Balaclavas are essential for winter mountaineering! Check out why and how to choose one

Hello! We are Teton Bros., an outdoor brand.

A balaclava is a must-have for winter mountain climbing.

This is an important item that protects your head from blizzards and strong winds.

Balaclavas come in a variety of materials, functionality, and designs, so many people may be unsure which one to choose when purchasing one.

This time, we will introduce the role of balaclavas and how to choose one!

Is a balaclava necessary for winter mountaineering?

Balaclava is the English word for "balaclava."

It is a cold weather item that is like a hat and neck warmer combined, covering the head, face, and neck except for the area around the eyes.

When climbing snowy mountains in winter, you may encounter strong winds and blizzards in temperatures below freezing, and if your skin is exposed, you may lose body heat and risk frostbite or hypothermia.

The ears, nose, and cheeks are especially susceptible to frostbite, after the hands and feet, so it is important to protect the area around your face properly.

However, everyday hats and neck warmers can have gaps or slip off, making them insufficient for keeping warm when hiking in the winter.

Balaclavas, which cover the entire body from the neck up, play an important role in keeping the extremities warm, just like gloves and socks.

Recently, there are items that are excellent at blocking UV rays and absorbing sweat quickly, and they are often used to protect against UV rays in the summer as well as in the winter.

Check out how to choose a balaclava before climbing!

Balaclavas come in a variety of styles to suit various activities, including mountain climbing, skiing, snowboarding, and biking.

We will introduce some points and things to keep in mind when choosing a balaclava to use while hiking in winter, so please use this as a reference.

Tips for choosing a balaclava for winter mountaineering

There are five key points to consider when choosing a balaclava to prevent frostbite and hypothermia: material, mouth structure, fit, odor resistance, and versatility.

①Material

Balaclavas are often made from wool and synthetic fibers.

Wool has excellent heat retention, elasticity, odor resistance, and breathability, and merino wool in particular is exceptionally soft to the touch and has excellent moisture absorption and heat retention properties.

Wool allows moisture from exhaled air to escape easily, and many of its designs are highly stylish, but it is not very windproof.

"Windproof" means that the fabric does not let wind through.

If the wind resistance is low, the temperature will feel lower than the actual temperature even if it is sunny in a windy environment.

If wind resistance is important, we recommend choosing a balaclava made from a blend of wool and synthetic fibers, and using it in conjunction with a knit hat or neck warmer.

Fleece material is often used for synthetic fibers, and is characterized by its soft feel, elasticity, heat retention, and quick-drying properties.

② Mouth structure

Balaclavas cover the entire face, so the breath from your nose and mouth can fog up your sunglasses or goggles, making it difficult to see.

Also, if the material around the mouth is not breathable or quick-drying, frozen breath may stick to the fabric.

When hiking in the winter, it is a good idea to choose items that are easy to breathe through, such as those with a three-dimensional opening or mesh fabric.

③Fit

If your balaclava shifts while you're climbing, it won't keep you warm and there's a risk it could obstruct your vision or breathing.

Of course, you should choose a size that fits your face, but be careful not to choose a smaller size in an attempt to fit it more tightly, as this can make it difficult to breathe.

Some items have an adjustable nose area to make them fit your face better, and some have drawcords on both sides that you can pull to adjust the tightness.

④Odor resistance

Balaclavas attract sweat and saliva, so some people may be concerned about the smell.

Especially if you are going on an overnight hike, you will end up using the same thing for several days if you don't have spare gear.

Items with anti-odor properties allow you to wear them continuously without worrying about odors, allowing you to stay comfortable.

Furthermore, products with antibacterial properties prevent the growth of bacteria, making them easy to dry indoors in mountain huts.

⑤ Versatility

If you want to put it on and take it off frequently, such as when you want to expose only your mouth when eating or drinking water, a separate type that is divided into top and bottom is more convenient than a type that connects from the head to the neck.

The separate type can be used in a variety of ways, such as as a head warmer, face warmer, and neck warmer, in addition to being used as a balaclava.

Things to consider when choosing a balaclava

Balaclavas come in a variety of materials, fabric thicknesses, functions, and designs.

To find the best one, it is important to choose based on the type of activity you will be using it for.

For example, when climbing snowy mountains in winter, you need warmth and wind resistance, of course, but if you are doing activities that require a lot of movement, such as backcountry skiing, you will sweat even if it is cold, so we recommend thin, breathable items.

It's also important to choose items that are stretchy.

As mentioned above, if you choose a small size balaclava that covers your head and neck, it will be difficult to breathe.

It is best to choose an item that fits your face, is as stretchy as possible, and has a little room to spare.

If possible, try on a balaclava in person at the store to find one that suits you best.

What are the features of balaclavas for mountain climbing?

There are many different types of balaclavas for mountain climbing available from various manufacturers.

Highly functional items include those with excellent heat retention that can be used in extremely cold regions, those with enhanced elasticity for a better fit, and those that are windproof and highly insulating.

Items with excellent designs include designs with fabric floating around the nose and mouth to prevent goggles from fogging up and breath from freezing, casual designs like knit caps with neck warmers attached, and designs that are compatible with helmets and have a clean head area.

Balaclavas come in a variety of lengths, including short types that reach the neck and long types that cover the shoulders.

Teton Bros. carries base layers such as the MOB WOOL HOODY (MEN) and POWER WOOL GRID HOODY (MEN) , whose hoods can be used as balaclavas!

Both are designed to fit snugly around the head, and are made from a blend of merino wool and synthetic fibers, making them both warm and breathable.

There are many things to consider when choosing a balaclava, such as design and functionality.

Find the one that best suits your activity.

Balaclavas are essential for winter mountaineering! Prevent frostbite and hypothermia for a comfortable climb.

A balaclava is a cold weather protection item that covers the head, face, and neck except for the area around the eyes.

Balaclavas play an important role in winter mountaineering because keeping the extremities warm helps prevent hypothermia and frostbite.

There are a variety of balaclavas available, each with excellent functionality, materials, and design.

Some have excellent heat retention, breathability, and odor resistance, and we recommend those with separate top and bottom pieces as they are easy to put on and take off.

Find the one that's right for you by considering things like what activity you'll be using it for, whether it's breathable and the size fits well, etc.

As an outdoor brand, Teton Bros. offers a wide range of clothing suitable for winter mountain climbing.

Please feel free to use it!