A balaclava is a mask that covers the head, neck and part of the face. Some models have slits for the eyes, while others leave the entire face open. Both options are equally good, it's purely a matter of taste. A balaclava or balaclava mask is needed, firstly, for hygiene. While riding, your head sweats and leaves marks on the helmet, and cleaning it is not very convenient. This does not mean that after purchasing a mask you won’t have to clean the helmet’s upholstery at all, but you will definitely have to do it less often. Secondly, the helmet fits better in them and rubs less in the process. In the cold season, a balaclava warms your head; you can hide your hair under it so that it does not flutter in the wind and impair visibility.
Purpose
Many motorcycle enthusiasts are interested in whether a helmet liner is needed and what its function is. The main tasks that a balaclava performs are protection and personal hygiene of the biker. While driving with an open visor, the product will protect your face from flying insects, road dust and dirt. The wind will also cease to be a hindrance - a motorcycle balaclava covers most of the face, so the skin will not become chapped. In cold weather, such motorcycle protection will provide additional warmth to the face and neck. Thanks to the balaclava, the helmet will not slip on the head, and its interior will remain in its original form, since sweat and dirt will not leak through the balaclava.
A motorcycle helmet liner has its pros and cons
General recommendations
In conclusion, there are a few basic rules, the observance of which will guarantee convenience and safety when extinguishing a fire.
- Always, during any challenge, use a balaclava;
- When putting on combat equipment, wear the product up to the jacket;
- The balaclava must completely cover the head when included in the RPE;
- To avoid leaks and air loss, wear over the mask;
- Check the correct fit of the balaclava and mask for yourself and your colleague.
A helmet liner is a necessary element of firefighter protection. Its use should become mandatory whenever going to any type of fire. Even if it is not documented, each fire department employee is obliged to independently take care of his own safety. Carrying it in your jacket pocket will not protect you from sparks and flames. It should be used for its intended purpose.
Pros and cons of using
A motorcycle helmet liner has its pros and cons. The advantage is the protective functions - the face is not blown, midges and dust do not stick to it. The inside of the helmet remains clean, so there is no need to wash it. A balaclava under a motorcycle helmet is a kind of thermal underwear that warms your head in the cold season and absorbs sweat in hot weather. It makes the ride more comfortable, helps cut off breathing, and the visor sweats less. For those using headphones, the balaclava will serve as their holder.
Among the disadvantages are inconvenient eye slits, so when choosing a balaclava you should pay attention to them. It is not very comfortable to wear at high temperatures - the ventilation of the helmet deteriorates. Sometimes an allergy occurs, which is due to the low quality of the material from which the balaclava is made, or the characteristics of the body. Balaclavas are often lost.
Welder's headgear made from fire-retardant industrial materials
Some performers prefer to make their own headgear rather than buy a ready-made protective device. Homemade and purchased headwear have their own advantages and disadvantages, which we will consider below.
Advantages of industrially made hats:
- appropriate quality of materials and fittings;
- high quality tailoring;
- a large selection of hats from various manufacturers, in different shapes and configurations.
No disadvantages of purchased hats (except for the need for financial costs and price values ) have been identified. It is important to point out that some models are not of high quality. Unscrupulous manufacturers can save on materials and accessories. Therefore, it is necessary to purchase protective devices and accessories only from trusted manufacturers and sellers. [ads-pc-4][ads-mob-4]
Advantages of handmade hats:
- the opportunity to create something independently, to show imagination and skill;
- you can sew a headdress of the required size, from the necessary materials; such an accessory will be suitable in size and fit for a particular performer.
Disadvantages of self-made hats:
- a headdress made by yourself may not meet all necessary standards and safety standards;
- you need to spend time selecting materials, as well as the cutting and sewing process.
Types of balaclavas
In specialized stores you can find the following types of balaclavas:
- One-piece, better known as a balaclava, - only the eye area and, in some models, the mouth are open, provide complete protection of the face from unwanted influences.
- Cap - motorcycle protection is worn exclusively on the upper part of the head, it is convenient to use, but the efficiency is reduced compared to a balaclava.
- The liner for a motorcycle helmet has protective functions
- A balaclava-mask is worn on the face; such a product protects the respiratory tract from penetrating harmful substances, but the helmet lining will continue to get dirty.
- Tube-shaped balaclavas cover not only the face, but also the neck.
- The buffs can be transformed and used as a beanie, bandana, trumpet or balaclava.
The design is often different; there are liners with a pattern for a motorcycle helmet: a skull, a cat, a bull, and whatever the biker’s heart desires.
With your own hands
Each performer, having familiarized himself with the above advantages and disadvantages of purchased and independently made hats, will be able to decide which option is better, simpler and more convenient. If the welder nevertheless decides to sew a headdress with his own hands, the following are instructions on how to do it correctly.
cap
- Sewing a welder's cap is quite easy.
- To do this, you need to take two types of materials: one for the top layer, the other for the lining.
- Cut out 4 subtriangular pieces of the required size from each material.
- Then we put each blank for the lining into the blank of the outer layer and sew it with threads with fire-resistant impregnation.
Criterias of choice
Material
The material of the balaclava should be elastic, stretch well and return to its original shape.
Balaclavas for motorcyclists are made from the following fabrics:
- the most inexpensive and short-lived is synthetics, quite suitable for summer;
- cotton is also attractively priced and more durable, but it wears out quickly and breaks after just a couple of washes;
- balaclavas made of polyester fibers and cotton are durable and pleasant to the touch;
- viscose fibers are thick and durable;
- the most expensive is thermal fabric, it lasts a long time, does not stretch, breathes and wicks away moisture;
- Sometimes there are silk products, they exclude allergies.
The material of the balaclava must be elastic.
It is necessary to have special perforated inserts in the area of the respiratory tract. Be sure to check if you are allergic to this material; it should be pleasant to the touch and not cause irritation.
Size
It is important not to make a mistake with the size of the balaclava. To determine it, you need to use a flexible ruler or centimeter to measure the head circumference line, passing at a height of 2 cm above the eyebrows and along the convex areas of the back of the head. Check the resulting numbers with the product manufacturer's sizing charts. Don't forget that they tend to stretch.
Season
Balaclavas are lightweight and insulated. A summer liner for a motorcycle helmet has an air exchange design, while winter ones are often supplemented with fleece inserts or made of thick fabric.
The fabric of the balaclava should not cause allergies
Marking
The label indicates the manufacturer and address, what type of product it is, size, protective properties, date of manufacture, care instructions.
Type Ш(У) – winter half-woolen (insulated).
Winter heat-resistant balaclava - provides additional protection for the face and neck from adverse weather conditions, as well as from high and low temperatures. In addition, it helps remove heat from the front part, thereby preventing sweat from getting into the eyes when extinguishing fires and conducting ASR.
Designation on the balaclava label
Type T – heat-resistant (available in winter and summer).
Type T liner - two-layer, the top layer is made of heat-resistant material, the inner layer is made of viscose or cotton yarn. The balaclava is made in two types of design. In the parietal part of the balaclava there is an insert made of knitted fabric, which provides ventilation of the product. It has a similar purpose as Type Sh.
Summer heat-resistant balaclava
Sizes from 1 to 3 , which corresponds to a head circumference from 52 to 62 centimeters.
In accordance with the requirements of interstate GOST 12.4.103-83, special clothing and means of protecting hands and feet must be named and marked with special symbols in accordance with their protective properties.
Ti – from thermal radiation.
Tn – from low temperatures.
The best brands and manufacturers
The greatest demand is for motorcycle balaclava Starks and Hyperlook. And the rating of the best manufacturers for 2021 was headed by Gears Anti Freeze Balaclava.
The Italian company Dainese has proven itself well - a recognized leader in the market of equipment that protects people from head to toe. The company is introducing new motorcycle protection elements made from more advanced materials. Silk liners for motorcycle helmets from Dainese are popular - they quickly remove moisture from the surface of the body, breathe well, and provide excellent thermoregulation.
If the manufacturer is not important to you, you can order a balaclava from China.
How it was created
In Soviet times, the protective equipment for fire department employees was a gas mask of the KIP-8 type. Which included a special rubber mask over the entire face area. However, it did not completely protect the head from the negative effects of external factors during a fire.
Later, firefighter equipment was improved. The construction of helmets (KP-80,92) began to have liners sewn into them, which were used by builders.
Since the beginning of 2000, oxygen gas masks began to be replaced by breathing apparatus (DASV) equipped with a panoramic mask. New models of head helmets began to appear. The ShPM, Gallet and ShKPS helmet models have gained popularity in the firefighting equipment market. The improved design eliminated the use of construction liners.
The new equipment left the ears, neck and back of the head unprotected against one of the dangerous factors of fire, high temperature. Soon, analogues from motorcycle equipment began to be used to create more advanced models.
Balaclava Type T
Dimensions
When choosing a balaclava, it is extremely important to consider size. In order not to make a mistake, it is best to take independent head measurements. To do this, you will need a soft centimeter or a flexible ruler. The girth should be measured at a height of 2 cm from the eyebrow line. The resulting figure must be checked against the table, which presents the size range with letter values .
According to statistical averages, balaclavas for women are in the range of 54–61, and balaclavas for men are in the range of 58–65.
Care Tips
Any piece of specialized equipment must be properly cared for. Among the complete list of uniforms, balaclavas require special attention. When washing, it is important to take into account the characteristics of the material. On the balaclava tag there is an explanation at what temperature and in what mode this item of clothing can be washed .
For example, if the balaclava is made of silk material, it is recommended to set the washing machine to the “delicate wash” setting. Under no circumstances should you supplement the program with a spin cycle . And the most important thing is to use a minimal amount of powder. To wash a balaclava, it is recommended to use a mesh bag or bag.
It is worth noting that regular washing of the balaclava relieves its owner from constant cleaning of the helmet.
