Best motorcycle balaclavas buying guide | Why winter riders swear by them and what to look for

Whether you like the bank robber aesthetic or not, a motorcycle balaclava is an undeniably useful accessory for any motorcycle helmet. Criminal undertones aside, it’ll keep long hair in check while riding, reduce visor fogging, prolong the life of your helmet’s padding, and offer a bit of extra warmth riding in the colder months.

On top of that it makes putting your helmet on much easier, which can be crucial for riding comfort if you wear earrings, for example. Plus, it’s more hygienic than going commando, and you won’t have to suffer from a sweaty helmet in the heat of summer ever again.

What to consider before buying

Balaclavas are usually a ‘one size fits most’, and this means the fit is tailored to the most common head size (size M), and made with stretch fabric to fit other head shapes. If you wear a size S or L helmet, these might not fit well, and you might want to consider a balaclava made in different sizes. It should be form-fitting, but not tight, when the fit is right.

Since it’ll be pressed right up against your face the whole time you’re riding, it’s important to consider what material it’s made of too. Even if you aren’t allergic to silk or wool, the material you choose will have a big impact on comfort. Look for something with flat seams too, to reduce the chance of it leaving marks on your face.

The thickness of a balaclava is important to consider as well. A thick balaclava will offer more warmth, but the extra thickness could make your helmet fit too tight on your head. Since the exact thickness usually isn’t stated by manufacturers, make sure to try before you buy, or buy from an online retailer with a good returns policy like Sportsbike Shop, or Amazon.

The best motorcycle balaclavas

About the testers

Joseph Wright – ’90s sports bike lover and videographer armed with an A2 licence and brilliant Kawasaki ZXR400, he’s the youngest member of the MCN team and is responsible for all the videos posted on our YouTube channel. For this page, he tested the Richa balaclava.

Emma Franklin – MCN’s editor and resident two-stroke nut, Emma’s passion for motorcycling has seen her work across many of the UK’s best-loved motorcycling titles over the past 19 years. For this page, she tested the Forcefield Tech Force 3 balaclava.

How MCN tests products

Here at MCN, we make it our mission to help you find the right kit for you, at the right price for your budget. We test our balaclavas the same way you’ll use yours; by riding. And, we make sure to put at least 1000 miles in them before sharing our findings. Our word is backed by hundreds of thousands of miles in the saddle collectively, but our recommendations come from each tester individually.

While testing, we mainly focus on comfort, build quality, and value. When we write up our full reviews, we’ll give each balaclava a rating out of five stars in each of these categories, and offer a final verdict too. This page is only for the best motorcycle balaclavas, so every balaclava you’ll see has been awarded at least four stars overall – that’s the passing grade – but here’s what each score really means:

1 star – Poor performance in this category or overall. A balaclava with a single star rating has fallen below the expected standard and should be avoided.
2 stars – Basic performance in this area or overall. A balaclava with a two-star rating has managed to perform to a barely acceptable level, and there is much room for improvement.
3 stars – An average performance in this area or overall. A balaclava with a three-star rating has achieved a basic level of performance and is deemed adequate.
4 stars – A balaclava has performed over and above the accepted average in this category or overall. A balaclava with a four-star rating has surpassed expectation and delivered in a particularly impressive way.
5 stars – A balaclava has performed at the highest possible level in a particular category or overall. A balaclava with a five-star rating has delivered to the highest possible level, impressing the tester with its performance. We would happily spend our own money on it.

To find out more, head to our dedicated page explaining how we test motorcycle products.

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