A balaclava and a neck gaiter are essential pieces of winter gear. Both function like face masks, keeping your face and neck region protected, but in different ways. Choosing the one that works best for you depends on your personal preference but a few other things: how cold it is (a balaclava offers more face coverage, helping prevent frostbite) and what kind of winter activity you’re doing (a neck gaiter allows for easier breathing). Here’s the breakdown of which is ideal for winter activities.
What is a Balaclava?
Balaclavas are often worn as ski masks, they are headwear designed to be pulled down to keep the face covered and offer more protection. Usually, only the eyes are exposed.
A balaclava has a snug fit that works beneath a hood or a helmet, which snowboarders, skiers, and cyclists appreciate. Because it offers extra protection against frigid winds, runners also like wearing a balaclava to prevent frostbite on the face.
A balaclava is versatile. TrailHeads offers a balaclava with a hinge design. This allows you to adjust it, covering your nose or pulling it down below your chin.
Advantages of Balaclavas
When it comes to keeping you warm on a run or other outdoor activity, a balaclava has a few advantages over a winter running cap or neck gaiter. Because they cover the head and entire neck region, they’re very effective in holding in body heat. Your eyes are the only part exposed, so your face and ears avoid potential frostbite in snow or seriously frigid weather.
Balaclavas are typically made from lightweight, moisture-wicking materials; TrailHeads usesultra-soft polyester. This allows them to easily fit under a winter running cap, hood, or helmet during winter months. TrailHeads’ balaclavas are also versatile, with a comfortable hinge design that lets you pull it up over your nose or down under your chin. There are many ways to stay comfortable.
Overall, a balaclava, despite being lighter weight, can keep you warmer on cold days than a winter neck gaiter, since it protects more skin. This makes it ideal for outdoor activities when conditions are extra harsh.
Superior Coverage
Balaclavas are designed to function like face masks; the only exposed area is around the eyes. The snug, breathable fit holds in more overall heat, making it an essential piece of winter running gear or for other winter sports. On especially frigid days, a balaclava helps you stay warm and provides full coverage protection against frostbite on the ears, nose, and cheeks. Or on days when it’s cold but sunny, the coverage can help protect your face from UV rays.
Enhanced Warmth
A balaclava, also called a ski mask, is specifically constructed to hold in heat from the head, face, and neck. Because it goes over your head, it also holds in heat that might escape from that region; tuck it into the neckline of your shirt or jacket to maintain a comfortable body temperature.
Variety of Styles
Outside of its main use, a balaclava can also be adapted to weather conditions. TrailHeads offers a balaclava with a hinge that lets you pull it up over your nose or down under your chin.
Balaclavas are typically designed to be unisex; ours are available in black and gray.
What is a Neck Gaiter?
A neck gaiter is a stretchy, breathable piece of fabric that’s designed to keep that area warm. It can be pulled up to mask and protect the face in cold weather. The neck area is often overlooked in outdoor activities; a neck gaiter is a helpful light layer of winter running gear. Tuck a winter neck gaiter into the top of a shirt or jacket to stay extra comfortable.
Advantages of Neck Gaiter
A winter neck gaiter is lightweight and breathable. It’s easy to wear as an extra layer of your winter running gear (or for a variety of outdoor activities). On that same note, it’s easy to carry; just stash it in a pocket.
A neck gaiter can also be pulled up to cover your lower face if the temperature drops or the wind kicks up. It’s easy to breathe through; tuck it into the top of your shirt or jacket to maintain more body warmth.
Versatility
A winter neck gaiter helps you stay warm, but if you need to cool down a bit, simply roll it down into a collar shape. On the other hand, if a cold wind kicks up, you can pull up the neck gaiter to also cover your nose, mouth, and cheeks.
Breathability
Neck gaiters are made from a variety of performance materials; TrailHeads uses ultra-soft polyester. This makes them light and easy to breathe through should you need to pull it up over your face. Plus, these materials wick sweat away from the skin to keep you comfortable during your outdoor activities.
Ease of Use
The simplicity of the neck gaiter makes it an easy addition to your winter running gear. Just pop it on and pull it up or down, depending on the weather and your warmth needs at the moment. They’re easy to carry; if you need to remove it, just stick it in your pocket.
Factors to Consider When Choosing Between a Balaclava and a Neck Gaiter
Both balaclavas and neck gaiters provide warmth during cold-weather activities. The factors to consider when making your choice depend on a few things. First, the weather conditions. The balaclava covers your entire head, face, and neck to keep out cold air, with only an opening for your eyes. This makes it ideal for very frigid, windy conditions. Because a balaclava can be worn under a winter running cap, a helmet, or a hood, it’s great for skiers, cyclists, snowboarders, or runners.
A neck gaiter also keeps that overlooked area of the body warm and can be pulled up to cover the nose, mouth, and cheeks if needed.
Comfort and fit are something else to consider. A balaclava keeps the head warm and covers the neck and face; some may find it too hot or confining. Neck gaiters can vary in thickness; some are lighter than a balaclava, while others are made of thicker materials like fleece. TrailHeads offers a cozy microfleece neck warmer that’s thicker than our balaclava yet lightweight enough for comfort on the run. Pro Tip: for the most warmth possible, layer a neck warmer over a balaclava and add a running hat or ski helmet on top.
Another option is our multiband which can also be worn as a lightweight neck gaiter.
Experiment to discover which pieces are best for you.
Then there’s style and appearance. Many neck gaiters and balaclavas are unisex., For women, TrailHeads offers balaclavas that are ponytail-compatible. It’s all about finding the right balance of fit, comfort, and style for your personal preference.
Weather Conditions
A balaclava is often worn in extremely cold or windy conditions. It covers the entire head, face, and neck leaving only the eyes exposed, thus holding in more warmth. Neck gaiters don't provide quite as much protection, but can still be pulled up to cover the nose and mouth if needed.
Comfort and Fit
Both a balaclava and neck gaiter are great pieces of winter running gear, but they wear differently. The balaclava provides more coverage but it may feel too warm. A neck warmer is easier to wear but doesn't have as much protection. Both are made from lightweight breathable fabric to prevent sweaty skin.
Style and Appearance
Balaclavas and neck warmers are often unisex; TrailHeads offers them in black or gray.
Price and Durability
Balaclavas and gaiters are both made from lightweight breathable fabric designed to endure many years of outdoor activities. They’re an affordable piece of winter running gear.
Difference Between a Balaclava and a Neck Gaiter?
A balaclava and a gaiter provide warmth to the head, neck, and face. The balaclava provides more thorough coverage, encasing the head and face, leaving only the eyes visible. A neck gaiter is a fabric “tube” that covers the neck. It can also be pulled up to cover the nose, mouth, and cheeks if needed.
A balaclava is often worn under a helmet, hat, or hood for extra protection from the elements. It’s favored by skiers, snowboarders, cyclists, and runners who face extreme winter weather conditions.
How Do You Use a Neck Gaiter as a Balaclava?
While it won’t cover the head, it can be pulled up to work as a face mask. If you’re wearing a winter running cap, you essentially get the same effect of a balaclava by combining it with a neck gaiter.
Conclusion
A balaclava and a neck gaiter are great pieces of cold weather running gear. Both provide extra warmth but in different ways. The balaclava is great for extreme cold and wind conditions, as it covers the entire head, neck, and face (minus the eyes). The material can be thin enough to fit under a hood, hat, or helmet. While it’s meant to breathe through, some people find it can become a bit too warm. In those cases, the hinge feature on our TrailHeads balaclava allows you to pull it down under your chin.
A gaiter keeps the neck warm but can be pulled up to cover the nose, mouth, and cheeks if needed.
Choosing between a balaclava versus a neck gaiter depends on the weather, and what works best for your outdoor lifestyle.