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Outdoor Research Motion Fleece Balaclava
Field Report
| Reviewed By: | Andrew Mytys |
| Email: | amytys@gmail.com |
| Date Published: | March 27, 2005 |
| Update History: | None |
Product Information:
| Manufacturer: | Outdoor Research (http://www.orgear.com) |
| Item: | Motion Fleece Balaclava |
| Year of Manufacture: | 2004 |
| MSRP: | $27.00 |
| Listed Weight: | 1 oz (28 g) for a size Large |
| Weight as Delivered: | 1.3 oz (37 g) |
| Size: | Large |
| Available Sizes: | Small, Medium, Large, based on head circumference as follows:
Small: <22 in (<56 cm)
Medium: 22-23 in (56-58.8 cm)
Large: >23 in (>58.5 cm) |
| Color: | Black (also available in Marine [light blue]) |
| Manufactured In: | USA |
| Warranty: | Covered by Outdoor Research's "Infinite Guarantee" - Covers manufacturer and material defects for the life of the product. OR will either repair or replace the item, at their discretion. |
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The information in this Field Report of the Outdoor Research Motion Fleece Balaclava is to be taken in addition to my
Initial Report.
Product Description:
The Outdoor Research (OR) Motion Fleece Balaclava is a lightweight balaclava made of a breathable, 4-way stretch Polartec Power Stretch fabric that's designed to wick away body sweat while insulating body heat. It can be worn alone, or as a helmet liner.
Field Conditions:
The OR Motion Fleece Balaclava has been tested in solid winter conditions. Temperatures have been between -2 and 42 F (-20 to 5 C), with primarily cloud-covered skies - a sunny winter day is rare in my area. Wind chills have made temperatures feel as low as -15 F (-25 C).
Test Unit Description:
The Outdoor Research Motion Fleece Balaclava received for testing is a basic balaclava that provides full head and neck coverage, with an opening at its front that exposes my face from about the halfway point of my forehead to just under my lower lip. At its base is the company logo, sewn into the product in an "OR" pattern using raised, gray, stitching.
Fabric and Construction:
The Polartec Power Stretch fabric of the OR balaclava is comprised of a blend of fabrics that's 68% Nylon, 19% Polyester, and 13% Spandex. It has a smooth feel on its exterior, with an inner surface that's brushed, giving a look similar to that of Corduroy. Overall, the material is surprisingly thick for its weight. According to the manufacturer, the outside surface of the balaclava is resistant to wind, snow, and abrasion, while the inner layer is designed to dry fast and pull moisture away from the skin, keeping the wearer warm, dry, and comfortable. The OR balaclava also incorporates flat seam construction in its design to reduce bulk and feel comfortable when worn against the skin.
Wearing the Balaclava:
The four-way stretch characteristics of the balaclava's material allow its opening to be freely expanded, without feeling any stiff resistance from its edges. This also provides flexibility in use. According to Outdoor Research, the Motion Fleece Balaclava can be worn as a balaclava, a hat, or as a neck gaiter.
- Balaclava:
I find that the OR Balaclava allows for a very comfortable fit - it's almost as if I'm not wearing anything on my head. There's no awkward pressure to any part of my face, even when I stretch the face opening so that it extends under my chin. The balaclava has a contoured and close fit, but at the same time the "stretch" in the material is accommodating without feeling restrictive. It fits comfortably whether I'm wearing my glasses or not. Because I'm essentially unaware that I'm wearing anything on my face, I've limited the definition of a "good fit" to mean that my vision is unobstructed by the balaclava - to stylishly position the balaclava centered on my face, I need a mirror or, at the very least, a bit of luck.
In terms of using it as a stand-alone garment, I feel that the balaclava has a very narrow range of temperatures that it is effective in. I found that the balaclava kept me warm down to perhaps 28 F (-2 C), and began to feel excessively warm at around 35 F (2 C). It's difficult for me to gauge if the balaclava's material or lack of coverage is the primary reason for it not being warmer than it is. Because only half of my forehead is covered, I can feel my face getting cold around my forehead long before areas that are covered begin to feel cold. I would like to see OR increase the amount of forehead coverage provided by the balaclava so that it is on par with what OR's "WS Balaclava" provides.
In terms of a garment used for sub-freezing temperatures, I found myself augmenting the balaclava using a heavier winter hat (e.g.
Everest Designs Sherpa Earflap Hat).
The balaclava's material doesn't really have any wind-blocking properties either so, while at times I have used the balaclava alone, I have yet to feel comfortable going out into the field without some sort of a secondary solution at the ready. While I have experienced the occasional day where temperatures were above freezing, the combination of wind and snowmelt in the air kept things feeling chilly - too chilly to wear the balaclava on its own.
That said, the balaclava's performance shined when worn in conjunction with a hat, and I was extremely surprised at how well it worked while wearing glasses.
The balaclava's material provides a perfect balance of protection, breathability, and moisture wicking properties. The result is that, in the most brutal conditions I came across (-2 F (-20 C) and -15 F (-25 C) with wind-chill), the balaclava was able to work in conjunction with a heavier winter hat to provide a complete warming solution for my head.
I found that the balaclava's material could be worn covering my mouth, and at the same time I could talk and breath as quickly as I wanted to without any fog forming on my glasses. The material allows some of my breath to pass through it and, at the same time, it absorbs a percentage of my respiration and deflects another percentage back towards my face. The breath that's passed through the material isn't enough to fog my glasses, the amount of moisture absorbed is easily wicked away and the breath that's defected moves in between the balaclava and my face, warming my cheeks underneath.
I've also found that my hair still has some life to it after being trapped under the balaclava for a period of up to ten hours. I can take the balaclava off, run my fingers through my hair, and walk into a pub for an after-hike burger without sporting a "helmet head" look. I attribute this to the fabric's elasticity and breathability - my hair is never really pressed down in a sweaty micro-climate while wearing the balaclava.
- Hat:
Excluding factors such as sun and wind, I feel that the balaclava becomes a bit too warm to wear as temperatures rise to above 35 F (2 C), particularly when I'm actively hiking. At the same time, I know that conditions can quickly change in the backcountry. Winter days are short, and temperatures can fall a few degrees within the span of a half hour or less. Because the material properties of the OR Motion Fleece balaclava allow it to be extremely breathable, I find myself often wearing it as a hat during times when the balaclava configuration feels a bit too hot. The balaclava doesn't win any style points here either, but it can pulled up, over the face, and folded back down a bit, making a comfortably fitting hat that covers the head and ears entirely.
- Neck Gaiter:
I find that the Motion Fleece Balaclava makes for a poor neck gaiter - its fit is simply too loose, resembling a baggy ring of fabric that can easily be spun around my neck. I find that it retains little if any heat, with the poor fit creating an unobstructed passage for cold air to move about. The situation improves if I use by chin to support the top of the "neck gaiter," at the expense of comfort. However, when worn over the chin the "neck gaiter" soon slips off my face and any heat retained by the "neck gaiter" is once again lost. On the plus side, when conditions are too warm to use the balaclava for either a hat or balaclava the "neck gaiter" mode is a convenient, unobtrusive storage solution.
Comfort:
The OR Motion Fleece Balaclava fits very comfortably, whether worn as a balaclava, hat, or neck gaiter. When worn over my ears, I don't notice a difference in my hearing level in the least. I also find that its flat seam construction performs up to the manufacture's claims - I can't feel any of the seams pressing against my face while I'm wearing it.
Care and Maintenance:
The OR Motion Fleece Balaclava has been washed once a week throughout the test period so far (about ten times). It continues to hold its shape and elasticity as if it were new. There has been no pilling or thinning of the fabric thus far.
Durability:
The OR Motion Fleece Balaclava still looks as good as new, even though I've found myself bushwhacking through areas infested with thorny plants such as wild rose bushes. While thorns have pricked me through the balaclava's material, and have even become entangled in the balaclava itself, there has been no lasting snags on the material. So far, I'm pretty impressed at the level of resilience that the balaclava's proven to have.
Next Steps:
With early spring right around the corner, I'm sure to find myself in conditions that are both cold and wet, with snowmelt, rain, sleet, and high levels of humidity in the air. How will the balaclava perform when worn while it's wet and, given the opportunity, how fast and in what conditions will it dry?
In late spring to early summer, mild conditions will prevail. The balaclava will replace my existing knit hat and neck gaiter, each of which weigh more than this single item. None of my sleeping bags have a hood, so I typically find myself sleeping with something on my head throughout the year. Pre-dawn and early morning hours can also be surprisingly chilly, even in the summertime. The OR balaclava will be my weapon of choice to combat chills in such conditions. I am expecting that it will be able to keep my head warm in temperatures down to the mid-40's (7 C) and that I will no longer have to carry a hat to augment the balaclava.
Durability and long-term performance will also be commented on.
Personal Biographical Information:
Backpacking Background:
I live in Michigan and have been hiking seriously for 15 years, although I've camped
since I was 6 years old. I consider myself a lightweight hiker. I carry the lightest
gear I can get my hands on which will provide a comfortable wilderness experience and
adequately support the goals of my trip. Unless my goals are time/distance oriented,
my pace is always slow. I rarely exceed 1.5 miles (2.4 km)/hour. I rest frequently,
hike long days, and enjoy whatever nature throws my way.
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