Craft Pro Zero Protector Balaclava

I ride into the teens, and this was the first balaclava that I liked. It is made of the standard Craft stretch winter base layer material, so it has wonderful warmth, even if you are sweating. I ride it from freezing down to the mid 20s, but at that point or below, you also want wind protection for your forehead and ears. This piece does not have that, so you will need to either combine it with Craft's WindStopper skull cap, or move to something like the Gore balaclava that is loaded with WindStopper. It is priced reasonably and has lasted several seasons. I highly recommend it as a first balaclava, but it will only take you down so cold before you need moresomething else.

The Zero Protector is aptly named-it provides just about zero protection. It is too thin to be of any use when you really need it (in cold icy winds), and while it keeps you fairly warm in other milder conditions, just about any other less expensive alternative would do so just as well. I was disappointed from the moment I saw it. I was hoping for a nice medium thick, stretchable covering that would ward off icy 20-40mph winds, and all I got was the equivalent to a glove liner for the face. Do not waste your money on this one. I ended up using an Under Armour cover that looks and works great and costs half what the Zero did.