A good balaclava is a must-have for cyclists who refuse to stay indoors in cold weather. Finding the best balaclava for your cold-weather cycling needs means taking a few important features into consideration. You’ll want to evaluate warmth and wicking capabilities, neck length, breathing access, vision range, sizing, and glasses accommodation. We’ve put together this handy guide to help you consider important features and to help you find the best balaclava, so you can stay toasty warm on the coldest rides.

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Warmth and Wicking

While the common belief that most body heat is lost via the head may be an old wives’ tale, it is true that a cold head can ruin the best bike ride faster than anything. Warmth, then, you may assume, is the key question when it comes to choosing the best balaclava. However, another “w” word may be more important: wicking.

You will want to look for a balaclava that will not only keep you warm, but will properly wick moisture away. Otherwise, you are going to find yourself fighting a sodden balaclava–something you really do not want to do in freezing cold temps.

Honestly, most balaclavas out there will do a fairly good job of keeping your warm–even the cheap ones. Balaclavas are made from a variety of different textiles–from inexpensive polyester blends to top-of-the-line synthetics. Discerning between different textiles available can be tricky, and will likely be a matter of budget. You’ll find simple polyester-only blends, which offer virtually no breathability or wicking ability, on the cheap end of the scale. Microfleece and nylon materials offer better wicking and will be found somewhere in the middle of the price scale. State-of-the art thermodynamic materials will, of course, be the priciest. Keep in mind, many of the more expensive lines of balaclavas are made for varying levels of cold. Depending on where you are and what type of cold-weather riding you intend to do, you may not need (or want) to invest in those balaclavas designed for the coldest temps.

Neck Length

A good balaclava isn’t just about your head. It needs to adequately cover your neck, as well. Pay attention to the neck length–if you choose a balaclava that is too short to tuck into your jacket, you’ll end up needing a scarf to keep warm and will defeat the entire purpose of the balaclava as an all-in-one solution. Keep a special lookout for balaclavas that feature fitted or shaped bottoms. These options will ensure a good fit with little bulk.

Breathing Access

One of the most common complaints balaclava-wearers have relates to breathing. Not all balaclavas are intended for serious exercise. For a cyclist, it is imperative that you choose a balaclava designed for heavy breathing.

Balaclava designers deal with breathing access in a few different ways. Many simply offer one large opening for your nose, mouth, and eyes. While a simple solution for easy breathing, these enormous openings are likely to leave your face cold.

A better choice, others feature a hinged nose and mouthpiece. These balaclavas provide full protections for your mouth and nose against the elements. Their hinging capability, however, allows the wearer to pull the opening down for added breathing room. (Check out our top picks below, including the Pearl Izumi Barrier Balaclava, the Pearl Izumi Transfer Balaclava, the Chaos Glacier MTP, and the Chaos Tempest Balaclava–all of which feature a hinged design.)

Other balaclava designs (like the Gore Bike Wear Universal Windstopper Balaclava) utilize state-of-the-art designs featuring mesh nose/mouth panels fitted with tiny breathing vents. Keep in mind, some wearers find these vents insufficient for breathing. Some even find them claustrophobic. They may also tend to be pricey. Another thing to consider with vented panel balaclavas is your nose: Any cyclist knows that riding in cold weather is a sure-fire recipe for a runny nose, and, unless you are fond of frozen snot, you may want to carefully consider how you plan to wipe your nose.

Choosing amongst the various balaclava designs will come down to a personal decision that weighs the frigidity of your ride, how well you can breath through vents, and your tendency toward claustrophobia.

Vision Range

As a cyclist, you’ll want to give special attention to how a balaclava may impact your vision. For this reason, it is especially important to choose from balaclavas designed specifically for cyclists–or, at the very least, from balaclavas featuring large eye holes. Balaclavas not designed for cycling will feature smaller eye holes and may be tempting when you are thinking about being warm, but the limited vision range can be dangerous.Vision Range

Issues with Glasses

Another issue you may want to consider is whether or not you need to wear glasses when riding. If you do, you may run into problems with your glasses fogging up when wearing a balaclava. For the most part, face panelled balaclavas fitted with breathing vents, can prove trickier when it comes to glasses than hinged models. Depending on your unique facial structure and the design of your glasses, some balaclava designs may prove less fog-enhancing. Truthfully, you may be in for a little trial-and-error, here, again. If glass-fogging turns out to be a persistent problem (across balaclava designs) for you, you may want to consider getting a pair of cycling glasses fitted with air vents. Keep in mind, you will likely pay a pretty penny for a pair, but a fog-free ride is probably worth it.

Balaclava Sizing

Most balaclavas come in one-fits-all sizes. For most people, sizing is generally not an issue. Balaclavas are made from stretchy materials, and, unless you have loads of hair or a super-small head, you will likely find the one-size-fits-all workable. Otherwise, you may wish to seek out a brand that offers a range of specific sizes.

Reflective Logos

Many balaclavas feature reflective logos for added visibility. Definitely a cool perk, it may be an unnecessary feature. Your helmet will likely cover it up. Nonetheless, all of our picks below feature some form of reflective feature. After all, you cannot be too safe!

Our Best Balaclava Picks

Balaclavas have come a long way since the introduction of the term into the English language during Britain’s Crimean War in the mid-nineteenth century. Named for a Crimean town (and the site of an important battle), the warm, usually woolen at that time, masks were an important part of the British soldiers’ kit, protecting them from the harsh elements of the Crimea. Today’s balaclavas vary in fit, style, and material, and, truth be told, finding your perfect balaclava may involve a little trial-and-error. Many cyclists even choose to keep a few on hand for various situations–one for extreme cold, another for racing, etc. With the above issues (warmth and wicking capabilities, neck length, breathing access, vision range, sizing, and glasses accommodation) in mind, we’ve put together a list of top picks you may wish to consider when searching for the best balaclava.

Pearl Izumi Barrier Balaclava

Pearl Izumi does not cut corners with this quality balaclava. Designed for frigid conditions, it features a barrier windproof panel over forehead and ears for unparalleled wind protection and is constructed from Pearl Izumi’s P.R.O. thermal fabric for insulates while wicking moisture. Instead of utilizing breathing vents, this balaclava is easy to pull up and down over your nose and mouth.

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• Barrier windproof panel over forehead and ears to take the bite out of the wind. Barrier fabrics single layer lays next to skin for simpler and more effective function
• R.O. Thermal fabric insulates while wicking moisture
• Reflective logo
• One size fits all
• Barrier: 100% Polyester
• Thermal: 58% Nylon/ 27% poly 15% spandex

Pearl Izumi Transfer Balaclava

Somewhat less expensive than the Barrier Balaclava, Pearl Izumi’s Transfer Balaclava still provides excellent protection from the cold. Also easy to pull up and down, the Transfer Balaclava also features Pearl Izumi’s P.R.O. transfer fabric for optimal stretch, recovery, compression, and moisture transfer.

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• R.O. Transfer fabric provides optimal stretch, recovery, compression, and moisture transfer
• Reflective elements for low–light visibility
• One size fits all

Gore Bike Wear Universal Windstopper Balaclava

A long-time fave with cyclists, the Gore Bike Wear Universal Windstopper Balaclava  features Gore’s Windstopper Soft Shell technology: a super-warm breathable membrane to cover your ears and forehead. Comfy and lightweight, it also features Gore’s flat-lock seams, designed to prevent pressure points and chafing. Stretch inserts for optimum freedom of movement and a meshed thermo-stretch panel with well-designed nose and mouth breathing holes keep the cold out.

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• Flat-lock seams prevent pressure points and chafing
• WINDSTOPPER® Soft Shell at brow and ears
• Thermo-stretch functional fabric
• Stretch inserts for optimum freedom of movement
• Reflective logo on front
• Reflective logo on side
• MAIN FABRIC: 85% POLYAMIDE, 15% ELASTANE, INSERT: 100% POLYESTER, WINDSTOPPER®MEMBRANE, SHELL INSIDE: 100% POLYESTER

Chaos Glacier MTP

Chaos’ highest-end balaclava, the Glacier MTP comes in a variety of sizes and colors, including prints. A softshell multi-functional hinged balaclava with face and neck protection, it also features Lycra binding around the face for an added seal against the elements and a shaped bottom to ensure a good fit with little bulk.

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• PRINT: 94% Polyester 6% Elastane
• SOLID: 92% Polyester 8% Elastane
• Softshell multi-functional hinged balaclava with face and neck protection.
• Lycra binding around the face seals against the elements.
• Shaped bottom helps provide extended protection without the bulk.
• Single seam center mouth.
• Reflective logo detail for improved visibility.

Chaos Tempest Balaclava

Chaos’ least expensive microflex balaclava, the Tempest is an excellent choice for its price. A bit lighter than the Glacier MTP, the Tempest is a bulk-free, comfy choice for layering, but still offers serious protection from the cold and sufficient neck coverage. Like the Glacier MTP, it features Lycra binding around the face for an added seal against the cold and a shaped bottom to ensure a good fit with little bulk. Its hinge design allows easy access to more air when you need it. Its reflective logo also give you more visibility. Available in multiple sizes, but only in black.

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• Microflex balaclava
• Ideal for layering under a helmet or ‘wear alone’
• Lycra binding around the face seals out the elements
• Flat lock seams and 3D panel construction
• Shaped bottom helps provide extended protection without the bulk
• Reflective logo detail for improved visibility
• CONTENT: 95% Polyester 5% Elastane