Field Report

Psolar.BX Balaclava
Field Report by Rick Allnutt

PRODUCT INFORMATION
Manufacturer: Psolar
Year Manufactured: 2003
Manufacturer's Link: www.psolar.com
MSRP: $40
Listed Weight: NA
Measured Weight: 2.4 oz (69 gm)
Review Date: 27 January 2004

FIELD REPORT
Psolar's BX® balaclava is a fleece head cover with a patented module over the mouth. For a detailed description of the balaclava, see my initial report.

Field conditions have ranged from 0 F (-18 C) to 40 F (4 C). I have used the balaclava hiking and sleeping. I have used it approximately 30 times in the first two months, including ten or more overnights in a hammock. It was an integral part of my gear and preparation for a New Year's Eve hike and overnight at Springer Mountain, Georgia.

My favorite ways of using the balaclava are to keep my face warm in windy cold weather, and as a winter sleeping aid.

The coldest walk I took with the balaclava was right at 0 F (-18 C.) Because I wear glasses, I kept the face opening below my nose, in this manner:

This allowed my glasses to remain fog free. I was not able to put the cloth over my nose without fogging my glasses immediately. The balaclava kept me warm. The counter-current module kept my mouth warm. I did not find myself coughing on hard climbing, like I have in the past when the air was very cold.

I did notice a tendency for the stitching of the face hole's rim to cause some irritation of the bottom of my nose after several hours of walking. The material is not soft fleece, and tended to scratch the skin some, especially if my nose was running because of cold air. I believe a small pad of soft fleece sewn to the center of the opening could reduce the amount of this irritation. However, finding a way to put the mask over my nose would be even better - see an idea I have under the long term plan below.

During my cold weather overnights, I slept with the balaclava covering my nose and mouth. I was not wearing glasses, so there was no problem with fogging of the glasses. Wearing the balaclava in very cold weather helped my sleep. The coughing I often have when sleeping outdoors in the cold was eliminated. Just as important, the amount of condensing moisture near my head in my camping hammock cover was decreased considerably. When I pulled the balaclava opening down below my chin and breathed into the bivy-like hammock cover, the amount of condensing moisture increased immediately.

I did try to use the balaclava with the module removed, breathing directly through the mesh material. I found that the amount of condensation inside the balaclava increased considerably, wetting my face and causing some redness and irritation of the skin around my lips after a number of hours. I concluded that the module helps to reduce the amount of moisture in the mask, as well as decrease the amount of moisture inside a sleeping bag or tent.

I have found it important to clean the balaclava on a regular basis. After a couple days of wearing it, the cloth begins to pick up sweat and oil from my hair. In addition, I have washed out the module a number of times. I find that I can go several days between cleanings as long as I let the module dry completely after a prolonged use. Washing with liquid soap and then rinsing is simple and effective, like any other hiking clothing.

LONG TERM TEST PLAN
I will continue to use this balaclava active hiking during the day, and while sleeping at night in cold temperatures.

During one of the long nights I spent sleeping with the balaclava, an idea popped into my head as a way to allow use of glasses and putting the lower edge of the face hole over my nose. I have used surgical masks that include a small strip of malleable metal over the bridge of the nose to close the hole next to the nose and keep warm moist air from being breathed under my glasses. I plan to cut a small rectangle of thin aluminum to serve the same purpose for this mask. I will punch a number of holes in the edge of the rectangle and then hand sew it to the balaclava. This will not significantly damage the
balaclava, but may allow me to bend the metal strip to conform to the bridge of my nose and keep warm air from blowing under my glasses.

If this modification is successful, it may be an option for glasses wearers, which could be considered for incorporation by the
manufacturer.

PERSONAL BIOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION
Rick Allnutt
50 Year old male
6' 0'' (183 cm) in height
190 lbs (86 kg) in weight
Email address: ra1 (at) imrisk (dot) com
I live in Dayton, Ohio

BACKPACKING BACKGROUND
Over the last 18 months, I have gone from being a heavy-weight (2 Duluth Pack) canoe camper to a three-season base pack weight of about 9 lb (4 kg) and skin out weight of 20 lb (9 kg). I have completed five ultralite section hikes on the AT with a total mileage of nearly 200 miles (322 km). I am an ultralight hiker, a gearhead, a hammock camper, and make much of my own equipment.

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Reviews > Clothing > Hats > Psolar Balaclava > Rick Allnutt III > Field Report

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