The Weatherneck System breakaway balaclava

The Weatherneck Sysyem breakaway balaclava is, as the name suggests, a convertible balaclava, neck gaiter and hat combo. Very competent in all modes, it packs down very unobtrusively should the temperature suddenly spike. Brilliant for road or trail riding, it's lent itself well to spring motorcycling and is likely to find favour among runners and skiers too.

Materials

The system is made in the USA from high quality breathable polyester, which keeps the price competitive, moisture management sensible and the garments easy to care for. Better still, they can be purchased separately and being black, colour clashes are a moot point.

Early spring can be a very unpredictable time, freezing cold one minute, strong sunshine and 18 degrees the next. Most convertible kit employs Velcro or poppers, which ensures a secure connection but eventually warps and can prove tricky to adjust mid-ride.

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The Weatherneck uses slim button-type magnets, which connect hat and gaiter components. The only downsides are they're not supposed to be machine washed and have the potential to interfere with pacemakers. Ours was kidnapped by the household wash but emerged seemingly unscathed.

Mullet Cap

First up, we have the amusingly but aptly named, Mullet Cap, which is crudely, a skull cap with an integral neck gaiter to protect the nape area from wind, rain, snow, harsh sun and of course, icy blasts than can sneak inside jerseys and jackets.

Long enough to slip beneath a jacket or jersey collar, there's no danger of it flapping about in the wind. Acres of perforated mesh are designed to promote airflow here and around the skull-cap's temple region, overcoming the sense of overheating as temperature and rider effort increase.

As one fits all designs go, ours graced me perfectly. Thoughtfully, there's a dedicated flap for ponytails, which also seems to align nicely with helmets.

The magnets embedded in the cap and the balaclava component can be doubled up to suit smaller heads, or, for bigger faces, relaxed completely. Simply fold or relax the balaclava component before connecting the magnets. They've also incorporated a pocket within the hat; useful for stowing a fiver for cafe stops/contingencies, or emergency contact details.

Generally speaking, unless the air temperature falls to around zero, I tend to find hats leave me feeling that bit too toasty. Thanks to the relatively thin fabric and perforated mesh, I have remained comfortable when the mercury has climbed over the course of a ride to around 10 degrees.

At the other extreme, on those late night rides when starry skies have dragged temperatures to zero or thereabouts, it's offered excellent defence against chill and wicks a lot faster than traditional thin pile skull caps. The flat profile also ensures it's unobtrusive beneath helmets and for several hours.

Facemask

This is also sensibly generous, offering excellent protection to the nose, face and neck. Though I can usually shake a heavy cold in a matter of days, I'm prone to chest infections and that phlegmy 'chain smokers' rattle often lingers for weeks.

On bitterly cold 1 in 4 descents, I've tended to tuck it into my jersey for maximum protection but either way it doesn't flutter annoyingly, impair conversation, or lead to soggy face syndrome when you're combining chat and decent tempo. Those magnets mean, with a bit of practice, it's an absolute cinch to remove and reinstate.

The system also lends itself to motorcycling. I dislike full face helmets, so found the gaiter provided welcome protection from early spring wind blast. Stopping at the lights, donned in full leathers and goggles, it adds to the Mad Max dystopian road warrior look and much to my amusement, drew some uneasy glances from drivers in the other lanes.

Tube type systems can turn very soggy when the heavens open. The Weatherneck will obviously become wet but this doesn't linger, let alone give rise to the sensation of being water-boarded. It takes about 15 minutes before the polyester feels properly wet but to date we're not talking the point of saturation. Even plodding along at 15mph with a gentle breeze should dry it in around 15 minutes.

Given the design brief, there's little to dislike and it's a wonder why someone hadn't come up with this sooner. Compared with a traditional balaclava, or Buff-type sleeves, it's relatively pricey but performs better than the former in every respect. That's not to say Buffs and their imitators aren't extremely versatile and have some obvious benefit in milder conditions, mind.

Verdict

Superbly well designed tunable headwear for riding and general outdoor use