Customer Reviews Outdoor Research Sonic Balaclava

This is very comfortable. I bought this because I needed the versitility; full or partial face/head coverge or no face/head coverage. It works in all the ways described except as a beanie' but that certainly did not bother me.

This balaclava is cool and will keep you warm during really cold days/nights. However, the only problem that I encountered (a big one) was while the very first time I tried it on, it ripped! Yes, it did! I didn't force it or anything but it did rip. I'd say for the price of it, it should have better workmanship -- much better! Look at something else if you're looking for a good and reliable balaclava.

Used for downhill skiing, warm and cuts the wind.

OR has excellent products, and I am not disappointed in this balaclava.

Great balaclava design. The only con was my head fits in between the small and med. Before an activity the balaclava seems to be a perfect fit, however, 2-3 hours it seems to loose shape. I will have to purchase the small size and hopefully it will stretch after a few hours of activity. Otherwise, this could have been the best balaclava I have ever owned!

I work as a polar expedition guide and had previously purchased a cheap fleece balaclava online. In the field I discovered that was a waste the few dollars I spent on it! The following season paid the big bucks and bought the OR Sonic Balaclava...Man, I wished I had done this sooner! Worth every dollar I paid for it. I fit comfortably snug and provided excellent protection when I was driving a Zodiac through wind and rough seas! Now this is the piece of gear I don't travel to the Arctic or Antarctic without! My wife is working with me in Antarctica this season so I made sure to buy her one...so she wouldn't be taking mine!

Of all the gear I've used, traded, and discarded over the decades, the Sonic Balaclava remains. After more than 20 years it still fits well and functions perfectly. It's always in my pack, an easy 2.5 oz of safety equipment.

Outdoor Researchs Sonic Balaclava is a must have for winter adventures that are riddled with harsh wind, and severe cold. I have used this balaclava while winter fat-tire biking in temps that were in the low teens. I wore it under a helmet, and there were actual icicles coming off this thing around the nose and mouth area by the time I was done riding. The top features of this balaclava are: the Gore Windstopper fabric, the non-inhibiting breathing mesh cover over the mouth, and just the right amount of coverage and protection over the nose.

Does as advertised, fits great and I find my googles or glasses don't fog up as much compared to a normal balaclava. I also like the fact that the mouth piece doesn't get that wet soggy feel from when your breathing hard and moisture builds up.

I am a Polar Expedition Guide. I had purchased a cheap Balaclava online for my Arctic expedition last year. it loose, bulky, was not wind resistant and did little to keep me warm. This year I went for the OR Sonic Balaclava and it was money well spent. I just wish I had it last year, too! It was not loose or bulky and kept me warm and toasty! For the ultimate in head warmth and protection on extra cold days I wore it with the OR Frostline Hat. With the face flap on the hat across my face, in addition to the balaclava I was happy, warm and dry in spite of the Arctic blasts!

Great functional design, easy to flip back and wear as a neck warmer or just pull down under the chin when it gets a bit warm. This first turned me on to OR.

I bought this to keep my face warm with an open-face motorcycle helmet, and have found excellent use for it while coyote hunting in -0-degree, blizzard conditions. The Polartec fleece is fantastic, and the clever cut and fabric of the hearing panels and breathing port allow me to hear and breathe freely without suffering the cold on my lips & ears.

This worked well on a very, very cold weekend in New Hampshire. One problem I had was that "loose-fabric-over-nose" plus "glasses" equals "foggy vision." I ordered a bit larger than I needed because of some of the reviews that said balaclavas are sometimes too tight. But if you wear glasses, tight is what you want. That was my fault. This balaclava was warm, I could hear very well (didn't notice any change really). Happy overall.

This garment is designed for extreme conditions. The fabric is heavy. If you are going to spend hours days or weeks in arctic conditions, this garment is appropriate. Placing googles over the balaclava will provide complete protection. This garment is probably overkill for the cold day urban environment. One aspect of the garment that is attractive is the ability to pull it down into a neck warmer.

When the elements turn really nasty I depend on my Sonic. If it is extremely cold and windy I add a Peruvian hat over-top. For times when I am breathing hard and sunglasses fog up I switch to ski goggles and all is clear. I love the feeling of being driven to my limits travelling into the unexpected storm within my own self-contained warm dry envelope of safety and confidence. The Sonic is essential. It pulls on or off fast and fits right. The breathing port is a small but welcome advance in reducing condensation.

bought one of these (M)for my husband who has to work on planes outside of the hanger sometimes. He loves it! I bought another for a friend who also does a lot of work outdoors and he also loves it. Had to exchange it for a large, though. Use your judgment regarding size.

I purchased the Sonic for snowmobiling and it works great. How great? We had a ride that was -26°F and traveling 40 MPH in West Yellowstone. The head stayed very warm and I was grateful for the nose covering fleece. My wife had a balaclava with an open nose and her nose got cold. The front mesh in front of the mouth allowed for easy breathing if you were working the sled hard going through the woods. When you take the helmet off during a break, it breathes very well and keeps your head warm.

I have had this balaclava for many years. This is the best balaclava I have used. It is warm and blocks the wind perfectly. The mesh mouth area vents moisture well. The only down side for me is that it tends to ride up around the base of my neck during activity allowing a little cold air at the back of the neck. This is remedied with a neck gaiter but it adds bulk. A small fleece gaiter at he bottom of this piece would make it perfect.

This is my regular go-to balaclava. It's warm, comfortable, and completely prevents the wind from hitting your face. Flat seams prevent chaffing and the mesh at the mouth is perfectly suited for heavy or light breathing. I only gave 4 stars because as much as I enjoy dressing up like a ninja, I do like to switch it up and not look like a guy every once in a while. Green, blue, purple, orange, ANY color besides just the "standard" black would be AMAZING! Thanks OR for always producing great products!

Bought for my husband who has a large head. I generally have trouble finding hats especially skull caps (Skullies) to fit his head and cover his ears for winter. I purchased a large and a small for myself but the large was actually too large and the small fit him perfectly. That has never happened! So we are returning the large. Anyone who needs a balaclava for a large head this is the one you want. It's made very well and has a mesh piece over the mouth to make breathing more comfortable. I would recommend it to anyone. I give it 4 stars because it doesn't have any of the hi-tech fabric you find at north face or Columbia but it's good quality. FYI we live in a climate that regularly dips to -14 so I know good winter gear when I see it.

I bought a Sonic balaclava to replace a merino wool thinner balaclava that wasn't protecting me from wind. The Sonic makes my head feel as though I'm indoors, no matter how much wind there is. The mesh over the mouth becomes soaked almost immediately, so I've had to cut a hole in it. I wear glasses, and if my breath doesn't dissipate immediately, I can't see in cold weather. This is one of my main "must haves", and is the only reason this product doesn't get 5 stars.

I like this, I wore it while clearing snow and it kept me warm. My issue is I have to wear glasses and my breath kept leaking up and steaming up my glasses so I couldn't see. I was able to pull the back and bunch it up a little and then I didn't get the leaking. So I might try to add a strap or some elastic to hold that a little tighter. But the protection this gave me from the wind, snow and cold was great and I will definitely figure something out.

skiing

Very little stretch so the fit is rather sloppy. Mine only covered the top 1/3 of my forehead, so I had to wear a beanie, too. As I moved, the fabric around the nose and eyes would ride up, brushing my eyelashes and poking me in the eye. I was constantly pulling it down. Also very loose around the neck, like a turkey wattle. It's warm, though. That's about the only positive thing I can say.