In Da Hood

I tend to like things that are multi-purpose and adaptable. I especially like it when an otherwise common object possesses innate properties or composition that make it much more than it appears to be. Such is the case with my Blackhawk OD Green balaclava. A balaclava, for our purposes here, is an article of clothing, a hood or mask that entirely covers the head and neck area aka ski mask, monkey caps, helmet liners. Note the civilian or cultural definition may be quite different. I just think it's a good, very compact (takes up almost no space), versatile headwear option and a handy item to have around, just in case.

First of all the balaclava, true to it's original design during the Crimean War, is insulative in cold weather. It covers and protects the head, neck, and ears from frostbite and wind chill in freezing conditions. When I'm camping outdoors on a chilly night, I like to wear my balaclava when I'm sleeping as a head insulator and a breath pre-warmer. There is some apocryphal evidence among athletes and asthma sufferers that this pre-warming, pre-moisturizing and re-breathing actually helps asthma symptoms (which can be triggered by cold, dry air). I just know it is a great base layer next to the skin in deep cold. The single large eye opening hole allows convenient sunglass or goggle wear, or if stretched a bit, a protective mask or SCBA. The single large opening also looks a bit less threatening as "ski masks" go. Also, the hole is actually large enough to pass the entire head through. By pulling on the top half of the balaclava, you can pull the head through and the balaclava just covers the lower half of your face/mouth, or all the way down, it becomes a neck gaiter. For more common everyday use, the balaclava can simply be rolled up halfway to make a decent "watchcap" or beanie, just preventing heat loss out the top of your head. It's indistinguishable from any other type of dedicated watchcap commonly worn these days around town.

The balaclava that I use is made of Nomex Aramid fibres which keeps the item thin and non-bulky. It is the same type of hood used by firefighters, race car drivers, tactical teams, and fighter pilots due to it's resistance to fire and flash flame. Unlike natural materials like cotton, it won't burn, and unlike synthetics, it won't melt (worsening the severity of burns). It sounds a bit paranoid I know, but if you are a frequent airline travel you might be interested in having this little bit of safety equipment (to help you escape from a plane with the hair and skin on your head intact). I specifically choose the "extended length" version to get a bit more neck protection.

The third use is actually as camofluage since it is OD green in colour and concealment as it is actually a mask that entirely covers the face and makes you both harder to see and anonymous. Again, I am not suggesting any nefarious purpose, but I merely note it here as another value-added "feature" of this piece of apparel.

There are of course all the other myriad and imaginative things that you can do with a knit cloth cap that happens to be fire-proof, but I won't waste time starting another long redundant list.