Balaclava

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For other uses, see Balaclava (disambiguation).

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Different ways of wearing a balaclava.

A balaclava (pronounced /ˌbæləˈklɑːvə/), also known as a balaclava helmet or ski mask, is a form of headgear covering the whole head, exposing only the face or upper part of it, and sometimes only the eyes. The name "balaclava" comes from the town of Balaklava in Crimea. During the Crimean War, knitted balaclavas were sent over to the British troops to help protect them from the bitter cold weather. They are traditionally knitted from wool, and can be rolled up into a hat to cover just the crown of the head. Modern balaclavas can be made from a number of materials, such as silk, cotton, polypropylene, neoprene, wool or fleece. Modern balaclavas are also used in outdoor winter sports activities such as skiing, snowboarding, or winter bicycling to help protect the face from the cold wind and maintain warmth. Some exercise specialists believe that balaclavas help athletes with exercise-induced asthma by recirculating exhaled moisture (in concurrence with the theory that it is the dryness of air, not temperature, that triggers some types of asthma).^[1] Motorcyclists also wear one under their crash helmets for similar reasons; balaclavas also help to keep the inner lining of the helmet clean.

Additionally, balaclavas are often associated with special forces units such as the SAS, or alternatively with robbers and terrorists, where they act as a form of identity concealment.

In the United States, the term "ski mask" is much more commonly used than the term "balaclava."

Racing drivers may also wear balaclavas made of fire-retardant material underneath their crash helmets in order to improve protection in case of a fire following an accident, and commonly cover the nose and mouth to reduce inhalation of smoke and fumes. Dragster-racing drivers usually wear balaclavas which have just two separate eye holes because of the increased fire risk.

In the Indian subcontinent, balaclavas are commonly referred to as monkey caps, due to their typical earth tone colours, and the fact that they blot out most human facial features. Monkey caps sometimes have a small, decorative, woollen pom-pon on top. They are commonly worn by troops on Himalayan duty.^[2]

The United States Marine Corps has recently begun issuing balaclavas with hinged face guards as part of the Flame Resistant Organizational Gear program.^[3]^[4]