Talk:Balaclava

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"exposing only the eyes and often the nose" - Does this mean that the version with a big round hole in the front that exposes the whole face is not a balaclava? -- Heron 12:24, 26 Mar 2004 (UTC)

I dunno about that but I'm now thinking that we should have a separate article for ski-mask and balaclava. Traditionally a balaclava is made of wool and can be rolled up into a hat. It predates the popularity of skiing by quite some time. Because of the origin of the term the word Balaclava is more well-known in Britain than America. Mintguy (T)

Perhaps two articles would be best. I moved this to ski mask because on google "ski mask" got many more hits than "balaclava"... but, if they're different then that's irrelevant. I don't know much about either of them, so I'll leave it to someone else to split the page, if that would be best. fabiform | talk 19:30, 26 Mar 2004 (UTC)

Please please please don't use Google as a guide to relative worldwide usage. All google hits prove is that there are more websites in the USA than in the rest of the world. Mintguy (T) 21:22, 26 Mar 2004 (UTC)

I don't think that either is more prevalent in the US. I thought that a ski mask was something else for the longest time. I have been told that the "big round hole" one is a balaclava, while a ski mask has separate holes for each eye, but there doesn't seem to be a difference in popular usage.

I added a reference to outdoor sports activities because that is how I initially heard of a balaclava. I was looking for ski gear, and a balaclava was recommended. Upon researching in the wiki, I found no reference for skiing or outdoor sports usage. "Real world" research at REI and other outdoor "outfitters" revealed such use.

[edit] non-gun image

Does anyone have a Balaclava image which doesn't involve firearms? Perhaps something sports/weather-related? I'm not quite comfortable propagating the Hollywood stereotype that all balaclava-wearers are either muggers or SAS. I'm not pushing any liberal-hippie-gun-control-cabal-agenda, I'm just saying that balaclavas have plenty of non-violent uses. --LuciferBlack 21:30, 19 April 2006 (UTC)

The picture should stay. I'm willing to bet that the average person will associate the primary use of a balaclava being that of concealing one's identity (ostensibly to commit a violent or criminal act) anyways.

The average person living in a warm climate might. I live where it's winter much of the year and I certainly don't associate a ski-mask with violent crimes. 69.207.22.219 04:12, 22 June 2006 (UTC)

It doesn't matter if the average person associates balaclavas with criminal activity (which is disputable). The current image doesn't conform to NPOV standards. - 85.210.112.55 10:49, 29 June 2006 (UTC)

I couldn't find a skier in a balaclava after looking at around 4 dozen bio articles from arbitrarily selected skier categories and around 20 pictures. Ski masks don't seem to be very popular for pictures... --CalculatinAvatar^(C-T) 08:13, 15 August 2006 (UTC)

I found a fair-use photo that I think will satisfy concerns over NPOV. It shows a ski mask on a mannequin head. As neutral as neutral can be, I'd say. SchuminWeb (Talk) 06:09, 8 October 2006 (UTC)

Are you mad?If you pictured someone wearing a balaclava then it's more than likely going to be a criminal. 83.70.73.88

More than likely going to be a criminal ??? The image I posted yesterday shows a United States Antarctic Program issued balaclava, for use at a scientific station.Gmarsden 20:02, 10 November 2006 (UTC)

I reverted it per the previous discussion on this talk page. Spebudmak 20:40, 10 November 2006 (UTC)

It might be worthwhile to include something about the "omg ski masks used to kill people and are bad" stereotype. I don't think that's the most notable use for them, though. I know a lot of bicyclists who use them in winter. We'd need a source for it, though.IMFromKathlene 00:28, 1 December 2006 (UTC)