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Outdoor Research Motion Fleece Balaclava
Long Term Report
| Reviewed By: | Andrew Mytys |
| Email: | amytys@gmail.com |
| Date Published: | July 21, 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 Long Term Report of the Outdoor Research Motion Fleece Balaclava is to be taken in addition to my
Initial
and
Field
reports.
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 across a wide variety of field conditions. It has been worn in temperatures ranging from -2 to 68 F (-20 to 20 C). In warmer temperatures, the garment serves no practical purpose and is stored in my pack. In winter conditions, wind chills were present that made temperatures feel as low as -15 F (-25 C). The balaclava was worn in snow, sleet, hail, and rain, as well as when sleeping inside my tent and under my tarp. During warm summer nights, air temperatures often hovered just a few degrees above the dew point and, with a humidity of 80%, I found myself reaching for the balaclava at seemingly warm (> 60 F / > 15 C) temperatures. Water conducts heat away from the skin nearly 25 times faster than air, so is was really no surprise that skin exposed to even mild temperatures felt uncomfortably cold in such conditions.
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 found the OR Balaclava provided for a very comfortable fit - neither awkward nor restrictive. It felt as if I wasn't wearing anything on my head at all. There was no awkward pressure to any part of my face, even when the mask's opening was stretched to extend under my chin. The balaclava's fit is contoured and close, yet the "stretch" in the material allowed for a great degree of comfort. I found the balaclava fit comfortably whether I was wearing my eyeglasses or not. The pile of the material felt soft against the skin. Thanks to the flat seam construction, I can honestly say that I couldn't feel where any of the balaclava's seams came into contact with my skin.
In the dry winter months, I felt that the balaclava had a very narrow range of temperatures that it was effective in. I found that it kept me warm down to perhaps 28 F (-2 C), and began to feel excessively warm when daytime temperatures reached about 35 F (2 C). It's difficult for me to gauge if the balaclava's material or lack of coverage was the primary reason for it not being warmer than it proved to be. Because only half of my forehead was covered, I could feel my face getting cold around my forehead long before areas that were covered began to feel cold. As a result, I would like to see OR increase the amount of forehead coverage provided by the balaclava to something that's on par with that of the OR's "WindStopper Balaclava."
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 didn't really have any effective wind-blocking properties to it, so I never really felt comfortable going out into winter conditions without some sort of a secondary solution at the ready. While I did experience the occasional winter day where temperatures were above freezing, the combination of wind and snowmelt in the air kept things feeling chilly most of the time - 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 eyeglasses.
The balaclava's material provided a perfect balance of protection, breathability, and moisture wicking properties. In even the most brutal conditions I tested in (-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 eyeglasses. The material allowed some of my breath to pass through it and, at the same time, it absorbed a percentage of my respiration and deflected another percentage back towards my face. The breath that passed through the material wasn't enough to fog my eyeglasses, and the amount of moisture absorbed into the material was easily wicked away. The breath deflected back against my skin moved in between the balaclava and my face, warming my cheeks underneath.
I also found that my hair still had some life to it after being trapped under the balaclava for a period of up to ten hours. I could 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 never really got pressed down into a sweaty micro-climate while wearing the balaclava.
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In spring and early summer conditions, I was surprised to find that I couldn't count on using the balaclava on its own to keep my face warm. Due to the increased humidity levels in the air, temperatures that would have felt warm in the dry winter months were suddenly chilly. I found the balaclava was very comfortable to wear while it was raining, and that it kept my face nice and warm, but a good stiff wind would have me adding layers to the balaclava as temps fell below 55 F (12 C). My usual solution was to simply fold my bandana across its diagonal into a thin band of material and then tie this around my head, over the balaclava, to cover my ears.
I also found myself putting the balaclava on while in my tent, using it as a nightcap. The sleeping bag that I use from late-Spring to early-Fall weighs under 1 lb (< 450 g) and it doesn't have a hood. Between the humid conditions, lack of sun, and my relatively motionless state while sleeping, the balaclava was a welcome addition to my sleeping kit. What I wasn't prepared for was how it suddenly made my SilNylon stuff sack, filled with clothing, actually feel like a comfortable pillow - the balaclava's material insulated my face from the clammy feel of the SilNylon, and at the same time kept my head from continuously slipping off its slick material. BONUS! Thanks to the high level of breathability in the balaclava's fabric, I never felt overly hot while sleeping in the balaclava; even after the morning sun hit my tent and warmed the inside up considerably.
I must admit that I thought the OR Motion Fleece Balaclava would be the only headwear solution in my pack once the warmer weather hit. However, due to the humidity issues I mentioned, I found that I needed to augment the balaclava with a hat while sleeping at temperatures below 55 F (12 c). I now carry my
GoLite Snow Cap,
a Polarguard 3D insulated cap that I wear over my balaclava when needed. Both garments breath well, and I often find myself just putting both on even if the temperatures don't require it - the extra loft not only makes for a more comfortable pillow, but a nice and warm head too. That, in addition to a
very comfortable sleeping pad,
completes my formula for a good night's rest.
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- Hat:
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During warmer winter conditions (> 35 F / 2 C), wearing the balaclava as a hat allowed my ears to stay warm while I was actively hiking. Winter conditions can quickly change in the backcountry, and with the short days it was nice to have a piece of headwear on hand that could quickly adjust its configuration from a hat to a balaclava. When worn as a hat, the comfort level of the OR Motion Fleece Balaclava remain high.
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Throughout the late spring and early summer, I didn't really find an occasion to wear the balaclava as a hat. Conditions either favored the balaclava, the balaclava with another layer like a hat or bandana, or nothing at all. Once again, this can be attributed to high levels of humidity, allowing for mild conditions to actually feel cooler than the colder temperatures experienced during winter testing.
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- Neck Gaiter:
Overall, I found 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 found the neck gaiter configuration to retain little if any heat, with the poor fit creating an unobstructed passage for cold air to move about. The situation improved a bit if I used my chin to support the top of the "neck gaiter," but this felt more than a bit awkward. Also, when worn over the chin the "neck gaiter" soon slipped off my face and any trapped heat was quickly lost. The neck gaiter mode is good for is convenient storage, however, and I could wear it around my neck and not feel any excessive heat or discomfort in even the upper range of my testing (68 F / 20 C). Its loose fit meant that I quickly forgot I was even wearing it.
Comfort:
The OR Motion Fleece Balaclava fits very comfortably, whether worn as a balaclava, hat, or neck gaiter. When worn over my ears, I didn't notice a difference in my hearing level in the least. I also find that its flat seam construction performs up to the manufacturer'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 (about 25 washes). It continues to hold its shape and elasticity as if it were new. I have not noticed any pilling or thinning of the fabric throughout the test period.
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 have been no lasting snags on the material. I've been very impressed at the level of resilience that the balaclava's proven to have.
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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