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June, 2025

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Merino Wool Balaclava

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flavourtown
Posts: 329 - Karma: 2,018
So with all the mask restrictions on hills this season i've been getting increasingly annoyed with having a soaking wet buff by the end of the day, I've been looking around and some wool or synthetic balaclavas have caught my eye. A few examples are https://arcteryx.com/ca/en/shop/motus-balaclava or https://www.mec.ca/en/product/5022-451/Ninjaclava?colour=BK000

does anyone have experience with these or similar balaclavas?
4 years ago
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SofaKingSick
Posts: 9772 - Karma: 66,096
i haven't used those same models but ive had nothing but good things to say about those two brands, OR and arcteryx. both look great to me. i like the simpler design on the arcteryx one more i guess

those balaclavas are great if that's what you want but to avoid the issue of wet buffs, i just keep clean dry ones in my pocket. they're cheap, sometimes free, and take up no space and don't add weight so i just always have a few spare in my pocket
4 years ago
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flavourtown
Posts: 329 - Karma: 2,018
SofaKingSicki haven't used those same models but ive had nothing but good things to say about those two brands, OR and arcteryx. both look great to me. i like the simpler design on the arcteryx one more i guess

those balaclavas are great if that's what you want but to avoid the issue of wet buffs, i just keep clean dry ones in my pocket. they're cheap, sometimes free, and take up no space and don't add weight so i just always have a few spare in my pocket


Yeah i always forget to bring extra buffs, I kinda think any face covering no matter what brand or material will get pretty wet so Im not sure about spending 40$ on a fancy balaclava i
4 years ago
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whatsamonad
Posts: 258 - Karma: 1,177
Threads. Also interested in this
4 years ago
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CaIeb
Posts: 325 - Karma: 2,590
I bought a smart wool balaclava and for $40 I hope nobody gets it... it’s the itchiest scratchiest thing in the world and you’ll be constantly taking your helmet off on the lift to itch your scalp... however it is very wicking and warm. But there are so many better options, I highly recommend blackstrap btw
4 years ago
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mnosbod
Posts: 96 - Karma: 932
I've got the arc teryx one beginning of the season and it's held up well so far. It's 100%polyester. I've worn it on hikes, tours, and general riding and it's been breathable and comfy in all those scenarios. My only complaint is that the neck cuff could be a little longer. Idk if I would have paid $40 for it but everyone's financial situation is different. I like it better than the blackstrap and airhole masks I've tried
4 years ago
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ericforman
Posts: 722 - Karma: 6,213
I know it’s not gonna happen but man maskless spring skiing in sunnies sounds so nice. I’m holding out hope for June at abasin.
4 years ago
1 0
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whatsamonad
Posts: 258 - Karma: 1,177
mnosbodI've got the arc teryx one beginning of the season and it's held up well so far. It's 100%polyester. I've worn it on hikes, tours, and general riding and it's been breathable and comfy in all those scenarios. My only complaint is that the neck cuff could be a little longer. Idk if I would have paid $40 for it but everyone's financial situation is different. I like it better than the blackstrap and airhole masks I've tried


How thick is it? I have one of those serius ones which I like because I run cold and it’s made of fleece material. Idk if the Arc one would be as warm.
4 years ago
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mnosbod
Posts: 96 - Karma: 932
whatsamonadHow thick is it? I have one of those serius ones which I like because I run cold and it’s made of fleece material. Idk if the Arc one would be as warm.

It's a double layer but not bulky. I've worn it under a ball cap without real fit issues. The outside may get frozen but you'll be warm on the other side. It was single digits today at winter park and I was comfortable
4 years ago
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drifts
Posts: 621 - Karma: 4,508
Mons royale makes a merino balaclava
4 years ago
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flavourtown
Posts: 329 - Karma: 2,018
mnosbodI've got the arc teryx one beginning of the season and it's held up well so far. It's 100%polyester. I've worn it on hikes, tours, and general riding and it's been breathable and comfy in all those scenarios. My only complaint is that the neck cuff could be a little longer. Idk if I would have paid $40 for it but everyone's financial situation is different. I like it better than the blackstrap and airhole masks I've tried


Do you find it gets very wet quickly or fogs up goggles? I find thats usually why i get annoyed with normal buffs especially now i have to put it over my nose in lift lines now.
4 years ago
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mnosbod
Posts: 96 - Karma: 932
flavourtownDo you find it gets very wet quickly or fogs up goggles? I find thats usually why i get annoyed with normal buffs especially now i have to put it over my nose in lift lines now.

The balaclava sits naturally near the lower end of be the bridge of the nose and feels comfy under the goggles up over the nose. It gets wet obviously but doesn't seem to get overly saturated inside, with that almost waterboard like feeling a buff can get sometimes. Some mild fogging but I think that more depends on how you breath, if you wear a helmet, and if your goggles are under/over your helmet
4 years ago
1 0
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whatsamonad
Posts: 258 - Karma: 1,177
flavourtownDo you find it gets very wet quickly or fogs up goggles? I find thats usually why i get annoyed with normal buffs especially now i have to put it over my nose in lift lines now.

I wear a mask obviously and usually do fine just making sure it's over my nose but not under my goggles. If it goes over the nose and can eject excess upwards into the air instead of your goggles it should be fine.
4 years ago
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EPfanboy
Posts: 485 - Karma: 3,555
Mons Royale is the way to go, New Zealand brand (think it might be in the states now) all made front 100% Nz merino wool, own multiple balaclavas, neck warmers and other merino products and love them all
4 years ago
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BradFiAusNzCoCa
Posts: 7548 - Karma: 67,086
I’ve got an Icebreaker Merino beanie/skullcap and a generic brand face mask. Both are light weight and about 200 weight. The icebreaker is very nice and smooth. The face mask is ever so slightly rough but nothing I notice.

I personally am a huge fan of merino. My goggles don’t fog up and the mask doesn’t get wet like they did with the synthetic face mask I previously had.


I was hesitant initially because of price, but now I think merino is worth it.
4 years ago
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flavourtown
Posts: 329 - Karma: 2,018
whatsamonadI wear a mask obviously and usually do fine just making sure it's over my nose but not under my goggles. If it goes over the nose and can eject excess upwards into the air instead of your goggles it should be fine.


Thanks for giving me some info, its sold out everywhere rn so im gonna keep my eye out as it sounds nice
4 years ago
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gilbertressel
Posts: 639 - Karma: 8,508
I have a merino buff and they get just as wet, just as quickly (maybe even faster) but the main advantage is that they never, ever get stinky. It smells brand new after 6 hours of sweating into it idk what kind of sorcery they put into merino but its definitely worth it.
4 years ago
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mnosbod
Posts: 96 - Karma: 932
Just wanna follow up on the arc teryx synthetic balaclava. Definitely looking to eventually get something else for this season. Mine is permanently funked up from last. I've soaked it in oxy clean and washed it a ton but it just smells rough no matter what. Don't think I'll get a fully synthetic ever again. How those merinos holding up?
4 years ago
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lil.Boye
Posts: 2792 - Karma: 12,679
just get a fleece balaclava
4 years ago
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SkiPigeon123
Posts: 350 - Karma: 2,964
flavourtownSo with all the mask restrictions on hills this season i've been getting increasingly annoyed with having a soaking wet buff by the end of the day, I've been looking around and some wool or synthetic balaclavas have caught my eye. A few examples are https://arcteryx.com/ca/en/shop/motus-balaclava or https://www.mec.ca/en/product/5022-451/Ninjaclava?colour=BK000

does anyone have experience with these or similar balaclavas?


I feel like wearing it for more then a couple hours its going to get all wet and gross around your mouth and nose and then freeze.
4 years ago
0 0
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mnosbod
Posts: 96 - Karma: 932
lil.Boyejust get a fleece balaclava

Not a fan of the fleece at all. From my experiences they just seem to be overly bulky and don't breathe well so things get sweaty and humid quick
4 years ago
1 0
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notadoctor
Posts: 408 - Karma: 663
Chrome sells a merino gaiter. $35
https://www.chromeindustries.com/product/merino-gaiter/AC-181.html?dwvar_AC-181_color=BK&dwvar_AC-181_size=NA&cgid=merino_accessories
4 years ago
1 0
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