kennj123

I'm not happy biking when its under 45F. I've noticed my cheeks and nose get really cold. is anyone else trying full face knit ski masks? I haven't tried any yet and don't have any right now. I don't like them too tight and i might cut the eyes out bigger if i get one.

Machka 

Try the Winter Cycling forum for ideas of what to wear in cooler weather.

Winter Cycling


But ... at +45F (7C), I wouldn't even consider a full face knit ski mask. Way, way too hot. I don't get those out until it is down around -22F(-30C).

I suppose you could try a neck gaiter and see whether or not you overheat in that.

Buffalo Buff

Here's my winter cycling head gear:

1. Safety glasses. Cold air stings my eyes when I'm moving fast, so I wear safety glasses when its overcast or night.

2. Headband. I use a headband made by Halo, and I like it a lot. Keeps my ears warm and my head from getting too cold, but I find it more comfortable than a hat. Doubles as a sleeping mask when I tour. Usually put it on when temps dip below 50-52F.

3. Novara skull cap. Layer it with the headband on colder nights, e.g. 30's or lower.

4. Balaclava. Some no-name spandex one. For nights in the 20's or lower, when its really cold. I don't like that I have to be careful about how I breathe when stopped or my glasses fog up super quick, but its nice to have on a cold evening. Had some 0F commutes home last year and it made a huge difference.


For 45F I'd just use my headband and glasses.

YogaKat

I rode in 34F degree weather today and used a scarf to cover my nose and mouth and a knit cap under my helmet. It kept me warm enough but was a pain to keep putting the scarf back in place.

Meanwhile I'm waiting on this to arrive in the mail and hoping it works well.

Amazon.com: BlackStrap Balaclava Hood: Sports & Outdoors

Homebrew01

I use a neck gaiter below freezing. Easy to pull up over my mouth & nose on fast descents, then slide back down the rest of the time.

2manybikes

+1000 The most adjustable.

JanMM

Agree that a neck gaiter is very useful - I usually wear a poly fleece one whenever temp goes below 40F.

Wittyname

One of these plus eyeglasses works well for me. Substitute safety glasses/sunglasses as needed. Not as big of a fan of the neck gaiter 'cuz my big ears catch all the cold

Miele Man

If it's knitted or similar and you cut the eyeholes the rest will unravel unless you seal the edges.

When it gets really cold here I use a plastic dust mask. It has a fabric band that goes against the skin. This mask allows me to breathe in warm air even when I'm exerting myself whilst climbing hills or hard sprinting. if it gets really really cold i wear a balaclava over it.

Dust mask by Miele Man, on Flickr

Cheers

thin_concrete

Grab a balaclava - great face protection, and when coupled with sunglasses, you can get full face protection. I use them for skiing though, and have not tried them for cycling, but I will when it gets cold enough to do so.

exmechanic89

I've heard this place has some ideal items for cold weather riding. ZanHeadgear.com Official Site

I'm planning on ordering a couple items from them myself soon, as even when it's in the 40's it's too cold for riding in my current set up.

qajaq

For face protection in the conditions described by the OP I use the Pearl Izumi Barrier Balaclava and wrap around sunglasses
Barrier Balaclava - Pearl Izumi

2manybikes

I put my neck gaiter over my balaclava. The back of it goes up high over my ears over the balaclava. Toasty

2manybikes

A fleece neck gaiter will do that too, I breath right through it. Maybe for15 years. It also is easier to lower it to expose your mouth. This helps prevent glasses fogging and drinking.

2manybikes

Yes !!

2manybikes

Mine is shaped like this one. It can cover the nose and still stay below the eyes well.

Yeah I know it's labelled as a "ladies" product. ..........bs.

https://www.cabelas.com/product/Cabel...3027213&rid=20

Mine is a tube and wraps all around the neck in one piece. Not Velcro in back like this one.

chaadster

OP, I'm guessing that if you were to keep your head and kneck warm, your nose and cheeks would not seem so cold. To that end, I recommend a lightweight silk balaclava.

They're thin and do 't seem like much, but they trap a lot of heat, and while you could pull an open-face design up over the nose, if you're working on the bike at all, you'll be cooking up a head of steam (forgive the pun) and probably be wearing it down, just over the chin, most often.

Tundra_Man 

This.

I don't cover my nose until well below zero, and even then it's generally just until I get warmed up. At 45F I'm not wearing anything on my head outside of glasses and a headband to cover my ears.

Get a neck gaiter that you can pull up over your nose until you get warmed up, then you'll probably want to pull it down. If you're not getting warmed up enough, then ride harder.

canadian deacon

When it starts getting cold (below -5C) I put a little vaseline around the corner of my eyes to prevent the salt from my tears from burning the skin. Usually my eyes water the first km or two and are fine after that. Around -10C or lower I usually add a set of ski goggles.

e30jean

Interesting thread! I just experienced riding in the 40-45F mornings and ended up getting a lycra balaclava, it felt good at first and kept my face/ears from feeling too cold from the wind but I didn't like breathing through it and my glasses were fogging up if I covered my nose. I'll need to get a neck gaiter and give that a shot.

fietsbob

neoprene (wetsuit stuff) + polar fleece .. the Covering over the nose , like the nose under neath It is open at the bottom

to direct exhaled air away from your glasses/goggles (& let you blow snot-rockets)

chaadster

Can't you just pull the balaclava's face opening down?

FBryder

below 40f I wear this, Seirus Neofleece Comfort Masque,
and a thin skullcap under helmet. only problem, cant drink without
pulling it down. Hard to pull back into position with mitts on!

CountryCyclist

A tactical shemagh
You can buy em' for cheap on Amazon, just search "Shemagh"

BobbyG

Everybody's different. I tend to run hot, but the cold air is not pleasant, and potentially dangerous. For years I have used a balaclava, but it is very light nylon-ish or something. It keeps the cold wind off of my cheeks and forhead, and I can pull it up over my mouth and even my nose if need be. If I get too warm I can roll it down to just my neck, or wear it as just a headband, or even as just a cap. Very versitile. I wear glasses, so the wind on my eyes is not a problem, although I do carry shop goggles to wear over my glasses if the weather turns too, too cold.