Balaclava Face Mask ?'s

[newp]

I use a Balaclava face mask when I ride when the temp is 30 or less. My question is should you breath through the mask or not. Is it bad to breath through the mask when it is wet, thus letting a liquid mist into your lungs? Or is it better to breath the cold air. Thanks

[Disaster on Wheels]

Breathing the wet air will actually help in the winter- it is humidified keeping your lungs moist. It is the cold dry air that kills me in the winter. It certainly wont hurt you, but it might get uncomfortable after a while if it freezes.

[gopherhockey]

I use a Balaclava face mask when I ride when the temp is 30 or less. My question is should you breath through the mask or not. Is it bad to breath through the mask when it is wet, thus letting a liquid mist into your lungs? Or is it better to breath the cold air. Thanks

I'm not sure about the health issues with it, but I know its really annoying to breath through a soggy facemask.

I usually start out with a thin balaclava and end up removing it - even around 0 degrees. Nice to have while I'm warming up tho. I usually put the thing over my mouth if its windy or below 10 degrees, otherwise it sits under my chin.

Probably be entirely different out on the road or commuting...

[THUMP!]

I have used thin and thick and both rock for me. My biggest problem is keeping it from fogging my glasses.

[RiverRat]

I normally can't breathe well enough through a balaclava (even the thin ones), but I found one that has a nose flap (leaving the nostrils open but covering the nose) and a bunch of small holes punched in the mouth area. It is also pretty thick and very wind resistant, so it works well even when below zero. I found it at the mans mall (Fleet Farm). I can usually breathe fairly well through that, but I did recently put a slit between sets of holes to help open it a little more and ease breathing, while still keeping the wind off of skin. The moisture is ok as long as it doesn't get too bad (which can be adjusted with the correct amount/size of holes).

Also, a pair of ski goggles works wonders for keeping the rest of the face warm. Make sure you have the winter version with the double layer lens though. The singles will fog/frost very quickly.

[ZippyZoe]

Probably be entirely different out on the road or commuting...

Yeap, I can give you the commuting perspective from the 'burbs :)....

I used balaclavas throughout the winter for commuting on sub-freezing days and use the open face option above ten'ish or as wind conditions dictate. They do indeed get wet and uncomfortable during very cold temps (below 5F based on my commuting experience and exertion level). On those days I bring an extra one and swap it halfway through my 11 mile commute. Most of the time I just deal with the wetness, but it's nice to have a dry one along.

Last February on one of my coldest commutes (-17) my balaclava would frost up, impair breathing, and tend to sag which is why it's a good idea to bring an extra. I don't even bother with goggles/glasses at temps below 20. I gave up trying to figure out how to prevent fogging with any kind of eyewear. Remember, exertion is the furnace to keep warn during extreme cold, so I don't want to go at an exertion level to prevent fogging. Fogging? Stay Warm? Fogging? Stay warm? - I'll take warmth :D. My solution at such cold temps: use Vasaline on exposed skin around the eyes, blink a LOT, followed up by some Visine drops at the office. Extreme, but works for me.

[THUMP!]

Yeap, I can give you the commuting perspective from the 'burbs :)....

I used balaclavas throughout the winter for commuting on sub-freezing days and use the open face option above ten'ish or as wind conditions dictate. They do indeed get wet and uncomfortable during very cold temps (below 5F based on my commuting experience and exertion level). On those days I bring an extra one and swap it halfway through my 11 mile commute. Most of the time I just deal with the wetness, but it's nice to have a dry one along.

Last February on one of my coldest commutes (-17) my balaclava would frost up, impair breathing, and tend to sag which is why it's a good idea to bring an extra. I don't even bother with goggles/glasses at temps below 20. I gave up trying to figure out how to prevent fogging with any kind of eyewear. Remember, exertion is the furnace to keep warn during extreme cold, so I don't want to go at an exertion level to prevent fogging. Fogging? Stay Warm? Fogging? Stay warm? - I'll take warmth :D. My solution at such cold temps: use Vasaline on exposed skin around the eyes, blink a LOT, followed up by some Visine drops at the office. Extreme, but works for me.

...unless you are visually impaired and have to wear glasses.

[RiverRat]

I rarely have a problem with my ski goggles fogging/frosting. It's usually only when I am breathing through a balaclava that does not have breath holes, so the air gets forced out the eye opening, which happens to be where the goggles are.

Again, make sure you have the double layer lenses for your goggles. Some eyeglasses can kind of fit under goggles, but contacts are always the easiest to fit under any goggles or sunglasses. Step into the 21st century of vision correction (unless you have an issue other than poor eyes that makes contacts impossible).

With the right setup of a balaclava and goggles, along with some careful placement, you can eliminate all exposed skin.

[MisterClaw]

I don't even bother with goggles/glasses at temps below 20.

I smeared Cat Crap over my goggle lenses and it's worked pretty well.

[wildkona]

I just got a craft bakl...whatever deal today. Its the one with the wind shield. Can't wait to use it; the commute in this morning was a little cold on the face.

[ZippyZoe]

I smeared Cat Crap over my goggle lenses and it's worked pretty well.

I'll have to check it out. Thanks for the suggestion. I'd love to wear eyewear if I can find something that will prevent fogging.

[newp]

I smeared Cat Crap over my goggle lenses and it's worked pretty well.


Ahh, the sweet smell of cat crap. Thats the answer I've been waiting for. I also heard that I will help you pick up the ladies.:crazy2:

[batjerk]

Is "cat crap" an actual product, or merely the feces of a household feline?

Spitting on stuff is supposed to work too. At least for SCUBA gear.

[newp]

Holy Crap!! It's for real, check it out http://catcrap.com.au/home
Sorry, I should have know that some one would name a anti-fog Cat Crap.:banghead: