1. The list in brief ↴
2. Best balaclava overall
3. Best balaclava for warmth
4. Best for ski mountaineers
5. Best over-the-helmet option
6. Best neck gaiter
7. Best value neck gaiter
8. Comparison table
9. How we test
10. How to choose
Serious winter adventurers benefit hugely from having one of the best balaclavas or a decent neck gaiter in their gear arsenal. Whether you're an exploratory cross country skier, or setting out on an Arctic expedition, the protection these excellent products provide is invaluable.
A hood-style balaclava is designed to keep you warm and protect your face from frostbite, windburn and extreme cold. Of course, when you're running a little on the hot side, you can always pull them down below your chin, where they double up as a neck gaiter.
The very best balaclavas are crafted from highly breathable materials, which prevent your ski goggles or sunglasses from steaming up. We've taken to the slopes and the winter trails to arrive at our selection of the six finest balaclavas available in 2024.
So, here we present three pieces of technical headwear designed to go under a climbing helmet, a great over-the-helmet offering from The North Face and two tube-style buffs. Our favorite technical balaclava is the Skida Stealth, which fits beautifully. When it comes to neck gaiters, we adored Smartwool's Thermal Merino offering.
The quick list
This is the quick list, a snapshot of the best balaclavas and buffs available in 2024. To delve deeper into the features and qualities of each featured product, see our more detailed reviews further down the page in this guide.
The best balaclava overall
We love this fantastic, do-everything balaclava, which is available in many colors and a range of kids sizes too
The best balaclava for warmth
With plenty of sizes available, we highly recommend this wonderfully warmth and adjustable balaclava for anyone who enjoys winter adventures
The best balaclava for ski mountaineers
An excellent balaclava that we think is perfect for ski mountaineers thanks to its extremely light and fast drying qualities
The best over-the-helmet balaclava
We like the way the windproof and water-resistant TNF Whimzy provides warmth without feeling overly tight – a great over-the-hood option
The best women’s waterproof jacket
With its long cut providing maximum coverage and natural odor control, we rate the Smartwool Thermal Merino as the finest neck gaiter available today
The best value neck gaiter
We think the versatile Buff Polar Neckwarmer represents terrific value and we also like its comfortable and unrestrictive cut
Based in Vermont, Berne is a hardcore adventurer who counts hiking, biking, skiing climbing, kayaking and camping among her favorite activities and she has been known to sport a balaclava or buff on many occasions. She's adventured all over the world, from the Arctic climes of Alaska and Greenland to the heat of Jordan and the altitude of Bolivia.
The best balaclavas 2024
You can trust Advnture Our expert reviewers spend days testing and comparing gear so you know how it will perform out in the real world. Find out more about how we test and compare products.
The best balaclava overall
Made for skiers by skiers, Skida’s balaclava is ergonomically sewn to fit the head without being too loose or too tight. It’s hinged at the cheeks for easy adjustment, so you can pull it down and wear it as a neck tube if you don’t need full coverage. On test, we found that the neck is cut long enough that this balaclava doesn’t ride up under a jacket. The flatlock seams stretch with the brushed, soft-on-the-face, breathable fabric. Style conscious skiers will like the fact that it comes in a rainbow of colors and patterns, as well as sizes for children and adults. On test the hood was super comfortable under a hat or helmet. It’s designed in Vermont and made in the US.
The best balaclava for warmth
Made from a mid-heavyweight grid-backed recycled fleece, we reckon this balaclava is one of the warmest out there. The hood has a hinge that allows for loads of adjustability in changing weather, so it didn’t feel restrictive, but it also won’t slide and cover your eyes.
The Vigor Plus balaclava is made from Outdoor Research’s new 93% recycled polyester fleece. The exterior is woven for stretch and mobility. The high-loft grid interior was super warm on test, and also extremely breathable. According to our expert reviewer "it won’t ice up and be hard to breathe through like some other fabrics." It’s also low bulk and comfortable under a helmet or a hat. Thanks to the woven exterior, this balaclava is water-resistant, wind-resistant and has four-way stretch.
The best balaclava for ski mountaineers
Black Diamond’s Coefficient LT Balaclava is made from Polartec Powergrid polyester stretch grid back fleece, one of the most technical materials of any balaclava. It's got the highest warmth-to-weight ratio of any balaclava our expert has tested, and it’s also the lightest balaclava you can buy. On test, we found that uts see-through, thin-grid fleece was über breathable, quite durable and dries fast too. Made for ski mountaineers and others who count the ounces on their bodies and in their packs, this balaclava will keep frost from forming on your face, and it will take the bite out of winter weather, crucial for avoiding frostbite. It didn’t have as much wind protection as some other balaclavas, but it still got the job done. It’s cut trim and comes in one size. If you have a larger head, it may be too snug.
The best over-the-helmet balaclava
Not every skier or rider likes the feel of a balaclava worn under a helmet. If you’ve found other balaclavas to be claustrophobic or just uncomfortable, The North Face’s Whimzy Powder Hood provides the same level of protection without the tight fit.
Designed to be worn over a helmet, we found it was also suitable for wearing alone. On test, the Whimzy blocked flurries, biting wind and cold without feeling as tight and confining as an under-helmet balaclava. The fleece hood and neck cover has a wind-blocking panel around the perimeter of the hood providing extra weather protection for your face. A toggled shock cord adjusts it. The panel is treated with DWR to bead water.
Inside the hood, a fleece flap pulls up to cover your lower cheeks and mouth. If you buy it sized for over a helmet, it might be baggy if you choose to wear it without a helmet. But thankfully the Whimzy comes in two sizes, so you can pick your starting point for fit. The hood is made with recycled polyester.
The best neck gaiter
The Long Neck Gaiter is made from Smartwool’s heaviest-weight, double-layer, interlock-knit Merino, and if you love the stink-busting warmth of natural fibers, "there’s no better protection from the cold" says our winter gear expert.
While the Long Neck Gaiter isn’t a true balaclava, we found it was easy to wear balaclava-style because it’s so long. Pull it over your head and the stretchy Merino tube is long enough to cover your neck with the top of the tube still goes over your ears, nose and mouth. Some skiers and riders prefer tube-style coverage over a proper hooded balaclava because it’s easier to slide down or take off as the day warms up without removing your helmet. It’s also a piece you can wear all season long as a neck gaiter. For some skiers, that means it’s more likely you’ll have it on hand when the weather changes and you want another layer as quickly as possible.
The best value neck gaiter
When nothing but fleece will do, this soft, recycled fleece-lined tube provides "cozy, quick-drying warmth" according to our expert tester. We think that the high-stretch, highly insulating fleece is great for extremely cold days when you need its thickness to block the cold. On test, we found it was just long enough to cover our ears while also protecting our neck, though a little extra length would make it easier to use this tube as a hybrid neck warmer balaclava substitute. It’s itch-free, and easy to get on and off. And you can feel good about buying Buff’s Polar Neck Warmer. It keeps two plastic bottles out of the landfill.
The best balaclavas comparison table
| Balaclava | Price | Style | Materials |
| Skida Stealth Balaclava | $38 (US) | Hood | Brushed thermal poly-spandex fabric with moisture management and anti-microbial technology |
| Outdoor Research Vigor Plus Balaclava | $45 (US) / £44.99 (UK) | Hinged hood | Bluesign approved 93% recycled polyester, 7% spandex, 75D stretch woven fleece with grid interior |
| Black Diamond Coefficient LT Balaclava | $40 (US) / £50 (UK) | Hood | Polartec Powergrid polyester stretch grid back fleece |
| The North Face Whimzy Powder Hood | $40 (US) / £35 (UK) | Over-helmet hood | 100% recycled polyester fleece with a WindWall 100% polyester with a durable water-repellent finish overlay |
| Smartwool Thermal Merino Long Neck Gaiter | $35 (US) / £32.99 (UK) | Tube | Merino |
| Buff Polar Neckwarmer | $19 (US) / £26.95 (UK) | Tube | Fleece (91% Recycled polyester) |
How we test the best balaclavas
Each of the balaclavas featured in this buying guide was tested in person by our expert reviewer on the mountainsides and ski slopes of Vermont and elsewhere.
How to choose the best balaclava
The most important thing when choosing the best balaclava is to pick one based on what’s most comfortable for you. A proper hood-style balaclava will provide the most warmth. A neck tube won’t cover the top of your head, but it’s easier to pull down if you get too hot. If finances allow, buy more than one – that way you'll always have a clean one, you'll have options for different weather – and different kits – and you can pick the one that suits your mood on any given day. A balaclava is a great accessory for adding a little style or color to your kit too. Consider the following factors:
How should a balaclava fit?
Not every balaclava fits every head. Get one that’s snug but not tight, and that fits comfortably under your ski helmet. Ideally, try before you buy.
What styles and thicknesses do balaclavas come in?
Balaclavas are made in many thicknesses. A thinner-style balaclava will fit better with a helmet. If you’re not a fan of tight fabric around your face, opt for an over-helmet, not an under-helmet style. If you want to be able to pull your balaclava down when you warm up, go for one that’s hinged at the cheeks, not one that has a sewn circular opening. Hinged balaclavas can be worn around the neck without feeling confining. Neck tubes are also a great choice for skiers and riders who want full coverage but also want to be able to vent.
What fabrics are balaclavas made from?
Carefully consider the material your balaclava is made from. Choose one made from a quick-dry material so that moisture buildup over your covered nose and mouth will dissipate quickly. Merino is naturally odor resistant, but it doesn’t typically dry as quickly as synthetics (and synthetic balaclavas come in a rainbow of colors). Make sure it's nicely wind-resistant to avoid the negative effects of windchill.
Why are they called balaclavas?
The term “balaclava” was coined in the mid-1800s during the Crimean War when – after the Battle of Balaclava in 1854, where British troops suffered terribly from cold – Brits at home started knitting clothes for the troops, including wool caps, dubbed balaclavas.
