The Perfect Balaclava Search...

[Scott McKee]

...continues

I recently purchased the Columbia Infinity Trail balaclava which features their Omni-Heat technology.  The item is a complete and utter bust for cold weather anything,  let alone musky fishing. 

Here's my review...

Not for me

With this purchase I hoped the item's Omni-Heat Infinity liner would be sufficient to augment my alpacha wool cap when the weather was awful while plying the waters of the Niagara River this fall and winter. I was disappointed in the item's performance. The balaclava is constructed well, and it is very light weight. The Omni-Heat liner seemingly does nothing. (I hope the down jacket with this feature I ordered outperforms this product.) The face covering fabric is very thin, possibly cotton, and offers precious little warmth. My displeasure with this product may be my own fault. The item does say it is lightweight and designed for hiking. It may work wonderfully in those respects. For fishing in the rain, wind and cold - or even walking my dogs with the same environmental factors - this product fails miserably. It simply offers no perceivable extra warmth. Much cheaper fleece offerings boast more. As a big and tall person I am pleased Columbia offers clothing in larger sizes, and this purchase in no way will prevent me from purchasing Columbia products in the future. I will just be much more careful doing so; perhaps if a product comes recommended highly by a known or reputable source.