Balaclavas!

Military grade balaclava. Most commonly used to keep the face and head warm during any activities.

The term “balaclava” is of British etymology and describes a piece of thin tight material made to fully cover the face and neck while leaving certain parts exposed. It was typically made of wool and, with the development of modern synthetic woven materials, later could be made using polyester and other synthetic materials.

Balaclavas have been in existence since the 19th century and was mass produced during the Crimean War (1853-1856) to allow soldiers to shield themselves against the cold harsh Ukrainian winter. The balaclava received its name after the Battle of Balaclava (1854).

The balaclava is still widely used today both in the military field as well as racing, sports and comfort. Here are a few popular examples:

A tactical balaclava used by special op forces.

Race car drivers are required to wear fire resistant balaclavas to prevent facial burns in the case of an accident.

Motorcycle balaclavas keep a rider’s face warm, prevents insects from flying into the helmet, protects the helmet linings from dirt and sweat and for wind protection at high speeds.

After two centuries of existence, the balaclava has gone through little transformation. It retains its simple and light design to protect its wearer against the elements, with the exception of redesigned balaclavas made of synthetic materials and more ergonomic fits and breathing holes for more specialized tasks. Another long relationship between man and mask.