Keeping the face warm

**dfscott** · 02-02-2017, 11:10

I find when the temps drop close to or below freezing, the two main problems for me are my feet and my face. Feet are fixed by extra socks and putting a jacket around the end of my sleeping bag (hopefully soon a EE quilt!). But for face, I end up just pulling my top insulation over my head which only works until I shift and a draft come in.

I always wear a stocking cap on my mostly-bald head, but I've always been averse to having something on my face (and my wife won't let me grow a beard!). JRB says they use balaclavas anytime the temp goes below 70°F, so I was wonder if anyone else had any experience with these? I didn't like the stocking cap at first, but now I've gotten used to it and feel naked without it. Wondering if it might be the same with a balaclava?

**Rushthezeppelin** · 02-02-2017, 11:12

Fleece balaclava is definitely the way to go. Sucks that you can't grow a beard though, they help ALOT.

**TrailSlug** · 02-02-2017, 11:14

My fleece balaclava and my BlackRock Gear down hat are what I were when the temps go below the mid thirties. This combination has worked fine done to around 11° for me but at that point the nose started getting cold.

**dfscott** · 02-02-2017, 11:18

Originally Posted by Rushthezeppelin

Fleece balaclava is definitely the way to go. Sucks that you can't grow a beard though, they help ALOT.

Yeah, I had a beard for most of my life. Unfortunately, I met my wife while I was interviewing for jobs, so I was "cleaned up". She now considers that my default appearance.

I was wondering fleece vs wool -- I figured wool would be too itchy but I know some of the merinos are supposedly soft.

**Otter1** · 02-02-2017, 11:44

I love wool (especially merino for such applications), but acrylic seems to handle the moisture better than wool or polyester. What I mean is when moisture is held in place over my nose I get very cold in those spots, and acrylic limits this better than others. If you have a big issue try a neoprene face mask.

**dfscott** · 02-02-2017, 11:48

Originally Posted by Otter1

I love wool (especially merino for such applications), but acrylic seems to handle the moisture better than wool or polyester. What I mean is when moisture is held in place over my nose I get very cold in those spots, and acrylic limits this better than others. If you have a big issue try a neoprene face mask.

I've done a little poking around and found this at my local REI. For $27 (and the hassle-free return policy), I think I'll give it a shot. It's fleece and has the neoprene mask, so hopefully will fit the bill.

**weaver2469** · 02-02-2017, 11:55

I am not a big fan of the balaclava. With my big head, it is hard to put it on and still have my hat fit. Even if it does fit, the two layers make my head feel squeezed. I prefer a hat, along with a fleece neck gaiter. It is very big and stretchy, so it doesn't feel like it is choking me. I can pull my hat down over my eyes and pull the gaiter up until it almost touches the hat. Works great. Mine is probably 20 years old, but it is similar to this one, i think. https://www.rei.com/product/769865/t...fs-neck-gaiter

**Eclectic** · 02-02-2017, 12:15

Originally Posted by dfscott

I was wondering fleece vs wool -- I figured wool would be too itchy but I know some of the merinos are supposedly soft.

A good merino should not be itchy. You could also look at alpaca. It is softer than most wools and does not have the lanolin. Many people who cannot tolerate wool do just fine with alpaca.

I'm also wondering whether you could just use a shaped hat - like the cowboys used to place their hats over their heads to block the sun. It would provide a little warmth but without the suffocating feeling of something closer to the skin.

**OneClick** · 02-02-2017, 12:23

Originally Posted by weaver2469

I am not a big fan of the balaclava. With my big head, it is hard to put it on and still have my hat fit. Even if it does fit, the two layers make my head feel squeezed. I prefer a hat, along with a fleece neck gaiter. It is very big and stretchy, so it doesn't feel like it is choking me. I can pull my hat down over my eyes and pull the gaiter up until it almost touches the hat. Works great. Mine is probably 20 years old, but it is similar to this one, i think. https://www.rei.com/product/769865/t...fs-neck-gaiter

Same here. Much more versatile having the hat and gaiter. Or I may use one of those 4-in-1 oversized fleece hoods; similar to a balaclava but much looser and you can adjust the face hole with the cord. You can get them anywhere for about $10.

**dscotthep** · 02-02-2017, 12:28

I use a 3-hole ski mask like this. It covers my nose without covering my mouth and creating condensation issues. One time I forgot the ski mask, so I pulled my stocking cap down over my eyes and nose, leaving my mouth clear. That actually kept my face warmer than the ski mask, but left my neck too exposed.

As a Boy Scout, I learned the hard way that sleeping with your head inside your bag (or in your quilt) leads to serious moisture problems. I'm not fond of spending long nights in a semi-hypothermic state.