You may have come across the word ‘balaclava’ for the first time ever while reading our ski mask buying guide. That’s ok. We didn’t know what they were at first either. A balaclava is a piece of cloth headgear that will only expose part of the face, usually just the eyes and nose. The name of this apparel comes from its use at the Battle of Balaclava in 1984 during the Crimean War. When balaclavas were first being constructed, they were typically made from wool. Nowadays they can be made from other materials like silk, neoprene, and polar fleece. These are commonly seen on the slopes as they do a great job in protecting skiers and snowboarders from the harsh winter elements. Motorcyclists and cyclists also wear balaclavas when riding in inclement weather to protect their face and neck.