The Best Face Coverings for Skiing & Snowboarding of 2025-2026

Face Coverings That Nearly Made the Podium

The Best Face Coverings Comparison Chart

How We Tested the Best Face Coverings for Skiing & Snowboarding

Here at GearJunkie, we are dedicated athletes, outdoor hobbyists, and all-around adventure aficionados all year long. When winter sets in, we gleefully trade in our adventure sandals for ski boots and continue having fun on the same trails we hiked and biked. It may be skis and snowboards accompanying us up for the lift instead of mountain bikes, but the stoke remains the same.

Our Expert Testers

Lead tester and editor Chris Kassar headed up this year’s face covering testing, bringing years of experience skiing, touring, and testing gear across the Tetons, Colorado Rockies, and Canadian backcountry. She’s spent countless days on both sides of the lens — testing gear, chasing snow, and capturing winter adventures through every kind of weather.

Writer and gear tester Carolyne Whelan, who originally developed this guide in 2024, laid the groundwork with extensive field testing throughout Montana, Idaho, and northern New Mexico. Her years of outdoor gear testing — from cycling kits to cold-weather apparel — built the foundation for this updated guide.

Our Testing Grounds and Process

To evaluate the best ski and snowboard face coverings, we tested them in real-world winter conditions across Wyoming, Colorado, Utah, and Canada. Our testing included alpine and Nordic skiing, snowshoeing, fat biking, and early-morning dog walks in single-digit temps.

We swapped face coverings throughout the day to compare warmth, fit, and breathability in identical conditions — from frigid lift rides at Jackson Hole Mountain Resort to stormy backcountry tours in Grand Teton National Park. Over the course of the season, our team logged hundreds of miles through blizzards, bluebird skies, and everything in between to find the pieces that truly perform when winter bears its teeth.

If you’re looking for advice on other gear to help you enjoy the winter season, check out our buyer’s guides to the best backcountry skis, nordic skis, all-mountain skis, snowshoes, and winter hiking boots. Stay warm and dry all over with our buying advice on the best ski bibs, ski pants, ski gloves, and base layers.

Buyer’s Guide: How to Choose the Best Face Coverings for Skiing & Snowboarding

In some areas of the world, winter is the longest season with the shortest days. The best way to pass the time is to lean into the spirit of things and work with the seasons, not against them. Whether you’re lucky enough to live in such a place or just visiting for vacation, it’s important to properly protect yourself against the elements. Just like the killer bunny from Monty Python, snow may look soft and fluffy, but it can kill you without the proper precautions.

With so many options for ski face coverings out there, which one works best for you will depend on your specific needs. Use this guide to help comb through the jargon and find the best fit for your ski trip. And don’t forget that comfort and safety is a head-to-toe matter — check out our guide to the best ski socks to make sure your feet stay just as dry and cozy as your cheeks.

What Activity Will You Use It For?

One of the most important questions to ask yourself is: What sort of skiing or recreating am I planning on doing, and what other gear will I be wearing while I do this? Nordic skiing and skinning up a mountain while backcountry skiing require a lot of lung power, especially at higher altitudes. For these active pursuits, we particularly recommend the Outdoor Research Trailmix Ubertube, a simple but highly effective face covering that strikes the ideal balance between warmth, breathability, and style.

Snowshoeing, meanwhile, is a hard workout, but the intensity can be controlled as it’s easier to change pace as needed. While, of course, downhill skiers and snowboarders also need a level of breathability, your heart and lungs aren’t typically pumping as intensely as other pursuits, so you may not need as much. Downhill skiers will instead want to prioritize options like the Hood Balaclava from Blackstrap or the Turtle Fur Mount Hood Overhood, which work well with a helmet and goggles.

Materials

Some people have general preferences for certain materials, whether synthetic or natural, and that can be an easy place to start. The simple but effective Smartwool Thermal Merino Reversible Neck Gaiter will be guaranteed to be made of, you guessed it, wool (just like all its products) products, and the Buff Merino Move Multifunctional Neckwear is also merino wool.

Wool keeps you warm even when wet, so that’s an advantage when recreating in winter. Synthetic coverings like the Turtle Fur Quantum Luxe Balaclava offer different benefits like cozy fleece or high breathability. In addition to the type of fabric, thickness, and breathability are critical considerations as well. What works best for you will largely be dependent on the conditions you expect to face and the activities you’ll be doing most often.

Whichever material you choose should have enough elasticity to accommodate a wide range of head sizes and shapes. A flexible fit ensures that the mask can adapt to your movements and maintain its position, whether you’re glancing down at your feet or looking up at the lift line. This adaptability is crucial for both comfort and maintaining visibility.

Coverage & Design

When buying a ski or snowboard mask, consider if you want a full head covering or simply a neck gaiter or face cover. The most effective face covering for skiing or snowboarding should cover critical areas exposed to the elements, including the neck, chin, cheeks, and sometimes the nose. Yet, it’s essential that the mask does not interfere with your helmet or goggles.

We recommend trying on your face covering while wearing your other accessories. Check that the bottom of the mask tucks under your jacket collar to keep out drafts and that there’s a seamless interface with your helmet and goggles to avoid fogging and ensure a wide field of vision. If you won’t always be wearing a helmet, make sure that it works with and without a helmet like the Turtle Fur Mount Hood Overhood.

Other important factors include fit and versatility, such as the ability to be worn over the whole head or only the face or neck with a transformation. For a balance between full coverage and breathability, the Turtle Fur Quantum Luxe Balaclava stands out as the best overall face covering. Made from a blend of polyester, rayon, and spandex, it offers full head and neck coverage, with the possibility of chin and mouth coverage as well.

It’s particularly suited for both alpine and nordic skiing, snowshoeing, and more. The microfleece lining is super cozy, and the hood can be peeled back to wear as a neck gaiter if it gets too hot, giving you the best of all worlds.

Breathability

When selecting the best face covering for skiing, breathability stands out as a key factor for both comfort and functionality on the slopes. While a snug fit is crucial, the mask must also allow for comfortable breathing, especially during rigorous activity.

Look for models with venting options or breathable materials, particularly around the mouth and nose, to prevent moisture buildup inside the mask that can lead to dampness and cold. One standout option is the Buff Mountain Bandana. This bandana-style covering offers a unique blend of functionality and style, making it a great choice for skiers who prioritize ease of breathing without sacrificing protection from the cold.

Weather

There are lots of factors to consider when deciding what sort of coverage is best for you, and an important place to start is what sort of weather conditions you expect. Depending on where you’ll be skiing or recreating, you may need full protection from high winds and extreme cold, or you may benefit from more breathability and the ability to shed layers easily.

Altitude can also be a factor, as the sun is less filtered, yet the thin air can make it harder to breathe. For face, check, and neck coverage, choose the Buff Mountain Bandana, while the REI Wind Pro Hinged Balaclava provides full coverage for the most brutal conditions. If you’ll be sticking at the resort, choose our favorite over-the-helmet face covering, the Turtle Fur Mount Hood Overhood.

Fit

When choosing a face covering for skiing or snowboarding, fit is paramount for ensuring comfort, functionality, and protection from the cold. A well-fitted ski mask should conform snugly to the contours of your face and head without being too tight or overly loose. We discovered the fit of the Outdoor Research Trailmix Ubertube to be ideal in these ways.

Look for a face covering that securely hugs your face and head. It should sit comfortably without any gaps where cold air can sneak in. However, be wary of coverings that feel too tight, as they can restrict breathing or cause discomfort, especially when worn for extended periods.

Adjustability

Some face coverings come with adjustable features, such as drawstrings, Velcro straps, or flexible nose bridges, allowing wearers to tailor the fit to their specific needs. This customizability is particularly valuable for achieving the right balance between snugness and comfort. For those facing extremely cold conditions, the REI Wind Pro Hinged Balaclava, the Turtle Fur Mount Hood Overhood, and The North Face Whimzy Powder Hood are highly flexible choices.

While the REI Wind Pro Hinged Balaclava is designed more for extreme cold rather than prioritizing breathability, its hinged design allows for flexibility in how you wear it, giving you the option to uncover your mouth and nose for easier breathing when conditions permit. The iconic Merino Move Multifunctional Neckwear from Buff is also an extremely versatile option since it can be worn a wide range of ways and it works for widely varying conditions.

Price & Value

There isn’t a ton of price variation in face coverings and all the ones we’ve reviewed fall between $26 and $40. Typically, the more technical options will cost a bit more. Choose the best option based on your needs and the features you find most important.

Budget

You can find a solid budget face covering for $15-30. To date, the lowest-priced option we’ve reviewed is one of our favorites. The Outdoor Research Trailmix Ubertube ($26) is a simple tube design that is beyond comfortable and versatile. It’s breathable, wicking, and quick-drying. However, if you want a hood or full coverage, you’ll have to look to our premium tier.

Mid-Tier

Face coverings within this price range ($30-38) are still simpler tube designs. However, they may be a bit more versatile in the way they can be worn and/or more technical. The Buff Move Multifunctional Neckwear ($35) is more versatile than any other on this list since it can handle almost all activities and conditions and can be worn in a multitude of ways depending on the situation. The Buff Mountain Bandana boasts a unique design that allows you to breathe well during hard efforts, but offers warmth when the wind kicks up or the mercury drops. You’ll still have to pay a bit more for a balaclava or hooded design or an option that will keep you protected during the most treacherous conditions.

Premium

Balaclavas and hooded designs fall into this range ($40 and up). Premium face coverings will provide full-face protection and will often have waterproof or water-resistant materials, and sometimes options for customizing fit. Our best overall pick, the Turtle Fur Quantum Luxe Balaclava ($43), is extremely comfortable and offers the option to wear with the hood or without; it is not waterproof, however. If you want a water-resistant option, choose REI’s Wind Pro Hinged Balaclava, which offers ideal full-coverage protection against wind and precipitation while maintaining breathability. The prices on our list, the Turtle Fur Mount Hood Overhood ($65) is extremely cozy, offers full protection and it is our top pick for wearing over a helmet.

Frequently Asked Questions