What is the Best Balaclava for Hiking? Of the Top 10 best hiking balaclavas, there are three standout options that we would choose for different levels of weather harshness. In this guide, we explain why we think these are the best and what to look for when buying a hiking balaclava. Use to wipe away sweat or wear it on your wrist just in case you might need to use it in any of the other ways listed above! In especially hot temps, you can wet the buff before putting it on for added cooling. 11. Buff Hair Band Scrunch Burton is a snowboarding brand, but because this balaclava isn’t too tight-fitting, it is ideal for hiking and camping as well. It has a stretch face coving for comfort and breathability, which gives you lots of freedom of movement. This is a balaclava you don’t feel like a bank robber in if you are just heading to the shops.

The BUFF UVX Balaclava is the best balaclava for intensive hiking up and down mountains because it is lightweight and breathable enough to leave on while going uphill.With a customizable fit, UPF 50+, and an antimicrobial finish, this one should be a strong choice for the chairlift this season. Folded into thirds, the headband Buff is a good option when you don’t want a full Buff beanie on but still want some protection over your ears. It’s also good for those with long hair to help keep it from falling into your face. The Protective Bandana is a full-coverage mask with a nose wire that loops over both ears — so it’s not easy to take on and off. But that being said, you don’t want to be fiddling with a mask when you’re out on the slopes — you want to be skiing. So pop this mask on, and you’ll be all set for the lift lines on the way up and the fun on the way down. Outdoor Research Protective Essential Midweight Balaclava Kit The Mountain Hardwear Alpine Balaclava is one of the best hiking balaclavas for winter and dealing with snow. The Polartec Power Stretch fleece is incredibly insulative and breathable, but the best part is that it barely absorbs any water at all, and even if it does, it will still keep you warm. You don’t need to carry a scarf and a hat. Allyou need is a single balaclava that can often be adapted to work as a stand-alone scarf or hat anyway.

If your balaclava was for staying warm when stationary, the breathability and ventilation wouldn’t be much of an issue. Still, because we are looking at the best balaclava for hiking, we should take this into account. The reason we selected the Buff balaclava as the best for hiking is that it is so lightweight and breathable. This allows you to keep it on all day long without feeling overheated or cold. Wind protectionIt will keep your face warm when wet and is easy to breathe through. This one is pretty light, though, so it’s best for moderate temperatures and those who don’t mind feeling the wind on their skin. (And it doesn’t really do the job in areas where proper CDC masks are required, so pair it with a mask from our extended list below.) strong>Please include attribution to coolofthewild.com with this graphic.
Mask, gaiter, buff, tube — whatever you call it, however you wear it, it’s an essential piece of gear if you’ll be hitting the snow this season. It might seem a little shallow, but after decades of combined skiing experience, our team has come to love certain brands when it comes to face coverings. The Icebreaker Merino Oasis Wool Winter Balaclava is made from the world’s best 200gm merino jersey fabric which is both thin and breathable, as well as warm and comfortable.

If you have any comments, tips or questions, please drop them in the comments box below. And if you’d like to convert your friends to the buff-wearing clan, feel free to share! The Buff in these images is made from 100% Merino wool; a natural and sustainable fabric that, as well as being breathable, has excellent thermo regulation properties. The BUFF has a 50 UPF rating, four-way stretch, and seamless construction. What we loved most in testing is its versatility and durability. (As a skier, I’m pretty sure I own at least 10 of these, most of which I’ve owned for 4+ years.)

Balaclavas Vs Buffs and Scarfs Vs Hats

These face masks come in lightweight, midweight, and wool fabric options. (We tested the lightweight and midweight and liked the lightweight best.) People often ask why not just use a hat and a scarf or buff instead of an all-in-one hiking balaclava. There are some situations where a hat and scarf may be better suited, but balaclavas are just more convenient and offer the best warmth and wind protection. Balaclavas Vs Buffs Choose a face covering made with synthetic fabrics such as polyester and spandex. Other good options use merino wool as the primary material. We love merino for its antimicrobial properties that fight off stink! Design There are tons of options on the market, but we have some favorites. Keep in mind, most of the products listed below come in men’s, women’s, and kids’ styles and many colors and patterns. Pull it over your head so that the bottom of the opening sits underneath your chin and top sits across your forehead.

Wear it as a hair band to keep your hair out of your face. Also a good option if you have wet hair in cold conditions – the band will leave much of your hair free to dry whilst still providing some warmth to your head and ears. Either fold the Buff neatly or just gather it up to create a band. After using some (like BUFF) for literally thousands of outings, we’ve come to rely on them and can count on them for consistency and quality. So, we take this into account when making our selections. Materials When looking for the best balaclava for hiking in there are a few different factors you should consider before making your decision. Warmth Balaclavas are used globally for different reasons, but the main reason is to increase warmth and face protection. Military personnel often use balaclavas to conceal their identity as well as keep warm. Skiiers and snowboards widely adopt balaclavas as the sport requires them to explore exposed mountain locations.The shape, design, and fit of your hiking balaclava should not be taken for granted, especially with some of the less stretchy materials. A slim profile is most comfortable for a hiking balaclava that hugs your head and has an excess of material at the bottom. Looser-fitting balaclavas work well with an insulated hood design but not with the traditional balaclava profile.