(Part 2) Best balaclavas for men according to redditors

Here you go! That will look less threatening than a normal balaclava at least.

I have a balaclava that looks kind of like this one. I use a couple of strategies to keep my glasses from fogging.

The best is to pull down the opening a little so that my nose is uncovered, and then do most of my breathing through my nose. Of course, this is not nice when it is very cold. It is also difficult if you are working hard and need to breath very deeply, but having your mouth covered at all is a problem if that is the case.

Another approach is to blow out through the face covering in a certain way, trying to direct the breath out through the fabric instead of letting it go out through the opening. I kind of push my lips out against the fabric and blow, like blowing on hot food. However, this gets annoying quickly.

Another thing that helps is to pull your glasses away from your face a bit, and uncover your mouth when stopping. I find the fogging is not much of a problem when moving, but when stopped at an intersection it gets bad quickly.

I was thinking of trying a face mask like the newfleece one you linked to. I'm surprised you have fogging problems with it. It seems like the perforations over the mouth combined with the open nose would keep breath from going right up to the glasses.

When I've researched this in the past, most people who have had problems with this either use ski goggles or contacts. I haven't tried goggles yet, as they seem very expensive for the number of days I'd end up using them.

Walmart sells cheap compression or base layer shirts and pants. Buy blue and test fit them on your son. While he is wearing them, mark of the areas that you want to paint gold.
Check sporting goods department for yellow safety glasses.
To make gauntlets, use thin craft foam. This YouTube channel has been useful for learning some techniques.

http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLJi5hm03B1gIWbCdOteMylZ588yt5oKO8

For the head, buy a cheap head sock (balaclava) from Amazon.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00PJV03GG/ref=yo_ii_img?ie=UTF8&psc=1&th=1

My own personal preference is to use a ski balaclava. They're usually pretty well designed to be thinner under the helmet, thicker over the lower face.

I hear what you're saying on "ugly and suspicious". There's lots of designs that are less - threatening.

https://www.amazon.ca/VERTAST-Balaclava-Cycling-Motorcycling-Good-dog/

I have this style Balaclava and it works well.

You can tuck them into your jacket to protect your neck, wear a hardhat with them, and pull down the face mask part when you need to talk to someone and not look like you're a spec ops wannabe or a terrorist like some of the others.

I used one of these. I don’t think it’s authorized, but fuck it, I was chilly.

Here ya go!

https://www.amazon.com/Ateid-Unisex-Winter-Octopus-Windproof/dp/B01LJW7QAY/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1542132388&sr=8-1&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_QL65&keywords=unisex+octopus+ateid&dpPl=1&dpID=51LUOIM6cRL&ref=plSrch

> Do you by any chance know where I can get to learn how to ride during the winter?

Hub/Cycles for Change usually have a class I think. There have also been seminars at the Winter Bike Expo. A lot of it comes down to clothing selection and regular bike maintenance. We salt our roads heavily and wiping off snow after riding is worth the time spent. I highly, highly recommend using a "wet" lube instead of a "dry" lube on your chain. Avoid Tri-flow, Finish Line Dry/Red, White Lightning, anything "wax." You want something like Rock and Roll Gold, Finish Line Wet/Green, Chain-L... something "wet."


Things I consider must haves (other people may disagree):

1. A cycling cut windbreaker. You wear this as an outer layer and it amplifies the effectiveness of your insulating layers of shirts. Cycling windbreakers are long in the back and long in the arms to keep you covered when bent over the handlebars, and have vented pits/back to vent moisture.
   
   
2. Balaclava with an open nose vent and perforated mouth area. Something like this instead of this or this. The kind that cover up your nose fog glasses and get snotty. You might not wear glasses but you'll probably want eye protection against the cold.
   
   
3. Wool/Smartwool/Costco smartwool knockoff socks
   
   
4. Something more wind-resistant than jeans
   
   
5. Layers, layers, layers. Tights, compression shirts, longjohns, baselayers, fleeces, "athletic tshirts." That windbreaker I mentioned first means I can get away with wearing something like a compression shirt and a long sleeve wicking tshirt or two and being plenty warm on the bike much of the time.
   
   
6. Eye protection. Ski goggles, lab goggles, motorcycle goggles etc. I'm kinda a wuss about my eyes being cold and need them covered around 20°F/-7C
   
   
7. A pair of studded tires, a bike that can fit at least a 32-35mm tire, a good set of tire levers and a floor pump. Riding on studs sucks when you don't need them and not having studs when you need them sucks. Tire choice is rather personal and too long to get into so here's Peter White's thoughts on studded tires.

PSA: You can get a ski mask for $6 on Amazon Prime. Aren't in stock for another couple days, but great price.

Perhaps something like this would work for the mask: https://www.amazon.com/White-Balaclava-Ski-Mask-Season/dp/B0149TS004/ref=pd_bxgy_236_img_2?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=J2FCWRGBV2AM84ATF81B

I also found this, it's the whole costume which isn't as fun as making it, but it's an option still.
http://www.fondcosplay.com/free-shipping-gi-joe-rise-of-cobra-storm-shadow-byunghun-lee-outfit-movie-cosplay-costume-tailormade-p-1087.html

For some budget options:

I can vouch for the Przewalski brand soft shell jacket (https://www.amazon.com/Przewalski-Thermal-Cycling-Softshell-Windbreaker/dp/B075DSGQTY). It's thicker in the front and sleeves for wind protection, lighter in the back for breathability, with back pockets which are very convenient when commuting.

Someone on here last year mentioned cutting up a tyvek envelop (woven plastic fiber) to use as booties inside a regular shoe can really help keep feet warm until you figure out a more elegant solution.

I've gotten by with inexpensive balaclavas (something like this: https://www.amazon.com/Fabrics-Motorcycle-Cycling-Skateboard-Balaclava/dp/B074RBN864/).

I rode my commute pretty much all of last winter in DC , it really wasn't too bad. A few days of really nasty wind, and one with ice. This year might be worse, but don't be too scared!

You can get one of the following :

• surgical style
  face mask. (Bonus points for kawaii style)
  
• Face Shield tube mask
  
• Bandana or bandana mask if you want to look like you want to rob the ol' saloon. (Perfect for revolver days)
  
• Baclava if you want to rob the place or cosplay as a gunninja.
  
• Gasmask to oper8.
  
  I'm sure there are other options too, but this should do you for now.

I've actually put it together from all over. The pants/shoes are just dress pants/shoes. The rest are below..

Spats (shoe covers): http://www.candyapplecostumes.com/fr31217.html

Grucifix:
https://www.facebook.com/Killerworks/

Coat with sash:
https://www.etsy.com/listing/268016875/ghost-bc-meliora-coat-including-sash?ref=shop_home_active_5

Balaclava (for under the mask):
https://www.amazon.com/COZIA-Premium-Lightweight-Balaclava-Motorcycle/dp/B00V3F54WU/ref=sr_1_1?s=sporting-goods&ie=UTF8&qid=1473275551&sr=1-1&keywords=cozia+premium+lightweight+balaclava

*corrected the link for the coat

A face mask is a must have to protect your face when freezing and windy

https://www.amazon.com/MJ-Gear-Motorcycle-Balaclava-Warranty/dp/B00QOKHIU0?ref_=fsclp_pl_dp_1

Is this for a cosplay?

If you're going for that look, would a face shield be an option? Otherwise I would probably by some kind of big red stretchy pant, cut off the leg and pull it over my head...

To OP /u/SirNoodlesworth and you,

For Winter:

Thermal and Windproof jacket by Przewalski

Neck warmer, unless it's super duper cold, then try full Balaclava

Windproof gloves, and if you want extra padding, try Pearl Izumi from LBS. They're pricier, but may be worth it depending on your comfort tolerance levels.

For Florida/summer:

Best "cheap" bibs! Double stich and will handle lots of washes.

Comfy jerseys with high quality zipper (the zipper is usually the first thing to break on the cheapies).

For ladies, my wife loves these kits. Comfortable and durable.

I see a lot of recommendations for buffs. I had a look at some today in go outdoors but they didn’t have a black one. They seem really thin though but I’ll give them a try. Do you have any links to the cheaper ones? Preferably amazon. So far these oneslook alright.

Also, crisis averted, but if you've never had something like this balaclava, you should check them out.

I wear this one in southern Louisiana with no problems, it's very thin https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00PILDZ2Q/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_MgqQBbA2Q724K