This guide references the face masks we sell at dbGear (eBay user discount-biker-gear). While others may sell items which look similar, all masks are not created equal, so please read all item descriptions carefully and double check all seller's feedbacks.
NEED A FACE MASK? Consider (1)coverage and (2)material...
Coverage
Exposed Areas - forehead, ears, face, neck.
Coverage options - half face mask (velcro in the back), full face mask (wraps the whole face with an open top), full hood, ear wrap (a head band which will cover your ears and your forehead) - consider: If you need to wear a helmet, will this mask work?
Material
Listed in order with the warmest first ...
Material Options - neoprene, leather, fleece, cotton, polyester
NEOPRENE - spot clean only
The neoprene is the warmest mask we offer because of it's heat retention qualities. Neoprene is a soft/spongey material, like a SCUBA suit. It is a blended material which contains some rubber. That makes them warm, but does make them smell a little bit like a tire. When not in use, you may want to throw in a bag with a dryer sheet. The neoprene half masks work best when held in place with a helmet strap. The full face neoprene masks work very well with or without a helmet. We have neoprene full face wraps which velcro shut in the back. They are "topless" masks with good reason. They're too tight with a helmet otherwise. If you are in a state with no helmet laws, think about also wearing a cap or getting a hood instead. Some of our masks have the option of longer neck coverage. If you plan to ride in cold weather, you'll want to stop that wind on your neck. You can buy a mask that'll do that for you, or plan to wear a scarf. When picking between the leather and neoprene, you need to consider what type of coverage you need more than anything because they are both quite warm.
LEATHER - spot clean only
Leather works well to shield you from the elements but it is usually only available in a half mask so something else (like an ear wrap) would need to cover your forehead and ears. That leather bandanna style (triangle shape with a velcro back), however, does a very nice job keeping the wind off your neck as well. Just tuck the point into your jacket. You want to be sure you don't get a cheap leather mask with no lining. The leather up against your skin may actually leave black dye marks on your face if the leather gets wet from your breath or in rain.
FLEECE - washing varies/usually machine wash cold/read tag
Fleece is a soft material that is pretty warm. Keep in mind, fleece is thicker than the other materials we offer with our masks. Great for warmth, but it doesn't work well under a helmet - makes it too tight.
COTTON and POLYESTER - machine wash cool, line dry or dry low heat
Cotton and polyester offer about the same level of warmth. Our cotton and polyester masks are, no question, our top selling masks, but they are not our warmest. A number of skiers wear our polyester hoods and really like them. They stretch over your face and easily move with you. When already bundled up for the slopes and remaining active, the thinner masks work fine. But a biker is sitting there getting a constant stream of high wind which generally requires a heavier mask for cold temperatures. The cotton and polyester masks offer about the same warmth as a t-shirt wrapped around your face would. They provide the best option for all-season coverage and will do a very nice job of keeping the sting out of sand and rain. They work great for cool weather (with or without a helmet), but for many riders, one of the other materials would be best for a real cold weather mask. Please note that our cotton masks and polyester masks are 100%, not blends which are less expensive but won't stretch as well and can have a cheap feel to them.
We guarantee our gear 100% for 30 days. Send back any item in new condition/tags attached, for a full refund.
We want you to get the one mask for your particular riding situation. Contact us if you have any further questions about which mask would be right for you.
dbGear - BIKER GEAR
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