If you have any comments, tips or questions, please drop them in the comments box below. And if you’d like to convert your friends to the buff-wearing clan, feel free to share!

The Marmot Super Hero Balaclava uses the incredibly wind-resistant Polartec Power Stretch fabric and insulative Polartec Wind Pro fleece lining. This makes it super soft against your skin with excellent warmth retention.We’re also sure that wherever and whenever you do your hiking, at least a small handful of the above buff-wear configurations are sure to come in mightily handy somewhere down the line. For those who fear their four-legged hiking companions will feel left out by their human’s buff-wearing, there are a handful of online vendors of canine-specific buffs that will let your pooch join in the fun. The Buff: Multifunctional Headwear At Its Best BUFF® Safety products in the arc flash clothing family meet the requirements of NFPA 70E, have obtained the EN 1149-5/18 certificate, and have been tested following the UNE-EN 61482-1-1:2010 standards regarding "Live working – Protective clothing against the thermal hazards of an electric arc," and the EN 61482-1-2:2014 standard. Mask, gaiter, buff, tube — whatever you call it, however you wear it, it’s an essential piece of gear if you’ll be hitting the snow this season.

While BUFF® Safety balaclavas made from merino wool and PrimaLoft® fleece are ideal for static jobs in cold conditions, Gore-Tex® fabric delivers protection at heights in cold, windy environments, and DuPontTM Nomex® Aramid fibers and Viscose FR® blend offer unmatched fire resistance, all tested and certified according to the highest official standards. The shape, design, and fit of your hiking balaclava should not be taken for granted, especially with some of the less stretchy materials. A slim profile is most comfortable for a hiking balaclava that hugs your head and has an excess of material at the bottom. Looser-fitting balaclavas work well with an insulated hood design but not with the traditional balaclava profile. Editor’s note: We updated this article first in December 2020 after receiving new information from ski resorts. At that time, representatives from Vail Resorts, Winter Park, and more noted that their resorts accept any cloth mask that fully covers the nose and mouth. Outdoor Research Protective Essential Bandana KitBurton is a snowboarding brand, but because this balaclava isn’t too tight-fitting, it is ideal for hiking and camping as well. It has a stretch face coving for comfort and breathability, which gives you lots of freedom of movement. This is a balaclava you don’t feel like a bank robber in if you are just heading to the shops. You don’t need to carry a scarf and a hat. Allyou need is a single balaclava that can often be adapted to work as a stand-alone scarf or hat anyway. The BUFF UVX Balaclava is the best balaclava for intensive hiking up and down mountains because it is lightweight and breathable enough to leave on while going uphill.