Biographical Information
Name:                        Chuck Carnes
Age:                           35
Gender:                      Male
Height:                       6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
Weight:                       175 lb (79 kg)

E-mail address:           ctcarnes1(at)yahoo(dot)com

City, State, Country:   Greenville, S.C. United States

Report Date:               July 28, 2005

Backpacking Background
        I love the outdoors – I’ve spent time camping in the outdoors since I was born, and have been actively hiking and backpacking for the past ten years. I consider myself a lightweight hiker, usually carrying 20 – 30 pounds (11-13 kg) for hikes up to a week in length. I hike at an easy pace, averaging 2 mph (3 kph). I am a one-man tent camper for now until a lighter two-man tent comes along and will give me more room. I like to carry a single trekking pole when I hike to help relieve stress to my legs and knees. I like to get out on the trail as often as I can.

Product Information

Manufacturer	Outdoor Research
Model	Motion Fleece Balaclava
Year of Manufacture	2004
URL	http://www.outdoorresearch.com
Size	Large
Color	Black
Listed Weight	1 oz (28 g) (web site)
Weight as Delivered	1 oz (28 g)
MSRP	$27.00

Product Features

Taken from the web site:

This one-piece balaclava is a superb base layer, providing breathable, moisture-wicking protection for active adventures in chill conditions. Wear it as a helmet liner on long winter ridges or as an outer layer on a spring trip into the backcountry. A versatile, all-day piece that adapts to your activity, this design also functions as a neck gaiter or hat when conditions don’t demand full coverage.

Features:

+ Motion Fleece™ fabric   + One piece design   + Works as a neck gaiter, balaclava, or a hat

Initial Report
Field Report

Long Term Report
       Since my Field Report in March, unfortunately, I have not been able to use the OR Motion Fleece Balaclava as much as I intended to. As I quoted in my Field Report, "I will wear the OR Motion Fleece Balaclava every time that I hit the trail as long as the temperatures are low enough to permit me to do so". Well, the temperatures did not really allow me to wear it comfortably. I took the balaclava with me on an overnight trip to Jones Gap park in April. The day temperatures were around 70 F to 75 F (21 C to 23 C). At night I had expected the temperatures to drop to about 40 F or 50 F (4 C or 10 C) which would have been a good temperature to sleep in the balaclava. As the evening got late and the sun began to set the temperatures started dropping; but not quite enough. The temperature got to about 58 F (14 C) at around 1:15 a.m. To me, my head and ears were not cold enough to wear the balaclava. I truly regret to report that the balaclava was not used again in the field since my Field Report because the temperatures did not permit me to test the balaclava to its intended purpose.

Questions and Answers
        Answers that are in red are answers to questions in the Field Report. Answers that are in blue are answers that I am able to answer in this report.

Does the material make my face or head itch? No, the Motion Fleece fabric is has a soft, silky feel to it and it did not make my face or head itch.

From the picture on the website, it appears that the opening at the face is a pretty large opening. To what extent will it keep my face warm? The opening can actually close as tight as the Quarter Open Face style. When in the Open Face fashion my head stayed quit warm but my face obviously gets cold. However, in the Quarter Open Face style my whole head and face stays warm.
 
Can I pull it all the way up and over my nose and will it stay there? Yes, see the Quarter Open Face style above. I found the seam to slip off of the tip of my nose on several occasions. It feels as if the seam has been stretched in the face area causing the seam to loose some of its elasticity. I will further monitor this for the Long Term Report. Not applicable.

I would like to see how water proof or resistant it is. Will it keep a light misting rain from soaking my head? Not applicable. I did not experience any light mist of rain from my Field Report to my Long Term Report to test this.

Will a hat fit on my head while wearing the balaclava? My fitted baseball cap would not fit on my head while wearing the balaclava but was able to wear an adjustable baseball hat with the balaclava.

Is it comfortable to sleep in if the temps drop real low? Yes, as mentioned in the Quarter Open Face style description, I enjoy wearing the balaclava while sleeping it is very comfortable and does not cause my head to itch.

Since most of the body’s heat escapes through the head, will the balaclava keep this heat at my head to keep me warm? Yes, as long as I was wearing the balaclava, my head stayed warm as well as my body.

At what point will the balaclava not be warm enough for my head? Not applicable. For me personally, the high 50's F (10's C) was a little bit too warm for my head.

Will my breathing be hindered by the material in front of the mouth and nose? No, not at all. I am able to breathe as well with it in front of my mouth as without it.

Will it keep the cold air out of my ears to prevent an ear ache? Yes, the balaclava is a very good wind stopper and keeps the wind from penetrating to the face.

Will the neck portion be long enough to tuck under my jacket or base layer to continue the protection from my body to my head? Yes, the neck portion extends well under the collar for the continued protection.

Will it feel constricting? No, the fabric is loose enough to turn the head and the bottom edges stay under the collar.

Can I wear sunglasses while wearing the balaclava? Not applicable. Yes, I put the balaclava on in my house and put the arms of the sunglass through the opening at the face and over my ears. The arms of the sunglasses were between the balaclava and my head. The glasses fit fine and the balaclava actually help hold the glasses in place.

At the mouth area, will my breath cause condensation to build up and get wet and cold and possibly freeze depending on the temperatures? At this point, No. I did not experience any more cold weather since the Field Report.


Summary
        Although I did not get the opportunity to test the OR Motion Fleece Balaclava after my Field Report, I still say that this is an excellent piece of gear to have in the colder months. I feel that the balaclava has performed as it was designed to do and its great versatility works well with head layering systems. I intend to continue using the balaclava in the colder months and when the tempertures are low enough that I my head and face will feel comfortable in the soft Motion Fleece™ fabric.

Thank you again Outdoor Research and BGT for giving me the opportunity to test the OR Motion Fleece Balaclava.