The best
Men's Balaclavas:
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From 3.5 billion Reddit comments
The best of Men's Balaclavas by number of unique Reddit comments:
![[6-Pack] Neck Gaiter Scarf, Breathable Bandana Cooling Neck Gaiter for Men Women Cycling Hiking Fishing.](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41-V6ceDx6L._SL500_.jpg)
![[6 Pack] Unisex Sun UV Protection Face Bandana, Reusable Washable Cloth Fabric Scarf for Cycling Motorcycle, Breathable Neck Gaiter Balaclava for Men Women(Black&Light Gray&White&Dark Gray&Army&Blue)](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41ylWN55p3L._SL500_.jpg)
Top Reddit reviews mentioning Men's Balaclavas:
Get one of these...
They block out the dust way better than a banana and are easy to pull down/up when drinking a beer. Get em wet to stay cool during the day. At night they can keep your a lil warmer.
These are solid but they come in a ton of patterns. A bunch of other brands make em too but I've only used these. Hope it helps. I might also look into getting a disposable nasal rinse.
Edit: also look up "padded sunglasses" or "motorcycle sunglasses". They also keep the dust out of the eyes better and they're super cheap on Amazon (put the yellow ones on when you're on drgz).
What about a mall? What about a mask and some extra layers?
I am (was? it's been almost gone since I lost so much weight) asthmatic and cold air has always been one of my triggers. When we got hit with the first windchill under freezing I bought us balaclava masks ($15 or so at Amazon, https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00S0YA5GM/) and they helped immensely, they keep my head and neck very warm and they breathe really well. Plus they can be worn with or without covering the mouth and nose.
I also started experimenting with the clothing. I got thermal pants, these have been great in sub zero with just a windbreaker pant worn over. For the top I stopped wearing my parka and switched to wearing two pairs of long sleeve stay dry shirts over one short sleeve shirt of the same material. I am now even running wearing these, just this morning I was more concerned about the ice patches than I was about being able to breathe when it was so damn cold.
It sounds like you're in a delicious situation to absolutely terrify those kids. Here's what I'm thinking:
It's 4am and you're laying still under a pile of leaves in your yard. Your friend/whoever is waiting around the corner in a black Chevy Suburban. In the back of the Suburban are four more people, dressed in all black with balaclavas on.
The teens come to the door. Your outside light flickers and goes out. Maybe a hidden fog machine kicks on. They hear the sound of a pistol being racked. The door handle starts to turn from the inside, then whips open to reveal someone in all black/masked. The teens run, straight towards you.
You pop up, dressed the same. They change direction to be greeted by the Suburban screeching to a halt as everyone in it charges out and surrounds the teens, screaming commands such as "GET ON THE GROUND" and "HANDS ON YOUR HEAD". They start crying. Maybe one pisses himself.
From here, you get to choose. You could zip tie them up and leave them somewhere. You could throw bags over their heads, drive them out into the state forest and leave them. Your call - don't be afraid to get creative with it!
Or you could be super boring about it and just whip the door open and pepper spray them. Self defense man.
This is what I bought - https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00S0YA5GM/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
But anything that protects your face from the cold would work. Harder to breath wearing it and your breath gets it a little damp from the heat, but it is better than nothing.
riding around 0°C (sometimes with rain) in NE Pennsylvania I just wear 3/4 or full length bibs (usually marketed as those autumn/spring type), a sleeveless summer baselayer and again one of those autumn/spring jerseys.
If I wear a jacket, after cycling for a couple of minutes I get so warm I start sweating buckets so I now I just cycle without a jacket. It's only cold at the very start but once I get to the main road and build up a bit of speed, my body stays warm.
Then I also just have a regular thin general purpose neck tube / scarf type things to cover my nose and ears from direct wind. If it's really cold or windy then I'll get out this balaclava instead.
The only thing I've yet to find are good enough gloves. They either do nothing (wind cuts right through it) or are so disgustingly hot—nothing in between so far that I've found.
Here in NY, I've been riding with just my mesh/leather hybrid jacket and short sleeves underneath; my friends think I'm nuts. The cold hasn't bothered me much besides my hands (which I bought silk glove liners to go under my leather gloves). I have a tube-style balaclava/neck gaiter similar to this one and a uniqulo packable down jacket that I carry in my sling pack and can wear under my jacket if I need it. You can probably find cheaper packable jackets on amazon to do the trick, but I really like and recommend the Uniqulo ones for the quality and warmth.
Looks good for a first kit. I have a few recommendations.
1, Are those glasses ANSI impact rated and full seal? If not you are probably gonna need new eye pro if you want to play at most fields.
2, It appears you are just wearing a cloth face covering and I don’t see any other face protection. I’d highly recommend some sort of mesh mask to protect your face. Multiple companies make mesh masks that are built into balaclavas so they are more convenient than dealing with the traditional kind with straps. I’ll include a link to the one I use at the end.
3, I always recommend a helmet. I have been shot in the head before and it sucks. Sometimes you’ll get a big old goose egg on your forehead and it’ll just look nasty. A helmet will stop you from getting a direct hit to your head and can help if you bump your head into a structure or something.
4, Mechanics gloves if you don’t already have them. Getting shot in the fingers sucks. I know it can be hard to take kit pictures with them on so you might already have them.
https://www.amazon.com/OneTigris-Balaclava-Ninja-Style-Protection/dp/B07TZHY7JT
I got one of these: https://www.amazon.com/Friendly-Swede-Balaclava-Face-Mask/dp/B00M3NEBMK
The standard version because I don't bike if the weather is enough for a nordic/arctic one :-)
Hey, here is a link for a warmer face covering if you are cold.
Personally I just use a shemage doubled up a few times. Thin enough to breathe through, thick enough to slow bbs down so they don’t break teeth.
If you really want mesh though, these are nice:
OneTigris Balaclava Mesh Mask Ninja Style with Full Face Protection https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07V1FZLZB/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_i_7RXTTP2B9VYDF6EEXKG4
Check out a mask with a heat exchanger. I got one and it’s been great the last few day (also in Minnesota).
Here’s what I got and it’s designed by a MN company: Balaclava with Detachable Heat Exchanger Face Mask, Winter Ski Mask, Ergodyne N-Ferno 6970,Black https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0091CC38A/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_i_WX7C35BY29E6F73WMQCS
This under your helmet and a pair of ski goggles is amazing!
Balaclava with Detachable Heat Exchanger Face Mask, Winter Ski Mask, Ergodyne N-Ferno 6970,Black https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0091CC38A/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_i_ZD3VJSCRMJGD2XCXTV2N?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1
You can get this if you want a new gpu
With the used market, you'll encounter 2 types of people. the clueless (or scammers) who think that their gpu from 2004 is now worth $700 due to the shortage and the people who value their gpu at around what it should be worth. this is if you avoid ebay (which you should because you will never find anything priced right. use craigslist or offer up)
This changed my life: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07V1FZLZB/ref=cm_sw_r_apan_glt_fabc_6DXJTZV4C6B8PFX79G2B?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1
Other than that, just reshape the mesh and adjust the straps the best you can.
If you don't currently own this balaclava, you could try to find a different model to make sure it lasts. I'm currently looking for a better one than the one I currently own I stumbled upon this model, which seem to fix a lot of issues I have with mine: https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B0091CC38A/ref=as\_li\_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=coldbike-20&camp=15121&creative=330641&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=B0091CC38A&linkId=2170bec001954f27767ed0cb66172e48&th=1
If you live in the Us you can make do in just under 300$
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07HRLVWD9/ref=cm_sw_r_apan_glc_fabc_VV05EBX28DW78BY99X5A
Sireck Cold Weather Balaclava Ski Mask, Water Resistant and Windproof Fleece Thermal Face Mask, Hunting Cycling Motorcycle Neck Warmer Hood Winter Gear for Men Women https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07WQW472G/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_98D3DCDF9JY466QX4ZXQ I rode almost 2 hours in 30 degree weather with this and it covers your entire head and neck. It was truly perfect.
I generally find it's the wind that makes things feel really cool. So windproof layers pay in gold. No brand scuba gloves, 5mm or greater in neoprene. You can get e.g. zcco ones on Amazon for about 18usd. For head, a windproof balaclava such as the below, with beanie of choice over the top, maybe a hoodie over top of that.
Balaclava Ski Mask - Winter Face Mask for Men & Women - Cold Weather Gear for Skiing, Snowboarding & Motorcycle Riding Black https://www.amazon.com/dp/B019F18TX4/ref=cm_sw_r_apan_glt_fabc_MXY3035MYP0Q7ZJ55SGN?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1
ZCCO 5mm Neoprene Diving Gloves,... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08224NR2P?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share
I suggest these to people instead. Still gives you mesh but without the thick padding. OneTigris Balaclava Mesh Mask Ninja Style with Full Face Protection https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07V1FZLZB/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_ZHVRFKWYYZF5C8VJ3DJ3?psc=1
I have 7 of these, I wear them everytime I ride. Thin enough to fit under the helmet, never have to worry about bunching.
I grabbed this one last year. Used it once. This year I've had it on everyday for the last month. Versatile in that you can pull it back and use it as a regular neck gator. Pull it up and toss a hat on with just the eyes exposed for those extreme temperatures. Windproof... waterproof. I hear you regarding that area that freezes up near your mouth, because of the venting it just doesn't happen with this.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07WQW472G/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_fabc_WWKSJCZMFC0DDJPJ181V
A warm neck gaiter that covers your nose, ears, and neck has done wonders for me.
I use this Mask I ordered on Amazon. Light enough for hat it doesn’t restrict, but stout enough to block the cold.
A balaclava can (to some degree) protect you if you have to use someone else's helmet.
There's a cheap one on Amazon that I use for riding in cool weather. Fogs up the visor like nothing else every time I breathe during a rain, but that can be dealt with.
I just wear a balaclava I got off of Amazon and it has breathing vent holes around the nose and mouth. I don't like buffs. I'm in the minority though.
Tough Headwear Balaclava Ski Mask for Men & Women https://www.amazon.com/dp/B019F18TX4/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_XNs8Db1X50YGE
I found a balaclava face mask combo for skiing that keeps your breath warm. This was my biggest deterrent by far, and when my dad sent me the Amazon link I knew nothing was going to stand in my way.
https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B0091CC38A/ref=cm_sw_r_other_apa_i_8zRsFb2PAER15
Ya it’s the neck shots that bother me more since I got a new job and I can’t be showing up with marks all over. Been thinking about finding some way to protect my neck but I don’t want to look like an idiot lol. Found this on amazon but not sure what people think https://www.amazon.com/Self-Pro-Balaclava-Protection-Windproof/dp/B00S0YA5GM/ref=mp_s_a_1_9?dchild=1&keywords=heatgear+turtle+neck&qid=1596401538&sr=8-9.
Cheap ass balaclava off amazon ($12)... works for winter/cold runs... not much to say about it but it fits and works.
OneTigris Balaclava Mesh Mask Ninja Style with Full Face Protection (OD Green) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07V1FZLZB/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_EQ7cEbDWVQ4J6 Found this searching for onetigris half masks, couldn't find any info on it.
I have been contemplating one of these: https://www.amazon.com/Ergodyne-N-Ferno-6970-Balaclava-Exchanger/dp/B0091CC38A/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1540981943&sr=8-3&keywords=balaclava+heat+exchanger
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