We chose the ski masks on this list by testing them or through thorough research. We made sure to include a variety of ski mask options to suit different needs and budgets. How we tested The Under Armour ColdGear Infrared Tactical Hood is incredibly lightweight, making it much more comfortable than a traditional woolen balaclava. Despite its relative thinness, it also offers superior insulation, thanks to its innovative ColdGear Infrared fabric. This fabric uses a thermo-conductive inner coating to absorb and retain your body heat, while the close fit prevents drafts and protects your entire face—leaving only your eyes uncovered. Maintenance - Always refer to your maintenance instructions to ensure that you correctly look after your chosen balaclava. Depending upon what the principle material construction will determine the washing and care procedures. Many can be removed and simply popped into the washing machine on a regular cycle. Balaclava FAQ Q : What is balaclava? It’s also hard to know exactly how eco-friendly a gaiter is for humans and the planet. You may think — it’s a simple piece of gear and probably sustainably made — but that’s not always the case.

A: I’ll start with the worst fabric for a ski mask: cotton. Cotton soaks up moisture and does not provide any warmth when it gets wet. That’s why most outdoors people say “cotton kills,”, especially in cold and wet environments. Finding a comfortable ski mask will allow you to wear it all day long while you shred the slopes. Make sure the ski mask does not have any seams in uncomfortable places, as the last thing you want is to be scratching or need to adjust constantly while skiing. The fabric you choose will also make a difference. Soft materials like merino wool or fleece can be more comfortable than some polyester or nylon masks. But if you run hot, it may be more comfortable to wear something smooth and cool like polyester. Integration with goggles Choose a face covering made with synthetic fabrics such as polyester and spandex. Other good options use merino wool as the primary material. We love merino for its antimicrobial properties that fight off stink! Design Mask, gaiter, buff, tube — whatever you call it, however you wear it, it’s an essential piece of gear if you’ll be hitting the snow this season. See the Burton Ember Fleece Balaclava on EVO Best balaclava: Tough Headwear Strike Balaclava Ski MaskBecause collected moisture is the bane of a functional balaclava, the best ones include a Durable Water Repellent (DWR) coating to help shed the moisture and prevent it from soaking into the fabric itself. The Tech Clava features a hinged balaclava design, which allows the hooded section to be worn both up and down. The front section slightly meshes so that air can flow in and out of the mask for easy breathing. This product is machine washable so you can keep it fresh season after season! Masks are no longer a requirement everywhere, although some resorts are still requiring face coverings on gondolas, in restaurants, retail shops, and more. And, it’s always a good idea to travel with one, especially if you’re traveling to a rental property, resort, or somewhere in big crowds. We’ve found the best options for skiing and riding are the ear-loop masks. They’re the easiest to remove with gloves (no dealing with ties, slides, or beads for adjusting fit).

Some of these are very fashionable such as the Solid Front, Battery headed, and Sun Mask balaclava. However, Balaclava’s worth is best measured through its utility, while fashion is only a secondary consideration. What to Wear With a Balaclava? You can also try various soaps and waxes to make your goggles more hydrophobic, try double-lens goggles, try goggles with extra large vents. Most of the higher-end ski goggles have the latter two features, and ski shops will sell anti-fog balms. But if you're blowing hot breath onto cold goggles, you're going to have a problem. Turtle Fur also has an initiative called Project Warmth, where if you take a picture for social media and tag Turtle Fur and #projectwarmth, they will donate hats and other warm products to those in need. So you can be cozy and do good while wearing Turtle Fur. Read the in-depth review here. The standard M4 MFI® face mask comes with a 58cm circumference whilst the MFI® hooded Balaclava, due to it being primarily used for exterior layering over the head or helmet sits much larger again at 62cm in circumference. What materials are used? Typically, you’re looking for a combination of fleece and a stretchy material like spandex.Differential diagnosis: is the fog on the outside or the inside of the mask? If your goggles are sitting on top of the mask as they should be, and your mask isn't vented, you'll get fog on the inside. The collar-bounce problem will make fog/ice on the outside.

Some of the balaclavas we have described here are an important part of proper ski gear. These are recommended by ski resorts all over the world, and therefore these are of top quality. Nylon - A popular and versatile choice, nylon is protective but breathable and let's moisture out. It's also durable and relatively inexpensive and can be used in combination with other fabrics to provide a durable blend. It also offers high levels of windproof protection. After using some (like BUFF) for literally thousands of outings, we’ve come to rely on them and can count on them for consistency and quality. So, we take this into account when making our selections. Materials How much of the face is covered? Do you want a ski mask that covers everything but your eyes, or a mask that leaves your nose, mouth or whole face uncovered?

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Our entire staff has used the majority of the face coverings and gaiters tested here for multiple seasons in a row now. For our initial testing, we spent around 2 months (in a few places across the country) wearing these gaiters, buffs, and balaclavas skiing, snowshoeing, and commuting in the winter.