10 Best Balaclavas in 2025 | For Cold Weather Activities

Protecting your head, neck, and face from the bitter cold since the 1800s, this simple do-it-all balaclava is a prime candidate for anyone who’s planning on getting out and about in the cold winter weather.

If it ain’t broke, then don’t fix it. Balaclavas are a timeless classic that combine the utility of a buff and beanie in one. Being a ‘Swiss army knife’ of headwear, they can be worn in a variety of styles depending on the activity, activity output, and desired warmth. With seemingly endless options floating around the internet, there are a few stand-out features that help when sifting to find what is right for you.

Whether you’re a masochistic winter bike commuter or a fisherman who likes to get after it in the cold, we’ve put together a list of what we think are the top Balaclavas on the market today. Let’s dive in and check out what modern tech and a classic design have to offer.

Buyers Guide

Why We Chose the Balaclavas We Chose

At the end of the day, there is no wrong answer when choosing a balaclava, so long as it is comfortable and keeps you warm, you can’t really go wrong. That said, there are a few options that stand out, containing a unique trait or two that differentiate them from the rest of the herd.

From classic styles like Smartwool’s Merino 250 Balaclava to innovative tech found in Seirus’s Magnemask Balaclava, we wanted to provide you with information on a wide variety of options. but at the end of the day, all of these balaclavas are highly versatile.

Different materials, different thicknesses, and different technologies are all factors that differentiate these ski masks from one another, but at the end of the day, each and every one is highly versatile, equipped with the tools and technology to provide utility wherever you take it.

Dive into what we’ve found out above to see for yourself why these balaclavas made the cut.  

Balaclava Material and Durability

While they can be made from any fabric, we chose to include balaclavas made solely from synthetic, like the Kastking, or wool fabrics, like the Icebreaker Merino Oasis, as these materials last long, provide warmth, and are safer to use in backcountry settings than the alternatives (cotton).

Balaclavas aren’t subject to the same beating that other outdoor garments are exposed to, so durability might not be at the forefront of your mind when shopping around. That said, one area that is susceptible to failure is the stitching department.

To combat torn seams, most manufacturers will use a flat stitch pattern in the construction of their balaclavas to avoid excess friction when used in conjunction with hats or helmets. An additional benefit to flat stitching is that it enhances comfort by reducing bulk, and it stretches with the fabric, reducing the risk of tearing.

Balaclava Size, Face Covering, and Fit

The size of a balaclava is surprisingly important, as too tight of a fit leads to a claustrophobic feel and discomfort over prolonged periods of time, whereas too loose of a fit results in excess draft and an awkward look. While the latter might not seem like too big of a deal, we’ve found that a loose fit also creates discomfort when worn with other headwear like ball caps or helmets.

More often than not, balaclavas are a one size fits most kind of deal. Even though balaclavas are sometimes available in different sizes, the size ranges tend to be broad i.e. small/medium or large/extra large.

Those who know they have a big or small noggin would benefit from seeking out an option that offers more specific sizes.

Balaclava UV Protection

Usually not the top selling point, UV protection is an underappreciated utility that all balaclavas provide.

As winter recreationalists, we have the habit of spending prolonged periods of time playing outside, ideally in the sunshine. But as we all know, even if it’s overcast, the winter sun packs a powerful punch, resulting in some unfortunate tanlines.

With one of the most common cancers in the world being skin cancer, the need to protect yourself from harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays is all the more important. Sunscreen is oftentimes messy, feels sticky, and has to be re-applied regularly, which, let’s be honest, most of us have a hard time even applying at the start of the day.

Balaclavas provide a stellar alternative to the sunscreen dilemma, providing protection from UV rays, keeping your skin happy and healthy. The synthetic options that we have reviewed will all have a UPF rating of 50+, whereas the woolen products have natural sun protective capabilities that range between UPF of 30-50+ depending on the thickness of the material.

Balaclava Comfort

As balaclavas live on your face, comfort is kind of a big deal. Itchy materials, too loose or too tight, and poor breathability are just a few factors that can knock some points off the comfort rating of your balaclava.

Poor breathability is a big factor to consider because sweat means wet, and wet means cold. Then there is the literal breathability. Are there any vents where your mouth is? If not, you could run the risk of icing up your mask, creating discomfort.

While wool garments have come a long way from the times of wool, wood and leather, it is still a fabric that is inherently more ‘scratchy’ than the alternatives. For most, especially if you aren’t accustomed to wool products, it takes a few days to adjust to the feeling, but over time wool can become soft too.

Moisture Wicking

Surprisingly easy to overlook, moisture wicking is an incredibly important feature of any outdoor-oriented garment, as it helps your body release sweat without soaking your clothing.

Your head produces a lot of heat and, therefore perspiration, just look at your ball cap after a day out in the sun. Synthetic and wool fabrics are used in balaclavas because they do an excellent job of wicking your body’s moisture away, keeping you warm and dry for longer periods of time.

Breathability

In the same vein as moisture wicking, breathability allows your balaclava to stay drier for longer durations, ensuring that you stay warm and comfy. 

When using the facemask of a balaclava, you are constantly breathing into the fabric. If the fabric doesn’t breathe well or doesn’t have some sort of passive venting, your exhalations will quickly cause the textile in front of your mouth to saturate. If this happens and it’s below freezing, your facemask will likely freeze, not only creating discomfort but making it harder to breathe through your mask.

Wind resistance

Cold weather is one thing, but cold with the bite of wind is a whole different animal. Wind resistance is a crucial feature to take into consideration when looking into balaclavas, as it can make or break how warm you are.

Wind resistance can be accomplished by using wind-resistant materials, but more often than not, this can lead to decreased breathability, and increased clamminess.

To enhance wind protection without sacrificing breathability, many of the designs featured in our review boast an additional layer of fabric in high-exposure areas like the cheeks, side of the face, and ears. These additional layers increase protection without sacrificing crucial breathability.

Versatility

Inherently versatile garments, balaclavas can be worn in a variety of ways and used in diverse settings, making them useful for any cold weather lover. Worn as a full head and face covering, a facemask, or a simple neck gaiter, these useful tools are easily adjusted on the move to accommodate changing outputs and conditions.

On the move, while hunting, taking a breather on a long ski tour, fishing in the cold, or just waiting for the bus on a chilly morning, balaclavas lend themselves to any and every cold weather endeavor. Coming in an assortment of fabric types and thicknesses, there is an option for every environment.

Balaclava Style and Design

It’s easy to imagine a traditional balaclava, just think of any cop and robbers style movie in the last 40 years, and the stereotypical ‘ski mask’ will come to mind.

More apt to a tube sock with a hole cut in it than a piece of headwear, this simple design is tried and true and is very functional. However, we live in modern times, and the design of balaclavas has evolved over the years. Most modern balaclavas have been modified to include some iteration of overlapping fabric or hinge technology.

Sewn in such a way that the face mask portion of the balaclava overlaps the lateral positions of the head covering, this overlap creates a natural hinge as well as added insulation around your cheeks and ears. This ‘hinge’ effect allows the face mask to be moved up and down more easily, and to sit more ergonomically regardless of its position.

Some balaclava designs have gone so far as to include face coverings that are almost completely removable. The Seirus Magnemask Combo Balaclava utilizes magnets sewn into the seams to allow the facemask to be installed or removed at a moment’s notice.

Conclusion

From technical synthetic fabrics to the classic woolie work horses, all of the ski masks outlined above are highly versatile and equipped to keep you cozy. A classic accessory, we hope that one of these balaclavas will be your go-to companion for everything from late fall hunting trips to braving the walk to the mailbox on a chilly winter’s morning.