear this thing around your head and breath through the section where your foot normally goes in. So the toe area is on the back of the head. Yeah it makes me laugh even describing it. Cut the calf section, the breathing tube, to what ever length you want. I roll the sock back, nose area, to stiffen it up a bit. Pick out a sock that’s soft, warm and comfy. And yes, if you want you can even clean it before wearing. Attached are photos. You’ll scare your self if not other campers when wearing this but it does the trick.

 

[DAN-Y]

I like it!

[Alex H]

I have been using a Seirus Quick Draw hat for years with a pull down fleece face mask that store up in the hat when not needed, it is just enough to protect the nose and yet breath through.

[Edward John M]

I might just steal that sockel idea and try it out. I may even splash out on a pair of new socks so I have a spare

[John K]

LoL, reminds me of these critters: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ytei6bu7kQ

[Jim Colten]

@Chris That is brilliant!

I’ve tried most of what Eric used with “good enough” results but I can hardly weight to try the sockel

[Rob P]

I agree with Jim Colten…that is an excellent idea!

[Eric Blumensaadt]

“SOCKEL”  HA! Could have used this a few times camping near Erie, PA where I lived for many decades.

May be worth a try. I do have a sock that would work. The snorkel idea will warm incoming air.

Just don’t wear it near small children as it will scare the hell out of them.

 

@ AkexH, Looking closely at that Series hat (I have one) that “face mask is really a back-of-the-neck flap. But hey, use it as a face mack and sleep well.

[W I S N E R !]

I love the sock tube.  Thanks.

[Paul S]

Love the sock tube idea, thanks for sharing it!

[Barry P]

I put a backpacking towel over my face. I like that towel because of the tight weave so it keeps my face warm; and it’s breathable. In the morning, the non-face side of the towel is usually covered in ice. But it shakes off and also dries in the sun during the day.

A lot of great ideas here!

The mountains were made for Tevas

-Barry

[Randy Martin]

I use my Buff to pull down over my face just to the tip of my nose.  It keeps my nose and eyes from being too cold.  One of the many uses for a Buff and one of my favorite pieces of gear for that reason.

[Paul S]

Call out to Chris Bell for his great idea!

My wife and I tried-out our “sockels” this weekend.

They definitely made sleeping on a cold night (approx. 25deg F) much more comfortable.

Keeps your nose warm, and your cheeks as well.

two thumbs-up!

 

[Chris Bell]

Paul S That photograph cracks me up. LOL got my daughter to wear one but no photos allowed!   Glad it worked out for you both.

[Eric Blumensaadt]

Chris, you are a genius and should patent the “sockle”.

[Greg Pehrson]

Just want to chime in here with my love for the Sockel. I’ve used it on several overnights, including this past weekend in the Berkshires of Western MA where temps were at zero F or slightly below. I wore it overnight in my hammock where it kept my nose warm and my breath out of the quilt, and while hiking the next morning. As a glasses wearer, the Sockel directed my breath enough away that my lenses fogged up much less than normal. So awesome!

[Paul S]

We sockel’d for a couple of winters. Then we got Timmermade “Waterbear’s” We needed down hoods anyhow (we use quilts), and the waterbear keeps our heads warm, and, keeps face and nose warm without feeling the wetness of the condensation. There still is, of course, condensation, but it is held away from your face .

[Bruce M]

If I remember correctly, a 1970’s edition in Mountaineering Freedom of the Hills had a mention of breathing through a sock while wearing a Balaklava. I remember trying it. For me, it was kinda difficult keeping it on my face. For my hiking buddy, I remember he said it would have been better if he’d used a clean sock.

[David D]

I use a disposable mask.  Discovered its warmth skating the Rideau Canal (15km round trip) in -25C conditions and it doesn’t soak like a balaclava does when breathed through.  Comfy, weighs and costs squat!

[Eric Blumensaadt]

David D,

The one and only time I XC skied on the Rideau Canal in Ottawa, Canada was the day I finished The Canadian Ski Marathon. Two days, 100 miles. I got the Courier du Bois bronze award for merely finishing in the allotted time. My Canadian buddy from Toronto also finished. He was 26 and I was 38. We were also backpacking (NW Pennsylvania) and canoeing (Ontario andQuebec) pals.

I was a Nordic NationalSki Patroller for 10 years in the snow belt outside of Erie, PA. Got to patrol the ’79 World Cup and ’80 Winter Olympics, both at Lake Placid, NY.

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