Awesome Cold Weather Addition!!
Written: Nov 15 '06 (Updated Dec 14 '06)
|
Product Rating:
|
|
| Overall Quality: |
 |
|
|
Pros: Warm, Thin, Flexible, Convertible
Cons: Neck could be longer
The Bottom Line: If you're looking for something to help keep your head and neck warm, this is it! Warm and Versatile, fits with what you're already wearing.
|
|
|
| zorrothepiking's Full Review: Under Armour ColdGear Balaclava |
I have been thoroughly impressed with the Under Armour Coldgear Balaclava. A motorcyclist, I have found it the single most important element in keeping my neck and head warm on those frosty morning rides.
Design and Construction -
From the ground up, this Balaclava is designed for versatility and performance. Unlike many competitors, the stitching allows easy and comfortable conversion into many different styles to meet your personal need. The material is the classic Under Armour synthetic, but it is layered to provide additional cold weather protection (hence, Coldgear).
Comfort -
The material is very smooth on the skin and the tag has never been itchy or otherwise irritating. It slips on easily and isn't so constricting or thick that you can't breathe through it (a must if you're going to be covering your mouth!). Even on warmer days (into the 60s), I tend to wear it just to keep off the wind and to make wearing my helmet more comfortable. It is thin enough that it slides easily into the helmet without squeezing, and the neck is long enough to tuck into the top of a jacket, although there isn't quite enough to get a good seal. The stretch is enough that they market it as one size fits all, which isn't hard to believe. Although it holds its shape, it's easily pulled around as necessary.
Because of its jointed jawline, the face chin and mouth piece can be pulled down and under the chin. For most balaclavas, this would produce an uncomfortable stretch, but the way the Under Armour model is constructed makes this natural and convenient, allowing instant adjustments to how much protection you're getting. Also possible is the pulling back of the head and forehead piece. This effectively converts the balaclava into a neck gator, again with no uncomfortable stretching.
Performance -
The balaclava provides excellent wind protection and a good deal of thermal insulation. When the temperature is between 30F and 55F, I wear this with a fleece neck gator. With these, I can ride the hour to work on the interstate without having a cold neck or face. I've been adding a cotton knit ski mask when it drops below 30F, but I think I'm going to quit doing that. The ski mask adds a lot of bulk and is thin enough that it provides no wind protection. This would be useful when out in the woods or at a sports event, but it doesn't do much for you at 70mph. The balaclava should provide sufficient protection down as low as I can go, especially in my fullface helmet (it seems my hands and mask fogging will be what finally make me stop riding). My neck gets a little cold without the fleece gator, so I tend to wear both just for a little added comfort.
When things start to get wet, I appreciate the balaclava even more. Much like a wet suit, the balaclava is not waterproof but rather traps water and allows your body heat to warm it. Even though it feels damp when I finally take it off, it keeps me feeling warm even on the interstate. This is partially due to the fleece neck warmer, which helps to provide a little extra protection. With the combination of the two, I've ridden in 30F in the rain and felt comfortable (except for my hands, which is a different review entirely!). The balaclava drys easily overnight, which is nice when I have an early cold ride.
Overall Impression and Caveats -
I love this balaclava and recommend it to anyone interested in an affordable addition to their cold weather apparel. It can be easily worn under a hat, helmet, neck gator, or ski mask and provides all-day comfort and protection against cold, wind, and rain. An important note is that the water-trapping instead of a water-proofing design allow some wicking in around the neck line. When it rains hard, water tends to creep in and soak a ring around my neck and shoulders. Although the balaclava and jacket do a good job of keeping the wind off, any moisture is going to make things feel a little cooler. It is small and can be easily stuck in a pocket or saddlebag. Also, the packaging allows a potential buyer to pull it out and try it on, which I recommend! Once you try it on, you'll see how well made it is and how it fits! I highly recommend this product for cold weather activities.
Disclaimer - Neither I nor Under Armour are liable if you are mistaken for a ninja. This is normal.
***
If you found this review helpful, consider checking out my reviews on my other gear.
Cortech GX Sport Jacket
Joe Rocket Ballistic 5.0 Textile Pant
HJC CL-SP Full-Face Helmet
Joe Rocket Blaster 4.0 Leather Gloves
Burton Toaster Glove
Marmot Randonee Glove
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 24.99
|
|
|
|
Epinions.com ID:
zorrothepiking
|
|
Member: Josh
Location: Huntsville, AL, USA
Reviews written: 59
Trusted by: 12 members
|
|
|
- Add to My Yahoo!: 
- Add to Google Homepage: 
© 1999-2009 Shopping.com, Inc.