Reddit mentions: The best powersports riding headwear

Found some old BMW touring boots at a second-hand leather place for $40 a couple years ago. That was total luck so not helpful to you. But off-roading proved it was a matter of time before the bike landed on my feet somehow, so I went and ordered these Forma Adventure boots. Love 'em. Great protection and comfort, and super well made. Had ordered some MX boots prior but I felt like I was ready for space missions with those.

Gloves, try them on if you can. If not, maybe order a few pair at a time 'til you find a winner. I have some winter Triumph gloves that get me through the cold months.

For your neck, as stated already, a thin balaclava is the best option. It works.

These are so much fun.

1. Something that makes you sweaty.
   
2. Something that helps you cool down.
   
3. No picnic would be complete without these sunglasses to keep the sun out of your eyes and keep you looking awesome.
   
4. If you could vacation anywhere in the world... Disneyland!! This isn't technically a souvenir since they sell method soap everywhere, but it's still Minnie ears. :)
   
5. Something that makes you nostalgic.
   
6. Something that would make camping better. The one and only time I went camping, I saw a bear, a frog stalked me, and I tripped and cut my arm and we didn't have any band aids. So these would make it better because I'm clumsy and would probably trip again and these are so much cooler than plain band aids.
   
   
7. Something bear related. because sasquatch kind of looks like a bear.
   
   
8. Road trip song! I love listening to pretty much any song by them and singing obnoxiously when I'm driving, but this one is my favorite at the moment. *not on my WL
   
   
9. Shouldn't have thrown this in your carry-on.
   
   
10. Favorite thing at the state fair.
    
    Bonus - July? *not on my WL
    
    Some of the best memories are made in flip flops.

Yeah but I'm sure you'll laugh LOL. There are much better legit allergy masks out there but this is what I'm currently using and it works surprisingly well. I wear it at night and it's very comfortable.

Oh and you can get then in different colors/styles of course. I just happened to have this one laying around.

Surgical masks would work well too but I find these more comfortable:)

Sure thing! I try to be as frugal as possible. Amazon has been good to my wallet.

Base Thermal Kit

Windproof Jacket

Overshoes

Balaclava Mask

Windproof Gloves

The thermal kit is very comfortable and perfect for riding in the 40s and 50s. Once it dips to the 20s and 30s, I add the jacket on top and switch from regular winter skully to the balaclava mask. My feet were noticeably warmer with the overshoes too. If you buy any items, order 1 size bigger. For example, I'm normally XL by American standard. These are Asian manufacturers, so I order XXL.

Happy [warmer] cycling!

I've had similar problems. Here's how I do it:

• When you put on your balaclava, check yourself in your side mirror. It will show you that it's a bit off center, even though it seemed fine.
  
• Get your balaclava on tight. Pull it all the way down so there's nothing left for the helmet to pull. Pull it down in the back to keep too much material above your eyes. It should be nice and smooth - no crumples for the helmet to snag on.
  
• Then put on your neck warmer. I use this one. This cheaper one also looks good.
  
• When you put on your helmet, roll it onto your head. Start by looking into it, like you're putting it on your face rather than your head. And roll it into position - even overshoot so the chin portion thing ends up too high, then bring it down into position.
  
• Ride to work, take off your helmet, and walk around the rest of the day with the most absurd looking hair.
  
  Then you should be good to go. I use a cheap flimsy t-shirt headsock I got free from the go-kart track on mild days, and I use this balaclava when it's super cold
  
  Good luck!

I imagine that their warehouses will get some in up to two weeks before they ship. There are a few ways to score one early. My favorite method for getting early deliveries from Amazon requires you to spend a little bit more money. Add this, this, this and this to your cart and use your Amazon prime to get overnight shipping.

Now you've got a little reading to do (no big deal for us Kindle lovers though, right? LOL!) Give this a read. On your PC, I guess since you don't have a kindle right now :(. Maybe print it out.

You've still got a few weeks before they hit the warehouses. Give this page a once over. Which one of those is nearby you? Take a drive down to the airport and do a little Kindle-lover pilgrimage! Make some notes about what people are wearing. You'll want to get an outfit like that.

Go back a few more times at different times of day. Get a feel for the flow of the place.

Now we have some more reading to do! Pick up the Kindle edition of this and read it on your PC (you'll get to put it on your new Kindle soon!). (I <3 Calibre's reader for this sort of thing.)

Hold on, someone's at my door. Probably about that slick "free TV from Best Buy" deal I posted a while ago! BRB!

I actually did this for last halloween:

• Knife and cigarette case I found cheap at a local smoke shop ($20 for both). Cigarette case example.
  
• Bought a polyblend (stretchy, not full-cotton) balaclava for ~$10 at a sporting goods store, ended up having to cut a hole for my mouth and sewing the flaps back so it looked clean, it took all of 15 minutes to do. Something like this.
  
• Suit for $20 from value village. You can probably find cheap leather gloves there too, I went with cloth black ones and it looked fine though.
  
• Don't forget the cigarettes, even if you don't smoke.
  
• If you want to go all-out on this, you could grab an old briefcase and spraypaint it orange, or make a sapper out of a small box and some random plastic/electrical bits. There are also printable class 'masks' available on the internets if you wish to go that far.
  Enjoy it! This was the first time I had really worked hard on a costume, so being recognized by people as the spy at a random halloween party was a pretty solid highlight of that month.

You will die in those jackets. Literally.

Here's my winter setup.....

1. Jeep cap. Keeps the sun out of your eyes and it keeps you warm. You can get them at Ragstock for 5$
   
2. A pair of good winter gloves, and a pair of those cheap stretchy winter gloves. Wear the stretchy winter gloves underneath the thick winter gloves. A good tip on whether a pair of gloves are going to be warm, is if you hold a McDonald's cup of ice water tightly against them. If you can feel the cold cup, then they're no good. If you can't, then stay with them.
   
3. Your legs will get cold too, so buy a pair of base layer pants. Maybe double up. Wear them underneath your regular pants.
   
4. Get a good pair of snowpants to go over your regular pants. Again, McDonald's cup of ice water trick.
   
5. Get a base layer shirt to go underneath your regular shirt.
   
6. Get a good, thick jacket. Do the ice water thing for the jacket too. My personal favorite kind of jacket is an ice fishing jacket.
   
7. Ski goggles. Sounds weird, but your eyes will get cold too.
   
8. [A neoprene mask] (https://www.amazon.com/ZANheadgear-WNFM114H-Black-Neoprene-Half/dp/B000LVZVNE/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=neoprene+mask&qid=1573108443&sr=8-1) . They keep your face warm.
   
9. 2 good pairs of wool socks. Yes, 2. It gets that cold.
   
10. A thick pair of high top skateboard shoes, if you're going to avoid getting winter boots. High top Osiris shoes are good alternatives to winter boots. But you're going to have to get them waterproofed. They're naturally thick.
    
11. Ice cleats.

20pcs Van Gogh's Monet bookmark AliexpressRs 115 per piece by /u/harddisc

Mini box/case/pouch Amazon Rs 190. Cheaper on Aliexpress but it's a long wait. By /u/harddisc

Koala-Tea pun coffee mug for tea lovers: [Amazon](
http://www.amazon.in/Teawery-Quality-Koala-Ceramic-Tassyam/dp/B01MUD7QNE/ref=sr_1_3?s=kitchen&ie=UTF8&qid=1492318922&sr=1-3&keywords=Tassyam) Rs 279. I bought a mug and a cushion cover.



Fidget Cube: Amazon Rs 499 by /u/in3xorabl3 This is really cool.


Automatic Socket to turn off after set time: link Rs 596



Knife and
[Balaclava]
(http://www.amazon.in/One-Stop-Shop-Stretchable-Balaclava-Scooter-Driving/dp/B010EBAP18/ref=sr_1_29?ie=UTF8&qid=1492274974&sr=8-29&keywords=balaclava) Total price 495+140=Rs 635 by /u/desh_drohi


Amazon Umbrella With vent and one button open/close function [Amazon]
(http://www.amazon.in/AmazonBasics-Automatic-Travel-Umbrella-Wind/dp/B00WTHJ5SU/ref=sr_1_2?s=luggage&ie=UTF8&qid=1492318657&sr=1-2&nodeID=2454169031&psd=1) Rs 699



Panasonic TCM 125: one of the best budget sounding earphones. Around Rs 700



Harmonica Amazon Rs 839 by by /u/desh_drohi This might be a better choice than his other suggestion.




Casio FX 991-ES Scientific Calculator: [Amazon]
(http://www.amazon.in/Casio-FX-991ES-Plus-Scientific-Calculator/dp/B0034BAQS8/ref=sr_1_1?s=toys&ie=UTF8&qid=1492319686&sr=8-1&keywords=Casio+FX+991-ES) Rs 860 by /u/exxentricity^Confirmed ^engineer


100 DC Comics postcards: [Amazon]
(http://www.amazon.in/Art-Vintage-DC-Comics-Postcards/dp/0811876500?_encoding=UTF8&ref_=cm_sw_r_cp_taa_vyT8ybM44W7AA) Rs 908 by /r/PervyPanda

Other suggestions include a pollution mask,radio, swiss knife, health check up, liquid nitrogen and food!?






i could go on the whole day. ^i ^might ^have ^a ^weakness.
Please post more:)
ps: learning to format in reddit!

edit: formatting and including other users recommendations
Sorted by Price

You'll probably be renting most of your ski gear, so here are the warm items you'll want:

1. GLOVES. Since you're just going on vacation, get a moderately good pair that are waterproof, and buy some cheapo glove liners (example glove, example liner).
   
2. Scarf. Thick scarf preferably.
   
3. Balaclava (example here) - optional if your scarf is really good, but recommended.
   
4. Overpants (wear underarmour and jeans underneath). First time I went, I went to target and got a pair for about $15. (example here)
   
5. Beanie.
   
   Now my personal two most important, but expensive items:
   
   
6. Socks! Go to rei and get yourself a pair of these ski socks. Nothing is worse than freakishly cold feet, or feet that get destroyed by the crappy rental books. These socks are built to keep your feed warm and padded.
   
7. Jacket. Ok...here you can cheat a bit by layering. The 'real deal' would be to get something like this. OR, do what I did (and continue to do): underarmour + long sleeve shirt + sweater + rain jacket. Yeah, you don't have a good seal, and you'll end up getting snow on your clothes and be a bit cold by 2pm, but if you don't have hundreds of dollars for a ski jacket it's a good deal. Note: i've found that cheap ski jackets are garbage, and you will pay the price for them.
   
   Hope this helps! You can buy pretty much all this except for the jacket for under $100, and maybe even less if you're really thirfty. Helmet, boots, and skis should be taken care of by the rental folks.

I will go from the top down,

My helmet:

[1] http://i.imgur.com/9W7xG.jpg

I put "cat crap" on the visor to keep it from fogging. Works great and keeps me relatively warm.

I have ordered this snowmobile balaclava:

[2] http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002MQAWOY

I dont think I will need it for another month, I also have a neck warmer from my snowboard kit.

I have this jacket:

[3] http://www.amazon.com/Joe-Rocket-Motorcycle-Large-Tall-851-4015/dp/B0025YIK2Y/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1320407840&sr=8-2

I wear it with a hoodie under it and it keeps me warm. I have a really heavy DNA coat (I'm a snowboarder) that I can wear if it gets extremely cold, but to date I havent needed it.

Gloves:

[4] http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001UROUJO

They work ok, still new so I am getting the feel for them.

Pants:

[5] http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com/1/1/41/37261/ITEM/Frogg-Toggs-Classic-Tekk-Toad-Pants.aspx?WT.ac=SLIsearch

I bought a cheap pair of wind proof/water proof pants. I havent needed them yet, I keep them on the bike in case I get caught in rain @ work.

Since I now live in the Shenandoah Valley I dont really need to get extreme like the people that live in the north. The nights get pretty dang cold though.

Lots of good advice - I always like to have an under layer...maybe fleece lined leggings, with a tank top (b/c my armpits still sweat a lot regardless, lol). I tend to do a long sleeve shirt over that, and then a light hoodie, with a warmer wool/winter coat over my hoodie (so I can have some level of protection if I'm in a hurry).

Hat, gloves, scarf...although...I used to do this thing where I would buy the $1 beanies that are like...everywhere...they're a little stretchy. But I would cut off the top (where the seam was sewn)...and turn it into an "everything" warmer. It's like a cheapy version of the tube-y face masks that have gotten popular in the last couple of years. I did it b/c my kids couldn't keep their scarves on their neck without it being scary tight...plus, it never fell off. And they are long enough that you can pull them up to cover the bottom of your face or ears.

Get baby powder. Before you put on the mask, throw a bunch of baby powder into the mask, shake it around, shake it back out. Putting the mask on and taking it off will be much easier now and less likely to tear the mask. Keep a small travel-sized bottle of powder with you when you go on break to put into the mask.

Consider buying a very thin balaclava like this: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0012TZ04E/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

It makes wearing the mask much nicer and also makes it easier to put on and off. You can either tuck the opening in the balaclava below your chin or cut a mouth hole for easier breathing if the fabric feels restrictive.

At the very least, get a cheap wig cap from Wal-mart or even a Halloween store. That will keep your hair from moving around and getting in your face and also keep the mask from tugging at your hair.

Ask for explicit instructions on how to put on the mask and take it off. NEVER EVER grab the face of the mask to adjust it. Always use the flat palms of your hands on the sides or top of the mask to shift it around on your head. The face of the mask is the thinnest part and is easiest to tear. Never hold the mask by the face, always by the head or both hands holding the lower chest and shoulder edges.

Put on the mask and take it off by sliding your hands, flat, palms facing each other, up inside the neck of the mask. Gently stretch your flat hands away from each other inside the neck of the mask to open up the neck and slide it on or off your head.

Happy belated birthday ;)
Will this be your first burning man?

Off your list, definitely get This and some kind of dust mask .. This one could work with a steam punk inspired outfit :P

Awesome idea! If you love that person that much more, just had to share a step up from this product without having to know tire pressure: http://www.amazon.com/FOBO-Bluetooth-Compatible-Monitoring-Motorcycles/dp/B00WBD00FO

Added this to my wheels and having pressure and a quick temperature readout in the morning before leaving my kitchen is pretty insanely nifty.



Other ideas for OP:

Freezeout Balaclava: http://www.amazon.com/FREEZE-OUT-Balaclava-Black/dp/B0096R08W8/

Microfiber Cloths (great for visor wipes, general cleaning, and wiping condensation off the bike in the morning): http://www.amazon.com/Zwipes-Microfiber-Cleaning-36-Pack-Assorted/dp/B000XECJES

Cat Crap (visor antifogger): http://www.amazon.com/EK-Ekcessories-10003P-AM-Anti-Fog-Cleaner/dp/B002BHWZFI/

Lock Laces: http://www.amazon.com/LOCK-LACES-Elastic-Tie-Shoelaces/dp/B00975EAJ6

Motorcycle Tire Inflator (fits under my seat easily): http://www.amazon.com/Slime-40001-Motorcycle-Tire-Inflator/dp/B000ET9SB4/

> Do you by any chance know where I can get to learn how to ride during the winter?

Hub/Cycles for Change usually have a class I think. There have also been seminars at the Winter Bike Expo. A lot of it comes down to clothing selection and regular bike maintenance. We salt our roads heavily and wiping off snow after riding is worth the time spent. I highly, highly recommend using a "wet" lube instead of a "dry" lube on your chain. Avoid Tri-flow, Finish Line Dry/Red, White Lightning, anything "wax." You want something like Rock and Roll Gold, Finish Line Wet/Green, Chain-L... something "wet."


Things I consider must haves (other people may disagree):

1. A cycling cut windbreaker. You wear this as an outer layer and it amplifies the effectiveness of your insulating layers of shirts. Cycling windbreakers are long in the back and long in the arms to keep you covered when bent over the handlebars, and have vented pits/back to vent moisture.
   
   
2. Balaclava with an open nose vent and perforated mouth area. Something like this instead of this or this. The kind that cover up your nose fog glasses and get snotty. You might not wear glasses but you'll probably want eye protection against the cold.
   
   
3. Wool/Smartwool/Costco smartwool knockoff socks
   
   
4. Something more wind-resistant than jeans
   
   
5. Layers, layers, layers. Tights, compression shirts, longjohns, baselayers, fleeces, "athletic tshirts." That windbreaker I mentioned first means I can get away with wearing something like a compression shirt and a long sleeve wicking tshirt or two and being plenty warm on the bike much of the time.
   
   
6. Eye protection. Ski goggles, lab goggles, motorcycle goggles etc. I'm kinda a wuss about my eyes being cold and need them covered around 20°F/-7C
   
   
7. A pair of studded tires, a bike that can fit at least a 32-35mm tire, a good set of tire levers and a floor pump. Riding on studs sucks when you don't need them and not having studs when you need them sucks. Tire choice is rather personal and too long to get into so here's Peter White's thoughts on studded tires.

This is my favorite! :)

Schampa CoolSkin Balaclava (Black, One Size) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0012TWSSA/ref=cm_sw_r_awd_uGo5wbAW3BCCP

I think it keeps the head nice and cool.

Hi, recent grad here. My freshman year, temp hit -45F

I made it through on a cheap, generic $70 ASOS parka. The trick is to understand that what keeps you warm is your jackets ability to trap pockets of air and supplement that. 500-600 fill is pretty warm, 800-900 fill is premium so your 650 fill jacket and your Patagonia should be fine. On those really windy days, a scarf and hat go a longgggg way. I usually wore this thermal facemask under my scarf and I was quite comfortable. Also, thermal leggings under your jeans/pants work wonders. I didn't bother with gloves, just shoved my hands in my pockets.

If you're really insistent on getting a quality new jacket, I would say stick to the 200-400 dollar range parkas such as this from north face or this from LL Bean. Both brands have respectable Black Friday sales, especially at the outlet stores, and I think they may do some sort of student discount, depending on the location. Don't bother with the Canada Goose stuff. It is worth the money but you really don't need it unless you live in the Arctic Circle.

TLDR your jackets should be fine, get a scarf, hat, and thermal tights.

One of my friends cosplays Darth Talon and swears by the paint from Reel Creations . They tend to be a little pricey but you don't have much to cover so you won't need a ton of paint. My friend usually SLEEPS in her paint, so I know it doesn't come off easily.

Edit: I've personally used pax paint and that stuff is durable as hell. It's great for small areas like just the neck or the neck and face. Just don't get it in/near your eyes and make sure you buy the remover! (That goes for both these products, ALWAYS get the remover!)

But paint aside, have you considered a balaclava? Yeah they're hot but so much less of a pain, not to mention cheaper.

I remember someone posting this thing a while back. Not sure how good it is but you could probably fit something like a steelmouth under there quite easily.

Get a scarf or something to cover your throat and mouth. I live in Wisconsin and it gets cool here early, and anything below 50 degrees makes my throat burn when I run. I ordered something a lot like this and it helps the air not be so cold on the way in. Helps a ton.

Im going to second the balaclava that was linked to be a great one to use when suiting. But heres the same one on amazon for cheaper.

http://www.amazon.com/Schampa-CoolSkin-Balaclava-Black-Size/dp/B0012TWSSA/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&qid=1457831052&sr=8-7&keywords=cooling+balaclava

I got this skull print half mask last week to wear under my full face helmet to deal with the cold wind lately. So far I love it.

From Amazon
Outdoor Face Mask - Perfect for Motorcycle Riding, Skiing, Snowboarding, Fishing - Works as Dust Mask, Neck Gaiter, Balaclava, Bandana, Fashion - Brea https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0718YXLL5/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apap_hLR99Z1RCjdUs

It is ~$13USD, and it is a Schampa Warmskin.

Have gone through a few different from local outlet stores and finally settled with this one, very warm. Highly recommend for winter squidding

Something like thismight help. You might also think about trimming it back a little shorter for the burn. It will grow back.

It's technically a balaclava http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Balaclava_(clothing)

I purchased this one specifically. It's a tighter fit, more like lycra or something. You don't want a knit ski mask.

$1.47 - Raider Snowmobile Balaclava Face Mask - also great for robberies

this and this

Once you have these, you can get anything you want for free

http://www.amazon.co.uk/SODIAL-Warmer-Beanie-Cycling-Motorbike/dp/B008S4M5BW/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS_nC?ie=UTF8&colid=1VUOM2IV0IZVH&coliid=I2C9D17RMN3AWM

I'll look as sexy as a Milkshake!

I totally agree - most people dress as a guy in a suit and ski mask, not as a spy.

Just out of curiosity I went to see if I could find an accurate balaclava on Amazon. Instead I found this.

I tried a few different things. Some of them ended up fogging my glasses, others maybe were too thick to fit a helmet over.

The one I use all the time is:

https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B0012TZ04E/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o09_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

It's very thin. I still wear a winter hat over it, then a helmet on top of that.

As a semi-professional costumer, I offer the following suggestions. One, get a balacava (example here) to cover the neck. Two, look into different boots that cover the bottom of the feet.. or for goodness sake, don't wear white socks!

What about a mall? What about a mask and some extra layers?

I am
(was? it's been almost gone since I lost so much weight) asthmatic and cold air has always been one of my triggers. When we got hit with the first windchill under freezing I bought us balaclava masks ($15 or so at Amazon, https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00S0YA5GM/) and they helped immensely, they keep my head and neck very warm and they breathe really well. Plus they can be worn with or without covering the mouth and nose.

I also started experimenting with the clothing. I got thermal pants, these have been great in sub zero with just a windbreaker pant worn over. For the top I stopped wearing my parka and switched to wearing two pairs of long sleeve stay dry shirts over one short sleeve shirt of the same material. I am now even running wearing these, just this morning I was more concerned about the ice patches than I was about being able to breathe when it was so damn cold.

A balaclava can (to some degree) protect you if you have to use someone else's helmet.

There's a cheap one on Amazon that I use for riding in cool weather. Fogs up the visor like nothing else every time I breathe during a rain, but that can be dealt with.

I don't really like an overly elastic balaclava for my heads. I try to get one made out of t-shirt material, that stretches a bit but not too much.

This is what I used for this head, and it worked really well.

I just bought a special dust mask as a result of this research, check this out

Bleaugh. Would a summer balaclava help at all?

For winter I just use my normal gear with a ski coat that's slightly to large to fit over my moto jacket, ski pants to keep the wind off my legs, knee high thick socks because some air does go up the pant leg. Winter motorcycle gloves.

So basically I just wear what I would if I went skiing over my normal summer motorcycle gear. Oh and this IS A MUST: Balaclava

Nah, wear this balaclave combine with this neck gaiter and your head should be fine from the cold.

I don't know why it has so many negative reviews, I imagine they can't breath because they have it jammed down their throat.

As far as proper dust mask, I bought this at amazon, is it adaquate?

Full face - https://www.amazon.com/ZANheadgear-Neoprene-Full-Face-Black/dp/B000LW1TRU

half mask - https://www.amazon.com/ZANheadgear-Black-Neoprene-Half-Face/dp/B000LVZVNE

they let your breath escape, and you can wear a dust mask over them if needed.

This is what I wore when I went as Guy-Man. http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0012TZ04E?cache=eb5501b32266315762431fdbe796b096&pi=AC_SX110_SY165_QL70#ref=mp_s_a_1_13&qid=1393778256&sr=8-13

Here's the closest thing I could find to what you're looking for

A balaclava or something similar makes a big difference for the cold air. You can get half masks too that just cover the neck/mouth/nose if you have a hat you prefer. The thin fabric doesn't make you sweat but it gives just enough protection.

Skull face mask

http://www.amazon.com/Schampa-Lightweight-Skull-Face-VNG008/dp/B001AWLTX4

Need one these guys:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00S0YA5GM/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

And wool socks, toe warmers, badass gloves, and layers to add/remove as you start sweating

Its cold as fuck, but doable

Right?! This is the balaclava I bought. Total stealth mode.

Get a balaclava. Covers your head except your eyes/nose and is thin so fits well under a helmet. It'll keep you toasty no matter what helmet you choose to get.

https://www.amazon.com/Balaclava-Windproof-Motorcycle-Comfortable-Hypo-allergenic/dp/B00S0YA5GM