Best Snowmobile Balaclavas to Wear Under Helmet

In the past few years, I have used balaclavas from different brands like FXR, Castle X, 509, Klim, AstroAI, and Tough Headgear.

After using so many of them, I think, the best snowmobile balaclava is the Tough Headwear Balaclava. I’m using this balaclava for the past few months, and I’m happy with it.

Let’s take a look at some other good balaclavas for different purposes.

Best Snowmobile Balaclavas in 2022

KLIM Arctic Balaclava

KLIM’s coldest-rated snowmobile balaclava is the Arctic, specifically designed to withstand extreme cold and provide the warmest feel while snowmobiling.

The Arctic is made with full heavy fleece Gore Windstopper construction guarantees 100% windproof.

It has a microfleece liner throughout the balaclava to retain heat and repel cold air. It also has variable fleece backer thicknesses around the eyes to enhance fit and reduce restriction.

The structure of the Arctic is fully utilized to give excellent comfort with its 3D design, strategically placed elasticities on the sides, and a full neoprene nose piece/breath deflector in the front.

This helps to keep the warm airflow down and avoid condensation along the eye area to prevent fogging when snowmobiling with goggles.

The Arctic Balaclava features a massive, ultra-wide skirt to create a great seal and ensures it stays put while snowmobiling.

Other features include the Lycra stretch back, conformed neck fit, and super stretchy fleece over the head to give maximum comfort and excellent fit.

The nose piece is a big help for more comfortable breathing. However, it doesn’t have much structure, so it can get compressed down when used under a snowmobile helmet.

509 Lightweight Pro Balaclava

The Lightweight Pro snowmobile balaclava is designed to fit your 509 helmet and goggles perfectly. This snowmobile balaclava keeps you warm and comfortable while out in the snow.

True to its name, this balaclava is made with breathable and stretchable polyester material to provide warmth while keeping it lightweight for a comfortable feel.

It has a longer-cut skirt to give maximum protection and keep it in place during your snowmobile rides.

Its technical materials upfront guarantees to be fully windproof. It also has breathable materials in critical areas such as the nose.

This snowmobile balaclava is available in three designs with sublimation graphics printing to choose from.

The design is not that structured, especially with the nose and eye area, which can post comfort problems. It is also unsuitable for freezing weather as cold air can enter much easier and quicker.

FXR Shredder Tech Balaclava

The FXR Shredder Tech is made with ultra-lightweight brushed inner polyester-spandex fabrication. This material keeps you warm while snowmobiling without compromising comfort.

It has FXR’s proprietary 4-way stretch mapped wind-stop system to provide windproof snowmobile rides.

The design and length of the skirt help reduce frostbite risk due to exposure in the critical collar to the helmet gap and helps secure the balaclava tightly.

However, this feature is particularly useful with your FXR helmet since it is explicitly designed to cover gaps in FXR helmets.

The full-coverage neoprene nose mask deflects breath away from the eye area to prevent fogging when wearing snowmobile goggles or eyeglasses.

It also has laser-cut breath holes under the neoprene nose mask for easier breathing and a more comfortable snowmobile ride.

Shredder Tech snowmobile balaclava is available in eight vibrant colors with stylish and attractive designs.

KLIM Glacier Balaclava

Klim Glacier is one of the best snowmobile balaclavas if you prefer aggressive, high-speed snowmobile rides. It is specifically designed for active riders seeking protection and warmth in icy weather.

The Coolmax breathable moisture-wicking fabric on the side of the head keeps you dry from sweat while doing high-intensity snowmobile rides.

It also guarantees to protect you from wind all day. It is made with lighter materials and Windstopper fabric for a highly breathable feel and to wick away moisture while being able to dry extremely fast.

The KLIM Glacier snowmobile balaclava features a neoprene breath box to divert moisture down and away from the eye area to prevent fogging.

It has a wide-skirt over-the-collar design to protect you from the rain or snow while snowmobiling.

You can also customize it using the cinch cord to fit you properly. It also helps to keep the snowmobile balaclava securely tucked into your gear.

The Lycra stretch panel perfectly fits any head shape and size. It also has elastic side panels for a contoured fit on the neck for added comfort.

However, when used in extremely cold weather, this might not provide enough warmth and can let the cold air in quicker.

Castle X Deflector Balaclava

The Castle X Deflector snowmobile balaclava is designed for maximum comfort and functionality.

It is made with a Dynamic 4-way flex 360-degree wind skirt with a Ven-Tex windproof membrane and soft micro-fleece lining to keep wind and moisture out while snowmobiling.

The front fabric of the balaclava is made with 90% Polyester and 10% Polyurethane, while the back is made with 90% Polyester and 10% Spandex.

These materials provide maximum comfort and breathability. It also makes it a machine wash-friendly garment for easy cleaning.

It also features Dupont Coolmax on the face and top of the head for further moisture-wicking, enabling it to dry quickly.

A spandex panel is placed across the back of the head for a more comfortable and secure fit.

The Deflector also features a built-in Neoprene breath deflector to keep air from condensing, thus preventing fogging your snowmobile goggles or glasses.

It is available in one size and one color and design only. The nose deflector doesn’t have that much stiffness and structure, so it can easily get squeezed down.

Things to Consider Before Buying a Balaclava

Picking the fitting balaclava is essential for avid snowmobile riders and skiers. Below are a few factors that can be used to choose the right one.

Material

Balaclavas were traditionally made of wool, but they come in various materials like silk, cotton, fleece, neoprene, and many other polymer fibers.

A good balaclava must be made from materials that can keep the wearer warm from freezing temperatures but, at the same time, must be breathable.

The material must also not be too warm, making the person sweat a lot. Thus the material selected must protect against cold, UV rays, dust, and winds while also being highly breathable and moisture-wicking.

Design

Many types of balaclavas are available in the market. Depending on the kind of design, the versatility and warmth provided by the clothing vary.

A full mask with openings for the eyes provides the best warmth and protection, while a half mask covering the mouth and the neck provides lesser warmth but better peripheral vision, which is essential when riding or skiing down the slopes.

If wearing a helmet, it is essential to buy a design that is compatible with the helmet. A few versatile designs can be used as a hat, a neck warmer, a full face mask, or a half mask.

These are among the best choices as they can be folded and used based on the requirement.

The design of your snowmobile trail balaclava should be according to your requirements. For example, if you prefer a windproof balaclava for your lower face, look for this feature or design.

Fit

The most crucial factor to consider while buying a balaclava is the fit. A loose fit will make it useless to protect from the cold, while a very tight fit will be uncomfortable.

Almost all balaclavas are unisex and can be worn by men and women unless explicitly mentioned.

So, if your snowmobile face mask is unisex and suitable, there is no need to keep looking for women’s snowmobile balaclava. So getting the right fit takes the first priority.

Some models come with a free size or are made of stretchable materials to provide a better fit. Models with a Velcro strap for adjusting the fit also work well for people requiring any size.

Comfort

While taking long skis or rides on a snowmobile, it is vital for the balaclava to feel comfortable to the rider as it can reduce the fun of the sport.

The material should also remove and evaporate sweat to keep the wearer cozy. A loose fit may be affected by winds and will act as a distraction to its user.

You must wear your balaclava mask under your snowmobile helmet, so it should be comfortable.

Along with that, your snowmobile balaclava should be able to protect you from frigid wind. So, if comfort is your priority, go for the warmest snowmobile balaclava.

Brand and Quality

There are a few brands that are well-known for snowmobile balaclavas. They can be easily found by searching online or also by looking into snowmobiling or skiing forums.

These brands offer top quality and finish to the product. With careful selection of the requirements, it is easy to find the brand as many brands specialize in one type of product.

Some people prefer anti-fog face masks, stretchable, while others prefer a helmet balaclava with a long skirt so they can be tucked into the snowmobile jacket.

Price

The price of a product is influenced by almost all factors considered to select a product. The cost can range from low to high based on the brand and the different requirements like the material, design, and features.

A cheap balaclava can provide enough protection and comfort for soft usage but not last for a long time. Also, a cheap balaclava may not be a good purchase for snowmobilers.

A high-end product would be more durable and offer better material choices like polar fleece for better heat retention, moisture-wicking, and fog prevention.

If you’re paying a reasonable price, then you can get an anti-fog mask for your snowmobile ride.

Final words

Choosing the fitting balaclava for an avid snowmobile rider or skier is very important.

With many designs and patterns available in balaclava, selecting the best model that feels comfortable and gives enough protection against cold winds and low temperatures is essential.

The budget can also vary from low to high, and the features it provides are dependent on the cost.

So choose a good snowmobile balaclava based on the requirements and the factors mentioned above to be considered.

We hope this article helps you to choose the best balaclava for your needs.