Balaclava?

lucianot

Hi there,

I've been cycling to work for a couple of months now and I am just recovering after an episode of a very strong sinusitis. I was thinking on getting a balaclava for when I am fully recovered and so avoid getting so cold, but I am not sure what to get as in Amazon all they sell seems to be for motorcycles, not bicycles, so I have to ask the boardies
Any advice on brands or where to get them?
I remember using wool ones when I was a teenager but with a helmet now is impossible to wear so I need something lighter and thinner.
Thanks!

g0g

Maybe try a buff?

captain P

Wiggle have a decent selection.

I recently bought one of these and I haven't taken it off since. I find it fantastic and really warm!!! You'll get them in any decent outdoors stores.

I had sinusitis for about 3 months until the last few weeks so I feel your pain

lucianot

Thank guys, I didn't think of the buff at all! But I am not sure about a buff because it''s seems impossible to use as a cap as well and also I always get ear pains so it needs to cover my Dumbo wings I know, I suffer the cold a lot but I am not from this weather so please understand.
Or perhaps I need to wear both a cap and a buff.
I'll give it try, for what it costs is not so difficult to try.
Thanks!

g0g

I think Buff can do both! Certainly a couple of weeks back my ears were freezing so I had it covering from my neck up over the top of my head pretty much.

Got a balaclava from Aldi a year or two ago, they're great. I tend to get ear aches in winter myself so it helps protect from that.

phaxx

On a couple of particularly cold days last winter, I wore this:



The only problem is that it gets a little stuffy around the nose, the wool doesn't allow the level of ventilation I expected.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/nectarous/4073239543/

lucianot

But aren't you tempted to destroy the world when wearing it?

ThisRegard

g0g wrote: »

I think Buff can do both! Certainly a couple of weeks back my ears were freezing so I had it covering from my neck up over the top of my head pretty much.

You can't beat a buff for versatility can you ! I use mine as a cap most of the time for running, when it gets too warm off it goes around the wrist. When it's pissing rain and cold it make a great balaclava.

OP, see the official buff website, http://www.buffwear.com/pages/technical/ways-to-wear.php for how you can use it. The vids are a bit cheesy but if you buy one it has a much better card showing you how to make all the different styles which for some reason aren't on the site.

edit, google brings it back

Harrybelafonte

I have one of these, but not sure if I should wear it on a bike

Dancor

I ordered one from this crowd, http://www.backstreet-merch.com/bands/bally/ on Thursday or Friday and it came this morning. Nice thin fabric so its grand with a helmet and its keeps your face warm. Cool designs too. They are more ski mask than balaclava.

It was a fiver delivery to Ireland.

lucianot

I just ordered the buff thingy. If it is too light for winter I'll get a balaclava or sky mask.
Thanks everybody for the advices and the fun

Piercemeear

Cycling home last night made me decide I definitely want one of these.

It zips into a balaclava.

Magnet

lucianot wrote: »

Hi there,

I've been cycling to work for a couple of months now and I am just recovering after an episode of a very strong sinusitis. I was thinking on getting a balaclava for when I am fully recovered and so avoid getting so cold, but I am not sure what to get as in Amazon all they sell seems to be for motorcycles, not bicycles, so I have to ask the boardies
Any advice on brands or where to get them?
I remember using wool ones when I was a teenager but with a helmet now is impossible to wear so I need something lighter and thinner.
Thanks!

You`re in Galway?!?!
I got a balaclava in the Army+Navy store on shop st for €8/10 and wear it for running, although I turn it up to a normal hat when there`s oncoming traffic(I run in the country side so running along the dark roads wit a torch AND a balaclava is just funny especially when you run up behind pedestrians:D:D)

Lumen

Piercemeear wrote: »

Cycling home last night made me decide I definitely want one of these.

It zips into a balaclava.

Anything that covers the mouth will get wet, cold and uncomfortable from exhaled moisture.

the_syco

In Dublin there's an Army Bargins store. There used to be an army surplus store in Galway city, but I think it closed down last year. There may be another one in Galway somethere, though. When I cycled, I found the one hole balaclava good.

Piercemeear

Lumen wrote: »

Anything that covers the mouth will get wet, cold and uncomfortable from exhaled moisture.

I'll just hold my breath.

lucianot

Magnet wrote: »

You`re in Galway?!?!
I got a balaclava in the Army+Navy store on shop st for €8/10 and wear it for running, although I turn it up to a normal hat when there`s oncoming traffic(I run in the country side so running along the dark roads wit a torch AND a balaclava is just funny especially when you run up behind pedestrians:D:D)

Yes, I am in Galway. I may take a look there in case I am not happy with the buff I ordered.
Thanks!

lucianot

I just got the buff and is ok for covering the mouth and nose, itallosw you to breath OK while not getting frozen, and partially covers the ears. It doesn't make a very effective balaclava though. I bought one of those headbands from Pennys (€1) and together they work like a charm.

youcancallmeal

I bought this last year and I found i great for short trips (< 10km). I would say the condensation would probably get to me if had to wear it for much longer after that.

lucianot

Nice one Al, thanks.

Daniel S

the_syco wrote: »

In Dublin there's an Army Bargins store. There used to be an army surplus store in Galway city, but I think it closed down last year. There may be another one in Galway somethere, though. When I cycled, I found the one hole balaclava good.

I saw an army store in Galway city during the NUIG open day, so I'd say its safe to say its still there.

BostonB

lucianot wrote: »

I just got the buff and is ok for covering the mouth and nose, itallosw you to breath OK while not getting frozen, and partially covers the ears. It doesn't make a very effective balaclava though. I bought one of those headbands from Pennys (€1) and together they work like a charm.

I have a buff and think its great. You can pull it up higher to act as a balaclava, but I find that too hot.

langdang

Saw a JML ad for a buff clone last night - the bandarf (terrible name!)
Doubt it has the same silver-anti-microbe stuff of the real deal but at half the price....

Herself got a thermal fleecy neck gaiter in an outdoor shop yesterday. Hasn't tried it out cycling yet....

bcmf

+1 on the buff. Around the neck under neath the jacket and you can pull it up when it suits.Yest I wore a beanie I got in Edinburgh a few years back with the buff pulled right up the back of my head and around my nose.Just simply pull it down/up when needs be.