Outdoor Research Windstopper Gorilla Balaclava

Great performance
April 03, 2012

This balaclava is light and warm and suprisingly great in high winds. It converts to a beanie neck gator face mask and many other options. Great item you won't be sorry. The velcro stick very well, so you feel safe when use it whit a helmet.

GR8 FOR BIKERS
March 20, 2012

THIS ITEM WAS PURCHASED FOR THOSE OH SO COLD MORNING RIDES INTO WORK WITH A HALF SHELL HELMET. THE QUALITY AND WARMTH PROVIDED DO EXACTLY WHAT I WANTED. THE BALACLAVA PROTECTS FROM THE ELEMENTS ON COLD DAY RIDES WITHOUT BEING TOO COMPLICATED TO ADJUST THE FIT. HIGHLY RECOMMEND AS A MUST HAVE ITEM. THANX TO THE CUSTOMER SERVICES PROVIDED BY ALTREC STAFF ON EXCHANGING FOR THE CORRECT SIZE, as the LG WAS TOO LOOSE BASED ON MEASUREMENT TO FIT.

Good To Go
January 10, 2012

I used this balaclava with a UA coldgear balaclava under it in subzero conditions and it worked fantastic, It stood up to a 40 MPH rotor wash with a chill factor of minus 20 degrees, This item was used under severe conditons and on Helo insertions in the mountains at about 8.000 feet, Very glad i had this item with me!!

Not for me
September 13, 2011

I don't doubt the effectiveness of this balaclava in serious conditions. The Gorilla was a bit bulky and had an awkward fit, so I returned it and went with the Outdoor Research Windpro and I'm glad I did.

Good buy
August 11, 2011

I bought this as a gift for a family member who needed some face protection for a flying power parachute. He loved it. He said it's very comfortable, durable, and warm. I would recommend it. I love OR products in general. This is just another example.

one-of-a-kind-balaclava!
April 23, 2011

Here in Colorado, we have 54 mountains over 14,00 feet. I recently climbed two of these mountains, and was definitely glad I had my OR Windstopper Gorilla Balaclava. Experiencing wind gusts of 45 mph, and wind chill values of between -5 and -15 degrees, this balaclava kept me very warm. It provides excellent overall coverage, and a proper fit is provided utilizing a velcro adjustment system. The ability to remove or add the nose and mesh breathing port is a big plus! I would definitely recommend this balaclava. This is my third purchase with Altrec, and I have been very satisfied with their service!

GREAT WIND PROtrecTION!
March 31, 2011

I love this balaclava. Because my face gets cold snowboarding, I had been wearing 2 face masks which was a bit bulky. Now I am perfectly comfortable, warm, and I love its versitlity.

Versatile but...
December 12, 2010

Pros: Velcro closures allow infinite fit adjustments for tightness and nose cover. Cons: Would like the pile to be thicker (warmer). The sound of velcro being pealed off is noisy - somewhat hard on the ears. For certain genders, the mesh in the nose piece gets hung up on moustaches.

Very warm & protective ... a little awkward fit
December 08, 2010

I've had this balaclava for about a month now, and have worn it probably 9 to 10 times without the nose-piece, and a couple times with it. First off, this thing has great coverage - it fits down around your neck so you can zip your jacket over it to form a wind & water -tight area. Plus it's really warm - the few times I've had to wear the nose-piece I've been very snug and comfortable. The only downsides are that when wearing it with the part over my mouth (and especially when wearing the nose-piece), it's a little hard to breathe, mostly when going up hills. This is really hard to prevent though, and for the coverage it gives it's worth it. The other thing is that when putting it on it tends to sit a little sideways on my head. Now maybe I just have an oblong, or oddly shaped head, but this makes getting it on and in position a bit of a trial. Also, the size runs pretty big - even though I have a pretty big head, the L size is a little loose. All in all a really good thing for wet, cold weather riding.

November 25, 2010

This is the warmest product on the market. The product is also relatively confortable. Good protection against the wind and ice. I highly recommend it.

great gear
November 24, 2010

I like windstop material always, and it has several velcro attached on nose and neck through mouth, so it's easy to wear on and off. it fit little large, but not too bad. I like the Outdoor Research Windstopper Gorilla Balaclava, and it will work all winter mountain hiking.

Very functional Windstopper
November 15, 2010

This mask is very functional and usable in different ways cause you can wear it with or without nose and mesh port. The hook and loop fastener are not perfectly placed that's lead to the minus in the design. Nevertheless a recommendable product.

A great addition to any winter gear collection!
August 16, 2010

This product is great! The fit is true to size and it's everything Outdoor Research claims it to be. With this baby on you won't be feeling jack frost breathing down your neck when your on that ever pressing summit bid at 12 am with a negative 15 windchill blowing at you 30 mph. Good job Outdoor Research!!

I purchased the balaclava from Altrec. I am very much satified.
June 14, 2010

Before purchasing a balaclava I discussed the matter in great details with the associate at Altrec. His response to my questions regarding the material, the proper use at high altitude was highly commendable. The manner in which they answered my questions relating to my concern regarding its choice, proper material, size and fitting, etc. were very satisfactory. Above all the courteous manner in which they answered my concerns were unusually unique in politeness. Upon receiving the merchandise I found the fitting is very good as assured by them. The material is also excellent. It would be a great pleasure to recommend Altrec for shopping with them.

I purchased the balaclava from Altrec. I am very much satified.
June 14, 2010

Before purchasing a balaclava I discussed the matter in great details with the associate at Altrec. His response to my questions regarding the material, the proper use at high altitude was highly commendable. The manner in which they answered my questions relating to my concern regarding its choice, proper material, size and fitting, etc. were very satisfactory. Above all the courteous manner in which they answered my concerns were unusually unique in politeness. Upon receiving the merchandise I found the fitting is very good as assured by them. The material is also excellent. It would be a great pleasure to recommend Altrec for shopping with them.

good for what I need
April 26, 2010

I like to adjust my gear for ventilation as needed. The removable face mask allows you to do so without removing anything else. Large fits normal size 7-5/8 easily

Excellent on Aconcagua!
March 17, 2010

I purchased this specifically for my ascent of Aconcagua with Mountain Madness. Even though Aconcagua is notorious for being extremely cold (colder than Everest) I never had problems with the wind or cold due to this balaclava. In fact, it was so warm I ended up taking the nose piece off and simply using the traditional balaclava. Great piece of equipment to have in your backpack!!

Excellent cold and wind protection
January 28, 2010

Balaclava provides excellent protection from the cold and wind. The removable nose/mouth guard adds another level of functionality when full protection is not needed.

Awesome Great against the wind
January 22, 2010

No bulk but warm!! Let's you open up and get ventilation while doing more activity or close it up while doing less activity or in colder weather. My head measures 22 in. and the medium works well. The small worked but was a little too tight.

Very comfortable--great addition to a non hooded soft shell
January 12, 2010

I see many very nice soft shell jackets, but few have hoods. Being cold natured, I like a hood even when I wear a ski helmet. This balaclava is the perfect answer to my no hood dilemma. It is especially versatile because the mask section is removable.

not for real cold but ok layered
January 08, 2010

...is ok as part of many layers for outdoor work in Northern Plains winter but not alone. I use with another balaclava, hat and hood in temps -5 to -29F with windchill ranging from -23 to -39F (that's to -31 Celsius.) The pros: velcro to adjust how it fits face; decent windbreak; the mesh layer and nose hole. The cons: weird fit, room for a cap or 2 under it but the throat is too snug and isn't low enough in back; not warm by itself unless it's in the 20s or 30s (above zero) F; need more warmth over nose, may sew in silk/wool layer. I don't use the chin layer. If I have it over my mouth, too much vapor get in my goggles, I adjust it lower so my mouth has clear access to the upper panel's mesh and that works well with my goggles.

not for real cold but ok layered
January 08, 2010

...is ok as part of many layers for outdoor work in Northern Plains winter but not alone. I use with another balaclava, hat and hood in temps -5 to -29F with windchill ranging from -23 to -39F (that's to -31 Celsius.) The pros: velcro to adjust how it fits face; decent windbreak; the mesh layer and nose hole. The cons: weird fit, room for a cap or 2 under it but the throat is too snug and isn't low enough in back; not warm by itself unless it's in the 20s or 30s (above zero) F; need more warmth over nose, may sew in silk/wool layer. I don't use the chin layer. If I have it over my mouth, too much vapor get in my goggles, I adjust it lower so my mouth has clear access to the upper panel's mesh and that works well with my goggles.

Great construction poorly sized.
December 13, 2009

If you are looking for a warm and versatile face mask this may be for you. Just make sure you order a size smaller than you typically wear. I purchased this after reading a great review in Backpacker magazine. The thing that I like most about this particular face mask is that you can open up the mouth area to drink water or get some better ventilation. Unfortunately they did not have the size I needed in stock to fit my melon shaped head. I tried a large but it was too loose in the eye area. This would cause the mask to flap like a loose tent fly once I got into the wind. I love OR gear and would definitely buy this if they had my size.

great
December 06, 2009

very warm. size small.

REVIEW
June 11, 2009

I ordered size that was too big but it worked fine as well.

Great Mask
June 11, 2009

I love to wear it around the house. It is really comfortable and really warm. It gives you great protection from the wind.

Great balaclava for cold and windy environments!
May 19, 2009

Great hood, very warm with good wind protection. Could use a little more velcro to allow more fitting flexibility.