Buff Thermonet Stand Collar , Lightweight Merino Wool Balaclava , Lightweight Merino Wool Beanie , and Lightweight Merino Wool Print Scarf
I’ve used Buff products for years for hiking, walking, and running, but when it comes to skiing, I usually wear the colorful Skida neck scarves to keep the elements out. After receiving a few Buff products to review in February of this year, I decided to wear two Buff products instead of a Skida collar while skiing.
All Buff products are made in Barcelona, ​​Spain. Buff is a Class B Corporation. I tested the Thermonet balaclava and neck scarf, and Sam tested the beanie.
The Merino Lightweight Balaclava has been a real lifesaver since I never wore anything under my ski helmet before. The balaclava is lightweight and fits comfortably inside the helmet. It hugs my face and depending on the weather, I can pull the mask up over my nose or tuck it under my chin. This is the most important layer in a helmet, preventing brain freeze and protecting my face from damage from cold winter winds.
Made from 100% ethical Merino wool and the lightest weight available on the market (125g/m²), this balaclava is incredibly soft to the touch and provides protection.
The mask features Vapor Grid™ technology in the mouth area, which improves breathability and prevents fogging of glasses and goggles.
Compared to my Skida neck brace, the Buff Thermonet neck brace is less bulky, twice as long, has incredible four-way stretch, and is more breathable. It’s made from Thermonet® fabric, a “lightweight, warm fabric made from recycled materials and PrimaLoft yarn.” When it comes to warmth, Buff claims Thermonet® is “four times warmer than standard microfiber.”
I tucked the collar of the Buff Thermonex under my ski jacket and over the bottom of my balaclava. This layering provided great coverage and was very comfortable.
The $27 Buff Thermonet Tie is a great accessory that can be worn for multiple seasons without having to buy a new one every year.
Sam: This lightweight hat is made from Buff’s lightest 125gsm merino wool, which is fine, soft and seamless. Merino wool is ethically sourced, naturally odorless and has temperature-regulating properties.
I wore it on numerous runs, hikes, and ski trips in temperatures ranging from the mid-twenties to zero degrees Fahrenheit. Because it was so thin, I never felt overheated during intense workouts, and it stayed warm the entire time.
This hat is clearly designed for endurance-based winter sports, not for standing in the cold watching outdoor hockey or cross-country skiing. It also works well as a “basic” hat under a hooded down coat.
Since it is very lightweight, it should be carried in a backpack or pocket even in non-winter times to be prepared for unexpected weather changes on the road or anywhere else.
Pairs perfectly with the lightweight Classic Buff 125gsm Merino Wool Print ($30), which is available in a variety of prints.
Wear the Classic Buff around your neck and face or over a beanie for extra warmth.
Dominique has been running for 45 years, logging about 25 miles a week at a pace of 11–12 minutes per mile, and one run a week at a pace of 9 minutes per mile. She rarely competes, but when she does, she always surprises even seasoned runners her age. In 1985, she set a personal best of 3 hours 16 minutes in her second marathon, which at the time put her in the top 10 of Swiss runners. An avid hiker and walker, she has circled Mont Blanc three times, walked from Chamonix to Zermatt, and climbed 48 4,000-foot peaks in New Hampshire. She is the mother of two grown children, both of whom have taken up running since college. She also enjoys cross-country skiing, alpine skiing, tennis, and gardening.
Sam is the editor and founder of Road Trail Run. Now in his sixties, Sam will be a road and trail runner for 52 years in 2024. For decades, he held a personal best of 2 hours 28 minutes for the marathon. Today, if he’s lucky, he can run a half marathon in under 1 hour 40 minutes. Sam trains 30 to 40 miles a week on the roads and trails of New Hampshire and Utah, mostly at a moderate pace, running, hiking, or skiing. He’s 5’9” and weighs about 160 pounds when he’s not drinking a lot of good New England IPA.