Any tricks to stop your facemask from freezing to your face and getting frostbite?

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Cat Woman

New member
Hey all. We were in the UP this last weekend and overall had good to great trails. It was pretty cold Saturday night (-15 or so) and my facemask kept freezing to my nose and cheeks. It seems I have a very mild case of frostnip/frostbite. I'm not as lucky as my fellow male riders and can't grow a beard to help protect my face. It would help when I'd come to a stop sign and wait for the rest of the group to catch up, my mask would have time to defrost, but as soon as we'd get going again, It'd freeze right back up. I'd like to prevent any future frostbite if at all possible. I know alot of you say "dress properly for the negative temps and you'll be fine". So... what are your tips or suggestions?

Thanks guys!!!!!!!!!
 
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attack_06

New member
frostbite

sounds like yor helmet is junk this should not be happening agood fullface helmet that is airtight wont allow any cold air in to freeze your face what kind do u have?
 
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Cat Woman

New member
I have an HJC (not sure offhand what number). I use a nylon type balaclava and then one over that that has a thicker portion around the neck. I usually have to stuff the area between my chin and helmet with the thicker one to stop the "wind tunnel" from freezing my face. Am I the only one that gets air up thru the chin? It sucks! I thought this was normal......
 
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olsmann

New member
attack_06 said:
sounds like yor helmet is junk this should not be happening agood fullface helmet that is airtight wont allow any cold air in to freeze your face what kind do u have?
Click to expand...

This advice is spot on. Your helmet should not leak air that bad. Makes sure it fits properly too. Also a little higher windshield on the sled goes a long way even thought they dont look cool.
 
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wags

New member
Does your helmet have a breath guard? I have seen peeps buy a helmet not knowing they need a breath guard when using the helmet while snowmobiling.
 
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Team Elkhorn

Guest
When ever my wife gets a new sled, we always install the taller windshield before she even rides it.
 
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G

Guest
Problems like this take the fun out of things. Again, they don't look that great but a taller windshield will get rid of a lot of your pain. I put on my taller shield when the temp hits 0.
 
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Cat Woman

New member
Yes it does have a breath guard. However I don't think it fits on my face as close/tight as it should even thought the helmet itself fits good. I've never taken it out, I think it's velcrod in... maybe it's adjustable? I'll take a look at it tonight.
 
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xcr440

Well-known member
Also, does the helmet have vents? I have them on my HJC and close them when its colder, open them when its warmer.

I know, seems obvious enough, just thought I'd ask.
 
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attack_06

New member
chin quard

very important keeps air out hjc has them maybe consider new one any helmet that has me that cold would be in garbage can by now last year i got a new ckx with e shield not a whisp of air gets thru it
 
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Cat Woman

New member
attack_06 said:
very important keeps air out hjc has them maybe consider new one any helmet that has me that cold would be in garbage can by now last year i got a new ckx with e shield not a whisp of air gets thru it
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When you say no air gets thru it do you mean the visor or up thru the chin? I only seem to have air up thru the chin.
 
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snow_monkey

New member
I keep the face mask below my lower lip, when its that cold out if you breathe thru the fabric it will ice fast. I had left my coat zipper down a scooch and it felt like someone was shoving a butter knife on my chest.
 
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attack_06

New member
air

i mean both shield is tight chin ghard is sewn to fabric and is tight this ckx is also a modgular 230 bucks from shade tree
 
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megan600

New member
I realize you are looking for a simple answer, and probably not a costly one too, but I had to go with the modular helmet. I got the Ski Doo modular and I love it. My new sled has a short windshield and the helmet does the trick. I wear just one headsock, (nylon on the top half, and a regular fleece turtle fur on the bottom) I pull that up to just below my lips and then the helmet mask fits very snug over the face. Works great. May want to consider the invesment. best of luck with whatever route you take. :)
 
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snow_monkey

New member
There is a piece of strechy fabric at the base of the helmet which rides up against your neck to stop the wind. I noticed on some of the cheaper helmets it does not hug up against your neck close. I think this is what you are talking about.
 
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getsome

New member
I keep spare balaclava's on hand all day long. Nothing beats riding back to camp with a fresh dry mask ! Possibly try a Helmet hood skirt ?
 
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Cat Woman

New member
snow_monkey said:
There is a piece of strechy fabric at the base of the helmet which rides up against your neck to stop the wind. I noticed on some of the cheaper helmets it does not hug up against your neck close. I think this is what you are talking about.
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EXACTLY! I have that strechy stuff across the chin but it doesn't touch my neck and allows air thru, thats why I have to stuff the fleece turtle fur mask (like what Megan600 described) up in my chin to prevent an air tunnel.

So what I'm getting out of this.... my helmet sucks for really cold days and it'd be a good idea to get a Klim facemask....
 
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