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SmartWool Balaclava

$35.00

(10)

Item # 784560

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Extremely cold days call for the best in protection! The soft and snuggly SmartWool balaclava uses pure merino wool to keep you warm while also managing moisture.

Soft merino wool insulates, wicks away moisture and breathes—naturally!
3-panel design with flatlock seams creates a comfortable, functional fit
Long length offers excellent coverage
SmartWool logo on back

Imported.

Item 784560

View all SmartWool products

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SmartWool Balaclava Customer Reviews

REVIEW SNAPSHOT®

by PowerReviews

SmartWool Balaclava

4.7

(based on 10 reviews)

90%

of respondents would recommend this to a friend.

Pros

Breathable (8)
Warm (8)
Dries easily (5)
Good protection (4)
Good size/fit (4)

Cons

Best Uses

- Sizing:
- Feels full size too small
  
  Feels half size too small
  
  Feels true to size
  
  88%
  (7 reviews)
  Feels half size too big
  
  Feels full size too big

- Gear Usage:
- Winter sports (5), Cold weather living (4)
- Was this a gift?:
- No (6)

Reviewed by 10 customers

Sort by

Displaying reviews 1-10

Oct

2009

(40 of 40 customers found this review helpful)

5.0

Great, and light!

By Dr. Science

from Washington, DC

About Me Casual/ Recreational

See all my reviews

Pros

Breathable
Dries Easily
Good Fit
Good Protection
Warm

Cons

Best Uses

Backcountry
Casual Wear
Cross Country
Downhill
Freestyle

Comments about SmartWool Balaclava:

I really like this balaclava. It's Smartwool, which is awesome. I own Smartwool socks, an entire baselayer, glove liners, and now this balaclava. I really enjoy Smartwool because it's 100% (Smartwool treated) wool, which means it stays warm, it never seem to stink (and as you can guess, a base layer can get smelly), and it still insulates when wet.

I picked this up because I've never had a bad experience with Smartwool.

The whole thing is thinner and takes up less space than the OR Option balaclava, which is a comparable product. If you're familiar with Smartwool baselayers, the material on the balaclava is about as thin as their medium baselayer, which is thinner than the OR balaclava.

This balaclava weighs in at 1.75 oz, slightly less with the tags removed, and when folded takes up less room than a normal, white sock.

Keeps me very warm despite its thinness. I've worn it in below freezing weather and can't wait to take it snowboarding and ice climbing.

It's a little expensive given what it is, but you pay a premium for Smartwool and the brand always performs well. I would use in the snow and ice, but probably would opt for some sort of windstopping balaclava (like the OR Helmetclava) to go into really horrendous conditions. Otherwise, I highly recommend this for 90% of winter conditions and love the fact that it seems to be the lightest balaclava on the market and takes up so little space yet performs so well.

Nov

2009

(15 of 16 customers found this review helpful)

5.0

Surprisingly warm

By metalhalide

from Saint Louis, MO

About Me Advanced

See all my reviews

Pros

Breathable
Good Protection
Warm

Cons

Best Uses

Bicycling

Comments about SmartWool Balaclava:

Surprisingly warm for its weight and thickness. I have made my 33mi roundtrip bicycle commute many times in temperatures in the 20s and this fits the bill. Doesn't compromise helmet fit b/c it is thin. You can pull the face portion up over your nose or down below your chin (at stop lights so your glasses don't fog).

Dec

2009

(8 of 10 customers found this review helpful)

3.0

too thin

By ultrarunner kenny

from verona, nj

See all my reviews

Pros

Breathable
Dries Easily
Good Fit

Cons

Not Warm

Best Uses

Comments about SmartWool Balaclava:

for [$] you would think this would be warm enough for all but the coldest temperatures but its too thin to keep ears and cheeks warm in cold weather, you're better off going with an under armour or OR balaclava. good for more mild weather or to wear under a hat, if only it were a little thicker

Dec

2009

(6 of 9 customers found this review helpful)

5.0

Great warmth and very thin

By Mark Herke

from Grapevine, TX

About Me Advanced

See all my reviews

Pros

Breathable
Dries Easily
Good Fit
Good Protection
Warm

Cons

Best Uses

Cycling

Comments about SmartWool Balaclava:

I've been a bicycle commuter for about 20 years. I've owned many balaclava's in the past. This one is the best. I use mine for cycling and hiking. The coldest here in Dallas that it's been this year is about 28 degrees celcius and it worked very well to keep me warm. Since it's very thin, it fits under my bike helmet easily. It also fits under my chin or over my nose and mouth. I agree with another reviewer that said if your in extreme weather, you'll probably want to suplement with a wind breaker of some sort. Overall, I'd recommend this product highly.

Dec

2010

(2 of 2 customers found this review helpful)

4.0

Nice - large fit

By E Hiker

from Orlando, FL

About Me Intermediate

See all my reviews

Pros

Stylish

Cons

Best Uses

Backcountry

Comments about SmartWool Balaclava:

A nice, and very comfortable balaclava (much more comfortable than others I've tried). It is pretty large - is swallows my 5' 2" wife. And I do wish it was just a little thicker.

Nov

2010

(1 of 1 customers found this review helpful)

5.0

Excellent Product

By satanslilhelper

from Plymouth, MI

About Me On The Mountain

See all my reviews

Pros

Dries Easily
Warm

Cons

Best Uses

Mountaineering

Comments about SmartWool Balaclava:

I purchased this for use for my job. I work outside on the flight line at an airport, and this product works excellent. I also use it when I'm flying on cold days, beneath my headset.It's warm, and offers excellent visibility when used as a balaclava, which is extremely important when flying aircraft. One of the better pieces of winter gear I have purchased.

Feb

2012

5.0

Great balaclava for the cold!

By stacky

from Pennsylvania

About Me Avid Adventurer

See all my reviews

Pros

Breathable
Durable
Lightweight
Warm

Cons

Chafes or Itches

Best Uses

Camping or Hiking
Extreme Conditions

Comments about SmartWool Balaclava:

I love to winter hike and snowshoe...and I'm always froze. I really need to bundle up to keep warm. Stuffing my face down in my jacket or wrapping a scarf around my face was getting old, so I did some research and ordered this balaclava. I love it! It's all wool (which does rub your face a bit but isn't enough so to drop a star) and it keeps my face/nose VERY warm. When I get too warm, I can slip the face portion down under my chin and it stays there. It also stays up on my mouth nose the whole time - it doesn't ride down. I can't get over how warm it keeps me versus how lightweight it is. This is a piece of gear that I'm very glad to have.

Dec

2011

5.0

Great Iteam

By need4gforce

from DC

About Me Military/Law Enforcement

See all my reviews

Pros

Breathable
Durable
Lightweight
Warm

Cons

Best Uses

Comments about SmartWool Balaclava:

I use this all around when its really cold. Its great for cycling. You can also pull it completly down and use it as a neck protector.

Thanks!

Dec

2011

5.0

Quality and warmth in mid-30s temps

By AlisaCyclist

from Portland, OR

About Me Casual/ Recreational

See all my reviews

Pros

Breathable
Durable
Lightweight
Warm

Cons

Best Uses

Bike commuting
Cool weather road cycling
Winter running

Comments about SmartWool Balaclava:

Agree the SmartWool balaclava is perfect for cool-weather cycling - I bought my first one over a year ago after trying several other products - this was by far the best! Fits under cycling helmet, and adds a nice layer of warmth cycling in weather 35-60 degrees. Still allows ventilation and when really cold can pull up over my chin. Just bought 2nd one on sale, and this morning doubled them up in 35 degree weather, then rode home with only one balaclava since the weather warmed slightly. Never stinks, dries quickly, and stuffs easily into pocket when not needed.

Feb

2011

5.0

Comfortable and warm

By Treesnmoguls

from Chicago, IL

About Me Expert

See all my reviews

Pros

Breathable
Dries Easily
Good Fit
Good Protection
Warm

Cons

Best Uses

Skiing
Snowboarding

Comments about SmartWool Balaclava:

Very reluctant about paying [$] for this but and very happy with the quality and comfort of this product. Now when I slip on a standard balaklava, it feels very "plasticy". No itchy or plasticy discomfort. Never gets terribly sweaty, never gets smelly and when it does, dries amazingly fast. Amazing product which I use for cold weather cycling and downhill skiing!