Before you head out into the teeth of an Alaskan blizzard, you carefully cover every inch of skin with protective gear except – if you're like most guys – your face and neck. But that's a tactical error. When you've got a cold face, your brain switches into survival mode and tells the blood vessels in your extremities to constrict – causing fingers and toes to chill quicker. So we've devised the kind of warm, comfortable coverage you need to take winter head on. This Alaskan Hardgear Polartec® Balaclava insulates as it resists icy gusts, with a lofty brushed interior that feels soft and cozy on skin. It's also lightweight, quite thin and seriously stretchy, with a smooth exterior surface that won't bunch or chafe under a cap or hard hat. Head-hugging 3-piece construction with fold-down front flap covers cheekbones to chin, and extra-long "dickie" design that keeps powdery snow from sifting down your neck.