Chaos - CTR Mistral Multi-Tasker Pro Balaclava

The severe winter last year kept me from running outdoors for the first time in many years. This Balaclava has kept my head, face and neck comfortable so far during my runs this winter. It forms well to my head and face; it's sized appropriately. The face-covering mesh makes exhaling easier, but for me it never feels completely natural breathing when my mouth is covered. Fortunately, it is easily adjusted from full coverage to a gaiter while at full stride. I also used it when I went downhill skiing recently and found it so effective I bought one for my 9-year-old daughter. I would recommend the "junior" size for most kids, the "small" was still a little big for her. You can wear it under a stocking cap or helmet. It converted easily from full coverage while riding up on the chairlift to protect my face, then pulled down easily for the trip downhill. Also tried a Chaos CTR Adrenaline Dri Release Multi Tasker which incorporates some wool into the blend (making it slightly less expensive). The wool blend is a little less wonderful, but nearly as comfortable after a cycle through the washing machine. I am very happy with this purchase. It was a little pricey, but it is high quality and seems like it will last a few seasons.

This is a great balaclava. If you live in an area with cold winters and severe wind chills, I'd highly recommend it. It keeps the wind and the cold out of your face, while still allowing you to breathe. This particular balaclava is nice because you can adjust the position of the face mask. If it's not too cold, or if you wear glasses and don't want them to fog up, you can wear it on your chin or under your nose. When it gets really cold though, you can slide it up over your nose.As far as breathability goes (when the balaclava is over the nose), I'd give this product an 7.5/10. If you're not going to be doing much physical activity, it will work fine for you. If you're going to be shoveling or running, however, after a while, you'll want to move the mask under your nose. It gets annoying to breathe through it after a while, mainly while doing physical activity.

I got this, mainly, to use under my cycling helmet for cool rides, but it has come in handy for working outdoors as well. The top is thin and fits well under my helmet, but it is a little cool, by itself, when the temperature gets down in the thirties. I would use a hoodie or winter cap with it at these temperatures, though the front area that covers the mouth and nose is a thicker material and is plenty warm. The neck area is extra long for tucking into a coat. The material and stitching is quality, I have washed it several times with no loose threads or shrinkage( I wash cold and air dry). I have no trouble breathing through it, there is a mesh area where your mouth is located which helps. It will fog normal sunglasses pretty bad. I had good success using Pyramex I-Force goggles(also available through Amazon, I will review these later) with this balaclava, it also helps to breath in through the nose and out through the mouth. My head measured 57 cm around and the small/medium fit very good, with just slight pressure on my nose(average length nose). Since it's hinged, you can pull the top back or drop the face area down to use it as a toque or neck warmer. For temps bellow the thirties one of their heavier balaclavas would probably work better, though I haven't got to try this one out at those temps yet. For the price I payed(around $12 shipped) this is an excellent value and I would highly recommend.

I was worried that it might be tight around the nose like some of the reviewers have stated. I am 6' 7" and 280lbs. I don't have a huge fat head or anything but I would probably be on the larger side of the line with head and nose. This balaclava (amazing word by the way) fits great! It has a nice stretchy material that clings in the right spots and is loose enough in other spots (nose, mouth, ears). It does seem to collect a bit of moisture by the mouth but that is to be excepted. It does not pool up in excess and if you just drop the mouth part for a few it will dry up. One thing I have noticed when pulling down the mouth part is that the material also pulls down from over your ears. So when you put the mouth part back up you either leave the part that covers your ears off your ears or you try to put it back up over your ears. This is difficult with winter gloves on. So, if you are out with it on and want to take the mouth part down it will also come down off your ears. Probably easier to feel then to explain with words. It is no big deal because I always wear another hat on top so my ears are fine, it just feels better when the part for over the ear is over the ear. Probably impossible to design it to go back up over your ears like that anyway. All in all I wear this thing about 5 times a week and it keeps my face nice and warm. I would suggest another hat to go over it for max warmth. It gets cold in upstate NY and when I walk my dogs this will keep my face very warm. It does not obstruct my view which is very important to me when out walking them. Not to forget about the park where the mask makes you look like Snake Eyes and for some this might not matter but for me I think it is cool. Warm. Comfortable. Great material. Covers the neck very well. Buy it.

I love this balaclava. I typically bike year-round, and during the winters, this balaclava keeps my face nice and warm, even when it's windy. It's incredibly flexible and can adjust the coverage as needed depending on how warm it gets.I've had other balaclavas that were not as good, so I was pretty happy when I discovered this balaclava. The only negative aspect is that my glasses sometimes fog up when riding with it on. I've learned that if I don't cover my mouth or pull it further down from my nose, this will generally solve my issue at the cost of letting a bit more cold in.Overall, I would definitely recommend!

Its a good quality and washable Balaclava. I got an extra large hoping it would fit my head, which it did. However it is really tight in the nose area. Besides that I will keep on using it because I only need this 30 mins when riding my bike.