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Balaclava input, ones you like, shit you hate, etc...

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MadOwl541
Posts: 18 - Karma: 88
Hey guys Sterling from Mad Owl here.

We are starting to design some balaclavas and want your input. When we get over 200 legitimate quality comments we will give away a pair of poles to a random commenter...

You don't have to answer all of these questions ( just some ideas of what we are looking for):

What are some things you dislike about current balaclavas on the market? (too short/ material/ etc..)
Do you prefer wearing balaclavas over other face gear?
What is the most you would be willing to spend on a premium balaclava?
Are there any brands balaclavas you absolutely love/hate...and why?
Top 3 choice of colors?
etc...



Shred Hard

Sterling

And we are giving away another pair of poles on this thread too: https://www.newschoolers.com/ns/forums/readthread/thread_id/719942/page/6/
Nov 29 2012 9:41PM
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jordy19
Posts: 2550 - Karma: 427
Make them long past the back of the neck

thicker material but not too thick a

Nov 29 2012 9:44PM
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The_Steezey_Bro
Posts: 5 - Karma: 10
I really only wear balaclavas.. I like a thicker material, make it longer then usually to keep your neck covered.  I like solid colors ( i think graphics look tacky on facemasks).  I usually wear all black but a gray or red one would be sick too.
Nov 29 2012 9:51PM
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Bethune
Posts: 435 - Karma: 26
What are some things you dislike about current balaclavas on the market? A lot have too big of a hole. When I bought my coal balaclava, the hole was a good size but then it stretched out.
Do you prefer wearing balaclavas over other face gear? Yes, I like them better than tubes or bandanas because they just stay on easier.
What is the most you would be willing to spend on a premium balaclava? Probably $20
Are there any brands balaclavas you absolutely love/hate...and why? Not sure, I just like the simple one color, no crazy designs.
Top 3 choice of colors? Black, Dark green, Brown. (earth tones)
Nov 29 2012 9:51PM
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profa_212
Posts: 8621 - Karma: 32,335
Definately make the neck longer than most. And make sure that the hole isn't too small. Nothing's worse than having too small of a hole. Also maybe think of doing 2 different thicknesses....Kind of like Outdoor Tech did with their yowies. As for the color I like solid colors like black, dark maroon, or a tan. For the price I would pay up 25 bucks if I knew it was high quality.
Nov 29 2012 9:59PM
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theschneidler
Posts: 2099 - Karma: 354
I agree with most of these things, go with solid colors, make two different kinds of holes maybe, one that's just for eyes maybe? Then the normal one, with space for the mouth. Also, make sure you have it nice and long so that it doesn't get pulled out of your coat.
Nov 29 2012 10:00PM
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Sharko
Posts: 2274 - Karma: 4,101
I like a medium material so I can still put things like hats or my helmet over it without curshing my head.

Agree with the long back of the neck, hate it when just that little spot on the back of my neck gets uncovered.

Unlike the above people I do like graphics but I think everyone is sick of the generic skull/rasta/tiedye graphics that are everywhere. I like prints and patterns most I guess, simple and clean like stripes, plaids, houndstooth.

With so many cheap one out there I'd have a hard time spending more than $20-$25 even if it was top notch.
Nov 29 2012 10:01PM
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FreeskiThe603
Posts: 861 - Karma: 1,409
My three requests would be:
... Make them long. I just got a neck tube that wasnt really long enough and its annoying af

... Make it out of a warm but breathable material. Not cotton because it just gets wet, frozen, and gross

... This one is kind of weird... If there is a way, make it accessible to helmets. I chose not to go with a balaclava this year because i felt like there was no way of strapping my helmet without choking the "bagginess" of the balaclava
Nov 29 2012 10:19PM
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Inline.
Posts: 4424 - Karma: 432
I like a balaclava that won't turn into ice halfway through the day, isn't too tight or loose, looks fresh (I see your designers have that covered), and is plenty warm.
Nov 29 2012 10:43PM
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No.Quarter
Posts: 5257 - Karma: 16,956
Microsoft Paint FTW

If you could make these cheap (maybe a model w/out polartec to start) they could sell good

Click for larger image
Nov 29 2012 10:53PM
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No.Quarter
Posts: 5257 - Karma: 16,956
Sorry i posted before i was done typing

What are some things you dislike about current balaclavas on the market? (too short/ material/ etc..)
-too short, freezing, not fitting right (either too baggy or too tight)

Do you prefer wearing balaclavas over other face gear?
-I usually wear a tube, but when it gets really cold i like the extra layer under my beanie

What is the most you would be willing to spend on a premium balaclava?
-basic $10, Polartec and better fabrics $20, Merino $40

Are there any brands balaclavas you absolutely love/hate...and why?
-I like my merino buff, but it was expensive, my baclava is from Sports authority and it just gets the job done

Top 3 choice of colors?
1. White and black, for everything
2. Red, goes with my hoodie
3. Straight black, ninja mode

Good luck on the contest against the rave people!
Nov 29 2012 11:02PM
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Zump.
Posts: 3338 - Karma: 305
What are some things you dislike about current balaclavas on the market? (too short/ material/ etc..)
The fabric around the neck seems to bunch up at times. Seams that come together on my lips of the face hole drive me CRAZY, too.

Do you prefer wearing balaclavas over other face gear?
Yes, they offer complete coverage of the skin on your head/neck area and are require less playing around with to get comfortable.

What is the most you would be willing to spend on a premium balaclava?
If it's good, I'll drop $30 shipped

Are there any brands balaclavas you absolutely love/hate...and why?
Serius Thermax is my favorite, light and breathable. I feel like it's easy to overheat in a balaclava, however I rarely get cold in one. They usually function to block wind and prevent windburn

Top 3 choice of colors?
Black, White, Camo Print. And I know that someone mentioned graphics on balaclavas, I feel like some design/wording spanning along the jaw line has potential to look pretty sick. A design wrapping around the forehead to the temple along the seam of the face hole would be pretty sick, also h
Nov 29 2012 11:13PM
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Lucas
Posts: 4877 - Karma: 1,520
Long neck, thin, and black.
Nov 29 2012 11:45PM
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Session
Posts: 5315 - Karma: 21,334
BS Hood...all you need

http://www.bsbrand.com/index.php/products/facegear/
Nov 29 2012 11:46PM
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AndyGreen
Posts: 827 - Karma: 61
.
Nov 30 2012 1:03AM
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Stose
Posts: 7109 - Karma: 4,123
Being completely honest here, I would ever buy a balaclava from you guys for a few reasons, I'm sure I can find cheaper no name ones in my local ski shop, secondly if I wanted one with something on it, I would want a saga or armada or something along those lines
Nov 30 2012 1:35AM
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p-fo
Posts: 9372 - Karma: 6,155
I really like the Bula tubes, which is the same design as the dark gray Line ones with the Line logo print, essentially. I like that material a lot. It's soft, and it dries easily. Do that.
The ones I don't like very much are the Phunkshun ones like the one some camper left in my room this summer. The material is too coarse and irritates my face. (Sorry Ahmet, I like you, but not your face tubes.)
Nov 30 2012 2:06AM
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@tlas
Posts: 1625 - Karma: 68
Fuck that, support upcoming companies. also, with saga face masks, the hole for your face is super tight and uncomfortable. Make the the hole soft and stretchy.
Nov 30 2012 6:53AM
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jrl
Posts: 1227 - Karma: 1,239
I'll give my two cents.

What are some things you dislike about current balaclavas on the market? (too short/ material/ etc..)

Currentely I own one from Eastern collective. I would say its just about the perfect length, it covers my entire neck. My only complaint is that recently I've had some problems with my googles fogging up.

Do you prefer wearing balaclavas over other face gear?

I wear balaclavas over other face gear everyday.


What is the most you would be willing to spend on a premium balaclava?

I would cap it around 30 - 20$ for a balaclava.

Are there any brands balaclavas you absolutely love/hate...and why?

Like earlier stated I really like my eastern collective because it's so comfortable and super warm.

Top 3 choice of colors?
Black, White and Blue
Nov 30 2012 8:50AM
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Stose
Posts: 7109 - Karma: 4,123
Well I was just being honest.
Nov 30 2012 9:13AM
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MadOwl541
Posts: 18 - Karma: 88
Fair enough. We like honesty. Just trying to get feed back so we can make the best product possible.

Anyone else feel the same way?
Nov 30 2012 11:33AM
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.nasty
Posts: 10581 - Karma: 11,090
Yes. Personally I find balaclava's with patterns on them to be tacky and even at the shop I work at only gapers buy them. Keep it simple with solid colors, even some different color stitching for the trim is pretty tight. As he said, if it's gonna be something other than solid it'd have to be a logo usually right in the middle or barely to the side like the Line skis one this year. Supporting small companies is what I try to do, but when they don't make anything sick then it's hard haha. If you're trying to reach the freeskiing community keep it solid, if you just want to appeal to your everyday tourist then patterns can work (and by all means go the route that gets you more money haha)
Nov 30 2012 4:32PM
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BirtDike
Posts: 1258 - Karma: 514
I agree. If im gunna spend 20 bucks on a balaclava it better say armada or saga. supporting new companies is sweet, but you dont buy from them if you like another company?

To OP. my honest advice is to create something new people have seen before. for a clava, i guess make it functional and stylish.
Nov 30 2012 5:13PM
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.Asain-Skiier
Posts: 3708 - Karma: 977
Being able to breath is a plus on balaclavas. On the thicker ones, they get wet and then it gets nasty to breath.
Nov 30 2012 5:45PM
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bkiss_
Posts: 598 - Karma: 244
Agreed, solid colors are the way to go. Out of all balaclavas i have ever used or tried on, nothing compares to the UA cold gear facemask. perfect cause it can go over nose, over mouth, or over chin
Nov 30 2012 5:50PM
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MadOwl541
Posts: 18 - Karma: 88
Thanks for the feedback.

I don't know your relationship with Slopestyle other than what you mentioned (you work there) but if Slopestyle ordered some poles we would kick you back a commission since we are independent of any Reps. at this point.

Sterling
Nov 30 2012 5:53PM
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Parks.
Posts: 5612 - Karma: 1,093
i can agree with this.
Nov 30 2012 6:08PM
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gingaskier
Posts: 623 - Karma: 263
I would like to see:

1. polyester and spandex material
2.mouthhole
3.solid colors (black)
4. no more than $45.00
5.full neck length
6.presperation wicking technology
7.non itchy
Nov 30 2012 7:35PM
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Nati513
Posts: 679 - Karma: 25
Very breathable material. Also you could just make them a plain color with the mad owl on liike the neck.. perfectly nice and simple.
Nov 30 2012 7:48PM
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Zump.
Posts: 3338 - Karma: 305
Throwing this out too, the old black joystick balaclava with the white j heart over the mouth looked absolutely SICK imo
Dec 1 2012 3:25PM
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adamwhit8
Posts: 444 - Karma: 11
What are some things you dislike about current balaclavas on the market? (too short/ material/ etc..)
-- When you put it on and it either catches to moisture you breath out, so it sticks right in your mouth area the whole time or when it does not fan out at the bottom so its very tight instead of roomy. Also I cannot stand if the eye hole is too large for goggles, because air can get inside of the clava and it gets freezing in there.
Do you prefer wearing balaclavas over other face gear?
-- Nope, I have always just worn a balaclava alone.
What is the most you would be willing to spend on a premium balaclava?
-- 25 - 30?
Are there any brands balaclavas you absolutely love/hate...and why?
Armada Ballerclava is my favorite. I love how the outside is like an underarmor material and is very stretchy but the inside is very soft synthetic wool. It also fans at the bottom and is oversized to fit everybody/however you wear one.
Top 3 choice of colors?
1) Black
2) White
3) Cream

Good luck!
Dec 1 2012 4:37PM
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Algebra
Posts: 5215 - Karma: 1,677
no. I dislike mad owl. they took owl gangs hood rat additude. we kill shit.
Dec 1 2012 5:24PM
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LarryPowers
Posts: 332 - Karma: 138
What are some things you dislike about current balaclavas on the market? (too short/ material/ etc..)
- too big eye/ face holes
Do you prefer wearing balaclavas over other face gear?
-I usually use a beanie and a fleece scarf, but If I'd find a nice, pretty thick balaclava, I'd prefer it
What is the most you would be willing to spend on a premium balaclava?
-25-30
Are there any brands balaclavas you absolutely love/hate...and why?
-The armada ballerclava is my favourite
Top 3 choice of colors?
- Black
- Grey
- White
Dec 1 2012 5:26PM
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rql
Posts: 30 - Karma: 10
Copy airblaster's Terryclava. Thats all you need
Dec 1 2012 8:31PM
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MittensFoDayze
Posts: 250 - Karma: 16
If you do make them long, which I hope you do, have them them flair out at the bottom so it doesn't bunch up as much around the base of your neck. That would be clutch.
Dec 1 2012 8:41PM
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Cotter
Posts: 2546 - Karma: 850
I have an Under Armour balaclava and I love it. It is super soft and dosen't pull on my face (not too tight) however I wish it was a darker black (it's more of a dark grey)
Dec 1 2012 11:22PM
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amo
Posts: 6709 - Karma: 1,248
love my underarmour one, it's got this really weird construction to it, but it's really effective. can pull it down below my chin or up over my nose with no problems. only gripe w it ive got is i wish the neck went down further
Dec 1 2012 11:32PM
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Bozite
Posts: 981 - Karma: 561
Camo would be sick, and don't put madowl in big letters, just color and madowl on the bottom
Dec 1 2012 11:42PM
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blindside
Posts: 5619 - Karma: 1,199
Eastern Collective is what I wear, and they're great. As everyone's saying a longer neck would be great. Keep the logo minimal and the color black.
Dec 2 2012 1:51AM
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shr@gler
Posts: 1233 - Karma: 912
I love my icebreaker BUT
The face hole is too wide and doesnt stay within my goggles.
The neck is too short. and a piss off.
The merino wool though is amazing with breathability and warmth.
Do that for me and shit, id spend $100
Dec 2 2012 1:55AM
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BirtDike
Posts: 1258 - Karma: 514
Dont put mad owl in letters...

Come to think of it, I would definitely buy an all black one with blue/red/white mad owl design. Polyester, 25$
Dec 2 2012 3:05AM
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Skurfer
Posts: 44 - Karma: 7
I only wear balaclavas. Personally I only go for solid colors. Also cotton or cotton polyester blend ones suck. I love wool ones. Relatively think is good around the neck but around my mouth and eyes I like a thinner material. I also have issues with the whole mouth thing. its a pain in the ass to talk to people when its up over your mouth so having a way to be able to pull it down with out the eye/mouth hole stretching would be awesome.
Dec 2 2012 4:07AM
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Skurfer
Posts: 44 - Karma: 7
I only wear balaclavas. Personally I only go for solid colors. Also cotton or cotton polyester blend ones suck. I love wool ones. Relatively think is good around the neck but around my mouth and eyes I like a thinner material. I also have issues with the whole mouth thing. its a pain in the ass to talk to people when its up over your mouth so having a way to be able to pull it down with out the eye/mouth hole stretching would be awesome.
Dec 2 2012 4:08AM
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remove
Posts: 2566 - Karma: 1,026
probably wouldn't hurt to have like a fleece lined option. that extra border around ends of materials is pretty nice most times too
Dec 2 2012 5:03AM
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Aahlnas
Posts: 131 - Karma: 148
http://www.oakley.com/products/windstopper-belacava/91777-001

This one is the best ever. Good fabric, never gets wet and nice ventilation.
Dec 2 2012 8:56AM
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Gmart
Posts: 1634 - Karma: 273
I find myself wearing that ua tactical hood, that shit is money
Dec 2 2012 9:23AM
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EthanScott23
Posts: 203 - Karma: 89
that turtle fur! hood as fuck
Dec 2 2012 9:41AM
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FreeskiThe603
Posts: 861 - Karma: 1,409
nahhh man i got it and that shit is wayyyy to short
Dec 2 2012 6:36PM
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Miclovin
Posts: 1043 - Karma: 637
stick with darker colors and some what thin
Dec 2 2012 10:53PM
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Aithline
Posts: 131 - Karma: 204
Longer, with thicker fabric (but still thin enough to wear under a helmet). Bright colours are best, (red, orange, green) Probably don't want to spend more than $40 on a high quality piece.
Dec 2 2012 10:56PM
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