The 25 Best Balaclavas & Ski Masks For Women, Men, & Kids (2024)

Shredding the slopes with a face only your mother could love? Not anymore! Put on the fairest balaclava of them all, and blast past everyone else in style. Whether you’re a rookie or a pillow-hucking pro, it's an essential part of your ski gear. So we’ve put together a list of the best balaclavas and ski masks (plus a couple other goodies!), sure to keep you toasty as you hit the sweetest slopes around. Let’s jump in! (or jump ahead:)

The Verdicts

FAQ

How Do I Choose A Balaclava For Skiing?

Conclusion

What Is The Best Ski & Snowboard Balaclava?

In our research, we noted one thing: almost none of these have enough ventilation to stop ski goggles fogging, and you’ll see this mentioned quite a few times. We designed the Ponyclava with a stretchy flap which releases air even when it’s in place, to give you the best of both worlds.

Best Overall For Men: Phunkshun Hybrid Convertible Ballerclava

We have a separate post on the best women's balaclava, so we're starting with the men's up top.

Summary: Great all-rounder; one of the warmest helmet-compatible, midweight balaclavas

Key Features

• Hinged design lets you easily pull the lower half off your face to eat and drink, or the hood down to turn it into a neck warmer
• Reinforced face panel uses a PFC-free Teflon coating for weather, freezing, and wind chill resistance

What We Like

• Extra versatile thanks to the full hinge
• Thicker, treated face panel helps block out cold wind
• Water-repellent mesh lining in face panel helps with extra wicking and breathability
• Hits all the basics (wicking, breathable, stretch, thin enough to fit under a helmet, odor-controlling, UV protection), and made in the USA from Repreve using recycled plastic bottles

What We Don't Like

• Only comes in one size. Although Phunkshun claims one size fits all because Repreve is so stretchy, that doesn't help if it's too big! We've also seen smaller cuts pull too tightly on larger heads.
• Excellent coverage, but lack of nose and mouth ventilation means that either you keep your nose exposed, or your goggles will likely fog - defeating the purpose
• If you have a man bun, it's going to be a bit awkward

Available at Phunkshun.

Best Overall For Women: The Ponyclava

Summary: Ski balaclava with a ponytail hole, plus proper ventilation

Key Features

• Ponytail hole to stop you from eating your hair
• Comes in small and large to fit all head sizes
• Physical ventilation stops goggles from fogging
• Light- to mid-weight, although we've used it in the Midwest with no problems

What We Like

• Ponytail hole keeps your hair from wrapping around your face and getting in your mouth
• Hair opening is low on the neck to fit under your back helmet strap - you won't notice it, whether you're using it or not
• Adjustable mouth and nose ventilation can be pulled away when you need more air, and lets air out even when left in place
• Hits all the basics (wicking, breathable, stretchy, fits under a helmet, odor-controlling, UV protection - great for all winter outdoor activities), and made from Repreve using recycled plastic bottles
• Works just fine as a regular balaclava if you have short hair or aren't using the hole

What We Don't Like

• Only one colour! (Take our poll on which ones you'd like to see next)
• Not a completely hinged design even though the mouthpiece is stretchy

Best Overall For Man Buns: The Ponyclava

See “Best Overall For Women” above. You can get it here.

Best Non-Phunkshun Midweight: BlackStrap Expedition Hood

Midweight is by far the biggest category, so we're going into extra detail here.

Summary: Another great all-rounder; perhaps a bit warmer than the Phunkshun

Best Feature: Safe for goggle lenses Worst Feature: A little pricey Get It If: You don't like the Phunkshun for any reason, or want something warmer and aren't worried about overheating (We used the photo with girly colours, sorry not sorry!)

Key Features

• Dual layer construction throughout for extra warmth in frigid weather
• Lens-safe fabric

What We Like

• Fits great under a helmet, despite being thicker
• Can be used to clean your goggles
• Hits all the basics (wicking, breathable, stretch, thin enough to fit under a helmet, odor-controlling, UV protection) and made in the USA

What We Don't Like

• Risks overheating because of the double layer over the head (remember, your ski helmet will also provide some insulation)
• Not a fully hinged balaclava like the Phunkshun
• This type of fabric doesn't always provide the most comfort in cold weather
• Rather more expensive

Available at BlackStrap.

Runner-Up: Airhole Milk Fleece Balaclava Hinge

Ultimate comfort. The Milk Fleece Balaclava Hinge is also our pick for best anti-fog, with a 'luxurious, rich' fabric that's exceedingly soft on the skin and is rated for below-freezing temperatures. The only thing is that it doesn't have as full of a hinge as the Phunkshun or even the BlackStrap - and might be a bit thick to fit under your helmet.

Honourable Mention: Smartwool Merino Sport Hinged Fleece Balaclava

Covered below as our pick for best wool, but not the best overall midweight because it's not as convertible, and also because it's a bit shorter and won't stay under your collar as easily. Plus, merino can be a bit itchy.

Honourable Mention: Smartwool Merino 250 Balaclava

Smartwool makes a few performance masks. This one is made from a double layer of their Merino 250 baselayer, so it will be warmer than the Merino Sport Hinged above - but also more itchy, since there's no synthetic blend. Plus, not convertible.

We also covered the Intraknit Merino Balaclava on our women's ski mask post, but found the neck portion a bit too short and the forehead too high. But it has a mesh panel for ventilation!

Best Lightweight: Phunkshun Kombu Convertible Balaclava

Summary: The little brother of the Hybrid Convertible

Key Features

• Hinged design
• Minimal weight and thickness

What We Like

• All the same features as the Hybrid Convertible, just thinner all around (no reinforcement or mesh in the face panel & single layer construction)
• Thin and lightweight fabric - no risk of overheating or not fitting under your helmet
• As expected, also hits all the basics

What We Don't Like

• Only comes in one size
• No ventilation, same as its big brother

Available at Phunkshun.

Runner-Up: Airhole Drylite Balaclava Hinge

Airhole's products are top notch as always, and this one is a nice, light performance piece. However, it doesn't have a full hinge.

Honourable Mention: BlackStrap Expedition Hood

Lighter than the Expedition Hood, with a single layer over the head and neck and an extra layer over the hinged face panel that provides extra temperature control and is more wind resistant. If you run warm or want something light, this is a good option.

Best Heavyweight & Warmest Balaclava : Turtle Fur Original Shellaclava

Summary: Comparatively lighter head portion paired with thermal fleece neck warmer for your coldest winter adventures

Best Feature: Extreme warmth Worst Feature: Too warm for everyday conditions Get It If: You need ultimate protection for the coldest days (Pictured: Shellaclava Chelonia 150, because it's the only one available in colours)

Key Features

• Lighter hood in a tech fabric paired with a heavier neck - stay warm without overheating under your helmet
• Excellent general winter balaclava

What We Like

• Two different materials keep you warm in the right places
• Thermal fleece is nice and cozy

What We Don't Like

• Too warm for anything but the coldest days
• Slightly thicker hood can be tighter under the helmet
• Not vented

Available at Turtle Fur.

Runner-Up: Turtle Fur Quattroclava with Storm Flap

Thinner all-around, so not as bombproof or as snuggly as the Shellaclava, but the vented face and nose area makes it more breathable. The brushed interior is super smooth against the skin, and the storm flap provides extra protection against inclement weather. Check it out here.

Runner-Up: Turtle Fur Chelonia 150 Shellaclava

Some rank this as a heavyweight, so we're including it here, but according to Turtle Fur it's actually a midweight.

Honourable Mention: Phunkshun Mistral Double Ballerclava

The heaviest of all of Phunkshun's balaclavas, er, ballerclavas. Also great for extreme cold protection. Both hood and neck gaiter are made of a fleece material with extra mesh and wicking. However, it's harder to fit under a helmet because the head is so thick.

Best For Kids & Youth: Blackstrap Kids' Hood

Unfortunately, options for kids and youth are a bit limited. The Phunkshun Hybrid Convertible is our all-around best pick, but they don't make it in a mini version. They do make the Mistral Double, but that's heavyweight, as is Turtle Fur's kids' Shellaclava. Meanwhile, Turtle Fur's MaxClava is lightweight.

So we went with our best midweight outside of the Phunkshun: the BlackStrap Hood, which luckily does come in a kids' version.

Summary: Closest to a goldilocks option for kids

Best Feature: Has almost all the features you'd want Worst Feature: A little pricey, only fits youth up to 7 years, may be a bit lightweight Get It If: You need something for a child

Key Features

• Like its big brother, has a single layer head covering for heat and moisture control, and a double layer hinged face panel for wind protection
• Lots of cool designs that the little ones are sure to love

What We Like

• Dual-layer face panel provides extra temperature control plus wind protection
• Goggle-safe - you've got enough to worry about herding kids around on the hill!
• Hits all the basics (wicking, breathable, stretch, thin enough to fit under a helmet, odor-controlling, UV protection) and made in the USA

What We Don't Like

• Only for kids aged 2-7
• Still pricey, especially for a kids' piece

Available at BlackStrap.

Runner-up: Airhole Polar Fleece Balaclava Hinge Junior

If you need something for a youth over 7 but still smaller than an adult, then try this. It's a little warmer than the Kids' Hood, at the expense of some helmet compatibility.

Best Wool: Smartwool Merino Sport Hinged Fleece Balaclava

Summary: There is only one Smartwool

Key Features

• Merino against the skin and polyester on the exterior
• Lighter nose and mouth panel for breathability

What We Like

• Naturally odor-wicking
• Merino wool is naturally sustainable, and recycled polyester adds to sustainability credentials

What We Don't Like

• Merino can be itchy, even when blended with synthetic fabrics
• Breathable fabrics aren't always enough to prevent goggles fogging without having actual holes
• A bit shorter than other options
• Not machine washable; care instructions read like a laundry list (pun intended!) of what not to do.

Available at Smartwool.

Best Anti Fog: Airhole Milk Fleece Balaclava Hinge

Summary: The original ski balaclava with a hole at the mouth

Key Features

• The breathing hole helps air escape, avoids condensation buildup, and lets you breathe freely
• Luxurious, rich milk fleece is ultra soft, hydrophobic, and wicking

What We Like

• Extra long neck - no risk of it coming out of your collar
• Comes in multiple sizes!
• Breathing ventilation thanks to the hole at the mouth
• Super soft against the skin

What We Don't Like

• No nose hole, and we typically see fogging coming from the nose more than the mouth
• Not adjustable: you can't cover up your mouth if you find you're cold
• This is rated for below-freezing temperatures, but is borderline too thick to fit under your helmet - you may need to drop down to the waffle fleece if it doesn't
• Not a full hinge

Available at Airhole.

Honourable Mention: All Of Airhole's Other Ski Face Masks

Any of Airhole's offerings are an excellent choice. They're all high-performance masks, just with different weights. They range from Drylite (lightest) to polar fleece and Polartec Power Dry (medium) and shearling (heaviest).

Best Over Helmet: Burton Burke Hood (or Burton Cora Hood)

Ah, the OG Burke hood. This one is a bit different from all the others on this list. Burton has always been a snowboarding brand and you can kind of see that , which you can kind of see in

Summary: Over-helmet fuzzball to keep the wind out

Key Features

• Extra layer over top of your helmet that keeps the elements out
• Full-face, breathable coverage

What We Like

• Great for wind
• Soft fleece material is warm, fuzzy, and comfortable
• There is also a women's version (hallelujah!), the Burton Cora Hood, which we also covered in our post on the best women's ski masks.

What We Don't Like

• A little bulky
• Hard to get a really close fit - some snow and rain might still get in, especially as the nose is typically exposed

Available at Burton, as is the Cora.

Best Face Mask Style: Anon MFI

Summary: Magnets create a perfect fit for Anon MFI-compatible goggles, but not all Anon MFI masks are helmet compatible

Key Features

• The MFI (magnetic face mask integration) around the nosepiece attaches to the bottom of Anon ski goggles, producing a seamless fit
• Laser-cut ventilation holes to avoid goggles fogging

What We Like

• Magnetic integration - who wouldn't prefer to do less fiddling with cloth and nosepieces?
• The ventilation holes
• Comes in a variety of fabrics, including lightweight, midweight, and wool

What We Don't Like

• MFIs with hoods are not helmet-compatible, which means you'd have to go with a MFI face mask if you're wearing a helmet
• Some reports indicate that the magnet doesn't always work, especially if it's cold or snowy
• Only works with MFI-compatible goggles, also made by Burton

Available at Anon.

Best Budget: Oyuki Proclava

Summary: Great versatile budget option, but high forehead reduces coverage

Key Features

• Price

What We Like

• Fits well under helmet
• Lining provides added comfort

What We Don't Like

• No ventilation means goggles are likely to fog up
• Eye hole sits high on the forehead and may not provide the best nose or chin coverage depending on how you wear it

Available at Evo.

Best Neck Gaiter / Neck Tube: BUFF ThermoNet Multifunctional Neckwear

Summary: Super versatile midweight neck tube

Key Features

• Can be worn in 12 different ways
• Meant to keep your neck warm

What We Like

• Extremely versatile
• Tons of designs
• Uses Repreve recycled material
• Added insulation for extra warmth

What We Don't Like

• Difficult to keep in place around the face (nose and mouth) and so you end up having to reset it a lot if using as a face covering
• No ventilation - goggle fogging risk

Available at Buff.

Runner-up: Airhole Airtube

Tube version of the Airhole balaclavas. Has similar material options, and is nice and long. However, the nose hole reduces the versatility of the tube, even though it improves ventilation.

Honourable Mention: BlackStrap Dual Layer Tube

Highly breathable, and so named because it has a dual layer of their tri-blend fabric all around, making it a solid midweight option. However, shorter than the BUFFs, so more difficult to keep in place, and may not always reach the eyes without coming out of the jacket collar.

Honourable Mention: BUFF Original

A lighter version, without the insulation. Even more versatile, because it can be used in fall and summer as well, but not always warm enough for the dead of winter on a mountain.

Best For Ski Resort COVID Requirements: Outdoor Research Protective Essential Midweight Balaclava Kit

Summary: Thankfully, most ski resorts aren't requiring cloth face masks anymore. But just in case, or if you need to be extra cautious about COVID, there's at least one good piece of gear for you.

Key Features

• Nose wire for adjustability
• 2-layer fabric with additional built-in filter to protect against virus transmission
• Antiviral and anti-microbial HEIQ V-BLOCK treatment will holds up reasonably well over time

What We Like

• No need to fumble around removing it to put on a disposable mask
• Can be worn without the disposable filters

What We Don't Like

• Runs large, even in the smaller size - too large for anyone with a small head
• Thin paper filters can easily wet out
• Jack-of-all-trades that is not necessarily optimal for skiing

Available at OR.

Best Insulated: Carhartt Men's Knit Insulated Face Mask

Summary: Warm, but not a ski mask!

Best Feature: Insulation Worst Feature: Not a ski mask Get It If: You just want something warm, maybe for physical activity during cold weather

Key Features

• Rib knit with Thinsulate insulation

What We Like

• Warm enough for most outdoor activities

What We Don't Like

• No skiing- or snowboarding-friendly features

Available at Carhartt.

Best Sun Protection & UV Protection: All

Pretty much all the entries on these lists are made with some sort of UV-resistant material. Even if they're not explicitly treated, synthetic materials like polyester do a decent job of blocking UV. So that fleece balaclava will do you just fine.

FAQ

Are 'balaclava ski mask', 'balaclava', and 'ski mask' all the same thing?

Basically, yes. Although the 'ski mask' can also just be a half-face cover (for your chin, nose, and mouth) that is tightly fitted around your face. Some of these have Velcro to attach at the back of the neck, or pull over your head. But we've found these are tricky to keep in place even if you put them under your helmet, which means they often tend to slide down and expose your neck.

If your head runs extremely hot and you don't mind the extra fiddling, a half-face ski mask or a neck gaiter might be better for you. But we've never seen anyone run this hot except in the warmest places.

The eternal question of the balaclava vs neck gaiter

How do I protect my skin while skiing or boarding?

Wear a balaclava. Or a ski mask. Or anything! And apply sunscreen if you think there's a risk you'll be exposing your skin (like for that mountaintop photo op).

Do I actually need a balaclava for skiing?

Another eternal question. Our answer: Yes, we highly recommend one. We've found it to be a pretty essential piece of gear. Without one, unless you're in an area with a very mild climate, it's very easy for your face to become extremely cold, sunburned, windburned, or worse, a combination of these! That will ruin an epic day of skiing quickly.

But put on a good winter balaclava for your next ski trip and you'll be ready for whatever Mother Nature throws at you! It'll keep your face out of the sun, wind, and cold, so you can stay comfortable no matter what. And you'll likely find it's a versatile accessory for all sorts of outdoor activities, not to mention other winter adventures like ziplining or snowmobiling too.

A quick note for anyone who cares about preserving their youthful beauty like Michelle Pfeiffer in Stardust: your skincare professional will tell you that sun exposure is the first thing to avoid, closely followed by turning your face into a popsicle. Many mountains are at high altitudes, too, which means the sun is even more intense. So keep those cherubic cheeks out of the elements.

Do you have to wear a face covering for COVID at ski resorts?

In general, not anymore, except perhaps in a medical context (e.g. a first aid hut).

Is it ok to machine-wash my balaclava or ski mask?

Always check the care instructions for your particular item, but generally, yes. Most of these can just be thrown in the washing machine like anything else, though we'd definitely recommend using a delicate cycle and a laundry bag. You should also dry them on delicate or extra delicate, if not hang-dry entirely.

How Do I Choose A Balaclava For Skiing?

There are a few things you should watch out for. Let's start with the most important.

What materials and fabrics are best?

Look for soft materials that are:

• technical (performance fabric)
• breathable (to release heat from exertion)
• quick-dry (in case it's wet outside)
• excellent at moisture-wicking (keeps sweat away)
• wind- and water-resistant (stops it from soaking through)
• stretchy, ideally four-way stretch (to get a good fit and avoid bunching up)

That means no cotton! You have two main categories to choose from.

Synthetic fabrics

Synthetic fabrics like fleece, PolarTec, or Repreve recycled polyester are great for all of the above. The only downside is that synthetic fibers tend to pick up unpleasant odors more easily. But they usually come with an antimicrobial finish to avoid this problem.

Natural fabrics

We'll say it again: no cotton! Merino wool, which comes from sheep, is the go-to. It is sustainable, naturally odor-resistant, naturally moisture-wicking, and excellent at regulating body temperature. (That being said, body heat regulation is more important for a base layer than a ski mask, so you probably don't need to worry about it too much.)

The downside is that it's often itchy, and that's not pleasant on the face. You'll often find it in a blend of polyester or other synthetic materials to avoid this, but even that doesn't always solve the problem entirely. So the choice of merino or synthetic fabric generally comes down to personal preference.

Also, merino balaclavas are some of the most expensive ones on the market, unfortunately.

How much cold protection do I need?

Look for features that will help keep the cold air out and your body heat in. You wouldn't want a knitted balaclava - everything would go right through it!

Generally, just having something in front of your face will go a long way to warming you up, so we've found a midweight balaclava works the best all around. If you're out in frigid weather, though, you may want one of the heavier options. The tradeoff is that they are less breathable because they have thicker layers.

How do I make sure my balaclava is helmet-compatible?

We're writing this post assuming you're wearing a helmet on the hill, because everyone really should be!

Thinness and fit

Your balaclava should be thin enough to slide under your helmet without being too tight. Otherwise, your helmet will end up squeezing your head, and probably give you a headache.

Use the adjustment dial at the back of the helmet to loosen it if needed. If you don't have a dial, then it's extra important to try them both on together.

Of course, the helmet provides its own insulation too, and you don't want to overheat, which is why the head pieces on most ski balaclavas are made of much thinner material than the neck pieces.

Hair

The back strap of the helmet often smushes down on a ponytail or bun, making it really uncomfortable.

You already know that we made the Ponyclava to solve the problem of hair wrapping around the front and getting in your mouth. But we also made sure to put our ponytail hole low at the back - so that it doesn't interfere with the adjustment strap.

So how do I fit my balaclava for maximum comfort?

In a nutshell: Not too tight, not too loose. You want it to be snug, but not so snug that it feels like it's compressing your head with the force of an elephant. You also don't want it to be so loose that gaps appear, letting in cold air or snow, or so that excess fabric bunches up under your helmet.

It should also have a decently sized eye hole - enough to protect the part of your face that's not covered by your helmet, but not so much as to impede your peripheral vision. For example, that's why we were a bit unconvinced by the Oyuki Proclava - it sits too high on the forehead.

The point of a balaclava is to increase your comfort on the hill - so make sure you size it correctly. We make the Ponyclava in two sizes so that you always have a perfect fit.

How do I stop my ski goggles from fogging up?

Ventilation. Breathable materials like those described above are great, but it's really important to also have physical breathability, like a mesh panel for ventilation at the mouth and nose. Skiing has periods of being a highly aerobic activity and you will be breathing heavily - all that air needs a place to go.

Otherwise, either you have to keep your nose exposed (not fun) or you risk your goggles fogging up - and that is not just unpleasant but highly dangerous.

A few other things to consider

Visibility

If you plan on skiing or snowboarding at night, you may want to look for reflective elements so that you can be seen by others on the slopes.

Versatility

Versatility isn't a dealbreaker, but it can be useful. We've found that just having the ability to move the ventilation flap away from your mouth is all we need. But if you only want to buy one piece of gear for all winter outdoor activities and all weather conditions (e.g. hiking, skiing, shoveling snow), then this may matter more.

Washability

Although this may not sound like a big deal, it's always better to get a machine washable (and dryable!) balaclava. It is just so much easier to throw your ski mask in the washing machine rather than worry about hand washing every time it picks up some unpleasant odors. Luckily, most synthetic fabrics are machine washable.

Design

We're firm believers that bright ski gear is where it's at. Why settle for boring and plain? There are tons of options out there, and you can find bright solid colours and zany patterns that will make you stand out on the slopes.

Conclusion

To summarize: we would say that the best balaclava face mask is of course the Ponyclava. The helmet-compatible ponytail hole keeps your hair out of your mouth; physical ventilation stops your goggles fogging up; and our Repreve recycled material is soft, breathable, moisture-wicking and temperature-regulating - and fits great under a helmet.

But if you're not into the ponytail hole or want something with a larger variety of colours (we understand), then the Phunkshun Hybrid Convertible Balaclava is our top all-around, midweight pick, and has a full hinge to boot.

Phew. You've read all this way - now go make the slopes look good!