A BASELAYER FOR YOUR HEAD IS AS VITAL AS FOR ANY OTHER PART OF YOUR BODY, AND THE HOOD OF A BASELAYER WON’T WORK EVEN CLOSE TO HOW WELL A DEDICATED BALACLAVA WILL. THIS ITEM IS THERE TO PROVIDE A STABLE LAYER THAT THE REST OF YOUR HEADWEAR WILL GO ON, INCLUDING A WIND MASK, BEANIE AND THE OTHER HOODS IN YOUR SYSTEM.
AS MUCH AS WE LIKE PRIMINO, THE MERINO-PRIMALOFT BLEND THAT MONTANE USES FOR BASELAYERS, IT’S NOT THE STUFF FOR A BALACLAVA AS IT RETAINS TOO MUCH MOISTURE. A PRIMARY FUNCTION OF THE BALACLAVA IS AS AN AIR WARMER OVER YOUR MOUTH, ESPECIALLY AS YOU SLEEP TO STOP YOU BREATHING INTO YOUR SLEEPING BAG, AND THE BUILD UP OF ANY EXTRA MOISTURE THERE IS A BIG PROBLEM IF IT REFREEZES OVER THE SENSITIVE SKIN OF YOUR MOUTH.
WE REALLY LIKE THE ODLO EVOLUTION FACE MASK BECAUSE OF HOW IT NEATLY CONFORMS TO THE WHOLE HEAD WITH NO BULKY SEAMS OR PANELS TO LINE UP. IT’S VERY STRETCHY SO IS EASY TO JUST PULL ON AND DOESN’T RESTRICT MOVEMENT OR VISION. IT’S NOT A HEAVY DUTY BALACLAVA THAT BLOCKS WIND, THIS PIECE IS EASILY PULLED DOWN TO EAT OR TO FIT AROUND GOGGLES AND DOESN’T CATCH OR ADD BULK UNDER YOUR MAIN HOOD.
OTHER COMPANIES DO MASKS LIKE THESE BUT NOT AS WELL AS ODLO WHO HAVE THE CHEMISTRY OF MATERIALS, DESIGN AND CONCEPT WELL GRASPED ACROSS A HUGE LINE OF BASELAYERS. LIKE THEIR SOCKS, THIS IS THE COMPANY TO LOOK TO FOR NEXT-TO-SKIN FOR THE EXTREMITIES.
