How to Choose a Balaclava for Cold-Weather Riding: Cotton, Thermaltex, Fleece or Waterproof
The right balaclava for cold-weather riding depends on how cold and how wet your ride is: cotton or Thermaltex poly-cotton for cool days, polar fleece for dry cold, and a waterproof, insulated three-layer balaclava for snowmobiling, wet snow and the coldest days. Whatever the fabric, pick one with flat seams and a long neck, so it sits flat under your helmet and tucks into your collar. CoolMax is the sweat-wicking option, and its page also names wind and cold uses. Here is how to choose by fabric, by cold level and by what you ride.
Balaclavas compared by fabric and cold level
| Balaclava | Fabric | Rough cold level | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Black Cotton Balaclava | 100% organic cotton, hypoallergenic | Mild to cool, dry | Wind and dust on mild days, sensitive skin |
| Thermaltex Balaclava | Soft poly-cotton blend, moisture-wicking | Cool | Everyday riding under a helmet |
| Stretchme Balaclava | 92% polyester, 8% Lycra, one eye cutout | Cool to cold, windy | Full head and face cover with almost no bulk |
| Multifunctional Balaclava | All-way-stretch polyester microfibre, windproof | Cool to cold | Balaclava, head wrap or neck tube in one |
| Polar Balaclava | Polyester-laminated fleece | Cold and dry | Hood and neck warmer in one fleece piece |
| Polarclava | 4-way stretch microfleece, built-in neck dickey | Cold and dry | Extra cover at the collar |
| Breathable Waterproof Balaclava | Waterproof mesh shell, Milair insulation, microfleece lining | Below freezing, wet | Snowmobiling, wet snow, glasses and goggles |
| 2-in-1 Balaclava and Neck Dickey | Same three layers, neoprene nosepiece, Lycra chin panel | Below freezing, wet | Deep winter, balaclava and neck dickey in one |
| CoolMax Balaclava | 100% CoolMax polyester | Mild to cool, active | Wicking sweat on active days, wind and cold |
As a rough guide, the cold levels are a starting point, not a rating. Wind chill at speed can make a ride feel much colder than the thermometer says, so on a fast ride consider a warmer fabric than the table suggests. If you are still deciding whether you need a balaclava at all, or just a skull cap and a neck layer, start with what to wear under your helmet in the cold. The reasons riders wear one are in why wear a balaclava under your motorcycle helmet. This guide is about which one.
How the fabrics differ
Cotton balaclava
Our Black Cotton Balaclava is 100% hypoallergenic organic cotton: light, breathable and easy to wear under a helmet, with flat seams and a long U-shaped neck. It blocks wind, dust and sun, and it is machine washable. Its limit is the cold. Cotton holds on to sweat, and a damp layer chills you once you stop, so keep it for mild days or short rides.
Thermaltex (poly-cotton)
The Thermaltex Balaclava is an extra-soft poly-cotton blend that breathes and wicks moisture, with flat seams and a long U-shaped neck. It is not 100% cotton, a question we get about it. It is a good everyday balaclava for cool rides and comes in black, blue and pink.
Stretch polyester and microfibre
The Stretchme Balaclava is 92% polyester and 8% Lycra, with double flat seams and a single cutout for the eyes, so it covers your whole face against wind, cold air, dust and debris. The Multifunctional Balaclava is a soft, windproof polyester microfibre that you can wear as a balaclava, a head wrap or pulled down as a tube. The Stretchme's page calls it lightweight, and both have flat seams, which helps under a snug helmet.
Polar fleece
The Polar Balaclava is a polar balaclava hood in polyester-laminated fleece. Its page describes it as made for maximum warmth in cold weather, combining a full face mask and a neck warmer in one. The Polarclava is 4-way stretch microfleece with a built-in neck dickey and an extended, flared neck, so the collar area stays covered. Fleece is warm on cold, dry days. Neither page claims it is waterproof, so in wet snow look at the next two.
Waterproof three-layer
The Breathable Waterproof Balaclava has three layers: a polyester mesh shell that is waterproof and breathable (rain and snow bead off it), a Milair insulating middle and a soft microfleece lining that wicks sweat. Every layer breathes, which matters: sweat can only escape if all of them let vapour through. The 2-in-1 Balaclava and Neck Dickey uses the same three layers, adds a stretchy Lycra panel under the chin, and works as a balaclava and neck dickey in one. These are the two balaclavas in this guide whose pages say waterproof.
Which balaclava for motorcycle, snowmobile, ATV or everyday winter
Motorcycle
Under a snug full-face helmet, a lighter layer is usually easier to fit. As a rough guide, the Thermaltex or Stretchme suits spring and fall, and the Polarclava suits cold mornings, since its flat seams are made to sit under a helmet and its flared neck seals the gap at your collar. Whatever you pick, try it with your helmet on and the chin strap fastened before a long ride.
Snowmobile
Sledding brings cold, wet snow, long hours and goggles, so go straight to the Breathable Waterproof Balaclava or the 2-in-1. Both have a breathable panel at the nose or mouth that their pages say helps prevent eyewear fog. Our heated snowmobile layer guide and snowmobile gear checklist cover the rest of the kit.
ATV and UTV
Slower speeds, but dust, mud and spray. The Stretchme keeps wind, dust and debris off your whole face; on wet or freezing days, the Breathable Waterproof Balaclava sheds slush. A balaclava is a comfort layer, not a dust mask. See our ATV protective gear checklist for the full list.
Everyday winter
For shovelling the driveway, ice fishing or working outside, the Multifunctional Balaclava is the most flexible, since it pulls down into a tube when you warm up, and it is machine washable. The Polar Balaclava and the Polarclava are both made for cold days of outdoor work and play.
One owner with a larger head says the Polar Balaclava finally fit him, with plenty of material reaching down the front and back. Another bought the 2-in-1 for himself, then two more for his family, because it covers the neck so well on the sled.
Waterproof vs windproof balaclava
Windproof means the wind does not blow through the fabric; waterproof means rain and snow do not soak in. The Multifunctional Balaclava is windproof. The Breathable Waterproof Balaclava is both: its page calls it a windproof balaclava with a waterproof, breathable outer layer. For dry cold, windproof or fleece is enough. For sleds, wet snow and freezing rain, you want waterproof with insulation behind it.
Breathability is the other half. A balaclava that blocks water but traps your breath fogs your visor and goes damp inside. The Breathable Waterproof Balaclava has a perforated mouth area and a nostril cut-out, and the 2-in-1 has a perforated neoprene nosepiece, so your breath gets out.
- Black Cotton BalaclavaLight organic cotton for mild days
- Thermaltex BalaclavaEveryday poly-cotton for cool rides
- Stretchme BalaclavaThin full-face cover against wind and dust
- Multifunctional BalaclavaBalaclava, head wrap or tube
- Polar BalaclavaLaminated fleece for dry cold
- PolarclavaMicrofleece with a built-in neck dickey
- Breathable Waterproof BalaclavaThree layers for cold and wet days
- 2-in-1 Balaclava and Neck DickeyThree layers plus a built-in neck dickey
Which balaclava should you buy?
- Spring and fall motorcycle rides: the Thermaltex or the Stretchme.
- Cold, dry days on the bike or at work: the Polarclava or the Polar Balaclava.
- Snowmobiling and wet snow: the Breathable Waterproof Balaclava or the 2-in-1.
- Around the yard and town all winter: the Multifunctional Balaclava.
- Active days when you sweat: the CoolMax Balaclava.
Prefer nothing over your face? A CoolMax Helmet Liner Skull Cap with a Polar Neck Tube covers your head and neck separately. See every option in our balaclavas collection.
Questions riders ask us
What size Breathable Waterproof Balaclava should I get?
It comes in X-Small/Small, Medium/Large and X-Large/2X-Large. We do not publish a size chart, so we start from your helmet size: a small helmet usually goes with X-Small/Small, a medium with Medium/Large. We have suggested X-Large/2X-Large to a rider who was between L and XL. For any other case, ask us before you order.
Do the other balaclavas come in sizes?
The cotton, Multifunctional, Polarclava and CoolMax balaclavas are one size, as their pages say. For the Thermaltex, Stretchme and Polar Balaclava, see the sizes on the product page. The 2-in-1 comes in sizes; check which are available on its page.
Is the Thermaltex balaclava 100% cotton?
No, it is a poly-cotton blend. If you want pure cotton, choose the Black Cotton Balaclava, which is 100% organic cotton.
Will a balaclava fog my glasses or goggles?
Fog usually comes from breath pushed up behind the visor. Pick a balaclava that lets your breath out: the Breathable Waterproof Balaclava (perforated mouth area and nostril cut-out) or the 2-in-1 (perforated neoprene nosepiece).
Is the CoolMax balaclava warm?
Its page describes 100% CoolMax polyester that moves sweat away from your skin, and says it is a barrier against wind and cold for skiing, snowboarding and riding. If warmth is the priority on the coldest days, look at fleece or a three-layer balaclava.
How do I wash a balaclava?
The cotton and Multifunctional balaclavas are machine washable. The Breathable Waterproof Balaclava is hand wash only. For the others, follow the care label.
Tell us what you ride and what gear you already have, through the chat on any page or at (647) 400-3081, and we will help you pick the right fit.
Shop all GEARS gear
