The difference between the DUCKSBACK/Lamilite balaclava and all of the rest that are available is the fact that perspiration being emitted from your head will migrate through the materials and out. However the heat will remain inside the balaclava just like it remains in every other Lamilite insulated product I manufacture.
All of the other balaclavas available are either made from a wool knit or fleece. In either case they do trap the moisture that is emitted from your head and due to the heat from your head any snow that lands on the hat will melt and seep into the fabric which I believe is not in your best interest.
The DUCKSBACK material will not allow any water to seep into the balaclava.
When you do not need to wear it you will be amazed at how small and compact it is for storage in any pocket. If it happens to get wet drying time is incredibly fast. It is made in one size only at this time.
I am very proud to once again bring to market a product that out performs all previous products of the same type.
My first Ducksback purchase. I immediately took it to the sink and ran water forcibly over the outer shell. The water ran off as if repelled by some unseen force. Afterwards the fabric didn’t look or feel wet. Amazing.
Snowshoeing can really sweat you up but with this balaclava my head didn’t get clammy. Lamilite pulled the moisture away so quickly I always felt dry. Ducksback is very vapor-permeable. What a great fabric, what a super hat.
– Pete Clark
I've been wearing this skiing for some time now. It replaces a wool hat or helmet over a wool balaclava. We just had our first sub-zero since I bought it. I was surprised that a light orlon balaclava covering my face was all I needed under this balaclava to keep me warm at -2F. Five knot wind gusts had no effect.
– Charles Fletcher