Balaclava/face mask recomendations needed.

[7 skulls]

Hey TYers
Came home from work, excited to ride and try out my 509 goggles. First day, cold morning = frozen face. Went back to my Smith goggles (KBC sno-x helmet) which I have used for years with no problem. Still cold. All this using a helly hanson balaclava I've had for while. I thought I had my helmet/goggle set-up down and knew the 509s were small. I think working outside for the past 2 winters in -50 C + windchills has permanently made me susceptable to air leaks like I never was before.
I need better coverage around the left/right sides of the goggles under the straps and more coverage around the cheeks. Still like to be able to scratch\wipe my nose. Thinking of a klim balaclava but would like to see what other people are using. Thanks.

 

[mcamzr]

I know just what you are going through. I bought 509 and when it's cold I too go back to the smith's. last year I got the klim covert and I love it. But I don't where a breath box and when it was really cold I got a bit chilled. I did try the ski doo mountain balaclava and I hated it. But I got in the mail today the Klim arctic balaclava and I looks like it migh be the ticket. I haven't rode with it yet but I just got back in from the barn trying it on wiht my helmet and all my goggles. It is real tight around the eyes and fits real well. I think the only place on the planet that has them is snowbigdeal.com.

 

[Irv]

7skulls, I have heard great things about the Unwind brand.

Royal sells them, plus a few other brands so lots of choices out there. Imo, you are likely to get multiple replies on what different people use and like anything, what works for them my not neccessarily work for you?
http://www.royaldistributing.com/Catalo ... age36.html

 

[bottlerocket]

Klim covert here.

 

[RTXSteve]

The new Klim Arctic Balaclava is pretty awesome.

 

[Sevey]

Klim - Arctic Balaclava

I started using a simple lycra belaclave with my mx helmut - that nearly froze me to death. Then upgraded to the Unwind. That is a pretty good one, its warm, fits good, but the goggles still have to come off if you arent riding. So every time you stop, more than 20 sec., the goggles gotta come off. Another problem is throughout the day the face around the nose vent and mouth gets saturated wet and annoying - its like wearing a wet rag on your face. When its really cold, it will refreeze against your skin - not fun. At lunch i was using a hand dryer in the washroom to air it out knowing it would refreeze the minute you started riding again.

So i tracked down the Klim, Arctic Belaclava - I am sold. Best system so far. It fits well, super warm, and because your nose, and mouth are open (no material touching), it doesnt get soaked. Lots of room to exhale and the best part - you can keep your goggles on went not riding. They dont fog up. Also, to stick a piece of gum or food in your mouth is not some creative effort like before - pulling the thing out and trying to pop something in your mouth.lol.

I wore it a week ago when it was -25 degrees c (air temp) and had no problems. The protective piece around the nose and mouth kept the windchill off and my face and was warm. On that trip, the week link was the hands, not the face.

Great piece of clothing.
Thumbs up.
MS

 

[sorenson1610]

Klims are nice and breathable but my neck freezes when its real cold. I had ALL kinds of trouble with my activa one, I have a 509 helmet with aviators. I had them freeze up the entire day no matter what I was doing. Finally switched to my klim covert and it was clear the rest of the weekend. Seemed to be holding all the heat in and releasing it into my goggles. Not fun to be riding along with half frozen goggles with snow dust passing sleds. I ended up winning a neck warmer thingy at the give a way ride which will cure my cold neck too

 

[Murse]

Unwind works superb for me. Long down to chest and back great neck protection just find it cold on the nose sometimes but goggles should fix that. I wear full face and the wind seems to come through at my nose.

 

[biffdotorg]

The new Klim Arctic Balaclava is pretty awesome.

X2 on the Arctic for snow cross helmets

 

[7 skulls]

Thanks guys! Klim Arctic it is. Sounds perfect for me. I can't stand anything too close over nose/mouth and suck/expell alot of air when riding hard complete with icicles hanging off the helmet.
The 509 polarized aviators have great lenses but are one cold goggle.

 

[Ding]

I wear the Klim and add a neck warmer when really cold.

 

[mcamzr]

Thanks guys! Klim Arctic it is. Sounds perfect for me. I can't stand anything too close over nose/mouth and suck/expell alot of air when riding hard complete with icicles hanging off the helmet.
The 509 polarized aviators have great lenses but are one cold goggle.

Snowbigdeal is where I just got mine. Klim is out till end of feb and I called everybody in the country I could find on line to try to find one.

 

[Yamahammer485]

I wear KLIM when doing any technical riding or on warmer days, so approxaimtely 80% of the time, and a thicker SCOTT when its freezing. The downside to the scott is its so warm and non-breathable that it fogs your googles instantly, and breathing can can hard actually, but its perfect in minus 20C so far

 

[Cubby]

I own 7 and the Unwind is by far the best. Never cold.

 

[Blue Dave]

I wear a full face helmet so I can not comment on how my Klim balaclava would work with goggles and a motocross style helmet. I am not sure about the model but it fits tight and it is very long in the front to tuck down into my jacket and keep my neck warm. I have three of them so that I can have a fresh one to wear each day on a long trip. Here is a link showing what I have:

http://www.bobscycle.com/browse.cfm/4,46460.html