Reddit reviews Chaos -CTR Howler Multi Tasker Pro Windproof Balaclava, Black, Large/X-Large

I love winter running now that I know how to prepare for it. Here are some things that have worked for me, in order of importance:

Arcteryx Argus jacket. Yep, it's expensive. And yep, it's worth every damn penny. I have worn a base layer, the Argus, and a thin, reflective outer shell from REI down into the single digits (F) and I never get cold. Ever. This jacket blocks all wind, yet breathes and has amazing pocket placement. This is without question one of the best things I've ever bought, period.

Some kind of windproof balaklava/neck gaiter. I got this one. This it vital to me for keeping the cold out where it seems to "leak in" on me the most; around the neck and head.

Balega socks. I wear these on ever run, from 95 (F) to single digits (F). My feet never get swampy in the heat or cold in the deep freeze.

Saucony Boston Pants. With normal underwear to about 30 (F) and with a long base layer for anything colder. Not tight enough to be tights, nor loose enough to be joggers. These really hit the sweet-spot of comfort, looks, and function.

I use a balaclava

I don't really like breathing through fabric, so I pull it down below my mouth, which exposes my cheeks a bit more than I like, but it works.

Greetings, fellow ninja!

• Bolle Mojo Snow Goggles (Shiny Black, Vermillon)
  
• Chaos -CTR Howler Multi Tasker Pro Windproof Balaclava
  
  The goggles are fairly fog resistant, though they did start icing over last night. Coldest I've been out in this is -15C/5F, no wind that day though.
  
  The goggles make the biggest difference in the wind. Without them any exposed skin gets a bit painful.
  
  

Agreed that the wind is the worst...your hands and face are most vulnerable. Here's some specific items I got that have helped me through the cold weather. I got these PI gloves which are great, but my fingers got a bit cold below 40°F, so I got these glove liners. The combination keeps my hands warm at any temperature.

I also love this balaclava. It's thin enough to fit under a helmet and the material is thinner near your mouth, making it easier to breathe. You can wear it with the facemask down or the head cover down depending on the temperature too.

I have a balaclava that does not obstruct vision whatsoever (even with my very wide peripheral vision), fits well, and keeps my mouth nose and ears warm in Texas winters when worn with a cheap hoodie. Without a jacket hood of some sort, your head will get a bit chilly if there's much wind or temps significantly below freezing. A nice jacket will keep your head warm and this'll keep your face warm. It says windproof, seems decent for the material I guess. Don't expect it to survive the northern plains' winds without assistance. It is comfortable and you can pull down the mouth section and tuck it under your chin if you need to eat or drink. The thing with the mouth section is it has a different materiel so you can breathe but the air coming in is a bit warmer and less dry than the surroundign air because you just exhaled through it. (But you probably know that) Finally, it tucks into your jacket in the front so you don't have your throat exposed. Here's the amazon link, it's $20-30 depending on size. By the way, if you're looking for winter gloves at some point, a $10 pair of Ninja Ice gloves might suit you if you want dexterity and grip yet still warm hands. They're liked by even northern people, although they mention that you might want some thicker ones if you're seriously cold. The different versions are either waterproof and grippy coated on palm+ fingers or full hand.

Layers are the key, speaking generally. Feel cold, add more layers.

When I'm getting ready I'm all layered up before I open the door so at first I'm hot when I step outside, then I'm slightly chill the first few minutes of riding, after about a mile I'm fine.

3 miles at a leisurely pace might not be enough to warm up for you. 6 miles, even taking it easy, should be more than enough to warm up from your own heat. Sounds like you might be losing a lot of heat to wind if you aren't warm by then.

What part of you is cold? I'm going to guess legs, face, and feet\ankles. My recommends for clothing aren't cycling specific, not because cycle specific stuff won't work but because other solutions can be cheaper, easier to find, or stuff you might already have. If you are willing to commit to cycling specific clothing someone at a bike shop or sports store will be glad to help you buy lots of stuff.



Legs: Jeans suck at blocking wind. Jeans plus legging works down to about 30°. Get some some windbreaker pants for lower than that. These don't have to be specifically for cycling, though it is recommended. Try to get something that is longer to cover your ankles while riding and isn't so baggy at the cuff that it will catch the crank.

Face: If you can grow a beard it helps. A thin scarf will at least keep your face from taking the brunt of the wind. For lower than 30° a windproof balaclava will keep your face, neck, and head warm. It is also easier to put on than a scarf. One that has multiple ways to wear it is good for a wider temperature range, ie pull down the face mask, take down the hood. I have this one and it works down to about 10° on my 7mi ride in to work.

http://www.amazon.com/Chaos--CTR-Windproof-Balaclava-X-Large/dp/B002ZG7RGM/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1417896151&sr=8-2&keywords=balaclava

Feet: The easy solution long thick wool socks, think hiking socks. If the shoes are very breathable then that will be problematic for the same reasons jeans are. Wind proof shoes will help, these can even be something simple like a leather ankle boot, doesn't have to be a winter boot if you pair it with the right socks.

I use one of these with the hood of my waterproof breathable carhartt up if it's pouring. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B002ZG7RGM/ref=cm_sw_r_awd_2wWxwbARMHDN8

Edit: just remembered that my dad swears by this waxed cotton cap that is wool lined with earflaps... He got it from Cabella's 15 years ago. This was the closest thing I could find: m.orvis.com/store/product.aspx?pf_id=13x2

Seattle here. Rain, I can work with rain.

A.) Fenders. Planet Bike hardcore.


B.) Shop safety glasses. Tada! Windshield. Little bit vented, not batman or racketball style


C.) Helmet cap: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002P707F4


D.) Yellow rain resistant jacket. I have an older model of this that was on sale. http://www.amazon.com/Canari-Cyclewear-Eclipse-Jacket-X-Large/dp/B00487LWLC/


E.) Increase bike's reflectivity. http://www.harborfreight.com/10-piece-reflective-tape-97562.html


F.) Hardcore proper rain, go rain pants. I have expensive ones because I hate rain pants but I've made peace that I hate being wet worse and I live in a wet climate. I have hiking rain pants and rain jacket made by mountain hardware. I love them but they are expensive; but it isn't more than a month or two of gas for the car.


G.) Monsoon season, I switch to waterproof work boots. Some people put garbage or grocery sacks on their feet, but I'd rather just have appropriate insulated footwear for the nasty weather.


H.) 40 degrees and below, I wear a balaclava. http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002ZG7RGM


I.) Safety glass anti-fog. Cat crap: http://www.amazon.com/EK-10003C-Cat-Crap/dp/B002ZNA488/


J.) I also make sure the schwabe marathon tires still have some grip and tread. They have a reflective sidewall. I also make sure I have at least two lights forward and two to the rear.


H.) Gloves: I wear some pearl izumi gloves. I had some boring leather gloves from homedespot that worked fine. In cold weather I'll wear some hotfinger gloves which I found on a trip to Boston.

One probably doesn't need all this, but it keeps me getting on the bike rather than garaging it. I like the options too, too hot? Remove underjacket and just use cycling jacket. I hate how cycling gear somehow makes the price go up, but some of it actually does the job really well, colored visibly too.