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

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snow_monkey

New member
I know when the hjc cl-12 came out it was a decent helmet for the cash. I bought a cheap hjc and got what I paid for. When you go to buy just make sure the chin area stretches up tight against your neck. The little more you spend on the helmet you will get a big return. Save the old helmet for those April rides with a sweatshirt!! Pull your helmet forward before you pull it down it will help you from damaging the breath gaurd, they are kinda cheap.
 
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dab102999

New member
I haven't personaly tried the klim mask but that is the next one I will try. Just don't have the extra 5 spot right now. My sugestion was going to be the turtle fir also but if I gather corectly that is not working well for you either. I know they used to make a "mask" that hooked on the front of the helmet in the chin area and would go down to be tucked in your jacket. If I was u I would look and see if you can find something like that or go to a fabric store and see what you can find in there to make your own. Off hand I would say to look for something with vinal on one side and felt on the other. (ask for table cloth material) and go from there. You can put velcro on it so it would be easy to take out for those warm days. I used to have a hjc that did the same thing and turtle fir solved the problem for me but I went modulal because I wanted the sun shield. But I still wear my turtle fir with it. Sometimes I sweat with the turtle fir so I switch to a regular backlava and always seem to get cold so back to the fir.
 
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saber

New member
Put some 2 inch wide masking tape across the front of your mask to block the wind. Then take it off when you get home or if it warms up.

Has worked for me on the real cold night rides for the past few years, still using the same Choko cotton mask and the same roll of tape.
 
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propjockey

New member
Cat Woman said:
I have an HJC (not sure offhand what number). I use a nylon type balaclava ......
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DITCH THE NYLON, IT'S THE PROBLEM! Get a balaclava that's made from FLEECE. Nylon is great huffin' it off trail, but when sitting down, blazing down grades, nothing beats fleece.


-J-
 
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Cat Woman

New member
propjockey said:
DITCH THE NYLON, IT'S THE PROBLEM! Get a balaclava that's made from FLEECE. Nylon is great huffin' it off trail, but when sitting down, blazing down grades, nothing beats fleece.


-J-
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Thanks propjockey. I think this is the first year I've used the nylon one under the fleece one. Didn't think anything of it cause I don't think we've ever ridden in temps this cold. Sounds like I have a few things to alter and I should be good, will be trial & error... different things work for different people. Thanks all!
 
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dab102999

New member
All good responces and I don't want to say anyway is better. Don't even know if my way will work but if I read things correctly the problem isn't so much what type you are wearing but more so the wind that is getting in. I ain't sayin that the klim one wont work, cuz I think it will. But if the turtle for isn't working I don't know how much better the klim will. You need to stop the air first and the turtle fir will fill a void better then the klim will. From what I have seem of them they fit pretty snug. Therefore leaves the opening that you have now. I just would hate for you to drop $50 and not have it work that is all.
 
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versdevil

New member
check for a gap between your visor and your helmet on the top. i noticed air coming up thru my helmet too. but if i put my hand across the top of the visor the air would stop. i went to the store and got some of that weather strip for windows its sticky on one side. worked great cheaper than a new helmet.
 
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whitedust

Well-known member
Cat woman the beard stuble does not help avoid the frostbite. Face gets wet you get frostbite when it is cold out. All helmets leak air even my BRP mod. I too am trying new things this year to avoid the dreaded frostbite so I feel your pain. I got bit bad last year. I did the exact same thing yesterday nylon first then turtle fur on top of that. Cheeks got a little red but didn't get nipped. I'm convinced it is moisture that is getting me with doo mod face mask. I'm looking into face tape trying to get a handle on that at local drug store. Nail down the medical tape that does the job & cheap fix. The taller windshield below -5 is a must at high speed flying at 90 down the grades. Stuff you neck gaitor as tight to chin as possible or wrap a scraf. I saw I guy in UP with a really cheap helmet wrap his head & face like munny at -25 & he was fine.
 
favoritos

favoritos

Well-known member
Cat Woman said:
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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I think that having frost in the facemask and waiting for it to defrost is already a problem. You can get frost from riding in snowdust, or just from breathing. If it is just from breathing, you need to get your breath away without collecting the moisture. We used to use "no fog, neoprene" with the older helmets. Those things did work. If you use the no fog masks, just mold the nose pieces for your nose. Also remember, that they are only there to protect your face, you still need layers for the neck and rest of the head depending on the temps.

Cold temps and trail riding are a crucial riding challenge. Figure out how to make it work and you will have the trails to yourselves in the best of conditions.
 
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ezra

Well-known member
get a 3 hole face mask they work best or cut a mouth hole in what you have I cant stand breathing in to a face mask getting all wet and nasty.I usually wear under my mouth unless it get real cold then I get out the one with 3 holes.
 
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Cat Woman

New member
Thanks everybody for the suggestions. The helmet is only a few years old (maybe 5?) and I'll try to tape/rig this one up before I go buying a new helmet. I've had good luck with this one up until this last trip. I think the nylon mask was a big mistake for the super cold days as many of you have pointed out. It catches your breath and gets wet and nasty and just smears and rubs all over your face. GROSS!!!!!

Thanks again. Happy trails to all!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
 
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